Connect automatically to open Wi-Fi networks

Wi-Fi assistant is off by default, unless you have Project Fi.

Set your device to connect to open networks automatically

1. Open your device's Settings app .
2. Tap Google.
3. Tap Networking.
4. Turn on Wi-Fi assistant.

When your device is connected via Wi-Fi assistant

• Your notifications bar shows the virtual private network (VPN) key .
• Your Wi-Fi connection says: "Connected via Wi-Fi assistant."

You can disconnect from a specific network or turn off Wi-Fi assistant at any time.

Disconnect from a network

If Wi-Fi assistant connected you to a network that you don't want to connect to again, you can "forget" that network.

1. Open your device's Settings app .
2. Tap Wi-Fi.
3. Touch and hold the name of the Wi-Fi network.
4. Tap Forget network.

Turn off Wi-Fi assistant

1. Open your device's Settings app .
2. Tap Google.
3. Tap Networking.
4. Turn off Wi-Fi assistant.

On Pixel phones and Nexus devices running Android 5.1 and up:

• Wi-Fi assistant is available in the US, Canada, Denmark, Faroe Islands, Finland, Iceland, Mexico, Norway, Sweden, and the UK.
• If you have Project Fi, Wi-Fi assistant is also available in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and Switzerland.

Apps that limit use to specific locations, like certain sports and video apps, may not work over this kind of secure connection.

If this happens, you can:

1. Disconnect from the Wi-Fi network. Learn how to disconnect.
2. Manually reconnect to the Wi-Fi network. Learn how to connect manually.
   Important: Other people using an open network could see data sent to that network via a manual connection.

When you reconnect manually, the app should be able to see your location.

If you can't connect to a nearby open network via Wi-Fi assistant, it could be because:

• We haven't verified that the network is high-quality and reliable.
• Wi-Fi assistant doesn't connect to networks to which you've already connected manually.
• Wi-Fi assistant doesn't connect to networks that need you to take steps to connect, like signing in.

Try these solutions:

• If Wi-Fi assistant doesn't connect automatically, you can choose to connect manually. Learn how to manually connect to a Wi-Fi network.
  Important: Other people using an open network could see data sent to that network via a manual connection.
• If you'd already connected to the network manually, you can "forget" the network. Wi-Fi assistant will then re-connect automatically. Learn how to "forget" a network.

To help make open Wi-Fi networks safer, Wi-Fi assistant uses a virtual private network (VPN). The VPN helps protect your data from being seen by other people using the open network. 

When a VPN is active, you’ll see a "Network may be monitored" message. Google monitors system data. When you're securely connected to a website (by HTTPS), VPN operators, like Google, can't record your content. Google uses system data sent through VPN connections to:

• Provide and improve Wi-Fi assistant, including the virtual private network (VPN)
• Monitor for abuse
• Comply with applicable laws and regulations, or as required by court or government orders