Connect to Wi-Fi networks on your Pixel phone

To use Wi-Fi the way you want, you can change how and when your phone connects.

When you have Wi-Fi turned on, your phone automatically connects to nearby Wi-Fi networks to which you've connected before. You can also set your phone to automatically turn on Wi-Fi near saved networks.

Important: Some of these steps only work on Android 11 and up. Learn how to check your Android version.

Turn on & connect

1. Open your phone's Settings app.
   
2. Tap Network and Internet  Internet.
   
3. Turn Wi-Fi on.
   
4. Tap a listed network. If it needs a password, you'll see the Lock . After you connect:
   • 'Connected' shows under the network name.
   • The network is 'Saved'. When your phone is near and Wi-Fi is on, your phone automatically connects.
     

Tip: You can also swipe down on your screen to get to Wi-Fi settings. Learn how to change common settings.

Connect via notification

When Wi-Fi is on, you get notifications of available, high-quality, public networks. On these notifications:

• To connect to the network, tap Connect.
• To change Wi-Fi settings, tap all networks.
• To not receive notifications for that network, clear the notification. Learn to control notifications.

Tip: You can also connect to these networks without notifications. Find out how to connect automatically to open networks.

Compare networks' strength

Strength

1. Open your phone's Settings app.
2. Tap Network and Internet Internet.
3. Make sure that Wi-Fi is on.
4. You'll find the network's signal strength on the Wi-Fi icon . A fuller icon means a stronger signal.

Speed

1. Open your phone's Settings app.
2. Tap Network and Internet Internet.
3. Make sure that Wi-Fi is on.
4. You'll find the connection speed under a public network's name. Speed can change with signal strength.
   • Slow: You can send and receive emails and texts. Images appear slowly.
   • OK: You can read web pages, use social media and stream music and standard-definition (SD) videos.
   • Fast: You can stream most high-definition (HD) videos and make video calls.
   • Very Fast: You can stream very high-quality videos.

Automatically turn on near saved networks

1. Open your phone's Settings app.
2. Tap Network and Internet  Internet  Network preferences.
3. Turn on Turn on Wi-Fi automatically. If needed, first turn on Location  Location Services.
4. Turn on Wi-Fi scanning and Bluetooth scanning.

Tip: Wi-Fi won't turn on automatically when:

• Location is off
• Battery Saver is on
• Aeroplane mode is on
• Tethering ('hotspot') is on
• Background Wi-Fi scanning is off

Change, add, share or remove saved networks

Change a saved network

1. Open your phone's Settings app.
2. Tap Network & Internet  Wi-Fi.
   • To move between listed networks, tap a network name.
   • To change a network's settings, tap the network.

Add

Option 1: Reload network list

If the network that you want isn't listed, but is nearby, wait for the list to refresh.

Option 2: Add network

1. Open your phone's Settings app.
2. Tap Network and Internet  Internet.
3. Make sure that Wi-Fi is on.
4. At the bottom of the list, tap Add network.
5. If needed, enter the network name (SSID) and security details.
6. Tap Save.

Share Wi-Fi information with a friend

1. Open your phone's Settings app.
2. Tap Network and Internet Internet.
3. Make sure that Wi-Fi is on.
4. Tap a network Share.
5. You’ll find a QR code on your phone. Your friend can scan the code to join the same network.

Remove saved networks

1. Open your phone's Settings app.
2. Tap Network and Internet  Internet.
3. Make sure that Wi-Fi is on.
4. Touch and hold a saved network.
5. Tap Forget.

Connect to OpenRoaming Wi-Fi networks

OpenRoaming is a federation of Wi-Fi hotspots. When you're near an OpenRoaming hotspot that offers no-charge, secure access to Google users, your Pixel phone can connect to that hotspot automatically.

Set up OpenRoaming

Important: OpenRoaming can only be set up when you’re in range of an OpenRoaming network. After setup, your phone automatically connects to any nearby participating OpenRoaming networks.

To set up OpenRoaming on your Pixel phone:

1. Open your phone's Settings app.
2. Tap Network and Internet  Internet.
3. If you’re in range of an OpenRoaming network, tap it in the Wi-Fi list.
4. On screen, review the Terms and Conditions. Tap Continue.
5. Tap the Google Account to use for authentication.

Turn off or change OpenRoaming settings

You can disconnect, forget or change the account that you use for OpenRoaming.

1. While connected to an OpenRoaming hotspot, open your phone's settings app.
2. Tap Network and Internet Internet.
3. Next to 'OpenRoaming', tap Settings .
   • To disconnect from the specific hotspot, tap Disconnect .
   • To not connect to OpenRoaming again, tap Forget .
   • To change the account that you use with OpenRoaming, tap Advanced Subscription.

Tip: Settings lists other info, like the current hotspot's signal strength, frequency and security.

How OpenRoaming works

Important: Google doesn’t share your personal data with OpenRoaming networks.

OpenRoaming lets you connect to public Wi-Fi hotspots with fewer steps. You don’t have to manually switch between networks and accept different Terms and Conditions. Instead, your Pixel phone automatically switches networks as you pass from one hotspot area into another.

To join OpenRoaming, networks must meet service and security standards and agree to common Terms and Conditions. You accept those common terms when you set up OpenRoaming. For more info, visit the Wireless Broadband Alliance site.

After that setup,  OpenRoaming networks accept a Google credential from your Pixel phone, which states that your phone is using an account that accepts the terms. This lets your Pixel phone move smoothly between OpenRoaming hotspots.

Related resources

• Connect automatically to open Wi-Fi networks
• Fix Wi-Fi network connection problems
• Tether with Wi-Fi hotspot
• Make calls over Wi-Fi
• Wi-Fi assistant & speed labels opt-out for network administrators
• Manage advanced Wi-Fi network settings