To use Wi-Fi the way you want, you can change how and when your device connects.
When you have Wi-Fi turned on, your device automatically connects to nearby Wi-Fi networks you've connected to before. You can also set your device to automatically turn on Wi-Fi near saved networks.
Important: Some of these steps work only on Android 11 and up. Learn how to check your Android version.
Turn on & connect
- Open your device's Settings app.
- Tap Network & internet Internet.
- Turn Wi-Fi on.
- Tap a listed network. If it needs a password, you'll find the Lock . After you connect:
- "Connected" shows under the network name.
- The network is "Saved." When your device is near and Wi-Fi is on, your device 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 notificationWhen 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 get notifications for that network, clear the notification. Learn how to control notifications.
Tip: You can also connect to these networks without notifications. Learn how to connect automatically to open networks.
Strength
- Open your phone's Settings app.
- Tap Network & internet Internet.
- Make sure that Wi-Fi is on.
- You'll find the network's signal strength on the Wi-Fi icon . A fuller icon means a stronger signal.
Speed
- Open your phone's Settings app.
- Tap Network & internet Internet.
- Make sure that Wi-Fi is on.
- 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 webpages, 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.
- Open your phone's Settings app.
- Tap Network & internet Internet Network preferences.
- Turn on Turn on Wi-Fi automatically. If needed, first turn on Location Location services.
- Turn on Wi-Fi scanning and Bluetooth scanning.
Tip: Wi-Fi won't turn on automatically when:
- Location is off
- Battery saver is on
- Airplane mode is on
- Tethering ("hotspot") is on
- Background Wi-Fi scanning is off
Change, add, share, or remove saved networks
Change a saved network- Open your phone’s Settings app.
- Tap Network & internet Wi-Fi.
- To move between listed networks, tap a network name.
- To change a network's settings, tap the network.
Option 1: Wait for the network list to reload
If the network you want isn't listed, but is nearby, wait for the list to refresh.
Option 2: Add network
- Open your phone's Settings app.
- Tap Network & internet Internet.
- Make sure that Wi-Fi is on.
- At the bottom of the list, tap Add network.
- If needed, enter the network name (SSID) and security details.
- Tap Save.
- Open your device’s Settings app.
- Tap Network & internet Internet.
- Make sure that Wi-Fi is on and you’re connected to the network you want to share.
- Next to the Wi-Fi network, tap Settings Share.
- If needed, verify your identity on your device.
- To share the Wi-Fi network, use the QR code.
- To open up Quick Settings, swipe down from the top of the screen.
- Tap Internet.
- Make sure that Wi-Fi is on and you’re connected to the network you want to share.
- At the bottom left, tap Share Wi-Fi.
- If needed, verify your identity on your device.
- To share the Wi-Fi network, use the QR code.
- Open your phone’s Settings app.
- Tap Network & internet Internet.
- Make sure that Wi-Fi is on.
- Touch and hold a saved network.
- 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 OpenRoamingTo set up OpenRoaming on your Pixel phone:
- Open your phone's Settings app.
- Tap Network & internet Internet.
- If you’re in range of an OpenRoaming network, tap it in the Wi-Fi list.
- On screen, review the terms and conditions. Tap Continue.
- Tap the Google account to use for authentication.
You can disconnect, forget, or change the account you use for OpenRoaming.
- While connected to an OpenRoaming hotspot, open your phone's Settings app.
- Tap Network & internet Internet.
- 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 you use with OpenRoaming, tap Advanced Subscription.
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 once when you set up OpenRoaming. For more info, visit the Wireless Broadband Alliance site.
After that set-up, 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.