Stop auto-connecting to open wifi networks - Networking

I have a Nexus 4. I'm currently on 4.3. My phone auto-connects to every single open wifi network I walk past. Starbucks, McDonalds, Nordstroms, etc... every single one. I've tried both setting and not setting the "Notify me of open networks" option in the Wifi settings. No difference. Well there is, one setting just causes it to silently connect. I have NOT connected to these networks before. At the end of the day I have like 15 AP's queued up in my list that I have to delete.
This might be the most pants-on-head retarded design I have ever seen in a phone. I have only a few productivity apps on my phones. None of them meddle with wifi settings as far as I can tell. So, can anyone help me? Please don't offer me the advice of turning wifi off. I understand that is the kill-all for this, but it's akin to suggesting that longer battery life can be had by turning the phone off between charges. There has to be some option I am missing that is a never-connect-to-open option. I bounce between client offices all day and I need wifi to work smoothly.

Yup, same here. I've disabled the setting to notify me when an open notification is available, and it just connects to all and sundry, often causing me to lose connection with a server. Anybody aware of a fix for this? Do I need to root my Nexus 4 first?

WiFi 'scan/connects' with other networks.
Boyturtle said:
Yup, same here. I've disabled the setting to notify me when an open notification is available, and it just connects to all and sundry, often causing me to lose connection with a server. Anybody aware of a fix for this? Do I need to root my Nexus 4 first?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Set your WiFi to be active on your network only, uncheck open networks, and select manage networks to a single AP, yours.
I manage a single connection on my Droid X, and 'forget' all other networks, and do not store any network data from these either.
This is the only way I am certain my phone will not look for other networks, but then again, you can turn off 'Update over WiFi only' as well.
Deselect anything that will cause the phone to look for a WiFi AP, but also remember that once done, your apps such as Email and FB may still attempt to update via the phone's network and not WiFi.

Related

Phone auto connecting to random Wifi access points

All,
My brother has a T-Mobile stock ROM HD 2 and he has the issue where device would just randomly connect to available access points, including a BT OpenZone and a Netgear home router. The worst thing is that if the device is connected to his home [preferred] router, it would all of a sudden connect to the BTOpenZone one and totally disable all activity and actually bring up their registration page, etc. It connects to this [random] Netgear one when he is at his in-laws place.
Just to say that these access points have never previously been added as a preferred network or otherwise.
I used to have a WM device (on to Android now) but never used the WiFi connection, so perhaps I'm missing something obvious (?!)
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
This is normal behaviour, if you leave your wifi on. It automatically searches for and tries to connect to any nearby wifi sources. All you have to do is turn wifi off. Just turn it on when you want to use it.
There's a toggle app in one of the stickied threads (cabs & tips)
Must go into the WIFI settings and after couple of Nexts, Uncheck the /Automaticaly Find The Key/ or something like that..also you can go into WIFI options and remove a certain routers setting,just play around a bit with the settings and you will find it.
johncmolyneux said:
This is normal behaviour, if you leave your wifi on. It automatically searches for and tries to connect to any nearby wifi sources. All you have to do is turn wifi off. Just turn it on when you want to use it.
There's a toggle app in one of the stickied threads (cabs & tips)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Surely it's not default behaviour? I vaguely remember that it automatically searches for wifi APs (if the WiFi is on) but never knew it automatcally connected without you asking it to do so, especially if you have never connected to that AP before or previously added it as a preferred network.
hagba said:
Must go into the WIFI settings and after couple of Nexts, Uncheck the /Automaticaly Find The Key/ or something like that..also you can go into WIFI options and remove a certain routers setting,just play around a bit with the settings and you will find it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I shall have to give that a go and look for that setting.
I have the device in front of me now, but fail to find any settings to disable/prevent this behaviour.

3g fallback for internet on wifi?

So I'm having trouble with getting wifi how I want it on my phone. At work we have a unsecured WAP with a web based authentication page. Trouble if you ever use it, it remembers the WAP and wants to login, but unless you you goto the web page, you have no internet. This is particularly a problem when wifi sleeps and looses connection.
The big issue with this is that my phone assumes it has internet when it doesn't. It doesn't fall back to 3g on failure to connect. That means I will not get texts for hours, facebook won't update, etc, etc.
Is there a way to force the phone to fall back to 3g when it fails to connect via wifi? Alternately is there an app that will parse a wifi login page and auto login for me? I'm running clean GB right now.
Geekybiker said:
So I'm having trouble with getting wifi how I want it on my phone. At work we have a unsecured WAP with a web based authentication page. Trouble if you ever use it, it remembers the WAP and wants to login, but unless you you goto the web page, you have no internet. This is particularly a problem when wifi sleeps and looses connection.
The big issue with this is that my phone assumes it has internet when it doesn't. It doesn't fall back to 3g on failure to connect. That means I will not get texts for hours, facebook won't update, etc, etc.
Is there a way to force the phone to fall back to 3g when it fails to connect via wifi? Alternately is there an app that will parse a wifi login page and auto login for me? I'm running clean GB right now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If wifi was active it should stay active there is an option to keep wifi on in the settings that way it wont go turn off/ go to sleep while its connected. Change the wifi sleep policy this will keep it from "disconnecting".
Settings>wireless & networks> wifi settings> press the menu button advanced> wifi sleep policy> Never
Geekybiker said:
So I'm having trouble with getting wifi how I want it on my phone. At work we have a unsecured WAP with a web based authentication page. Trouble if you ever use it, it remembers the WAP and wants to login, but unless you you goto the web page, you have no internet. This is particularly a problem when wifi sleeps and looses connection.
The big issue with this is that my phone assumes it has internet when it doesn't. It doesn't fall back to 3g on failure to connect. That means I will not get texts for hours, facebook won't update, etc, etc.
Is there a way to force the phone to fall back to 3g when it fails to connect via wifi? Alternately is there an app that will parse a wifi login page and auto login for me? I'm running clean GB right now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep like Big Goron said and my School has that thing to web authentication
Big Goron said:
If wifi was active it should stay active there is an option to keep wifi on in the settings that way it wont go turn off/ go to sleep while its connected. Change the wifi sleep policy this will keep it from "disconnecting".
Settings>wireless & networks> wifi settings> press the menu button advanced> wifi sleep policy> Never
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's not the big problem though. If I lose connection (easy enough with out concrete walls and walking around) or simply don't login in first thing in the morning I still have the issue.
I either need a fallback to 3g or a way to auto login.
Geekybiker said:
That's not the big problem though. If I lose connection (easy enough with out concrete walls and walking around) or simply don't login in first thing in the morning I still have the issue.
I either need a fallback to 3g or a way to auto login.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well i can tell you what i use Juice Defender and When WiFi is once it goes off my data kicks in so yeah that's my fallback to 3G so you could give that ago if you want.
IMO
Juice Defender= Battery Drainer and waste of money when i can do what it does manually.
To the OP:
the phone should automatically go back to 3g when wifi disconnects i just tested this with my router i had it connected then pull the plug and it went to 3g.
Big Goron said:
IMO
Juice Defender= Battery Drainer and waste of money when i can do what it does manually.
To the OP:
the phone should automatically go back to 3g when wifi disconnects i just tested this with my router i had it connected then pull the plug and it went to 3g.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ive done some tests without JD also helps in other areas BTW, and to let you know i put JD on Extreme and let no apps get data unless i manually toggle data and i can tell that my battery lasts much longer by at least by a few hours but still helps rather than my data always being funny randomly connecting and disconnecting to 3G or even if it was off JD does help.
Big Goron said:
IMO
Juice Defender= Battery Drainer and waste of money when i can do what it does manually.
To the OP:
the phone should automatically go back to 3g when wifi disconnects i just tested this with my router i had it connected then pull the plug and it went to 3g.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It does when it disconnects, however since the wifi point is open it auto connects every time it picks it up again. Aside from manually forgetting the wifi point all the time, there doesn't appear to be a way to stop this. Connecting remembers it. Its not that I can't get around this manually, but its really annoying.
You could probably do something with a tasker profile. I don't know how to do it but they have a bunch of examples on their site that may help.
Geekybiker said:
It does when it disconnects, however since the wifi point is open it auto connects every time it picks it up again. Aside from manually forgetting the wifi point all the time, there doesn't appear to be a way to stop this. Connecting remembers it. Its not that I can't get around this manually, but its really annoying.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see your problem. You may be able to do this using scripting. The closest thing I have ever done like this is write a script that logged into my cable modem admin page automatically and grabbed the signal strength to log it. I used PHP (command line interpreter) but I would think any language should be capable of submitting data via a post request. Mine was triggered by cron. You would need to trigger on a successful wifi connection, check the ssid, and go from there. I dont know enough details about how that part is done to be helpful, but I know there are some apps that do detect active wifi connections (samba comes to mind) so it must be possible.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
Good suggestions so far, u could also try spare parts wifi sleep policy settings..
It might also be something where the connection on the wifi network's (not your phone's) end times out, in which case I'm not sure what to tell u.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA
Geekybiker said:
It does when it disconnects, however since the wifi point is open it auto connects every time it picks it up again. Aside from manually forgetting the wifi point all the time, there doesn't appear to be a way to stop this. Connecting remembers it. Its not that I can't get around this manually, but its really annoying.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
DON'T USE THEIR WIFI! Problem solved.

WiFi not swapping between Access points

Hi Guys,
I am working on boat and we have multiple Access points setup around vessel.
My phone connects fine to any of them but when I move location it just stays on the original AP it joined and doesn't roam between them and stops working - If I disconnect and reconnect it works fine again...
Is there anyway of making the Wifi more aggressive so it will join the strongest signal AP?
Thanks,
Andy
Are all the APs setup with the same SSID/WPA? That's how roaming would work but if they are:
Boat1/WPA1
Boat2/WPA2
The phone sees them as separate networks and will hold onto the one you first connected to then it will "let go" once it's no longer available. So if it's setup as my example, tell your IT guy to quit being a retard and do as I command him to. -
If it is setup "properly" then i'm not so sure whats the issue. I would assume it's set up with all the same stuff to help make it easier for customers/clients to access the network with the same password all the time.
Or is it an OPEN network which directs you to a website to log in?
In your advanced wifi setting try checking "avoid poor connections". See if that helps it to switch.
shotta35 said:
Are all the APs setup with the same SSID/WPA? That's how roaming would work but if they are:
Boat1/WPA1
Boat2/WPA2
The phone sees them as separate networks and will hold onto the one you first connected to then it will "let go" once it's no longer available. So if it's setup as my example, tell your IT guy to quit being a retard and do as I command him to. -
If it is setup "properly" then i'm not so sure whats the issue. I would assume it's set up with all the same stuff to help make it easier for customers/clients to access the network with the same password all the time.
Or is it an OPEN network which directs you to a website to log in?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey, all the AP are setup the same the phone just isn't swapping between them, it just stays on the one it originally connects to. I have no issues with my laptop or old desire they both work fine on board.
Andy
grubbster said:
In your advanced wifi setting try checking "avoid poor connections". See if that helps it to switch.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried that, no luck
I am running Matr1x kernel, could that have anything to do with it?
There's an app called 'Best Wifi' that I've been using. It will switch APs if the signal drops below a certain level.
Hope that helps!
JohnnyTA said:
There's an app called 'Best Wifi' that I've been using. It will switch APs if the signal drops below a certain level.
Hope that helps!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks Johnny, that app is working
I'll give best wifi a shot, I've been having the same problem since I got the phone and my solution is just to toggle wifi.
If you're AP's are WPA 2 Enterprise with authorization, Android devices have problems switching between them.
I just want to report back that Best WiFi has been working for me.
2 APs WPA2 Personal
WiFi doesn't have seemless AP pass-off like cell tech, even with Best Wifi, if you're on a VOIP voice call and you're moving between APs, you'll lose your call when it switches between the AP. It's a limitation of the technology.
deltatux

[Q] cannot auto connect to open wifi even though it is saved

my galaxy s4, running 4.2.2. There are two saved wifi networks, one is open, and the other is wpa security. The wifi switch of my phone is ON. Here is the strange things, when I came in to the range of wpa security wifi, my phone auto connect to the wifi network, everything is ok. When I came in to the open wifi networks area, my phone does not connect to the open wifi, even though it is saved, but I can mannual connect to the wifi.
So, why ? and how can I let my phone connect the saved open wifi auto?
shealan said:
my galaxy s4, running 4.2.2. There are two saved wifi networks, one is open, and the other is wpa security. The wifi switch of my phone is ON. Here is the strange things, when I came in to the range of wpa security wifi, my phone auto connect to the wifi network, everything is ok. When I came in to the open wifi networks area, my phone does not connect to the open wifi, even though it is saved, but I can mannual connect to the wifi.
So, why ? and how can I let my phone connect the saved open wifi auto?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Had a similar problem.
In advanced there is an option, cant remember it now, been too long since I looked at it, (a week :silly.
Something about switching to mobile networks if you lose your wifi. Make sure that is turned on, else the device decides a wifi connection is 'bad' instead of just out of range and won't remember it.
SPACEMANBEN said:
Had a similar problem.
In advanced there is an option, cant remember it now, been too long since I looked at it, (a week :silly.
Something about switching to mobile networks if you lose your wifi. Make sure that is turned on, else the device decides a wifi connection is 'bad' instead of just out of range and won't remember it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your reply. I searched the menu which you mentioned, try every option that can select or unselect, unfortunately it won't work.
My device can connect an secure wifi auto when the signal is fair, but can not connect to an open wifi, only work by manual pick it.

wifi not re-connecting

Whenever I reboot my new GS5, my wifi does not connect. I get this icon on the system bar and in the pull down I get a notice that "myssid" disconnected Network disconencted. Sign in again.
I go to wifi settings and tap on my connection and then tap on connect and it comes right up, but I have never had the network not reconnect automatically when I was in range.
Any thoughts?
ParrSt said:
Whenever I reboot my new GS5, my wifi does not connect. I get this icon on the system bar and in the pull down I get a notice that "myssid" disconnected Network disconencted. Sign in again.
I go to wifi settings and tap on my connection and then tap on connect and it comes right up, but I have never had the network not reconnect automatically when I was in range.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, you didn't give us a detailed description of your settings i.e. how your phone is configured. Sounds like expected behaviour.. based on the way your phone is likely configured. You can optimize your settings or install an app to automatically log you into wifi.
To know for certain, you'd need to make some screen shots and describe your settings for us - not sure why you didn't do that to start with?
.
fffft said:
Unfortunately, you didn't give us a detailed description of your settings i.e. how your phone is configured. Sounds like expected behaviour.. based on the way your phone is likely configured. You can optimize your settings or install an app to automatically log you into wifi.
To know for certain, you'd need to make some screen shots and describe your settings for us - not sure why you didn't do that to start with?
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"sounds like expected behaviour" WHat? I have had smart phones since the Evo 4G and NEVER had my wifi not automatically connect when I cam into range or when the phone was turned on. So far I THINK it is mostly happening when I do a reboot.
"You can optimize your settings or install an app to automatically log you into wifi" I have NEVER had to install anything on any phone or laptop to auto log me in. I don't understand this at all and I am a computer guy. Been working on, building, troublshooting computers for 20+ years.
As for detailed description of settings, it is wifi. There is not that much to set. I am using WPE security and my SSID. The wifi works but when I reboot, I have to maually connect to the network bu taping on the connection in the wifi listing.
If there are spesicif settings you have questions about , let me know what you want to know. but it is wifi. There is not that much to it. I was thinking that maybe this had to do with connection optimizer or something.

Categories

Resources