How to Use Wi-Fi on Your Phone: A Complete Guide with Pictures

Without internet, a modern smartphone becomes an expensive brick. But even with hundreds of Wi-Fi networks around, connecting to them isn't always easy: the password doesn't work, the signal is weak, or the phone stubbornly refuses to detect the network you need. In this article, we'll look into it. All ways to connect to Wi-Fi on Android and iPhone, including hidden settings, solutions to common errors, and tips for speeding up your connection.

You will learn how to connect to open and secure networks, what to do if your phone doesn't see Wi-Fi, how to save traffic through router settings, and even how Share your phone's internet connection with other devices (Access point mode). This material is relevant for all models. Samsung Galaxy, iPhone 15/14/13, Xiaomi, Huawei and other brands based on Android 12-15 And iOS 16-18.

Don't have time to read everything? Use the table of contents below to jump straight to the section you need. And if you still have questions, there are answers at the end of the article. FAQ with answers to common problems.

1. How to turn on Wi-Fi on your phone: basic settings

Before connecting to the network, you need to activate the Wi-Fi module on the device itself. Android And iPhone This is done differently, but in both cases it takes no more than 10 seconds.

On Android (For example, Samsung Galaxy S23 or Xiaomi Redmi Note 12):

• 📱 Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification panel.
• 🔍 Find the icon Wi-Fi (It usually looks like a fan or antenna) and tap it. If the icon is gray, the module is disabled; if it's blue/green, it's enabled.
• 🔄 If the icon is not on the panel, click on the "⚙️ Settings" icon → Network and Internet → Wi-Fi and move the slider to the right.

On iPhone (models iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone SE 2022 and others):

• 📱 Open Settings (gray icon with gears).
• 🔍 Select a section Wi-Fi and move the top slider to the "On" position. Green indicates that the module is active.
• 🔄 You can also turn on Wi-Fi via Control center: Swipe down from the top-right corner (on models with Face ID) or up from the bottom edge (on models with a Home button) and tap the Wi-Fi icon.

Important! On some phones (eg. Huawei P60 Pro) there is a function Automatic connection to open networksIt's best to disable it in your Wi-Fi settings to avoid connecting to unsecured hotspots.

2. Finding and connecting to a Wi-Fi network: step-by-step instructions

When Wi-Fi is enabled, your phone automatically scans the air for available networks. Here's how to find and connect to the right one:

Find your network name (SSID) in the list.

Tap on it

Enter the password (if the network is secured)

Click "Connect" or "Join"

Wait 5-10 seconds until the Wi-Fi icon appears in the status bar-->

If your network doesn't appear in the list, try:

• 🔄 Update the list of networks (on Android: click on the three dots in the upper right corner → Refresh; on iPhone: just wait 10 seconds or exit/enter back into Wi-Fi settings).
• 📡 Reboot the router (unplug it for 30 seconds and plug it back in).
• 🔍 Make sure your router isn't hiding your SSID (network name). If so, you'll have to configure the connection manually (more on that in the next section).

After a successful connection, a check mark or the word "Connected" will appear next to the network name, and a Wi-Fi icon (usually this is fan of arcs or point with diverging waves).

3. Connecting to a hidden Wi-Fi network (without broadcasting the SSID)

Some routers (eg. ASUS RT-AX88U or TP-Link Archer C5400) are configured not to broadcast the network name (SSID). This is done for security reasons, but it complicates connecting new devices. To connect to such a network:

On Android:

1. Go to Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi.
2. Click Add a network (or "Other networks").
3. Enter exact network name (SSID) — case is important! For example, MyHomeWiFi_5G And myhomewifi_5g - these are two different networks.
4. Select the security type: this is usually WPA2-PSK or WPA3-PSK.
5. Enter your password and save your settings.

On iPhone:

1. Open Settings → Wi-Fi.
2. At the very bottom of the list of networks, click Another network....
3. Enter the network name (SSID) and select the security type.
4. In the "Password" field, enter the access key and tap "Connect."

If you don't know the exact network name or security type, check the sticker on the back of your router or log into its web interface (usually at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1).

4. Troubleshooting: Phone Doesn't See Wi-Fi or Doesn't Connect

Even if you've done everything correctly, sometimes your phone stubbornly refuses to connect to the network. Here are the most common causes and how to fix them:

If none of the methods helped, try reset network settings on the phone:

• On Android: Settings → System → Reset → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile network, and Bluetooth settings.
• On iPhone: Settings → General → Transfer or reset iPhone → Reset → Reset Network Settings.

What should I do if my phone still won't connect after resetting the network?

If resetting doesn't help, the problem may be with the phone's hardware (damaged Wi-Fi module) or the router's firmware. Try:

1. Connect your phone to another network (for example, in a cafe or at a friend’s place).

2. Update the router firmware via its web interface.

3. Contact a service center if the problem is only with your phone.

5. How to speed up Wi-Fi on your phone: 7 working methods

Slow Wi-Fi internet is one of the most common problems. Here's how to fix it:

• 📶 Change the Wi-Fi channel In your router settings. Channels 1, 6, and 11 on the 2.4 GHz frequency are usually less congested. On the 5 GHz frequency, select the channel marked "DFS" (if your router supports it).
• 🔄 Enable 802.11ac mode (or Wi-Fi 5) in the router settings, if your phone supports it (most models after 2018 do).
• 📵 Disable background apps, which can consume traffic: Settings → Applications → Running (on Android) or double-click the Home button and close unnecessary programs (on iPhone).
• 🔒 Change DNS to faster ones, for example, from Google (8.8.8.8 And 8.8.4.4) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1).

Another effective way is limit speed for other devices on the network. For example, if someone is downloading torrents on a computer, it can slow down the Wi-Fi on the phone. Go to the router's web interface (usually 192.168.1.1) and find the section QoS or Bandwidth controlThere you can set the priority for your phone by MAC address.

If you often use the Internet in public places (cafes, airports), install the application WiFi Analyzer (For Android) or Network Analyzer (For iPhone). It will show which channels are the least loaded and help you choose the optimal settings for your router.

6. Security: How to secure your Wi-Fi connection

Connecting to unsecured or poorly secured networks can lead to personal data leakage. Here's how to protect yourself:

• 🔐 Always use WPA3 (or at least WPA2) instead of the outdated WEP. The latter can be cracked in a few minutes.
• 🚫 Don't connect to networks with suspicious names. something like "Free_WiFi_Hack" or "Starbucks_Free" (if you're not at a real Starbucks).
• 🛡️ Turn on VPN when connecting to public networks. Free options: ProtonVPN, Windscribe (up to 10 GB of traffic per month).
• 🔄 Disable automatic connection to open networks in Wi-Fi settings.

If you are connecting to Wi-Fi at a hotel or airport that requires authorization through a browser (so-called captive portal), keep an eye on the address bar. Scammers sometimes create fake login pages to steal usernames and passwords. Correct address must start with https:// and contain the name of the establishment (for example, https://wifi.marriott.com).

7. Sharing the Internet from your phone (modem mode)

If you have mobile Internet (3G/4G/5G), but need to connect your laptop or tablet to the network, you can use your phone as Wi-Fi hotspotHere's how to do it:

On Android:

1. Open Settings → Network & Internet → Hotspot & Tethering.
2. Select Wi-Fi hotspot and move the slider to the right.
3. Set up the network name (SSID) and password (the default is usually 12345678 - It's better to change it!).
4. Connect other devices to the created network as to a regular Wi-Fi.

On iPhone:

1. Open Settings → Tethering.
2. Move the "Allow others" slider to the right.
3. Create a password (at least 8 characters) or leave the one generated by your iPhone.
4. Connect other devices by selecting your iPhone's name from the list of networks.

Please note: Internet distribution drains battery And mobile trafficTo save battery, connect your phone to a charger. To avoid exceeding your data limit, monitor your data usage in your mobile network settings.

8. Saving traffic via Wi-Fi: settings and applications

Even Wi-Fi can unintentionally consume a lot of data, especially if you have a limited data plan from your provider. Here's how to avoid it:

• 📱 Disable automatic app updates:
  • On Android: Google Play → Settings → Auto-update apps → Wi-Fi only.
  • On iPhone: Settings → App Store → Automatic Updates (disable or select "Wi-Fi only").
• 🎵 Limit background music playback V Spotify, YouTube Music or Apple MusicThese apps have a "Wi-Fi only" option in their settings for downloading tracks.
• 📺 Reduce video quality V YouTube And Netflix:
  • IN YouTube: Settings → Playback Quality → Traffic Saver.
  • IN Netflix: Account → Playback Settings → Low Quality.

If you have limited tariff from your provider (for example, 100 GB per month), install an application to monitor traffic, for example:

• 📊 My Data Manager (Android/iOS) — shows traffic consumption by applications.
• 📈 GlassWire (Android) - Monitors background activity of programs.
• 🛡️ TripMode (macOS/Windows) - Blocks unnecessary connections on your computer if you're sharing Wi-Fi from it.

Please remember that some applications (eg. TikTok or Instagram) can consume data even in the background. To prevent this, disable mobile data access for them in your phone settings.

⚠️ Attention: Some providers limit your speed after exceeding your traffic limit, even if you have an unlimited plan. Check your personal account or contact your provider for details.

FAQ: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

My phone connects to Wi-Fi, but websites won't open. What should I do?

This issue is usually related to DNS or IP settings. Try:

1. Restart your router and phone.
2. In your phone's Wi-Fi settings, find your network, tap it, and select "Forget Network." Then reconnect.
3. Change DNS to 8.8.8.8 (Google) or 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare) manually.
4. Check if your antivirus or VPN is blocking your network access.

If nothing helps, the problem may be with your provider – call support.

How do I find out my Wi-Fi password if I forgot it?

There are several ways:

• Check the sticker on the back of your router—it usually contains the factory password.
• Go to the router's web interface (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1), enter login/password (most often admin/admin) and find the section Wireless mode or Wi-Fi.
• On Android (only on rooted devices) you can use the app WiFi Password Viewer.
• On Windows, if the computer is already connected to this network: open Network Settings → Network and Sharing Center → Wireless Network → Properties → Security and check the box "Show entered characters".

Is it possible to connect to Wi-Fi without a password?

Technically yes, but this violates the law on unauthorized access to the Internet (Article 272 of the Russian Criminal Code). However, there are legal ways:

• Ask the network owner for the password.
• Use WPS (if your router supports it): Press the WPS button on your router, then select this connection method on your phone.
• Connect via QR code (some modern routers, for example ASUS or TP-Link, allow you to generate a code for quick connection).

Do not use Wi-Fi hacking programs - this is punishable by law.

Why does Wi-Fi work on my laptop but not on my phone?

Possible reasons:

• My phone doesn't support the 5 GHz frequency, but my router only broadcasts on that frequency. Solution: Enable 2.4 GHz mode on my router.
• Your phone has power saving mode enabled, which limits Wi-Fi. Disable it.
• MAC filtering on your router is blocking your phone. Add its MAC address to the whitelist.
• The firmware on your phone is outdated. Update it in settings.

How to check Wi-Fi speed on your phone?

Use special applications:

• Speedtest by Ookla (Android/iOS) is the most popular solution.
• FAST (from Netflix) - Quickly checks your download speed.
• Meteo — shows not only the speed, but also the stability of the connection.

For an accurate test:

1. Connect to Wi-Fi.
2. Close all background applications.
3. Run the speed test 2-3 times and average the results.

The normal speed for watching 4K video is from 25 Mbps, for online games – from 50 Mbps.