How to Set Wi-Fi Network Priority: 5 Methods for Different Devices

A modern home or office can have multiple Wi-Fi networks running simultaneously: a primary 5 GHz network for high-speed internet, an additional 2.4 GHz network for compatibility with older devices, a guest network with limited access, or even a neighbor's network if the signal is strong enough. But how do you make your smartphone, laptop, or smart TV work? automatically connect to the fastest or most stable networkBy default, devices select the first network they encounter with a saved password—and this isn't always the best option.

Setting up Wi-Fi priority solves several problems at once: it eliminates connecting to congested channels, prevents automatic switching to slow networks (for example, when you return home and your phone is stuck on a weak signal at the cafe across the street) and can even save battery life, as constantly switching between networks drains energy. In this article, we'll look at how to set priority on different devices: TP-Link/ASUS routers to Windows 11 And Android 14, and we will also consider hidden nuances that are not mentioned in standard instructions.

Why do devices choose the "wrong" Wi-Fi network?

The network selection algorithm depends on the operating system and firmware of the device, but most often it works according to three principles:

• 🔍 Last used networkIf you manually connected to the network Cafe_Free_WiFi, the device will try to cling to it even at home until it loses the signal.
• 📶 Signal strengthMany devices choose the network with the highest signal strength, ignoring its actual speed (for example, 2.4 GHz might show 3 bars, while 5 GHz might show only 2, but be 5 times faster).
• ⚡ Order in the list of saved networksOn some devices (especially older versions of Android), priority is determined by the order in which networks are added—the first one in the list will always be used.

Manufacturers of routers and gadgets are trying to improve this mechanism. For example, in iOS 17+ a function has appeared Private Wi-Fi Address, which can affect the stability of the connection, and in firmware ASUS RT-AX88U there is an option Smart Connect, which automatically distributes devices among frequencies. However, these solutions aren't perfect and often require manual configuration.

⚠️ Attention: If your router supports 802.11k/v/r (standards for seamless roaming between access points), setting the priority on client devices may conflict with these protocols. In this case, it's best to disable them in the router's admin panel or set the priority only on one side (either the router or the device).

Method 1: Setting priority on the router (for all connected devices)

The most reliable method is to set the priority directly in the router settings. This ensures that all devices On the network (smartphones, laptops, smart speakers) will connect to the correct access point. Let's look at instructions for popular brands:

TP-Link (Archer, Deco, Omada)

1. Open the admin panel at 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 (login/password usually admin/admin or indicated on the router sticker).

2. Go to the section Wireless → Wireless Settings (for dual-band models, select 5 GHz or 2.4 GHz).

3. Find the option Network priority (or Band Steering in firmware with OneMesh). Activate it and install:

• 📶 Advantage for 5 GHz - if you need maximum speed.
• 🔄 Balance - for automatic distribution (recommended for most cases).
• 📱 Advantage for 2.4 GHz - if you have a lot of old devices (smart bulbs, cameras).

Enable Band Steering in Wireless Network Settings|

Set priority for 5 GHz (if speed is needed)|

Save settings and reboot the router|

Check the device connection in the "Clients" section -->

ASUS (RT-AX, RT-AC, ZenWiFi)

In ASUS routers the function is called Smart Connect:

1. Go to Wireless Network → Smart Connect.
2. Activate the option and select the mode:
   • 🚀 Mainly 5 GHz — for speed.
   • ⚖️ Balanced — for mixed networks.
   • 📡 Mainly 2.4 GHz — for compatibility.

Click Apply and wait for the reboot.

For models with AiMesh (For example, RT-AX86U) can be further configured Roaming Assistant — this will help devices smoothly switch between nodes of the Mesh system without breaking the connection.

⚠️ Attention: On some ASUS firmwares the option Smart Connect may conflict with manual assignment of SSIDs for each band. If after enabling this feature, devices no longer see the 5 GHz network, return to individual names (for example, MyWiFi_2G And MyWiFi_5G) and configure the priority on the client side.

Keenetic (Giga, Hero, Viva)

In Keenetic routers, priority is configured via Wi-Fi system:

1. Open the web interface (192.168.1.1) and go to Home Network → Wi-Fi System.

2. Enable the option Smart customer distribution and select:

• 🔝 Give preference to 5 GHz.
• 🔄 Automatic selection (recommended).

3. For advanced users, customization is available Signal threshold value — if the 5 GHz signal strength drops below a specified level (e.g. -70 dBm), the device will automatically switch to 2.4 GHz.

TP-Link|

ASUS|

Keenetic|

D-Link/Zyxel|

MikroTik/Ubiquiti|

Other-->

Method 2: Prioritize Wi-Fi on Windows 10/11

In Windows operating systems, network priority is determined by the order in the list Managing known networksTo change it:

1. Open Settings → Network and Internet → Wi-Fi.

2. Click Managing known networks.

3. Find the network you want to prioritize and click on it. In the window that opens don't click "Forget" - Instead, scroll down and select Properties.

4. Activate the option Connect automatically and check the box Connect even if the network does not broadcast its name (SSID) - this will help the device to “stick” to the hidden network.

However, this is not enough. To set a real priority, you need to edit the order of networks in the registry:

1. Click Win + R, enter regedit and confirm.
2. Follow the path:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\NetworkList\Profiles

3. In each folder (they are named with random identifiers) find the parameter ProfileName - it contains the name of the Wi-Fi network.
4. Sort folders by modification date (most recent at the top) and rename them, adding prefixes:
   • 1_ — for the network with the highest priority.
   • 2_ - for the second most important.
   • And so on.

Restart your computer.

⚠️ AttentionEditing the registry may cause system instability. Before making changes, create a restore point (Control Panel → Recovery → Configure System Restore). If Wi-Fi stops working after a reboot, return the original folder names in the registry.

1. Click Win + R, enter services.msc.

2. Find WLAN Automatic Configuration Service.

3. Click Stop, wait 10 seconds and start again.

This will flush the network cache and force the system to reread priorities.-->

Method 3: Setting Priority on Android (including Samsung, Xiaomi, Google Pixel)

On Android, Wi-Fi network priority depends on the manufacturer's firmware version and user interface. Let's look at a universal method and its specific features for popular brands.

Universal method (Android 9–14)

1. Open Settings → Wi-Fi.

2. Click the gear icon (⚙️) next to the desired network and select Change network.

3. Activate the options:

• 🔄 Automatic connection.
• 📶 Connect to the network when the signal is weak (if any).

4. The main trick: Turn Wi-Fi off and on again - Android will recalculate priorities, giving preference to the last used network with auto-connect enabled.

Samsung One UI (Galaxy S23, A54, etc.)

Samsung smartphones have a hidden feature. Intelligent Wi-Fi:

1. Go to Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi → Advanced (⋮ → Advanced settings).

2. Turn on Smart Wi-Fi Switching - This will force the device to automatically select the best network (including switching to mobile data when the signal is weak).

3. To set the priority manually, press and hold the desired network in the list, then select Move up.

Xiaomi (MIUI 14–15)

In MIUI firmware, priority is determined by the order of networks in the list:

1. Open Settings → Wi-Fi.

2. Click on List of networks (or Saved networks).

3. Hold the network and drag it to the first position.

⚠️ Attention: On some Xiaomi devices after updating to MIUI 15 The drag-and-drop feature may disappear. In this case, use the app WiFi Priority from Google Play (requires root access for full control).

How to reset Wi-Fi priorities on Android if nothing helps?

If your device persistently connects to the wrong network, try the following:

1. Forget all saved networks (Settings → Wi-Fi → Saved Networks → Remove All).

2. Turn off Wi-Fi and turn on airplane mode for 30 seconds.

3. Connect to the high priority network first, then the others.

4. Restart your smartphone.

This will reset the Wi-Fi module cache and force the system to re-prioritize.

Method 4: Prioritize Wi-Fi on iPhone and iPad (iOS 15–17)

Apple traditionally restricts users in network settings, but there are workarounds. In iOS, priority is determined connection sequence: The most recently used network will be first in the queue. However, two methods can be used:

Method 1: Force connection to the desired network

1. Open Settings → Wi-Fi.

2. Disable automatic connection for unnecessary networks:

• Click on the "i" symbol next to the network.
• Disable the option Auto-connection.

3. Manually connect to the network you want to prioritize and leave it active.

Method 2: Using Configuration Profiles

For advanced users there is a way through configuration profiles (requires Mac or Windows with Apple Configurator 2):

1. Install Apple Configurator 2 from the official Apple website.

2. Create a new profile and add a payload Wi-Fi.

3. In the Wi-Fi settings, specify:

• 📛 SSID — the name of the priority network.
• 🔑 Security Type — security type (WPA2/WPA3).
• 🔝 Priority - set the value 1 (maximum priority).

4. Export the profile and install it on your iPhone via email or cloud storage.

⚠️ AttentionConfiguration profiles may conflict with iOS updates. After installing a profile, check the stability of the connection. If Wi-Fi starts to disconnect, delete the profile. Settings → General → VPN and device management.

Method 5: Prioritize Wi-Fi on macOS (Ventura, Sonoma)

On MacBooks and iMacs, priority settings are more flexible than on iPhones. Here's how:

1. Open System Preferences → Network.

2. Select Wi-Fi in the left menu, then click Additionally.

3. In the window Preferred networks Drag the desired network to the first position (as in the playlist list).

4. Check the boxes:

• 🔄 Automatically connect to this network.
• 🚫 Notify me if the network requires a password (disable to avoid unnecessary requests).

For advanced users, there is a Terminal command that resets the Wi-Fi cache:

sudo ifconfig en0 down && sudo ifconfig en0 up

This command restarts the network interface (replace en0 on en1, if you use a USB/Wi-Fi adapter).

Problems and Solutions: Why Doesn't Priority Work?

Even after proper configuration, devices may still ignore priorities. Let's look at common causes and how to fix them:

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 🔧 Router firmware: on some models (eg, TP-Link Archer C7) Old firmware versions ignore the settings Band SteeringUpdate the software via the web interface.
• 📱 Wi-Fi adapter drivers: On Windows, outdated drivers can reset priorities. Update them via device Manager or from the manufacturer's website (for example, Intel PROSet/Wireless Software for Intel adapters).
• ⚡ Energy saving settings: On laptops, the Wi-Fi adapter may lower the priority of high-speed networks in power saving mode. Disable this option in Control Panel → Power Options → Advanced Settings.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Wi-Fi priority

Is it possible to set priority for a specific device (for example, only for a smartphone)?

Yes, but not on all routers. In the firmware. ASUS (starting from RT-AC86U) And Keenetic there is a function Client Steering, which allows you to bind a specific device (by MAC address) to a specific frequency (2.4 or 5 GHz). On TP-Link, a similar option is called Device Priority and is available in models with OneMesh.

If your router does not support this feature, configure the priority directly on the device (see the Windows/Android/iOS sections above).

Why did my internet speed become slower after setting priority?

This can happen for two reasons:

1. 5 GHz channel congestionIf all devices are forced to connect to 5 GHz, the channel may become clogged. Check the bandwidth in the app. WiFi Analyzer and change the channel in the router settings (select the least loaded one, for example, 36 or 149).
2. Weak signal5 GHz has poorer penetration through walls. If the device connects to a distant 5 GHz point with a signal strength below -75 dBm, speed will drop. In this case, it's best to leave the automatic selection or manually connect to 2.4 GHz in remote rooms.

How can I make my laptop connect to 5 GHz and my smartphone to 2.4 GHz?

There are two options:

1. Separate networks by names (SSID):

• On your router, set different names for 2.4 and 5 GHz (for example, MyWiFi_2G And MyWiFi_5G).
• On the laptop, connect only to MyWiFi_5G, on a smartphone - only to MyWiFi_2G.

2. Use MAC filtering (advanced method):

• Find the MAC addresses of the devices (ipconfig /all on Windows, Settings → About phone → Status on Android).
• In the router settings, create a rule: for the MAC address of the laptop, allow only 5 GHz, for the smartphone - only 2.4 GHz (option Wireless MAC Filter or Access Control).

Will priority work if I have a Mesh system (eg Google Nest WiFi)?

In Mesh systems (for example, Google Nest, TP-Link Deco, ASUS AiMesh) the priority is configured automatically using protocols 802.11k/v/rHowever, you can:

• 🔧 Disable automatic roaming and set the priority manually (in the Mesh system settings, find the option Seamless Roaming or Fast Roaming and deactivate it).
• 📡 Bind a device to a specific node: in the Mesh system application (for example, Google Home) you can specify which access point a particular device should connect to.

Please note: Manual settings may reduce connection stability when moving between rooms.

How do I check which network my device is connected to?

Verification methods depend on the operating system:

• Windows: Open Settings → Network and Internet → Wi-Fi and look at the network name. To find out the frequency, run the command line (Win + R → cmd) and enter:

  netsh wlan show interfaces

  Look for the line Radio type - it will be indicated there 802.11ac (5 GHz) or 802.11n (2.4 GHz).

• Android: Install the application WiFi Analyzer (from farproc) - it will show the frequency, channel and signal level of the current network.
• iOS/macOS: Long press the network name in the Wi-Fi control panel - a window with frequency information will appear (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz).
• Router: Go to the web interface and find the section Clients or DHCP — there will be a list of connected devices with the range indicated (if the router supports this function).