Connect automatically to public Wi-Fi networks

: June 7, 2024
: Google

Table of Contents

Connect automatically to public Wi-Fi networks

Connect automatically to public Wi-Fi networks

You can automatically connect to public Wi-Fi networks that we verify as fast and reliable. Wi-Fi assistant makes these secure connections for you.

Wi-Fi assistant works on:

Pixel and Nexus devices using Android 5.1 and up in selected countries. Learn how to check your Android version and where Wi-Fi assistant works.
Phones supported by Google Fi. See a list.

Note: Some of these steps work only on Android 8.1 and up. Learn how to check your Android version.

Turn on or off

Turn on

Set to automatically connect to public networks

Open your phone’s Settings app.
Tap Network & internet Wi-Fi Wi-Fi preferences.
Turn on Connect to public networks.

When connected via Wi-Fi assistant

Your notifications bar shows the Wi-Fi assistant virtual private network (VPN) key .
Your Wi-Fi connection says: “Auto-connected to public Wi-Fi.”

Tip: Wi-Fi assistant is off by default, unless you have Google Fi.

Disconnect or turn off

Disconnect from the current network

Open your phone’s Settings app.
Tap Network & internet Wi-Fi the network name.
Tap Forget.

Turn off Wi-Fi assistant

Open your phone’s Settings app.
Tap Google Mobile data & messaging Networking.
Turn off Wi-Fi assistant.

Fix issues

Where available

On Pixel and Nexus devices using Android 5.1 and up:

Wi-Fi assistant is available in the U.S., Canada, Denmark, Faroe Islands, Finland, Iceland, Mexico, Norway, Sweden, and the UK.
If you have Google Fi, Wi-Fi assistant is also available in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and Switzerland.

App doesn’t work while connected

Some apps don’t work over this kind of secure connection. For example:

Apps that limit use by location, like some sports and video apps
Some Wi-Fi calling apps (other than Google Fi)

To use apps that don’t work with this kind of connection:

Disconnect from the Wi-Fi network. Learn how to disconnect.
Manually reconnect to the Wi-Fi network. Learn how to connect manually.
Important: Other people using a public network could see data sent to that network via a manual connection.

When you reconnect manually, the app will see your location.

Can’t connect to public network

If you can’t connect to a nearby public network via Wi-Fi assistant, it could be because:

We haven’t verified the network as high-quality and reliable.
Wi-Fi assistant doesn’t connect to networks that you’ve connected to manually.
Wi-Fi assistant doesn’t connect to networks that need you to take steps to connect, like signing in.

Try these solutions:

If Wi-Fi assistant doesn’t connect automatically, connect manually. Learn how to connect manually.
Important: Other people using a public network could see data sent to that network via a manual connection.
If you’d already connected to the network manually, “forget” the network. Wi-Fi assistant will then re-connect automatically. Learn how to “forget” a network.

Shows “Device connected to Wi-Fi assistant” message

To help make public Wi-Fi networks safer, Wi-Fi assistant uses a virtual private network (VPN). The VPN helps protect your data from being seen by other people using the public network. When a VPN is on for Wi-Fi assistant, you’ll see a “Device connected to Wi-Fi assistant” message.

Google monitors system data. When you’re securely connected to a website (by HTTPS), VPN operators, like Google, can’t record your content. Google uses system data sent through VPN connections to:

Provide and improve Wi-Fi assistant, including the virtual private network (VPN)
Monitor for abuse
Comply with applicable laws and regulations, or as required by court or government orders

Important : Wi-Fi providers may still have access to: