I've been plagued by this issue for 15 years. The title says it all, but here's the deal:
When my WiFi is on and manages to connect to a nearby WiFi hotspot that has no internet connection (or requires authentication), my Android phone loses all data connectivity, even though there is strong 4G signal. It's trying to connect to the Internet through the WiFi, which has no Internet connection. If I manually turn off WiFi, then the data connection is re-established over mobile data. Why doesn't it automatically switch to mobile data in this situation? Is there any way to force it to do so? My phone isn't rooted, but I do know how to root so I'd be happy to try anything.
In particular, this happens constantly when I'm driving in the city. The phone picks up all sorts of hotspots that require authentication, so essentially they are all dead ends. Manually turning off WiFi isn't a real option since I'm driving. I want the phone to automatically detect that the WiFi doesn't have a connection to the Internet, and switch to mobile data automatically.
I've read about 15+ threads on this, some of which go back 10 years, and none of them have a real solution to the problem.
IMPORTANT:
I am not looking to exclude specific WiFi connections/networks. It should work on any connection that has no internet connectivity.
I am not looking to set this up for specific apps. It should work for the entire phone's data connection.
I know that this is a huge problem for a lot of people, so there must be a solution. Please, I'd apprecaite your help.
Please answer only with solutions to the problem, not "why do you want to do that" or "that's impossible" answers.
Related
-Does anyone know how to priotize w-lan for internet connections?
It seem that my phone always uses the mobile connections (GSM, 3G etc).
In menu for connections where internet connections can be created, I can't find anyting about w-lan.
This is something I've been meaning to ask about while I wait for the Fuze. By way of background, I have a Cingular 8525 with the original (WM5) ROM, and it drives me nuts using it at home. I only get EDGE inside my house, but the stupid phone persists in making an EDGE data connection instead of using the nice, fast Wifi connection that I just enabled. I use NoData to make sure it doesn't connect via EDGE or 3G, and then half the time it says it says that it can't connect -- even though the icon says that it is connected!! The only way I can reliably connect via Wifi is to go briefly into and out of flight mode, then turn on Wifi before connecting.
I'm really, really hoping that the situation is better with the Touch Pro/Fuze. Can anyone reassure me on that?
it should be accessing wifi first by default i believe...unless other connection is already connected
Hello!
Start first the WiFi Connection and then the Internet Explorer or Opera.
pjo12345
There's this stupid thing with wlan connections in WM - if connection type is set to 'Work', you can browse through files on other computers in (W)LAN at home, but any Internet connection wll be realised through GRPS/3G. To make it connect to the Internet using WiFi, you need to switch wifi type back to 'Internet'.
Maybe that's the thing?
Is there a way how to setup that the WiFi is connected to both (work AND internet)? I never saw WiFi connected only to work network... I assume there is no way but why not to ask ;-)
I know that many others have problem with that, but I didn't find any solution yet...
Because when I set it as work, my Exchange sync is working but no Internet, and when I switch to Internet, opera and QuickpGPS is working, but no Exchange sync (it is trying to open VPN connection because I need to go though inside address to the server because certificates and of course it cannot get it). Or I need somehow set that no VPN will be dealed on this WiFi network...
I need something like BOTH or Auto option.
It seems to be switching from Wlan to G / 3G / H when the signal is not that great. Mostly with the weather tab and Opera. Quick GPS works fine. The way I make sure it is on the internet through wlan is to shutdown the telephone and keep the wlan on with comm manager. The disadvantage is that anyone calling will be heading to your voicemail. Another option is to use the "Nodata" program, en disable to internet connections.
On Touch Pro, I usually just go to COMM MANAGER and switch on wifi and switch off data connection. It is only a couple of quick steps and saves battery, since you don't need both on, if you only want to use wifi.
I am sure there must be a more seamless solution, but I like easy fixes.
wmm said:
I'm really, really hoping that the situation is better with the Touch Pro/Fuze. Can anyone reassure me on that?
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Click to collapse
No it is not better. Turning on WiFi is not enough. It will continue to use the cellular data connection until you manually turn it off. This wouldn't be so bad, but in my experience I've had to push the button to turn off the cellular connection multiple times before it would actually do so. What would be really nice is if WM could seamlessly switch from the cellular network to WiFi, with zero user interaction, just like the iPhone does.
I got an other problem with wifi. When I establish a wifi-connection and pull my mail the ppc still connect with a data-canection and didn't use the wifi. My kaiser used the wifi-connection for that.
8notime said:
No it is not better. Turning on WiFi is not enough. It will continue to use the cellular data connection until you manually turn it off. This wouldn't be so bad, but in my experience I've had to push the button to turn off the cellular connection multiple times before it would actually do so. What would be really nice is if WM could seamlessly switch from the cellular network to WiFi, with zero user interaction, just like the iPhone does.
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I wrote the original post before I had a chance to try it for myself. I've had a Fuze for three weeks now, and it works fine for me. I turn on wifi and the Fuze uses wifi. I turn it off and it goes back to normal wireless. (I did do the registry edits to turn on the HSDPA stuff in the connections tab and enabled the modified connection icons in the menu bar. I don't know if that had any effect on this issue or not, but it does what I would expect now.)
Even though WiFi is up and running, my phone keeps getting connected via GPRS automatically. Although most programs use the WiFi connection, sometimes they switch over to GPRS. Also, when I reboot the phone, WiFi gets deactivated and GPRS kicks in automatically. Of course, this is a bad thing since my carrier allows only 1MB of downstream on GPRS.
The other problem is that WiFi keeps getting disconnected after a period of inactivity. Now I don't mind this happening as it saves battery, but I don't want this to happen when I'm at a place having access to a power source. Strictly speaking, I could live with the WiFi getting disconnected, but the irritating thing is that sometimes it just doesn't reconnect - instead, a baloon pops up informing me of all other wireless networks available - my network isn't listed! Then after a few more minutes, it automagically connects to my network. Sometimes, to get the wifi to connect, all I have to do is click on the "G" icon (I'm about to open the wireless manager) and the WiFi starts to connect! Just w.t.h is going on here? :S
Now the common "solution" for the GPRS problem that's floating around the net is to use a program that disables the GPRS connection, like Modaco NoData or such, but I'm looking for a more permanent solution (regtweak?) by which:
1) GPRS is never connected and if connected, never used by any program IF there's an active WiFi connection
2) When the phone (re)boots, WiFi should be activated and if any "known" networks are found, should connect to it automatically, else it should be deactivated
3) Perhaps WiFi/GPRS can be enabled/disabled based on the cellid/GPS and/or time schedules? Now I know of programs that can do this, but I'm looking for something extremly light, preferably which doesn't have a GUI and/or runs as a service and can be configured by xml/ini/reg (or maybe have a seperate GUI for settings)
Any ideas people?
Thanks for your time.
Did you ever find a solution for this? I'm in the same boat and would like to know as well. Thx.
Yeah, I changed phones. Didn't face this issue on a Diamond and a Hermes.
got the same problem with my tg01 keeps dropping wifi and keeps connecting to gprs when wifi is on
Here's a basic question about the HTC Fuze. If I'm using the Edge network and I turn on wifi, thereby getting a faster connection, do Fuze applications default to the faster connection or do I somehow have to turn off the edge/3G connection specifically. I know I should be able to tell...
I usually have both wifi and edge/3g off. When I need data I turn on whatever i need. You do that thru the communication manager.
I think the real question is with both the Edge/3G on and Wifi connected, where will the data transfer? Through the cell network or the WiFi network?
the icons on the top bar of my device display clear which connection is active
with a data session
when one is active it's the only one being used to access data from the internet
It's possible to have both OTA and wifi active, which is what the OP is driving at. IME a program will find and use the faster connection at startup, but if the program is running on OTA and you connect wifi, a lot of programs won't switch to the faster connection. Again, that's just my anecdotal experience - it's hard to tell which connection is being used in real time.
Ok, I've been looking around for a couple hours now but people aren't understanding my question/dilemma
I am currently using a goWIFI connection on my tablet, I'm only allowed to login with one device at a time. So I am trying to share my xoom's wifi, not data connection with my phone so they can both be using the same wifi connection
I do not want to share a data connection with my phone, I want to share the wifi connection with my phone. How can I do this? FoxFI only seems to share data connections.
Delgoth said:
Ok, I've been looking around for a couple hours now but people aren't understanding my question/dilemma
I am currently using a goWIFI connection on my tablet, I'm only allowed to login with one device at a time. So I am trying to share my xoom's wifi, not data connection with my phone so they can both be using the same wifi connection
I do not want to share a data connection with my phone, I want to share the wifi connection with my phone. How can I do this? FoxFI only seems to share data connections.
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Click to collapse
And you have tried putting your tablet in airplane mode to shutoff you mobile data connection?
Are ypu on a custom ROM? I have never tried it but some seem to offer turning your tablet into a portable wifi connection, might be the backdoor to tether your phone that you need
I dont have a data plan right nnonow for my tablet, its only running on wifi as it is. I have already disabled mobile data in settings. I am running EOS 3 build 134.
I am just looking to share the current wifi connection instead of a data connection.
I have Nexus 5 for over a week and waiting for case and screen protector. I left the plastic piece stay on the phone until the day before yesterday. I love the feeling of touch screen without any film or protector on it. I am learning this device.
I have router in my office powered but not working anymore, therefore there is wifi always on but not working anymore. Everyday in the morning, when I am in my office, the phone will detect that wifi auto, of course there is no signal. My mobile data is on all hte time. I have to turnoff wifi from the phone, otherwise I can not, for example, surf internet and check email. In the other words, no internet connection even mobile data is on.
So my question is: why the phone can not pick up mobile data automatically even there is a wifi? I was scared when i first had this problem because I thought my phone is not working. Is there any setting I can try to let the phone pickup signal from either wifi or mobile data automatically?
I'm interested also. Nexus 5 has a difficult time negotiating a signal when the signal is weak. At home, I get a higher powered signal on 2G so I keep it there. Today I noticed "no signal" and emergency calls message most of the day. (hubby's iPhone 4s is on the same service and he's getting the signal). I turned off Wi-Fi (which works perfectly, btw ) and phone signal connected. Treated it several times. Sounds like a hardware defect.
wolfca said:
I have router in my office powered but not working anymore, therefore there is wifi always on but not working anymore. Everyday in the morning, when I am in my office, the phone will detect that wifi auto, of course there is no signal. My mobile data is on all hte time. I have to turnoff wifi from the phone, otherwise I can not, for example, surf internet and check email. In the other words, no internet connection even mobile data is on.
So my question is: why the phone can not pick up mobile data automatically even there is a wifi? I was scared when i first had this problem because I thought my phone is not working. Is there any setting I can try to let the phone pickup signal from either wifi or mobile data automatically?
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Your wording makes the question a little confusing, but I think you are saying your office router is turned on and available for WiFi connections, but has no internet connection itself to pass through to your phone.
Your phone connects to that WiFi for data, but can't reach the Net through the router. Meanwhile, you could get data through the phone data plan, but that does not work unless you turn off WiFi.
This normal. The phone is designed to use WiFi for data if a connection is available that you have authorized the phone to make. It won't use the phone data plan if connected to the WiFi, as you see. It cannot tell that the WiFi router is not connected to the Net.
I suggest you go into WiFi settings, click on the "ghostly" WiFi entry and tell the phone to forget that connection. From then on, the phone won't connect to that router and will use phone data plan.
What you would prefer would be for the phone to use its data plan as a fallback option, in case it gets hooked up to a WiFi network with no internet access, like at your work. Would be nice as an option, but not the way things work currently.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
wolfca said:
So my question is: why the phone can not pick up mobile data automatically even there is a wifi?
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Click to collapse
To prevent overage for users that may have limited data plan, the device will always try to use WiFi when enabled. If it can't connect to a WiFi network, it will look for the mobile data if enabled.
wolfca said:
Is there any setting I can try to let the phone pickup signal from either wifi or mobile data automatically?
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Click to collapse
In your case, since WiFi is "available", there is no setting on the stock ROM that will tell the device to connect to mobile data instead. Think about it this way - your phone is connected to the LAN using the WiFi network. It can reach the gateway, and has a valid IP. It doesn't care about whether it has WAN connectivity or not. So, it assumes that you are connected, and have connectivity.
You could look for apps on the play store that will actually check for WAN connectivity and if not available, disable WiFi (so that mobile data is used instead)
But, the part that I don't understand is this: If you don't have WiFi available, why do you even enable it? Turn WiFi off (disable wifi scanning in advanced settings of WiFi as well), and let mobile data take over instead. Or do you need WiFi elsewhere (say, at home)? If so, there are apps like Tasker that will let you set up profiles to enable WiFi when you are at home, and disable it when you are at office or other locations.
Thanks all for your very helpful reply. Sorry for my poor written English.
My office router does not function properly and I am to lazy to power it off, so my phone still can detect it but of course there no internet access from the router.
I now know I just need turn off wifi from phone and the phone will pickup mobile data auto.