Connect to a Wi-Fi network
4/14/2014
Whether you're at home, work, or out and about, chances are you'll find Wi-Fi networks your device can connect to. Some are open to everyone and some are secured, requiring a password to connect. Using a Wi-Fi connection can help reduce your cellular data usage to save on costs, and it's usually faster than a cellular connection.
To connect to a Wi-Fi network
- In the App list, tap Settings > Wi-Fi.
- Make sure that Wi-Fi networking is set to On. (When Wi-Fi is on, your device will search for available Wi-Fi networks in the area. If a network is found, you'll see its name listed, along with whether it's an open or secured network.)
- Tap the network you want to connect to.
- If you're connecting to a secured network and are asked to enter a user name and password, enter them and tap Done.
Tip
See a notification at the top of your screen when Wi-Fi networks are available? Tap it to go to Wi-Fi Settings, and tap a network to connect. If you want to see your status bar or dismiss the notification, flick it to the right.
Find Wi-Fi hotspots
If your mobile operator offers Wi-Fi hotspots, good news! Your device may be set up to automatically connect to them, so you'll use Wi-Fi instead of cellular data when you're in range of one (at some coffee shops, for instance). You can find the Automatically connect to Wi-Fi hotspots setting in Settings > Wi-Fi > Advanced if your device is set up to do this. (The name of this setting can vary, and not all mobile operators offer Wi-Fi hotspots.)
If you're out and looking for Wi-Fi hotspots, you can also go to Settings > Wi-Fi and tap Find nearby Wi-Fi. The Data Sense Wi-Fi Guide shows you a map with Wi-Fi hotspots that are nearby. (Not all mobile operators offer Data Sense.)
You can help other people with devices running Windows Embedded 8.1 Handheld discover nearby Wi-Fi hotspots by opting to automatically send public Wi-Fi connection data to Microsoft. When you participate, your device will send the network name, service quality, bandwidth, authentication type, and other details of public Wi-Fi networks you connect to. This info is used to identify and increase the visibility of Wi-Fi hotspots near you.
If you don't want to participate and send this connection info, in Wi-Fi Settings, tap Advanced, and then clear the Send information about Wi-Fi connections to help discover nearby Wi-Fi check box. For more info, see the Windows Phone 8.1 Privacy Statement.