9

Often, as I'm walking and using the internet, I'll walk by a Starbucks and my phone will auto-connect to attwifi (which is free, but requires that I open my browser and confirm). I lose internet access for a little while, for no good reason.

I could turn off auto-connecting to known Wi-Fi networks, but then I'm getting rid of a useful, bandwidth-saving feature.

Any ideas for ways to get the best of both worlds, auto-connecting only to Wi-Fi networks that don't require a captive portal to sign in?

Improve this question
6
  • Turning auto-connect to free networks off not only gets you rid of a bandwidth-saving feature -- but at the same time of potential dangers (session hijacking and the like -- just google for DroidSheep to see what I mean).
    – Izzy ♦
    Jan 20, 2013 at 1:34
  • Sure - I guess what I really want is to remember individual MACs (and check for ARP spoofing) rather than Network Names.
    – AlexeyMK
    Jan 31, 2013 at 6:12
  • 2
    With individual APs this is easy: Turn off auto-detect of "free WiFi hotspots", and simply connect once to each you want to remember. To those your device will auto-connect then when in reach. Take a look at WeFi Pro - Automatic WiFi for how to figure out whether it's a "captive" or not. Does that go into the right direction? Let me know, so I can turn it into an answer with some more details.
    – Izzy ♦
    Jan 31, 2013 at 7:38
  • Maybe one of the tools in this answer (Open WiFi Cleaner or WiFi AP Whitelist)? /android.stackexchange.com/a/79090
    – ǝɲǝɲbρɯͽ
    Jan 2, 2015 at 20:46
  • 1
    5.0 (lollipop) has a "smarter" wifi and bluetooth AI that allows for non connect or non auto connect to "weak signals" networks with "landing pages/signin pages" are considered weak signals "normally".
    – linuxdev2013
    Mar 22, 2015 at 5:38

4 Answers 4

Reset to default
1

I think updating to lollipop will do the trick. As lollipop continues using your mobile data connection if your WiFi connection is not connecting you to the internet. However, I have not tested this with connections that need you to login.

Improve this answer
0

There are numerous apps which might help you auto-connect.(Apps like wifi connect). But it is recommend not to auto-connect with unknown networks eventhough they may be free.These networks can harm your personal datas.

Improve this answer
2
0

Depending on your specific Android device there may be an option to disable auto connect for certain networks - on Sony Xperia handsets (including my Z1 Compact) you can press and hold the WiFi network name and untick the "Auto-connect" option - this allows you to stop the Android device automatically connecting to WiFi constantly, but without you needing to remember to delete it on the odd occasion you actually use the same network.

WiFi long press options on Xperia Z1 Compact

Improve this answer
0

"Best of both Worlds" Since 2012, i've been using WiFi Web Login to automate captive portal logins for this very reason (Phone would stay connected to access point even though it was not logged in, meaning no internet) I tried a few other similar apps first, but my college wifi at the time used a complicated captive portal (three fields to fill, buttons to press, more than one window to click through...) WiFi Web Login was the first app that was able to automate the entire process, so i've stayed with it ever since.

Improve this answer

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .