Do you know how to get free WiFi on Android? Possibly, you have used public Wi-Fi before. While public Wi-Fi is open to everyone, it might not be very safe. But in most cases, it could be the only way through which you can access the internet.
What can you do to get internet on a public Wi-Fi network safely? This article explains how to get free internet at home or elsewhere from public Wi-Fi hotspots and other useful hacks on your Android device. Please keep reading to get an inside view of what it takes to enjoy free internet on Android.
Visit Popular Wi-Fi Hotspot Locations
You can get a free Wi-Fi hotspot in various places. Accessing Wi-Fi from these sites may mean visiting the location or moving to a house next to it. The latter option would give you access to free internet around the clock. The following are some places where free public Wi-Fi is available 24/7.
1. Restaurants, Hotels, & Eateries
Several hotels and restaurants offer free Wi-Fi. If there’s such an establishment near you, visit it and access the internet. The possible high costs shouldn’t worry you much. With a membership card to the hotel or restaurant, you can visit and use unlimited Wi-Fi any time you want. So, ask if the hotel offers membership to the public.
Examples of restaurants and eateries with free Wi-Fi include Starbucks, McDonald’s, Ben & Jerry’s, etc. Through the free Wi-Fi offer, they attract customers who spend lots of money in the restaurant. You may have to order a latte or cheeseburger to get free Wi-Fi.
2. Public Plazas
The public plaza in your city may have free Wi-Fi courtesy of the local municipal government. If you discover any venue with free internet, make a point of visiting it regularly.
Due to the human traffic to the building, more than 100,000 people might connect to the network simultaneously. Thus, the internet speed will unlikely be smooth. A free slow Wi-Fi connection is better than nothing at all.
3. Public Libraries
Besides providing books to the local community, libraries may provide free Wi-Fi. Visitors to the library can connect to the internet and conduct research over the internet. Apart from public libraries, the local bookstore may also offer free Wi-Fi. So, check it out!
Wi-Fi Hotspot Database Apps
Finding free public Wi-Fi hotspots can be difficult, especially if you’re new in an area. Luckily, there are several Android apps which you can download, install on your device, and use to search for available public Wi-Fi hotspots. Some apps even provide the passwords you can use to access the available free public Wi-Fi hotspots.
The following are some of the most useful Wi-Fi database apps available for Android devices today:
1. Wi-Fi Map
WiFi Map is a tool for monitoring free Wi-Fi hotspots worldwide. You can use it in terms of either the website or mobile app and an internet connection. Once you enter the provided password, you get free access to the Wi-Fi network.
2. WifiMapper
WifiMapper is an alternative to Wi-Fi Map, providing a list of the available Wi-Fi hotspots for your convenient access. If you’re new to a location, WifiMapper makes it easy to find and log in to the local Wi-Fi networks.
3. Avast Wi-Fi Finder
Avast is one of the world’s largest cybersecurity companies. In addition to protecting you while on the internet, it has developed one of the most convenient applications to find Wi-Fi hotspots. Once you tap the screen, it searches for all available Wi-Fi networks and displays them on-screen.
4. Wiman
Even though established only a few years ago, Wiman is one of the most significant Wi-Fi hotspot databases globally. Regardless of your location, Wiman can help you discover all the available Wi-Fi networks.
Once you install it on your phone, it works like a built-in Wi-Fi connection manager. It displays Wi-Fi hotspots in the order of the network’s quality. Users also have the opportunity to win special rewards from using the app.
5. Instabridge
Instabridge is an application by a Swedish company to give users access to one of the world’s most significant free Wi-Fi sharing communities. Once you download and install it on your Android phone, you can use it to unlock many of the available Wi-Fi networks instantly.
One of the main advantages is that its database gets updated frequently, eliminating dead and including active Wi-Fi hotspots. With that precision, you only get to connect to the proper working hotspots. Instabridge tops it up with a VPN service, helping you protect your data on the free Wi-Fi network.
6. Swift Wifi
Swift Wi-Fi has more than 20 million free Wi-Fi hotspots in its database. It has over 10 million users globally, making it one of the most popular Wi-Fi hotspot databases globally. The app displays all the available hotspots and allows you to connect to one of them quickly.
Besides listing available Wi-Fi hotspots, Swift evaluates and highlights those suspected to be malicious. You can also use the app to test the internet speed on the networks before picking one. Therefore, it’s more than just a Wi-Fi hotspot database.
7. WiFi Analyzer
WiFi Analyzer is an app that connects to the first free Wi-Fi hotspot it comes across. After that, it provides an analysis of all the relevant information about the network. You can get details like network strength, internet reliability, statistics, and router or hotspot address. It is, therefore, a practical and beneficial application.
8. Facebook Wi-Fi Finder
On Facebook, there’s a Find Wi-Fi feature that makes it possible for you to search for available Wi-Fi hotspots within range. It works in a simple way that requires you to follow these steps:
- Step 1: Install the Facebook app if you do not already have one.
- Step 2: Sign in to your account or create and activate one.
- Step 3: Go to Settings and Privacy on the Facebook app.
- Step 4: In the privacy shortcuts, tap Manage Your Location.
- Step 5: Press Find Wi-Fi. Enable this feature to locate nearby Wi-Fi hotspots.
Identify Hidden Wi-Fi Networks
Wi-Fi networks rely on service set identifiers (SSIDs) or networks names for identification. Owners of the networks can make them undiscoverable to nearby devices. Therefore, you can access these networks either.
However, with a suitable Wi-Fi analyzer app like NetSpot, you can discover all the hidden Wi-Fi hotspots and connect to one of them. You can use a Windows or macOS computer to discover available networks before accessing them on your Android phone.
How to Protect Yourself on a public Wi-Fi Network
Besides learning how to get free Wi-Fi on Android, it’s essential to know how to protect yourself on a public Wi-Fi hotspot. When connecting to a public Wi-Fi network, you can use a VPN to secure and buffer your sensitive data. A VPN has layers of protection system that plugs in any existing security holes, keeping you safe online.
By channeling the internet traffic through a server, it hides your identity, unblocks internet restrictions related to specific regions, and helps you bypass firewalls. All you need is a dedicated internet app.
You must meet several requirements when connecting to a public Wi-Fi hotspot via VPN. They include the following:
- Android Version 4 or Higher: Your phone should have an Android Version 4 or higher. With that, you can download, install, and use any available VPN apps.
- Zero Data Balance: VPN networks tend to consume any data left in a phone, even when connected to a free public Wi-Fi network. Therefore, you should ensure that your phone is on zero data balance before connecting to a VPN.
How to Download and Use a VPN App
Popular VPN applications include Droid VPN, Fly VPN, Troid VPN, Sky VPN, and Feat VPN. You can download and install any of these to your phone and use it to protect yourself on a public Wi-Fi hotspot. Here is how you can download, install, and use Droid VPN when connecting to public Wi-Fi:
- Step 1: Download the Droid VPN app from Google Play Store and install it on your phone.
- Step 2: Fill in your registration with your email address and pick a username and password.
- Step 3: Go to Connection Setting, followed by Connection Protocol, and select TCP Connection.
- Step 4: Click the HTTP Header to tap the checkbox to enable the HTTP header and tap the checkbox.
- Step 5: Click the custom HTTP headers and type this: Host:get.wynk.in/X-Online-Host:get.wynk.in/
- Step 6: Press OK.
- Step 7: Open the Droid VPN app and select any available Wi-Fi networks.
- Step 8: Tap Connect.
- Step 9: Now, you can surf the internet without compromising your data and privacy.
The Bottom Line
Now you know how to get free Wi-Fi on Android. While accessing free Wi-Fi is essential, browsing the internet safely should take centerstage. Once you have identified a suitable Wi-Fi hotspot, use a VPN to connect to the network anonymously. That way, you can effectively protect yourself from the prying eyes of hackers and other malicious operatives.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to get free Wi-Fi on Android? Yes, it is possible to get free Wi-Fi on Android. There are several methods to access free Wi-Fi, including Wi-Fi hotspots, public Wi-Fi networks, and using your phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot.
A Wi-Fi hotspot is a physical location where you can access wireless internet. Wi-Fi hotspots are created using a wireless access point, which is a device that broadcasts wireless signals to connect devices to the internet. Many businesses, such as coffee shops and restaurants, offer Wi-Fi hotspots to their customers.
Public Wi-Fi networks can be risky because they are often unsecured, which means that anyone with the right tools can access your personal information. Hackers can use public Wi-Fi networks to intercept your internet traffic and steal your passwords, credit card numbers, and other sensitive data. It is important to use a virtual private network (VPN) when using public Wi-Fi networks to encrypt your internet traffic and protect your privacy.
Yes, you can use your Android phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot by enabling the “Portable Wi-Fi hotspot” feature in your phone’s settings. This allows you to share your phone’s internet connection with other devices, such as a laptop or tablet. However, you should be aware that using your phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot may use up your data allowance if you are not connected to a Wi-Fi network.
There are several apps that offer free Wi-Fi connections, such as Wi-Fi Map, Free Wi-Fi Finder, and OpenSignal. These apps help you find nearby Wi-Fi hotspots and provide information about the network, including the password if required. However, it is important to be cautious when using these apps and only connect to secure and trusted networks.