Restoring WPS on Android: from simple methods to radical solutions

The protocol Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) makes it easier to connect devices to Wi-Fi without entering complex passwords - just press a button on the router or enter a PIN code. But what to do if WPS stops working on your Androidsmartphone? The feature may be disabled in the settings, a software glitch has occurred, or the device does not support modern security standards. In this article we will analyze all the current methods of restoring WPS, from basic to technically complex, taking into account the features of different versions Android and manufacturers (Samsung, Xiaomi, Realme etc.).

It is important to understand: WPS is vulnerable to PIN brute force attacks, so many modern routers and smartphones abandon this feature in favor of WPA3 or QR codes. If your router was released after 2020, WPS may be disabled at the firmware level - in this case, restoring it on your smartphone will not help. Check your router settings first.

Before proceeding with the instructions, make sure that the problem is on a smartphone. Try connecting to Wi-Fi via WPS from another device (for example, a laptop or a second phone). If it doesn’t work everywhere, the problem is in the router, if only on Windows-laptop or second phone). If it doesn’t work everywhere, the problem is in the router, unless Android —read on.

1. Checking WPS support on a smartphone

Not all Androiddevices support WPS, especially models after 2022. Manufacturers are gradually abandoning this feature due to vulnerabilities. To find out if WPS is available on your phone:

• 🔍 Open Settings → Wi-Fi and tap the ⚙️ icon next to your network name.
• 📱 On some smartphones (Samsung Galaxy S23, Google Pixel 7) the WPS option is hidden - try pressing Advanced or Advanced settings.
• 🚫 If item WPS or Connection by button no - your device does not support the function at the software level.

On Xiaomi, Redmi i POCO WPS can be called QSS (Quick Secure Setup) - look for this abbreviation. On Huawei i Honor the function is often integrated into the menu Huawei Share or Fast connection.

⚠️ Attention: On Android 12 and later WPS may be blocked by security policies Google Play Protect. If you see the notification "The feature has been disabled by the administrator", try temporarily disabling Play Protect in settings Google Play.

2. Enabling WPS through standard Android settings

If your smartphone supports WPS, but the function suddenly disappeared, first try turning it on in the standard way. The algorithm may differ depending on the shell:

1. Open Settings → Wi-Fi and make sure that the module Wi-Fi is enabled.
2. Touch the name of your network (or press Add network, if not connected).
3. Click Advanced settings (or ⚙️) and find the item WPS, Connection by button or QSS.
4. Select the connection method:
   • 🔢 WPS PIN code — enter the 8-digit code from the sticker on the router.
   • 🖱️ WPS button — press the physical button on the router for 2 minutes.

On some firmware (ColorOS, Funtouch OS), the WPS option is hidden deeper. For example, on Oppo Reno the path looks like this: Settings → Wireless networks → Wi-Fi → Wi-Fi settings → Advanced → WPS.

Make sure that the router supports WPS (check the model on the website manufacturer)

Enable Wi-Fi on your smartphone

Press the WPS button on the router (if using the "Push Button" method)

Bring the smartphone closer to the router (no further than 5 meters)

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⚠️ Attention: If after press WPS the error "Could not connect" appears, check:

• 🔄 Reboot the router (pull out the power for 30 seconds).
• 📶 Make sure that the network is operating in 802.11n or 802.11ac (WPS does not work with 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) on some routers).
• 🔒 Disable MAC address filtering on the router (may block WPS).

3. Resetting network settings (without data loss)

If WPS does not work, but is displayed in the settings, the problem may lie in the network services cache. Resetting the network settings will return the settings Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and mobile data to factory settings, but will not affect personal files or applications.

Instructions for most smartphones:

1. Go to Settings → System → Reset (on Samsung: General management → Reset).
2. Select Reset settings network or Reset Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth.
3. Confirm the action (you may need to enter PIN code or pattern).
4. After reboot, try connecting again via WPS.

On Xiaomi the path is slightly different: Settings → About phone → Reset settings → Reset Wi-Fi settings, mobile network and Bluetooth. After resetting, you will have to re-enter the passwords for all saved Wi-Fi networks.

4. force enable WPS

For advanced users: if WPS is hidden in the firmware, but is technically supported, it can be enabled via ADB (Android Debug Bridge). This method works on most smartphones with unlocked USB debugging, but requires PC and basic knowledge of the command line.

Step-by-step guide:

1. Enable Developer mode on your smartphone:
   • Go to Settings → About phone.
   • click on Build number 7 times (or MIUI version on Xiaomi).
   • Return to Settings → System → For Developers and enable USB debugging.

adb shell settings put global wps_enabled 1

adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.wifi.WpsSetupActivity

If the commands do not work, try an alternative method via activity manager:

adb shell am start -a android.settings.WIFI_IP_SETTINGS

This will open hidden Wi-Fi settings where WPS may be available.

⚠️ Attention: Using ADB may violate the warranty for some models (Samsung Knox records such actions). In addition, incorrect commands can cause network failures. If you are not sure, skip this section.

adb kill-server
adb start-server

5. Firmware update or rollback to an old version

Sometimes WPS stops working after updating Android or the manufacturer's firmware. For example, on Samsung Galaxy A52 after updating to One UI 5.0 many users lost access to WPS. In such cases, there are two options:

• 🔄 Update the firmware to the latest version —the manufacturer could fix the bug in new builds.
• 🔙 Roll back to the old firmware (if WPS is critical).

To update the firmware:

1. Go to Settings → Software update (to Xiaomi: About phone → System update).
2. Click Download and installif a new version is available.
3. After updating, check WPS in the Wi-Fi settings.

To roll back the firmware you will need:

• 📥 Download the official firmware for your model from the manufacturer's website (for example, Samsung Firmware or Xiaomi Firmware Updater).
• 🔧 Use tools like Odin (for Samsung) or Mi Flash Tool (for Xiaomi).
• ⚠️ Please note that a rollback will reset all data on the smartphone (make a backup copy!).

6. Alternative methods of connecting to Wi-Fi without WPS

If you couldn’t restore WPS, consider alternative methods of connecting to Wi-Fi that work on all modern smartphones:

• 📷 QR code: Many routers (TP-Link, ASUS, Keenetic) generate a QR code for quick connection. On your smartphone, open Settings → Wi-Fi → QR code and scan it.
• 🔑 WPA3-Personal: Modern security standard supported Android 10+. Enter your Wi-Fi password manually - it's more secure than WPS.
• 📱 NFC: Some routers (Huawei, ZTE) support NFC connections. Touch your smartphone to the mark on the box or the device itself.
• 🖥️ WPS via PC: Connect to Wi-Fi from your laptop via WPS, then export the network settings (password) and enter them on your smartphone.

On Android 12 i newer Google actively promotes the function Nearby Share (former Fast Share), which allows you to transfer Wi-Fi data between devices without a password. To use it:

1. On a device already connected to Wi-Fi (Android or Chromebook) open Settings → Google → Devices and sharing → Nearby Share.
2. Select Send and specify the Wi-Fi network.
3. On the target smartphone, accept the transfer - the connection will happen automatically.

7. Factory reset as a last resort

If none of the methods worked, and WPS is critically needed (for example, to connect to a corporate network), it remains factory reset. This method will return all smartphone settings to the “out of the box” state, including network parameters. All data will be deleted, so first:

• 📲 Create a backup via Settings → Google → Backup or Samsung Cloud (Xiaomi Cloud).
• 🔐 Remember or write down passwords for accounts (Google, social networks).
• 📁 Transfer photos and files to PC or cloud.

Reset instructions:

1. Open Settings → System → Reset (or General management → Reset to Samsung).
2. Select Delete all data (reset) or Factory reset.
3. Confirm action (entering may be required PIN or account password Google).
4. After reboot, set up your smartphone as new and check for WPS in the Wi-Fi settings.

⚠️ Attention: On smartphones with Android 11+ and function Factory Reset Protection (FRP) after To reset, you will need to enter the login and password from the last linked account. If you don’t remember it, it will be extremely difficult to unlock the device! Google. If you don't remember it, it will be extremely difficult to unlock your device!

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about restoring WPS on Android