How to set up Wi-Fi on Android 9: from connection to troubleshooting

Android 9 Pie, released in 2018, is still the current version for millions of devices. Despite the release of new versions, owners of smartphones continue to use this OS - and are faced with the need to set up wireless networks. Unlike modern versions of Android, where the interface is simplified to a minimum, Samsung Galaxy S9, Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 or Huawei P20 continue to use this OS - and are faced with the need to configure wireless networks. Unlike modern versions of Android, where the interface is simplified to a minimum, Android 9 retains advanced Wi-Fi settingswhich allow you to finely customize the connection.

In this article you will find not only basic instructions for connecting to the network, but also hidden Android 9 features to optimize Wi-Fi speed and security, which are missing in newer versions. We'll cover common mistakes (such as when a network persists but won't connect), explain how to work with hidden networks, and show you how to limit background traffic for individual applications. If your smartphone suddenly began to “lose” Wi-Fi after updating to Pie, here you will find a solution.

1. Basic Wi-Fi connection on Android 9

Let's start with the simplest thing - connecting to an open or secure network. B Android 9 Pie The Wi-Fi settings interface has undergone changes compared to previous versions, so even experienced users may get confused. Here are the step-by-step guide:

Open Settings → Network and Internet → Wi-Fi. At the top of the screen you will see a switch - turn it on if Wi-Fi is disabled. After a few seconds, a list of available networks will appear. Tap on the name of the desired network. If it is protected (there will be a lock icon on the icon), the system will ask for a password. Enter it and click Settings → Network and Internet → Wi-Fi data-i="49">How to find saved networks? Connect.

• 🔍 How to find saved networks? Scroll down the list of available networks - there will be a section Saved networks with passwords (provided that you have previously connected to them).
• 🔄 What to do if the network does not appear in the list? Try refreshing the list by pulling the screen down, or check if the network is hidden (more on this in the next section).
• 🛡️ Security: Never connect to networks with names like Free_WiFi or Starbucks_Guest without confirmation - these may be traps for data theft.

After a successful connection, a check mark will appear next to the network name, and a Wi-Fi icon will appear in the status bar. If the connection does not occur, check:

1. The entered password is correct (case matters!).
2. Distance to the router - in Android 9 there is a problem with connecting to weak signals (less than 2 indicator bars).
3. Router settings: some older models do not support the protocol WPA3, which can be activated by default on your smartphone.

2. Connecting to a hidden Wi-Fi network

Hidden networks (with SSID broadcasting disabled) are a popular way to protect against random connections. T Android 9 the process of connecting to such networks is slightly different from the standard one. Here's how to do it:

Go to Settings → Network and Internet → Wi-Fi → Advanced (or click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Add network). In the window that appears:

1. In the field Network name (SSID) enter the exact name of the hidden network (case sensitive!).
2. Select the security type: usually this WPA/WPA2-PSK.
3. Enter the password.
4. Click Save.

⚠️ Attention: If you make a mistake in network name (for example, they added an extra space), Android 9 will not show an error, but the connection will not occur. Check the SSID in the router settings.

After saving, the network will appear in the list of available ones, but will be marked as Saved. To connect, tap on its name - the system will try to establish a connection. If the network is still not visible, try:

• 📡 Reboot the router (sometimes it does not respond to scan requests).
• 📱 Turn on and off airplane mode on your smartphone.
• 🔧 In settings router temporarily enable SSID broadcasting, connect, and then hide the network again.

Check the exact SSID name with the network administrator

Check the case of letters in the name and password

Make sure that the router is turned on and distributing Wi-Fi

Disable VPN (it may block the connection)-->

3. Advanced Wi-Fi settings in Android 9

One ​​of the strengths Android 9 Pie is the advanced Wi-Fi settings that allow you to optimize your connection. To open them, go to Settings → Network and Internet → Wi-Fi, tap on the name of the connected network and select Network management (or Change network). The following options are available here:

Parameter	Value by default	Recommendations
IP settings	DHCP	Change only if a static IP is required (for example, for CCTV cameras).
Proxy	No	Enable only when using corporate networks.
Authentication method	WPA2-PSK	For public networks, you may need EAP-SIM or PEAP.
Frequency bands	Auto	If the network operates at 5 GHz, but the smartphone does not connect, select Only 2.4 GHz.

The parameter Limiting data usedeserves special attention. If you enable it, Android 9 will consider this network to be "restricted" and will reduce background traffic (for example, for app updates). This is useful for networks with a limit, but can interfere with the work of instant messengers.

Another hidden function is Wi-Fi Power Saving Mode. It automatically turns off Wi-Fi when the device is not in use and turns it on when unlocked. To disable this feature (if it interferes with a stable connection), go to Settings → Battery → Power Saving Mode → Network Activity and deactivate the option.

4. Troubleshooting Wi-Fi problems on Android 9

If Wi-Fi on your device is unstable, here are the most common problems and their solutions: Android 9 Pie works unstable, here are the most common problems and their solutions:

Problem 1: The network is saved, but does not connect

This is an Android error 9, which occurs due to a settings conflict. Try:

1. Remove the network from saved ones (Settings → Wi-Fi → Saved networks → Forget).
2. Reboot your smartphone and router.
3. Connect again by entering the password manually (do not use autocomplete!).

Problem 2: Constant connection disconnections

The following may be to blame:

• 📶 Weak signal: Check the signal level in the router settings (should be at least -70 dBm).
• 🔄 Channel conflict: In the router settings, change the Wi-Fi channel to 6, 11 or 40 (for 5 GHz).
• 📱 Battery saving: Disable Adaptive battery in the power settings.

Problem 3: Low Internet speed

If the speed on other devices is normal, but not on Android 9, do the following:

1. Check the channel width in the router settings: for 2.4 GHz set to 20 MHz, for 5 GHz - 40 MHz.
2. Disable Wi-Fi Assist (if available) - it can switch to mobile data.
3. In the network settings (Network management → Advanced) disable Avoid poor connections (avoid poor connections).

⚠️ Attention: If after updating to Android 9 Wi-Fi is lost completely (networks are not found), reset the network settings: Settings → System → Reset → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth settings. This will delete all saved passwords!

What to do if your smartphone does not see the 5 GHz network?

On some devices (for example, Samsung Galaxy J6 or Nokia 6.1) in Android 9, 5 GHz support is disabled by default. To enable it, go to Settings → Network and Internet → Wi-Fi → Advanced → Wi-Fi frequency bands and select Auto or 5 GHz. If there is no option, your device does not support this range.

5. Android 9 Wi-Fi Security: What You Need to Know

Android 9 introduced several security improvements to Wi-Fi, but also retained vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers. Here are the key points:

1. Protection against KRACK attacks Pie by default has protection against protocol vulnerabilities enabled WPA2, but it only works if the router is also updated. Check the firmware of your router!

2. Random MAC addresses. Android 9 may use random MAC addresses to connect to networks to make it harder to track. To enable this feature:

1. Go to Settings → Network and Internet → Wi-Fi → Advanced.
2. Activate the option Random MAC addresses (or Device MAC address → Random).

Please note: some public networks (for example, in hotels) may block devices with random MACs.

3. VPN and Wi-Fi. If you are using a VPN, Android 9 has an option Block connections without VPN. It prohibits data transfer via Wi-Fi if the VPN is disabled. You can find it in the settings of the VPN application or in Settings → Network and Internet → VPN.

• 🔐 Always use: Network with WPA3 (if the router supports it).
• 🚫 Avoid: Open networks without a password or with protocol WEP (it can be hacked in minutes).
• 🛡️ Additional protection: Install an application like NetGuard to control application access to the network.

6. Optimizing Wi-Fi speed and stability

If your Samsung Galaxy S9 or OnePlus 6T Android 9 connects to Wi-Fi, but the speed leaves much to be desired, try these methods:

1. Change DNS. By default, Android uses the DNS provider, which can be slow. To change them:

1. Connect to the network.
2. Tap on its name → Change network → Additional.
3. In the field DNS 1 enter 8.8.8.8 (Google) or 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare).
4. Save changes.

2. Disabling switches to mobile data. Android 9 has a function Switch to mobile datathat is activated when the Wi-Fi signal is weak. To disable it:

Settings → Network and Internet → Wi-Fi → Advanced → Switch to mobile data → Off

3. Setting the priority of networks. If you have multiple saved networks, Android 9 can connect to the weakest. To set priority:

1. Open the list of saved networks.
2. Tap on the desired network and select Connect (even if it is already active).
3. The system will remember your choice and will connect to it first.

Problem	Possible cause	Solution
High latency (ping)	Router channel overload	Change the Wi-Fi channel in the router settings to 1, 6 or 11 (2.4 GHz).
Low download speed	Restriction on the part of the provider	Check the speed on another device. If there is the same problem, contact your provider.
Wi-Fi turns off during a call	Conflict with VoLTE	Disable VoLTE in the SIM card settings.

7. Resetting network settings: when and how to do

If none of the tips helped, the last chance is to reset the network settings. This will delete all saved Wi-Fi networks, passwords, Bluetooth and mobile data settings. Do not confuse this with a hard reset of the device! Here's how to do it:

Go to Settings → System → Reset → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth settings. The system will ask you to confirm the action using a PIN code or pattern. After the reset, the device will reboot.

⚠️ Attention: On some devices (for example, Xiaomi with shell MIUI) path may differ: Settings → About phone → Reset settings → Reset network settings. Also, after the reset, you may need to reactivate the SIM card.

After the reset:

• 🔄 Connect to Wi-Fi again (all passwords will have to be entered from zero).
• 📱 Check if a firmware update is required (sometimes Wi-Fi bugs are fixed in security patches).
• 🔧 If the problem persists, the Wi-Fi hardware module may be to blame (contact the service).

8. Alternative ways to connect to the Internet

If Wi-Fi on your device refuses to work, consider alternative connection options: Android 9 Pie refuses to work, consider alternative connection options:

1. Modem mode (USB/Bluetooth/Wi-Fi). You can distribute the Internet from another device. To do this:

1. On the donor device, enable Access point (Settings → Network and Internet → Access point and modem).
2. On the problematic smartphone connect to the created network as to regular Wi-Fi.

2. USB-ethernet adapter. Some devices on Android 9 (for example, Samsung DeX or Huawei Mate 20) support Ethernet connection via an adapter USB-C → Ethernet. To do this:

• Connect the adapter to your smartphone.
• Connect it to the router or modem with a cable.
• In the network settings, select Ethernet (you may need to enable USB debugging).

3. Applications for diagnostics. If you are not sure about the cause of the problem, install WiFi Analyzer or NetSpot to analyze networks. They will show:

• 📊 Signal level in dBm.
• 🔄 Busy channels.
• 📡 Neighboring networks that may cause interference.

⚠️ Attention: When using USB-ethernet adapter on some devices (for example Google Pixel 3) may require root access or special drivers. Check the compatibility of the adapter with your model!

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Wi-Fi on Android 9

My smartphone does not see the 5 GHz network. How to fix this?

On some devices, 5 GHz support is disabled by default. Go to Settings → Network and Internet → Wi-Fi → Advanced → Wi-Fi frequency bands and select Auto or 5 GHz. If the option is not present, your smartphone does not support this range (check the specifications of the model).

After updating to Android 9, Wi-Fi began to turn off when the screen was locked. What should I do?

This is a known Pie issue related to battery optimization. Disable the function Scan always available in the Wi-Fi settings and add your connection to the battery optimization exclusion list: Settings → Battery → Battery optimization → All applications → Find your network (if it is displayed) → Do not optimize.

Is it possible to limit Wi-Fi speed for individual applications on Android 9?

Yes, but not directly. Install an application NetGuard or GlassWirethat allows you to block or limit traffic for specific apps. Also in the settings of some routers (for example, ASUS RT-AC86U) there is a function QoSthat distributes traffic priorities.

How to transfer Wi-Fi passwords from an old phone to a new one with Android 9?

Android 9 does not support direct export of passwords, but you you can:

1. Make a backup via Settings → System → Backup (Wi-Fi passwords are included in Google backup).
2. Use applications like WiFi Key Recovery (requires root access).
3. Manually rewrite passwords from Settings → Wi-Fi → Saved networks → Share (on some devices).

Why does Android 9 show "Connected without access to the Internet"?

This error means that the smartphone has connected to the router, but it does not have access to the Internet. Check:

• Whether the provider cable is connected to the router.
• If the antivirus or firewall on the router is blocking access (disable them temporarily).
• IP settings: try manually specifying DNS (for example, 8.8.8.8).
• Restart the router (sometimes holding the reset button for 10 seconds helps).