How to ping a network on Android: 5 methods with instructions

Checking network availability through the command ping is a basic diagnostic tool that helps determine whether the signal is reaching a server, router or other device on a local/global network. On Windows or Linux this is done in two clicks, but with Android everything is more complicated: manufacturers often hide standard utilities, and without root access the functionality is limited. In this article, we will look at all the working ways to ping the network on a smartphone - from built-in tools to specialized applications and ADB.

It is important to understand that ping on Android may behave differently than on a PC. For example, some sites (like google.com) block ICMP packets, so the response may not arrive even with a stable Internet connection. The result is also influenced by the settings firewall, version Android (starting from Android 10 new restrictions have appeared) and even the device firmware. We tested all methods on smartphones Samsung Galaxy S23, Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 and Google Pixel 7 - the results may vary slightly.

If you just need to check your Internet connection, just open your browser. But for deep diagnostics (for example, with lags in online games, problems with VPN or setting up a local network) ping remains one of the most accurate tools. Below are detailed instructions for users with any level of training.

1. Built-in Android terminal: ping without root

Starting with Android 8.0 Oreo, the system has a hidden terminal Termux-like type, but with reduced capabilities. It can be accessed through the app "Terminal" (if it is pre-installed) or third-party utilities like Termux (requires manual installation). However, even without root in some firmware the command ping works - but with limitations.

To try:

Install the application Termux from F-Droid (version from Google Play may be outdated).
Run it and enter the command:
```
ping -c 4 google.com
```
where -c 4 is the number of packets (by default it will send infinitely).

If you see answers like 64 bytes from 142.250.186.206 —the network is working. If Network is unreachable —check the connection.

⚠️ Method limitations:

🔄 On Android 10+ the command may not work without root —the system blocks ICMP packets.
🌐 Some firmware (for example, on Samsung or Huawei) completely remove ping from the terminal.
📡 If ping passes, but the Internet does not work, the problem may be in DNS (try ping 8.8.8.8).

2. Applications for ping: top 5 utilities from the Play Market

If the built-in tools do not work, the easiest way is to install a specialized application. We have selected 5 proven utilities that do not require root and work on most devices:

Application	Features	Cons	Link
Ping & DNS	Simple interface, IPv6 support, test history	Advertising in the free version	Play Market
Network Analyzer	Ping, tracing, port scanner, speed test	Complicated for beginners	Play Market
Fing	Network scanner + ping, detects devices on the local network	Limits in the free version	Play Market
PingTools Network Utilities	Ping, WHOIS, port checking, Wake-on-LAN	The interface is overloaded with functions	Play Market
Termux	Full terminal with support `ping`, `traceroute`, `nslookup`	Requires manual configuration (`pkg install iputils`)	F-Droid

💡 Tip: If you need not only to ping, but also to analyze the network (for example, to find traffic “leaks” or conflicting IPs), choose Network Analyzer or Fing. For a simple check, Ping & DNS.

⚠️ Attention: Some applications (for example Fing) may request access to geolocation or contacts. This is not necessary for ping to work - refuse unnecessary permissions.

Make sure Wi-Fi/mobile data is turned on|

Close background applications (especially VPN and torrents)|

Check if Airplane mode is enabled|

Write down the IP address or domain for ping (for example, 8.8.8.8 or google.com)

-->

3. Ping via ADB: for advanced users

If the device does not have root, but has access to ADB (Android Debug Bridge), you can ping through your computer. This method works even on Android 13 and newer, where terminal commands are blocked. You will need:

🖥️ Computer with ADB-tools.
📱 Smartphone with USB debugging (Settings → About phone → Build number enabled (press 7 times) → For developers → USB debugging).
🔌 USB cable (preferably original).

Instructions:

Connect your smartphone to PC and confirm permission to debug.
Open the command line (Win + R → cmd) and enter:
```
adb shell ping -c 4 google.com
```
If the command does not work, try:
```
adb shell
su
ping -c 4 google.com
```
(requires root or rights superuser).

Critical nuance: On some devices (for example, Xiaomi with firmware MIUI) the command ping v adb shell can be disabled even if available root. In this case, only installing a custom kernel or alternative methods will help (see section 5).

💡

If ADB does not see the device, try reinstalling the drivers or using command adb kill-server followed by adb start-server.

4. Alternative commands for network diagnostics

If ping does not work or is blocked, you can use other network utilities to check the connection. Here are the most useful ones:

📡 traceroute —shows the route of packets to the server. In Termux is set by the command:
```
pkg install traceroute
```
Usage example:
```
traceroute google.com
```
🔍 nslookup —checks DNS resolution. Set to Termux:
```
pkg install bind-utils
```
Example:
```
nslookup google.com 8.8.8.8
```
📊 netstat —shows active connections. B Termux:
```
pkg install net-tools
netstat -tuln
```

🌐 curl —checking HTTP/HTTPS availability. Example:
```
curl -I https://google.com
```
If the answer HTTP/2 200 —the site is available.

⚠️ Attention: Commands traceroute and netstat may not work on some firmware without root. In this case, use the applications from section 2 (for example, Network Analyzer has a built-in traceroute).

What to do if all commands return "Network is unreachable"?

Most likely, the problem is at the routing level or firewall. Check:

1. APN settings (for mobile data).

2. Proxy settings in Wi-Fi (if connected to a corporate network).

3. Is it blocked by an antivirus? data-i="162">or Kaspersky or Avast) network requests.

4. Try connecting to another network (for example, distribute Wi-Fi from your phone to a laptop and check ping from it).

5. Ping without the Internet: checking the local network

The command ping is useful not only for checking Internet access, but also for diagnosing the local network. For example, you can check:

🖥️ The availability of the router (ping to its IP, usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1).
📱 Connection with another device on the network (for example, a smartphone or printer).
🎮 Delays when connecting to a game server (for example, ping eu.battle.net for World of Warcraft).

Example of checking a router:

Find out the IP of the router (you can see it in the Wi-Fi settings on your phone or on the device sticker).
In Termux or through the app do:
```
ping -c 4 192.168.1.1
```
If packets are lost (100% packet loss) - there is a problem in connecting to router (check the cable, reboot the device).

💡 Useful life hack: If ping passes to the router, but the Internet does not work, the problem is on the provider’s side or in the settings DHCP/DNS of the router. Try manually registering DNS from Google (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) in the Wi-Fi settings.

6. Common errors and their solutions

When running ping on Android users often encounter common errors. Let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them:

Error	Cause	Solution
`ping: unknown host`	DNS cannot resolve the domain name.	Try ping via IP (for example `ping 8.8.8.8`) or change DNS in the network settings.
`Network is unreachable`	No route to the network (connection problem).	Check Wi-Fi/mobile data, reboot the router, turn off the VPN.
`Operation not permitted`	No rights to command execution (often on Android 10+).	Use `ADB` or applications from the Play Market.
`100% packet loss`	Packets do not reach the target (the server is blocking ping or the network is unavailable).	Check the target IP/domain, try another server (for example, `ping ya.ru`).
The application does not see the network	Firmware restrictions or firewall.	Try another application or disable the firewall (for example, in Avast).

⚠️ Attention: On some devices (for example, Huawei c EMUI) network utilities can be blocked at the kernel level. In this case, only flashing or using external tools will help (for example, ADB via a PC).

💡

If ping works, but sites do not open. - the problem is most likely in the DNS. Try changing the DNS server in the Wi-Fi or mobile network settings.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about ping on Android

Is it possible to ping a network without root?

Yes, but with restrictions on most devices without root team ping does not work in the terminal, but you can use:

Applications from the Play Market (Ping & DNS, Network Analyzer).
ADB via a computer.
Built-in diagnostic tools in the settings (for example, Settings → Wi-Fi → Network diagnostics on some Samsung).

Why does ping show high delays (ms), but the Internet works fine?

High latency (time=200ms and more) may be due to:

Distance to the server (for example, ping to an American site from Russia will be higher).
Overloading the provider's network.
Use VPN (especially free ones).
Restrictions on the server side (some sites are artificially delayed ICMP packets).

If the Internet is stable, there is nothing to worry about. For online games, choose servers with ping <50ms.

How to ping a specific device on a local network?

To ping, for example, a printer or another smartphone:

Find out its local IP (you can view it in the router settings or through the app Fing).
Run the command:
```
ping -c 4 192.168.1.100
```
(replace 192.168.1.100 with the current IP).

If the packets do not arrive, check if it is blocking target device firewall ICMP requests.

Can ping be used to test internet speed?

No, ping only shows delay (response time in ms) but not download/upload speed For speed test. use:

Applications: Speedtest by Ookla, Fast.com.

Command in Termux:

pkg install wget

wget -O /dev/null http://speedtest.wdc01.softlayer.com/downloads/test10.zip

Why does ping work out of the box on iPhone, but not on Android?

iOS provides access to network utilities through the app Shortcuts or terminal (on devices with jailbreak). Android is also built on the basis of Linux, where many commands (including ping) require root access or ADB due to security policy Google.

This is not a drawback, but a feature of the architecture: Android was developed as a user OS, where most functions are available through the GUI, rather than the console.

How to ping a network on Android: from standard tools to ADB