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Help How do I set Nexus 5 to use WiFi when available and mobile access when WiFi is not available

J

jkgraves

Newbie
I just got a Nexus 5 and really like it, but it appears that it is using my mobile internet access (which I have to pay for) even when WiFi is available. Is there some setting which I have not found that controls this? If I go into Access Point Names and choose one that will not work for me, then it always uses WiFi, but I don't want to have to do that every time I am somewhere that WiFi is not available. I thought there was a way I could set this to be automatic.

Thanks for any suggestions!
 
Are you connecting to a hotspot that requires you to enter a code in a browser to connect? If that's the case, I don't think there is a solution. For other connections (like my home connection for me) it works like you want. If it can connect to WiFi, it uses that. If it can't, it uses my mobile data.
 
Unforgiven said:
Are you connecting to a hotspot that requires you to enter a code in a browser to connect? If that's the case, I don't think there is a solution. For other connections (like my home connection for me) it works like you want. If it can connect to WiFi, it uses that. If it can't, it uses my mobile data.
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Thanks for your quick reply. I am connected to my home network and by looking at data usage, it appears that it is using the mobile connection - or does data usage keep track of all connections - not just mobile as I thought?
 
You can choose for it to. When in the Data usage graph screen, press the menu button (three vertical dots) and you can choose what data it tracks.
 
One thing to keep in mind is that MMS messages (picture, video SMS messages) on most carriers will always use your cellular data, as a part of the way they are set up to work.
 
Thank you for your reply. I was aware of that and have not used any of those features. When away from my wireless I have only used the phone at this point.
 
Might be nice to get some screen shots of what's convincing you it is using data when wifi is available. Also, confirm that the wifi is actually connecting and that you have enough signal strength. Ultimately, even with the recommended app, you need to get to the bottom of the mystery of why your N5 is behaving differently than every other N5 (assuming you are correct). You might even want to think of asking Google for a replacement.
 
Androids default behavior is to use wifi whenever a known wifi network is in range, and to use mobile data when out of range.

As long as your wifi is on and it is able to successfully connect and transmit/receive packets it will use the wifi signal.
 
It is an odd one, as a rule if I see the wifi icon on my phone in a known aree I've connected to previously I just assume I'm on the wifi (I've applied this rule to every mobile device)

Though I do have unlimited mobile data now so I wouldn't even know otherwise as I never check usage.
 
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