WiFi auto-switcher question

[Crashdamage]

Been searching and can't find exactly what I'm looking for. Trying to find a very simple app that will automagically turn on-off wifi, but ONLY to my home network or other specified networks when they're in range. if my specified network(s) are available - wifi is on. If not - wifi is off. That's all I want it to do.

Been using Y5 and it's nice and minimal but not quite as above since it won't let me specify connecting to certain networks only. I think Tasker might do it, but that's a lotta hassle for such a simple chore and I don't need Tasker for anything else anyway.

Is there such an app?

 

[TLDspectre]

Been searching and can't find exactly what I'm looking for. Trying to find a very simple app that will automagically turn on-off wifi, but ONLY to my home network or other specified networks when they're in range. if my specified network(s) are available - wifi is on. If not - wifi is off. That's all I want it to do.

Been using Y5 and it's nice and minimal but not quite as above since it won't let me specify connecting to certain networks only. I think Tasker might do it, but that's a lotta hassle for such a simple chore and I don't need Tasker for anything else anyway.

Is there such an app?

From my experience Y5 only auto-connects to networks that you previously connected to through the "Wi-Fi settings" option under the "Wireless & networks" setting. If you have a connection you want to remove from Y5, just start it up and tap on the network connection in the list of "Known networks" - it will then ask if you want to "forget" this connection. If you press "Yes", then Y5 will no longer automatically connect to that network.

 

[borisk]

Wifi auto on
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.mvs.android.apps.wifiautoon&feature=search_result

I think it does exactly what you're describing.

I use it for my optimus v to automatically switch from 3g to my wifi network when I get home and back to 3g when I leave. Works flawlessly.

 

[chrlswltrs]

I use Tasker to Accomplish exactly what you are looking for. My WiFi only automatically comes on at work and at home, otherwise it is off, unless I turn it on.

Plus there is so much more that you can do with this app!

 

[tcat007]

Dang, I tried that app a few weeks ago and my battery drained 60% that night (compared to 1% when I just use airplane). Not sure what I did wrong (or what the app did). I manually turned off wifi before bed, so maybe the app turned it back on? I still do it manually, then I know when I'm in 3G, Wifi, or Airplane.

Wifi auto on
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.mvs.android.apps.wifiautoon&feature=search_result

I think it does exactly what you're describing.

I use it for my optimus v to automatically switch from 3g to my wifi network when I get home and back to 3g when I leave. Works flawlessly.

 

[amlothi]

Dang, I tried that app a few weeks ago and my battery drained 60% that night (compared to 1% when I just use airplane). Not sure what I did wrong (or what the app did). I manually turned off wifi before bed, so maybe the app turned it back on? I still do it manually, then I know when I'm in 3G, Wifi, or Airplane.

In order for ANY app to know whether there is a Wifi access point to connect to, the Wifi radio of your phone must be turned on.

The way Tasker handles this is that it turns on the Wifi radio every 10 minutes (you can change the default time), checks for the Wifi signal that you preset (usually for a few seconds only, again, this time can be changed in the settings), and then turns it off.

Tasker works very well for me. No battery drain at all.

 

[Crashdamage]

From my experience Y5 only auto-connects to networks that you previously connected to through the "Wi-Fi settings" option under the "Wireless & networks" setting. If you have a connection you want to remove from Y5, just start it up and tap on the network connection in the list of "Known networks" - it will then ask if you want to "forget" this connection. If you press "Yes", then Y5 will no longer automatically connect to that network.

Thanks! I just started using Y5 recently and I guess I didn't fully understand how it works. Does just what I want in the simplest way. Perfect.

 

[sprocket28]

Y5 seems like a cool little app, but Tasker will save you a whole lot more battery. e.g. you can set it to turn off your WiFi when your screen is off and turn it back on when your screen is turned on again. This, plus having it do the same thing Y5 does, will double your battery life. Tasker is the most powerful app ever. ye can completely automate the settings on your phone based on time, location, phone state, events, etc. bit of a learning curve but definitely worth it.

 

[chrlswltrs]

Y5 seems like a cool little app, but Tasker will save you a whole lot more battery. e.g. you can set it to turn off your WiFi when your screen is off and turn it back on when your screen is turned on again. This, plus having it do the same thing Y5 does, will double your battery life. Tasker is the most powerful app ever. ye can completely automate the settings on your phone based on time, location, phone state, events, etc. bit of a learning curve but definitely worth it.

Absolutely agree!!

 

[Crashdamage]

Y5 seems like a cool little app, but Tasker will save you a whole lot more battery. e.g. you can set it to turn off your WiFi when your screen is off and turn it back on when your screen is turned on again. This, plus having it do the same thing Y5 does, will double your battery life. Tasker is the most powerful app ever. ye can completely automate the settings on your phone based on time, location, phone state, events, etc. bit of a learning curve but definitely worth it.

I can let the phone sit overnight with wifi on and lose almost no battery, so thats not an issue. Makes virtualy no diffence if I leave wifi completely off. And I do not want wifi to shut off with the screen anyway so there is no wait for it to connect again.

There is nothing else I need Tasker to do so pointless for me. CPU usage at idle is very low and battery life is a real strong point with this phone. Already had exactly what I needed and didnt realize it.

 

[amlothi]

I can let the phone sit overnight with wifi on and lose almost no battery, so thats not an issue. Makes virtualy no diffence if I leave wifi completely off.

It makes a lot of difference, actually.

If Wifi is on, and you are connected to a wireless access point (with strong signal) it will use very little battery (less than 3G).

However, if Wifi is on and you aren't connected to an access point, your phone will be constantly scanning trying to find a Wifi connection - using the Wifi radio at full power - and this will drain a lot of battery.



Note: Tasker does not just control Wifi. It can automate many many things on your phone, like ringtones, 3G, GPS, wallpaper, autoreplying to text messages, on and on and on.

 

[Crashdamage]

It makes a lot of difference, actually.

If Wifi is on, and you are connected to a wireless access point (with strong signal) it will use very little battery (less than 3G).

However, if Wifi is on and you aren't connected to an access point, your phone will be constantly scanning trying to find a Wifi connection - using the Wifi radio at full power - and this will drain a lot of battery.

Note: Tasker does not just control Wifi. It can automate many many things on your phone, like ringtones, 3G, GPS, wallpaper, autoreplying to text messages, on and on and on.

Like I was, I think you're missing the point of how Y5 works. It turns wifi off whenever I'm in a location where I've never been connected before - so no constant scanning. Wifi is off automatically all the time when I'm away, on automatically when I'm home. Very simple minimal app. Since my original post I've found other apps that are similar, but Y5 works perfect.

I know what Tasker can do, I've messed around with it. Uninstalled because I simply didn't need it for anything.

 

[amlothi]

Like I was, I think you're missing the point of how Y5 works. It turns wifi off whenever I'm in a location where I've never been connected before - so no constant scanning.

I'm not missing the point of anything. I wasn't replying to anything you said about Y5. I've never used it, nor do I care to (Tasker does what I need).

You said that leaving wifi on overnight uses no battery, with no other qualifiers. That is what I was responding to. If you are leaving it on overnight, but using Y5, then you aren't truly letting "the phone sit overnight with wifi on" since Wifi isn't on most of the time (unless connected).

 

[Crashdamage]

I'm not missing the point of anything. I wasn't replying to anything you said about Y5. I've never used it, nor do I care to (Tasker does what I need).

That's cool, whatever works for you. Y5 does what I need in a much simpler, minimalistic way.

You said that leaving wifi on overnight uses no battery, with no other qualifiers. That is what I was responding to. If you are leaving it on overnight, but using Y5, then you aren't truly letting "the phone sit overnight with wifi on" since Wifi isn't on most of the time (unless connected).

Not trying to get picky about it but that's not quite what happens or what I said: "I can let the phone sit overnight with wifi on and lose almost no battery." Which is true, at idle (screen off and locked) it uses almost no battery even with wifi left connected all night. And using Y5 wifi actually is connected all the time I'm home or in another designated connection area. So no point in using Tasker for timed disconnects, disconnect with screen off, etc, etc. I just stay connected and always ready for immediate action.

 

[amlothi]

Not trying to get picky about it but that's not quite what happens or what I said: "I can let the phone sit overnight with wifi on and lose almost no battery." Which is true, at idle (screen off and locked) it uses almost no battery even with wifi left connected all night.

I was simply trying to clarify that the Wifi being connected is very relevant to how much your battery charge will decrease.

If Wifi is on, and you are connected to a wireless access point (with strong signal) it will use very little battery (less than 3G).

However, if Wifi is on and you aren't connected to an access point, your phone will be constantly scanning trying to find a Wifi connection - using the Wifi radio at full power - and this will drain a lot of battery.

Your phone will use a lot less battery when connected to a strong signal WIFI compared to when not connected and scanning constantly.

It sounds like we are in agreement then.