My software
Android MarketI currently have two programs for Android: WiFi Manager is a program for managing your phone’s Wi-Fi connections, and Bluetooth Widget is a simple widget for managing Bluetooth that has the same visual style.
WiFi Manager 2.5.1 from May 02, 2012
A program for managing connections to Wi-Fi networks for Android 1.6+
My reason for writing it was that I wanted to have a home screen widget with detailed information about Wi-Fi connection state. Not just on/off, but the connection process, signal level, and the current network’s SSID.
Version 2.5.0 has two new widget themes (included in the premium package), better support for Android 3.* / 4.*, and is able to handle 802.11x (EAP) networks.
Version 2.0 had new graphics, a dark theme, better looking radar mode, and started being able to switch between fixed and dynamic (DHCP) network addresses. Some of these features were made available as a premium package, which could be purchased with Google’s new “In-App Billing” technology. More info on this is listed under “Premium Features“.
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In these screenshots, “Exotica” is the name of my home Wi-Fi network. The signal level is displayed in color, which is easier to see at a glance than Android’s built-in Wi-Fi signal level indicator. The bluetooth widget on the right is my Bluetooth widget, which I tried to make look like HTC’s Sense widgets.
The way signal strengh is display can be changed in the main program (image, dBm, percent).
As of version 2.1.2 (October 1, 2011) the widget is available in four sizes (1..4 by 1 cell). There are settings for which widget sizes should be shown in the device’s Launcher. The text label below the widget is optional.
The widget that looks like an antenna is used for switching among your favorite networks with a single tap. As of version 2.0, it can also enable WiFi as needed, and switch between fixed and dynamic IP addresses if so configured.
Clicking the “main” widget anywhere but on the switch brings up the Wi-Fi manager part.
The main screen has two modes: list mode and radar mode.
In list mode, the program displays a list of Wi-Fi networks: either results of a live scan, or networks “known” to Android (previously connected to).
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Networks can be sorted by name, signal strength, or open first (and then by signal strength).
Clicking a network item allows you to perform various actions, such as connecting (or disconnecting, optionally removing it from the “known” network list).
Long-pressing on a list item brings up advanced options for that network. You can change the password of a known network, assign a description or an icon to a network, exclude it from the list (neighbors have routers, too), or set it up for fixed or dynamic (DHCP) IP address. These features require an in-app purchase.
There is an auto-update function with configurable interval ranging from 3 to 60 seconds. You can configure a sound notification for when new open networks are discovered.
In radar mode, the program looks like this:
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Live networks are organized by their channel numbers, with their “shadow” sizes varying with signal strength. Open networks are shown hatched. This view can be very useful in selecting the best channel for your home router if you live in a densely populated area. Besides, I think it looks kind of cool 
Changelog:
2.5.1 from May 02, 2012
- Two new widget themes, styled after Android 4.0 (part of premium package).
- Support for IP address and proxy server configuration for Android 3.0 and 4.0 (free functions).
- Added widget to toggle WiFi Tethering
- Adjusted widget sizes for a wider range of screens.
- Support for EAP (802.11x) networks, Android 2.2 and higher.
- A new way of connecting to networks, see app settings. Keeps all networks active, if you move out/in range (home/work etc.) your device should connect.
- Easier IP address configuration for Andorid 2.* (when connecting for the first time).
- Connection speed info in the main window (tap on the currently connected network; actual value is reported by the firmware).
- Fixed Android 1.6 compatibility broken in 2.1.8 (sorry!)
2.1.8 from February 08, 2012
- Added Polish and Czech translations
- The 3×1 wiget on 10″ tablets now shows connection speed info, like the 4×1 widget on smaller screens
- Sharper graphics for the Galaxy Nexus
2.1.7 from January 23, 2012
- Added Slovak translation
- Added a workaround for an Android Market / Checkout issue
2.1.6 from December 5, 2011
- Added a workaround for a Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 firmware bug
2.1.4 – 2.1.5 from November 28, 2011
- A compatibility setting for IP swtching: “Switch early”
- Small fixes
2.1.3 from October 7, 2011
- Fixed crashes
- Added dBm values to radar view
2.1.1 – 2.1.2 from October 1, 2011
- Adjusted widget sizes for 10″ tablets based on user feedback.
- Added a 1×1 widget (to hide in Launcher list – see the app’s settings).
- Added German translation.
- Added graphics and layouts optimized for tablets, esp. 10″ with Android 3.2.
- Added a check for existing purchase after a phone flash / restore.
2.1.0 from September 8, 2011
- Added IP address switching for connections initiated by other means (incl. by Android in the background), see app settings.
- Made faster switching from one network to another.
- AdHoc network warning can now be disabled (for CM7, root, custom firmware).
- Fixed connections to open networks.
- Fixed open network notifications.
- Added a notification icon setting for easy application access.
- Added a setting to automatically enable WiFi.
2.0.5 from August 14, 2011
- Fixed an issue with purchase / activation.
- Fixed WEP keys containing only digits.
- Improved animation in radar mode.
2.0.4 from August 1, 2011
- Fixed dns2 after the program is reloaded.
- Added a warning about IP address switching in Android 3.0.
- Added a 4×1 widget with WiFi link speed (most devices report 54Mbps).
- Added settings to select which widget sizes are shown in the launcher.
2.0.3 from June 21, 2011
- Fixed network security type not updating when scanning.
- Fixed application crashing if left at a dialog in the background for a long time.
- Added more icons that can be assigned to networks.
2.0.2 from May 15, 2011
- A configurable range of 2.4 GHz channels to display (12-14).
- A setting to show network descriptions (in place of SSIDs) in widgets.
2.0.1 from April 22, 2011
- WiFi Switcher widget can now be used to disable WiFi.
- WiFi Manager widget (2×1 and 3×1) now has a transparency setting.
- Support for networks in the 5 GHz band (thank you, David).
- Vibrate notification setting for when new open networks are discovered.
- Improved premium features ordering experience.
2.0 from April 11, 2011
- WiFi Switcher widget can now automatically enable WiFi and has a new icon (thank you, Dreamer…).
- Added support for static IP addresses vs. DHCP, with automatic switching.
- Numerous UI improvements
- Dark theme
- Prettier dialog boxes
- Radar mode graphics improvements
- Assign your own icon to a network (long press within the list)
- Premium features are available for in-app purchase with Google Checkout
- Requires Android 1.6 (support for 1.5 has been dropped).
Bluetooth Widget 1.8.1 from May 2, 2012
A simple widget for controlling Bluetooth state and settings.
Download from Market (open this link on your phone)
Supports Android 1.5+ – 4.*: Motorola Droid / Milestone, HTC Legend / Desire, Samsung Galaxy S, Galaxy Nexus, tablets.
Comes in two sizes: 1×1 can act as a simple toggle switch, and optionally provide access to system Bluetooth Settings, whereas 2×1 has a separate button on the left to for the Settings screen.
As of version 1.3, the text label is optional.
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The “gears” icon was created by Gorge Bergman, and is used under permission.
Changelog:
1.8.1 from May 2, 2012
- Added two new widget themes, inspired by Android 4.0.
1.7.3 from February 08, 2012
- Added German translation.
- Added graphics and layouts optimized for tablets, esp. 10″ with Android 3.2.
1.7.1 – 1.7.2 from October 1, 2011
- Sharper graphics for the Galaxy Nexus.
1.6.1 from April 22, 2011
- The widget now has a configurable transparency setting.
1.5 from January 17, 2011
- The widget configuration dialog has been redone for landscape orientation. This is very useful for tablet devices.
1.4.2 from December 24, 2010
- Adjusted widget sizes for landscape orientation on a wide range of devices (portrait mode was perfect already).
1.4.1 from November 27, 2010
- New 2×1 widget with quick access to Bluetooth settings
- *** IF UPDATING, REMOVE THE WIDEGT FROM HOME SCREEN AND ADD BACK IN ***
1.3.2 from July 23, 2010
- New design for Android 2.x
1.3 from June 25, 2010
- Widget text label is now optional
1.1 from May 17, 2010
- Android 2.x support: Motorola Droid / Milestone, HTC Legend / Desire
Excellent app.
When program is started and WiFi is disabled, program alerts to WiFi being disabled. If you answer Yes to enable, a Force Close occurs on the HTC Incredible. WiFi is enabled dispite the Force Close message.
Again, excellent widget, and program.
Dennis,
Using a Motorola Milestone today (also Android 2.1, high-res screen), I am not able to reproduce this problem.
Need to think of a way to debug this. Look for an update in Market within the next week.
This was fixed awhile ago, I guess 1.3 or 1.5.
ahh, if I only I had a device…
Maybe some time in the future
Can you DISABLE WIFI from the manager – If so, how.
The main window is designed for controlling Wifi connnections – as such, it needs Wifi to be enabled (prompts the user if it’s disabled).
For quicky switching Wifi on and off use the widget – the right side has an on/off switch.
This app is terrific. However, I’d like to offer a couple suggestions.
It remembers that you have “favorited” an access point by its human name (the
SSID). So if I use a access point called “linksys” then go to another town
“linksys” in that town is still favorited even if I have never been there before. Better to use some numeric ID – like the BSSID?
Also, it would be nice if it would reconnect to my home (secured) access point when I get back home. It doesn’t seem to. I suppose it should reconnect to any favorited access point when you get back in range.
Thanks.
Mike,
Re: Linksys some place else. If the password doesn’t match, there is no harm. If it does, well, you get free Wifi out of it.
The reason it’s done this way is that there are public Wifi networks that have multiple access points in various locations (cafes, etc.). Using SSID as the key allows one network entry to work at any location.
Regarding auto-reconnect to home network – at this time, Wifi Manager doesn’t try to change Android’s connection logic. On my Moto Milestone (2.1) and HTC Hero (1.5), after I come home it does find my home Wifi router, altough sometimes it takes a while.
If/when I make Wifi Manager actually manage Wifi connectivity (via a background service) this kind of functionality can be implemeneted, along with, for example, automatically switching to the best available network, even before the current connection drops due to weak signal (which is how Android does it).
Thanks for the quick reply. I get what you are saying for both issues.
About the “linksys != linksys” issue… perhaps a nice improvement would be to be able to
connect without favoriting. I think, currently, if you click on [Connect] the access point
is automatically favorited. Splitting the [Connect] into [Connect and Fav] and [Connect without Fav] would be nice. So when you are in some place you’ll never return to you can avoid faving. Currently an access point I have connected to just once has the same heart icon as my home network which is much more important to me.
Mike,
You can easily make any network “non-favorite” by clicking on it and selecting “Forget”. If it’s not live at that time, it will be removed from the program entirely.
In more detail: the way Android, or any other WiFi client (incl. notebooks) works is that a network has to be entered into a permanent list before it can be connected to. In my app, I call it the “known networks” list.
Scan results are transient, and are not saved anywhere. When connecting to a network, its password (and some other data) has to be stored permanently, and this is what the “known networks” list is there for. Thus, connecting to a network requires that it be first added to the known list.
Hi,
Tanks for an excellenct program.
An idea, can be possible to connect to hiden BSSid? And how to recovery a forget BSSID?
Best wishes,
Felix
Felix,
Yes, Wifi Manager can be used with hidden networks – either added through Android Wifi management screens, or added in Wifi Manager itself (use Menu -> Add Network). Note that you have to let Android know that a network is hidden (by selecting proper options in either place), or it won’t work at all.
However, support for hidden networks in Android appears to be buggy. Sometimes it’s only possible to connect to a network once, immediately after adding it, sometimes it seems to work a few times.
You can force a connection to a hidden network in Wifi Manager – click on network name, select “Connect”.
I recommend using a visible SSID with strong encryption (WPA2-PSK-CCMP) and a good password.
More info here:
http://kmansoft.wordpress.com/2010/05/29/working-with-hidden-ssid-networks/
Note sure what you meant by
>> And how to recovery a forget BSSID? <<
what is the meaning of the icon nearby the wifi name, that is “star”, “heart”, etc.
Star means the network is open – i.e. no encryption
Heart means it’s on the “known” network list – i.e. has been connected before
Green checkmark – the currently connected network
Hi – when I open Advanced Task Manager there is always Wifi Manager running although I did not open it!
This is to perform widget updates, and is automatically started and shut down by Android as necessary.
Also – Android applications consist of multiple pieces packaged together.
The part that updates the widget has nothing to do with the Wifi network management screen, so the latter part is not even run.
Hi
On the radar screen there is no circles, like those seen on the screenshots on this page.
But on the list screen there are four networks listed. Why do you think this is?
Off top of my head, I don’t know.
Can you email me a screenshot of the list screen?
I like your WiFi manager. Then I read that your Bluetooth manager is just like it, but it doesn’t look like it is. I am looking for a way to see bluetooth signals, along with their strength….with a 3 to 5 second update. This would help me locate devices by their bluetooth signal. I have a Motorola Backflip with the Android 1.5 OS.
Dan,
Bluetooth Widget has the same visual style as Wifi Manager’s widget, but, as you found out, it’s just a simple on/off widget.
I’m not aware of any sofware to scan for Bluetooth devices and show their signal levels.
Thanks Kostya, it is an excellenct application. It is simple and user friendly and shows all neccessary information for people like me always connecting office network. The widget is well designed. I have a suggestion. Now when I click on/off button it does not connect to any network and I have to enter in the management page to choose one to connect. It makes the on/off button useless. So maybe adding a default network among known networks is a good choice. For example, when I am in office, I can select network A as default. When I am in my favourite restaurant, the default is network B.
John,
All of my Android phones automatically connect to a Wifi Network after Wifi is enabled (if one is available).
If yours doesn’t, it would seem like it’s an issue with the phone’s firmware, or maybe there are programs that interfere with Android’s Wifi networking (such as task killers, etc.)
If scan can be disable in setting of WiFi manager then it is good ultility for android
Not sure I understand – disabling scanning would make Wifi Manager completely useless.
Esta Bueno
Thx for your excellent Job.
We use this nice app with gratitude in S. Korea.
I’ve some question. What us the mean the word’ chan’.
Those are Wifi channels.
There is a set number of radio frequencies at which Wifi networks operate. Each of those preset frequencies is assigned a number, and that’s the channel number.
http://www.geekzone.co.nz/inquisitor/2996
Hey.
Good app. I like it. Thanks. However maybe abigger button on the widget to disable wifi. It can be a bit trickey to press sometimes. New update was good.
Thanks.
Mk
Great, thanks for the feedback.
I’ll keep your request in mind for the next release.
hello,
could you make transparent wifi widget with some options for text color?
thx
Hey, I like your app so far, it looks solid.
Have you considered building in an option to auto-disable wifi when you’re not in range of any known networks (and auto-enable ofcourse when you are) ? With this option it would be a perfect app, in my opinion
Yes, I considered it, but haven’t done it yet.
I know there are applications that do this, not sure what I could add here.
Well, it’s always better to have one app then more of them! It would also be a great addition. (:
Hi Kostya, great app, but I would really appreciate the auto-disable, auto-enable wifi options which other people have mentioned. At home, I switch on the phone in the morning and it connects to my WPA2 wireless network. I get to the office, where we have a LEAP wireless network, and it will not connect automatically. I have to use the app toggle to disable wifi, then re-enable wifi, and then explicitly connect to the office network. It is then fine all day, until I get home. Again, it will not connect automatically – I have to toggle wifi off and on again, and explicitly connect to my home network. I know it isn’t a great inconvenience, but it would be brilliant if your app would do this all automatically. In my case, I would like to list 2 or more favourite networks, and if the app detected that the current favourite network was no longer available but another favourite had been detected, then it would toggle the wifi and auto-connect to the new one. I hope you will consider my request, as it really would make this the best wifi app available (and of course I would be happy to make a donation!). Thanks!
Richard,
Thank you for great feedback.
At this point, WiFi Manager mostly watches what Android does, and displays that in the widget / main window.
I am really reluctant to start implementing code to actually manage connectivity. Android also manages connectivity (disconnecting WiFi when the device is asleep, performing periodic scans, etc.)
I’d rather not have two cooks in one kitchen, especially since one is going to be handicapped (my application), but they might still chop off each other’s hands accidentally.
Also, some phones do reconnect to the available network in this situation, while some don’t. This is another example of discrepancies that exists, and vary with device and firmware.
Note that you don’t have to toggle WiFi off and on, just click on the widget to bring up the management screen, and select the network to connect to.
It would be good if the user is allowed within the program to prevent interruption of the network when the device is locked. Another problem is that the program runs each time you manually turn on the network, and there is no option to disable it. The third issue that I noticed is that if you have memorized a few wifi network, when moving from one network to another program will not automatically connect to another network memorized. I hope the author will incorporate these options in the next version of the application. Thank you!
My app doesn’t try to interfere with Android’s management of WiFi. This is deliberate (two cooks in one kitchen).
The app doesn’t do anything in the background. Don’t worry the process starting up – that’s how Android works.
This is not a problem at all, regardless of what the authors of task killer type programs tell you.
This depends on the firmware, Android version, and the device. As I said above, the program doesn’t try to interfere with Android.
Thank you for a fantastic app in WiFi Manager. You wouldn’t believe how many other inadequate apps I tried before stumbling onto yours via AppBrain. Is it possible to add a functionality whereby if the widget is clicked/tapped, your Wi-Fi Manager application comes up. This would be nice but the app is fantastic as it is. Thank you for sharing.
Please accept my compliments and forget my question. I just found out that the widget does indeed do what I ask previously. Apologies for that and thank you for the app.
Yes, it does that. Thank you for the compliments, glad you like it.
I don’t understand what the Auto button does, because the list seems to update anyway… can someone explain?
Steve,
Android may decide to do a WiFi scan from time to time, and if that happens, my application updates its list.
However, there is nothing that says that this has to happen – this is entirely at the firmware’s discretion.
That’s what the auto button is for – in case you want to be certain to get regular WiFi scans and updates.
Have you ever thought of managing Dhcp/ip addresses as well?
Yes I have. It’s also been requested by a few users. However, so far I don’t have time to work on this.
Thanks for a wondeful app.
I seem to have a problem with the wifi manager widget. After installing the app the widget is available in the widget list, but after reboot it is gone. If I place the widget on the desktop, after reboot the widget says “failed to load” or something like that.
I’m using Motorola Milestone with CM 7 based on 2.2.1
This has nothing to do with the widget itself, the widget list is polulated by the firmare.
If “CM 7″ means what I think it does, non-standard firmware – report this issue to the firmware developers.
I just found your product and will be downloading it. I notice you say “My app doesn’t try to interfere with Android’s management of WiFi. This is deliberate (two cooks in one kitchen).” I understand what you are saying, The problem is, I do not think the current cook (connection manager) is all that great of a cook, and needs an assistant. I notice that my HTC MyTouch 4g connection manager, does a good job connecting to the nearest remembered wifi connection (lets call this AP1), but when moving to another part of the house where AP2 is located, it continues to hold on to AP1 even though it is down to a signal strength of near zero (but has a signal strength of 90% from AP2), and will continue to stay connected to AP1 until it drops the connection, and only then will switch to AP2 (and then go through the whole obtaining an IP address even though I have my gateway reserve and assign it the same IP address every time it connects). This is the case even if I have the AP set with the same SSID, and the same wireless security key, but different channels (I don’t recall if I tried the same channel or not and soon will try implementing a mesh network using the MR500 supplied by Open-Mesh). This may not be a big deal for most, but I rely on Smart Wifi calling (also know as UMA or GEM Calling) with my Tmobile service plan. I do not have a tower close enough to make a connection. I could manually switch between the APs but I do not always remember to do so, and some times I travel between APs while in a call and the call quality diminishes and then drops. I used to have a Nokia 6086 that did a good job of this, but it is an out dated phone (no touch screen, not an android, only holds 200 contacts, does not sync with google….)
Any chance of adding some ability to create if then statements (if signal drops below X for SSID#1, and signal for SSID#2 is greater than X, then switch to SSID#2)
It seems that you have considered doing something like this based on your comment below:
“If/when I make Wifi Manager actually manage Wifi connectivity (via a background service) this kind of functionality can be implemeneted, along with, for example, automatically switching to the best available network, even before the current connection drops due to weak signal (which is how Android does it).”
Are you still considering this, and if so do you have any time frame for it, or do you have any input for me regarding the above scenario? Thank you in advance for your reply.
Albin,
Thank you for your comment.
You are quite correct in your observations – Android sticks with a connection for as long as it can, even if it becomes almost unusable.
I am still considering this, esp. since I’ve already written some code to do this, but it’s very low priority, since you are only the 3rd or 4th person to request this feature, and so far I just don’t have the time for it.
Regarding your scenario: what you could do now is give your routers different SSIDs and use the recently added “WiFi Network Switcher” widget in my application to switch networks manually. Yes, switching manually is not how it should be, but at this time, that’s the only suggestion I have for your current setup.
That Open-Mesh stuff looks interesting, hope you can make it work.
Thanks for your reply. I hope that more people contact you about this, so you can see there are more than just a few looking for it. If there was a product doing what I described, I think it would do very well (and people would pay to use it). Thanks again.
First, congratulation for your application that is very useful and reliable.
I just have two suggestions to improve this:
I still wonder why your application asks for the permission to prevent the device from sleep.
I am not fond of giving permissions which I can’t control (I already experienced problems with other applications).
What I’d like is having your application changing the Wi-Fi sleep policy depending on the network the phone is connected to.
Currently it is quite uneasy to change this setting on the go. And it is something I think is quite useful:
I use my phone as media file server (with UPnP) when I am connected to my home network; I have to switch to “never turn Wi-Fi off”.
I leave my home; I prefer having the Wi-Fi to be switch down ASAP, so I have to switch to “turn Wi-Fi off when screen locks”.
Samuel,
The “prevent device from going to sleep” permission is used when auto-scanning in on. People use it to walk/drive around looking for access points. The phone falling asleep after 15/30/60 seconds would make this useless, so my app prevents sleep mode. Again, this happens only when automatic scanning is enabled.
As for your other queston, that’s a system setting. While at this time it can be changed by applications, they can make it inaccessible at any time (like they did with GPS status in Android 2.0).
You can try using “keep WiFi on when charging” and keep your phone plugged into a charger when using it for UPnP. It probably can’t stay on very long without chaging anyway, serving data over WiFi.
is it possible to add in wifiproxy settings?
I am using the XOOM and wifi at some places require proxy settings.
Unfortunately, no.
The proxy setting cannot be changed by applications, presumably as a security precaution.
El amor
Hello,
can you add this feature ?
When I click on widjet “Wifi Network Switcher” when wifi is disable I read message “Wifi Disabled, cannot connect”
do you can add when i click enable wifi and after connect to the specified Network ?
Thanks for your application.
PS : sorry for my english but i’m french =P
Bonjour!
It’s already done, see here for details:
http://kmansoft.wordpress.com/2011/02/28/coming-soon-wifi-manager-2-0/
This will be available as a premium feature, that you’ll be able to purchase right in the application. Presently I’m waiting for Google to launch the purchasing service, the update will be available a little after that.
Have you thought about getting your app on the Amazon Appstore for Android?
http://www.amazon.com/mobile-apps
That would allow Tablet users who cannot use the Google Market to get your app. Broader audience.
Mark,
Amazon is not very friendly to developers outside the US (and I am presently living in Russia).
Thanks for your quick reply. Now I know at least.
I like your software. Use it everyday.
But to get updates I have to download from the Google Market on my son’s Android phone and then backup and copy to my Archos Tablet.
It works, but it’s a pain.
Could you please expose a link to the ‘apk’ file somewhere in this page? I have no access to google’s android market at the moment, but can insatall apps using ‘apk’ files. Many other developers have APKs avaliable for download on their homepages (see FBReaderJ or Barcode Scanner for example).
Amazon’s devices users could probably also install this way.
I’ve just added links to AndroidPIT. Will look into providing direct download links too.
Thank you.
I wanna ask if this application can appear on Android Emulator as when I click Settings > Wireless & Networks >Wifi …there is an error or a message saying “unable to access wifi” and I tried a lot of codes using WifiManager but nothing had changed . I am working on a bachelor project using Android and my task now is to make the available wifi access points appear on the emulator with their RSS . Thanks
There is no WiFi in the Android emulator.
You can write your own emulation layer:
http://kmansoft.wordpress.com/2010/07/27/debugging-wifi-in-the-emulator/
Thank You =D
Nice app!
I’m gonna test the autoconnect tomorrow in a city nearby.
I only found 1 strange thing: the sound keeps playing when he founds a new network.
I’ll see tomorrow if that happens again
The signal can sound again if an open nework is found (first signal), then you move and it drops out of range, and then becomes visible again, you’ll get the second signal.
My program doesn’t control the connection process, leaving it up to the firmware (for automatic background connects) or the user.
Hi,
). If I remove static IP settings, everything backs to normal 
Any ideas?
I just want to report something I think is a bug. I have ZTE Racer with custom Froyo on it. Also have WiFi Manager Premium and 2 widgets on home for connecting to networks at home and work. At work, there is DHCP server and widget is working as it suppose to do. Also does for home network, but then I tried to set static IP at home and result is interesting: widget does not change color (it stays red), Edge icon in status bar disappear which is OK because it should be replaced with WiFi icon but WiFi icon does not draw! It is like WiFi icon is simply blank. Result is OK, network is connected but there is no notification (if disappearing of Edge icon does not count
Ivan,
This looks like a bug in the custom Android build you are using. Please report this to the developers of your ROM so they can fix it.
Oh, OK, I try that. Thanks.
Just to clarify a bit:
Application don’t have access to the right side of the status bar. Only the firmware does.
Hello, I am using Wifi Manager 2.0.2 on Samsung Galaxy S Froyo 2.2.
The app is grate. However if am facing the following problem: Anytime I move from a place to another Say from HomeNetwork where Profile is configured to used Fixed IP1 to WorkNetwork Where it should Used Fixed IP2 , Ip1 is still used unless I force it manually. and vice versa when I come back Home Ip2 is still used. Also if One NEtwork Uses DHCP and the Other Not, the previous Nwtowrk settings remain in use. The Only solution I have Found it to do one or all of the following together: Turn off then on Wifi, Open Wifi Manager then longclick on the actual profile, click assign Ip Address then click Change. (Altough the new ip is already entered in the profile, but i still need to click change each time for it to realy change).
Is is it supposed to apply the profile settings automatically?
Regards,
Marwan Tzenios
Hi,
IP settings are only applied as result of your actions: either the quick switch widget, or the main program.
The reason for this is that Android isn’t so nice to ask my program for an IP address before it connects.
You do this much easier by adding two WiFi Network Switch widgets to your home screen.
One way is to click on your current location before leaving, and choose “Disable WiFi and close”. Then when you come to other place, click on its network, and the widget will enable WiFi, apply new IP address and connect.
Another way is to keep WiFi enabled, and click the WiFi Network Switch widget when you get to the other place. This will reset the IP address with one click, even if you’re already connected.
Hi, great work! Please, can you make this switch for GPS?
Thanks a lot.
Uwe,
As of Android 1.6 (or was it 2.0?) applications cannot change the state of GPS, only the built-in Settings application can.
Also note that starting with that version, GPS is no longer kept enabled all the time, but rather Android only turns the chip on when there are applications that request GPS location fix. In other words, it doesn’t burn the battery like it used to.
Great app. I’ve got the trial version of wifi-manager 2.0.2 on my htc tattoo. Will by the complete version as soon as i can figure out how to make it automatically connect to one of my known networks. I have to manually connect it. Im I doing somthing wrong? Auto scan is on. Thanks. Jose.
Jose,
This is firmware dependent, so works automatically on some phones, but not others.
It helps to connect to the network at least once, and then do not perform an explicit disconnect. Just disable WiFi if needed and / or move outside the range of the network.
– Kostya
thanks!!
I noticed that, my HTC Flyer has battery drain issue after I installed your Wifi Manager Pro. Anyway, it just a one day after installed. But I saw some comment in android market about the battery issue. Could you pls recommend us about this issue?
What do you see in the built-in system screen that shows per application battery use?
http://voyager8.blogspot.com/2011/06/htc-android-233-gingerbread-built-in.html
Thank you for your fast response!
I am quite new for android. I will investigate it. Anyway, could you suggest me about ‘wifi sleep policy’? Which option I should use between Never, When screen turn off or Never when plugged in.
Hello Kostya
Thank you for the great app.
I have a feature-suggestion: the possibility to ignore networks (either open or secured). I often “run into” open networks, that are secured in another way, like hotspots for customers of certain ISP’s (you can connect, but are then shown an internet page where you need to log in so you can pay) or the wireless network at work that has mac-filtering. Every day I get notified by these two networks but understandably this is a notification I do not need… Also – as you say – in densely populated areas it helps to “clean up” the list of available networks.
Greetings,
Peter
Peter,
Interesting.
The feature to exclude networks from the list is already there, but I need to make it play together with the “new open network” notification. Thanks for the suggestion.
Thank you for the app.
I’m trying to improve my WIFI signal. Please send instructions for using the app at its max. With out understanding the proper use of the tools you have given us the app is just another toy. I have no room for toys.. I want to use this tool to the max.. Thank you.
Rain1.
The app has a useful tool for improving how your router works with the phone. Use the radar mode to see if the channel used by your router is in conflict / interference with other routers around you (neighbors). Then select a different WiFi channel in the router settings.
Other than that, the quality of your WiFi connection can vary greatly with:
- the router’s firmware version and settings (some let you specify elevated transmission power);
- the router’s antenna (some routers let you connect external antennas that can be bought separately);
- the phone’s firmware (if you are into flashing your phone, there are different “modem” modules you can try).
In any case, you can use my app to gauge the quality of the signal, as it’s displayed both in the widget and the main application. You can select various modes for displaying the signal: as a graphical bar, percent, or dBm. The new 4×1 widget is also useful, as it reports the connection speed negotiated between the router and the phone/tablet, the higher the better (note that some phones always report 54 MBps, while some report the actual value, like my Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc and the HTC Incredible S).
So far I really like this app, not always remembering to switch from one network to another is unfavourable. With WiFi Manager it does it for me. Thank You!!!
First of all…Great app!! Been searching for one like this…
I don’t have any problems yet…but I maybe got 2 ideas for a WiFi Manager update.
1. The statusbar icon is very usefull…when i extend my status bar I see my running apps…In WiFi Manager it would be nicer if the words “WiFi Manager” would be replaced with the connected SSID. Where where the text “Click to launch the application” stands it would be great if the IP-adres would be showen.
Basicly the widget features show in the notification area.
2. It would also be nice if the notificatin icon show the strenght of the signal.
This are just some wishes, maybe you will do something with it, maybe not…but remember I still love this app very much, even if these things aren’t included.
Regards,
Jer
Thank you Jer, those are great suggestions.
Hello Kostya,
I’m a registered user of WiFi Manager and the used locale is german.
In “Einstellungen” (english: Preferences) there is a section “Notification-Icon” containing the following text:
“Zeigt ein Statusbar-Icon für einfachen Zugriff auf dei Anwendung” (“dei” is wrong)
“Zeigt ein Statusbar-Icon für einfachen Zugriff auf die Anwendung” (“die” would be correct)
Regards
Michael
Thank you Michael, I’ll make the correction in the next release.
Using WiFi Manager on my Droid 3. Seems to have trouble connecting to my WiFi network when its SSID is not broadcast. It usually will eventually connect, but it can take up to an hour! Connects immediately when the router’s SSID is broadcast.
Joe,
Support for hidden SSID in Android is quite buggy, and it’s nothing to do with my application.
You can improve your chances by first “forgetting” the network, and then choosing Menu – Add Network, making sure to select “Hidden SSID”. This last part is very important.
Does it connect automatically when you reach a known wifi network?
It depends on the firmware. If you’re having trouble with this when using the built-in Settings, the app won’t help.
Hi – great app. One suggestion: I had to come here and read the comments to find out what the icons mean (heart, start, shield, etc.) It would be great if there were a key to the icons somewhere in the app itself, or in the help text at the top of this page, or if you touch the icon in the app, or in the “about” in the app, or somewhere. Providing that info only in reply to a comment in the blog is a bit on the obscure side
Great suggestion, thank you.
Hi
I used this app on my Android 1.6 device ( sharp IS01) and updated latest ver. recently.
After update , it cannot be started every time. I uninstalled and re-install this app , it didi not help.
I like this, app so if you can , please make downloadable older ver. or fix this probrem if possible.
That’s what I get for compiling with the Android 4.0.3 SDK
http://www.aqua-mail.com/download/kmanWifiManager-2.1.6.apk
The next Market (ahem, Play) release will also have a fix for 1.6.
Thanks a lot!
I could start the app again.
But I have another small probrem.
I used 1×1 widget befor. At that time, I could change APs manualy by tapping left side of widget icon.
However, when I tapped left-side of it, Wifi is disabled as if tapping right-side of widget icon.
To avoid this, I try 2×1 widget. It works fine, but half of label is shifted out of icon.
The “left side – network list / right side – toggle” feature is still there.
Please select this option when creating the 1×1 widget, it’s a checkbox in the widget config dialog.
Thanks for creating WiFi Manager – very nice app!
Some ideas (feature requests):
- sort networks: ‘open first’ option should be a check box so that one can sort by name or signal and _in addition_ have open networks shown first
- there could be an option to show network speed in smaller widgets (3×1, 2×1)
- you might want to setup support page using some service like getsatisfaction.com
excellent program.
Can u add a way of export and import the informationt because i had to reset my phone and lost evetything.
Passwords are stored inside Android and third party applications can’t access them (for security reasons).
Android can backup and restore your WiFi passwords on its own.
The setting on my SE Xperia Arc is under Home / Menu / Settings / Privacy Settings, the checkbox is labeled “Back up application data, WiFi passwords and other settings to Google servers”.
I suppose it should be similar on other devices.
What do the symbols indicate? Heart – shield – star -etc.
Thanks… wcslim@live.ca
Heart – favorite (previously configured and saved) network
Start – open network (no security)
Shield – a secured network (will need password to connect)
I have a question about the level.
At the moment I am changing supplier and therefore I have two Wi-Fi networks. When I measure the speed, one (the 4G connection) is twice as fast downloading and 5 times faster upload. This connection has a lower level than the slower one (3G connection).
What is level? I suppose a high level is to prefer. What should I do to get a higher level of my new, 4G connection?
Thanks.
/Roger
Roger,
Signal level is just that, how strong a signal is.
However, neither 3G or 4G has anything to do with WiFi.
Also, signal level is not the only thing that determines how fast your connection is. The underlying technology matters too.
Mobile 4G is newer technology than 3G, so, as long as signal level is acceptable, it’s going to be faster anyway.
You can think of it this way: old car engines that have large volume are often surpassed in power by newer, smaller volume engines, because of the latter’s more advanced technology (better materials, higher compression ratio, etc.). With 3G vs 4G it’s pretty much the same thing.
Hello,
Very good and very useful apps with even a very good design.
The only question is why is this free ?
Spasibo
Thanks. The core functions are free, and there are a few premium ones please see “Premium features” above.
I have been using the app for some time and am very satisfied with it. Recently, I believe there was a change in one of the more recent updates that requires the user to re-enter the WI FI password for “favorite” locations. Some of the wi-fi passwords I use are quite complex and having to re-enter them presents some difficulty.
I would hope you would consider changing this feature so that stored wi-fi passwords are retained when the app is updated.
Thanks
Hi,
This certainly was not changed, at least intentionally. The configured (“known”) networks are stored by Android in a centralized way, shared by all applications.
If you’d like to discuss this further, please contact me by email.