Link / URL to connect to WiFi
I have a group of friends coming over to my place and I have a new Internet connection. One of the things I often wondered that rather than handing them the ID and the password to connect to the home WiFi (through my router) if it was possible to send them a link/URL that they could just tap on their phones or tablets and the connection would be established then that would really be cool. Alternatively, if the link provided could automatically select the required SSID and pre-populate with the password and all the user needs to do is tap on the JOIN (if Apple) or CONNECT (if Android) button then that would also be magic. Please let me know if any of you guys think this is possible. new thread started with a different idea as advised
So, you want the users to navigate to a link prior to connecting to your wifi? How will the browsers load the page? They will need a working connection, defeating the purpose of the local WiFi!
Thanks for the response guys but I was thinking that the link would automatically prompt for the the password which would also be pre-populated. Does not need to open up a browser of access any online files.
5 Answers 5
Late answer, but iOS has had a built-in QR reader in the native Camera app since iOS 11 (released about 2 months after you asked this question.) It supports the same Wi-Fi QR codes as all the Android apps based on the ZXing library. So it’s about as universal a solution as you’re going to get, given the challenge of standardizing anything in Android.
You can generate these codes using an online service, or using the QR generator of your choice and feeding it this text:
WIFI:S:My_SSID;T:WPA;P:key goes here;H:false; ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ | | | | +-- hidden SSID (true/false) | | | +-- WPA key | | +-- encryption type | +-- ESSID +-- code type Escape any special characters ( » , ‘ , ; , , , or \ ) with a backslash.
There was an attempt for a universal wifi url, I do not know if it did/will make it through an official RFC. https://smartjoin.us/rfcs/wifi-url.html
Considering that document is literally the only place on the web that mentions such a thing, I don’t think it holds much value.
I would say the biggest hurdle is finding something to translate whatever you sent. This seems like a good idea but any solution likely requires a (third-party?) app on each guests’ phone.
The closest I could find was WiFi Connection Manager by roamingsoft which allows networks to be added via QR codes. So you would have your guests install that app, scan your code and lastly connect.
This solution is inelegant but honestly nothing else jumped out at me unless perhaps you want to write something yourself.
Unfortunately, there’s no one single standard guaranteed to be supported on all mobile and desktop/laptop OSes, and the hassles of dealing with even the easiest solutions on each platform are generally greater than the hassle of selecting a network and typing in a password. So by trying to make things easier, you’ll just be making it more complex.
For iOS or macOS, you could send them a link to a .mobileconfig «provisioning profile». You can create them with the Apple Configurator 2 app and then post it to a (hopefully secure) web server of your choice. But the hassle of getting iOS or macOS to download and install an unsigned provisioning profile may be more hassle than selecting a network and entering a password.
For Android, you could print out a QRCode using the WIFI: schema defined by the zxing («Zebra Crossing») open source project. I believe many Android-derived smartphone OSes have support for this built into their camera apps now. This can be pretty sweet when it works, but if it doesn’t work for one of your guests, they may have to download and install a camera app or barcode scanner app that supports it.
There are probably similar solutions for Windows and for some desktop/laptop Linux distros.
Connect to a Wi-Fi network in Windows
Whether you’re at home, work, or out and about, chances are you’ll find a Wi-Fi network that you can connect to for internet access.
- Select the Network, Sound, or Battery icons ( ) on the far right side of the taskbar to open quick settings.
The Disconnected icon appears when you’re not connected.
On the Wi-Fi quick setting, select Manage Wi-Fi connections .
Whether you’re at home, work, or out and about, chances are you’ll find a Wi-Fi network that you can connect to for internet access.
- Select the Network icon on the taskbar. The icon that appears depends on your current connection state. If you don’t see one of the network icons (or a similar one) shown in the following image, select the Up arrow to see if it appears there.
- Choose the Wi-Fi network you want, then select Connect.
- Type the network password, and then select Next.
- Choose Yes or No, depending on the type of network you’re connecting to and if you want your PC to be discoverable by other PCs and devices on the network.
How to Connect to Your WiFi Without Needing the WiFi Name or Password.
Author: Carl City: Los Angeles Released On: 2018-12-03 Views: 32665 Helpful: 2
In today world, security is a paramount concern, especially when it comes to your wireless network. We will often create a WiFi network with a long and complicated password.
Remembering this password can be a chore. You may have forgot it and can’t add your brand-new device. You may have to pull out a computer to connect directly to the router to find out what the password is. Or, even reset the router and be forced to setup every device again. This can especially frustrating when friends and family visit and try to connect to the network.
To address this TP-Link is proud to announce our auto connecting technology—WIFI QR code.
A faster way to connect to WiFi
Simply go to “Advanced—Wireless—Wireless Settings”, click “Sharing Network” and a QR code will generate.
Open the camera app on your devices and scan this QR code. Your devices will automatically connect to the you TP-Link router’s WiFi.
Note: your camera or app will need to support QR code scanning.
Easily share your WiFi
You can click “Save Picture” and print the QR code. Then you can put it in your home or business for your guest to easily and conveniently connect to your WiFi.
WIFI QR code is currently supported on the Archer A7 version 5 using the latest firmware.
If you already have an Archer A7v5, upgrade it now: https://www.tp-link.com/us/download/Archer-A7.html#Firmware
Learn more about Archer A7v5: https://www.tp-link.com/us/products/details/Archer-A7.html
This feature will be added to other TP-Link SOHO routers in the future.