Using the mobile-data network

All Android phones and LTE tablets use the mobile-data network to connect to the Internet. For this service, you pay a handsome fee every month. (Phone users pay an additional fee for the telephone service.) The fee grants your Android wireless Internet access anywhere the signal is available.

Several types of mobile-data network service are available:

• 5G: The fifth-generation wide-area data network is rolling out as this book goes to press. It offers high-speed Internet and avoids the slowdowns that occur when too many mobile users try to access the 4G network.
• 4G LTE: The fourth generation of wide-area data networks is the most widespread network. Some providers may refer to this type of network as HSPA. The LTE stands for Long-Term Evolution, which means it’s good for the long haul, though the appearance of the 5G network kinda dispels this promise.
• 3G: The third-generation mobile-data network is available in locations that don’t offer 4G LTE service or where the signal is unavailable.
• 1X: The original mobile-data network had no name, but is now called 1X. This service might be available when the faster services have been obliterated by some moron with a backhoe.

Your phone or LTE tablet always uses the best network available. So, when the 5G network is down, 4G is used. When the 4G LTE network is out of reach, the 3G network is chosen. When none of the faster networks is up, 1X networking is accessed in an act of last-ditch desperation.

• Your phone or LTE tablet shows a special icon that indicates the currently connected mobile-data network type.
• The H+ status icon represents the HSPA mobile-data network, which is equivalent to 4G LTE.
• The Signal Strength icon represents the mobile-data network connection, though on some phones it refers only to the telephone service.
• You can still place calls on an Android phone when the mobile-data network is unavailable.

• When both a mobile-data network and Wi-Fi are available, your Android uses Wi-Fi for all Internet access. To avoid data surcharges, I recommend connecting to and using a Wi-Fi network wherever possible.

• Non-LTE Android tablets use only the Wi-Fi connection for Internet access.

• Your mobile-data network subscription has its limits — usually, a certain quantity of data you can use monthly for a flat fee. When you exceed that quantity, the costs can become prohibitive.

• See Chapter 23 for information on how to avoid cellular data surcharges.

Understanding Wi-Fi

The mobile-data connection is nice, and it's available pretty much all over, but it costs you money every month. A better option for Internet access is Wi-Fi, the same wireless networking standard that computers use.

To make the Wi-Fi connection work requires two steps. First, you must activate the device’s Wi-Fi radio. Second, connect to a specific wireless network. The next two sections cover these steps in detail.

Wi-Fi stands for wireless fidelity. It’s brought to you by the numbers 802.11 and various letter suffixes too many to mention.

Activating Wi-Fi

Follow these steps to activate your Android’s Wi-Fi radio:

1. Open the Settings app.

2. Choose Network & Internet.

   On Samsung devices, choose Connections for this step; older Androids, choose Wi-Fi.

3. Ensure that the Wi-Fi master control is set to the On position.

   To further access Wi-Fi settings, tap the Wi-Fi item.

To deactivate the Wi-Fi radio, which also disconnects the device from the Wi-Fi network, set the master control to the Off position.

• Use the Wi-Fi quick setting to instantly activate or deactivate the Wi-Fi connection. See Chapter 3 for information on accessing the quick settings.

• It’s okay to keep the Wi-Fi radio on all the time. It's not a major drain on the battery.

• Using Wi-Fi to connect to the Internet doesn’t incur data usage charges — unless you’re accessing a metered network. See the later section “Setting up a metered Wi-Fi connection.”

Connecting to a Wi-Fi network

After you’ve activated the Wi-Fi radio, your Android automatically connects to any known Wi-Fi network, one that you’ve accessed before where the password is still valid. If not, you can hunt down an available network. Follow these steps:

1. Visit the Wi-Fi screen in the Settings app.

   Refer to the preceding section for details.

2. Select a wireless network from the list.

   Available Wi-Fi networks appear on the screen, similar to what’s shown in Figure 18-1. When no wireless networks are listed, you're out of luck regarding wireless access from your current location.

3. If prompted, type the network password.

   Tap the Show Password check box so that you can see what you’re typing; some of those network passwords can be long.

   

   If the network features a QR code, tap the QR Code icon, shown in the margin and illustrated in Figure 18-1, to instantly input the password. Skip to Step 5.

4. Tap the Connect button.

   The network is connected immediately. If not, try the password again.

5. If prompted to remember the network, do so.

   Some Androids may ask whether you want to automatically reconnect to the same Wi-Fi network in the future.

While your Android is connected to a wireless network, the Wi-Fi Connected status icon appears atop the touchscreen, looking like the one shown in the margin. This icon indicates that the Wi-Fi radio is on and the device is connected and communicating with a Wi-Fi network.

• Some public networks require that you sign in to their web pages after connecting. The sign-in page may appear automatically. If not, open the web browser app and visit any page to be redirected to the sign-in page. Heed the directions there to gain network access.
• See the later section “Managing connections” for more information on dealing with an automatic connection where the password has changed.

• A wireless network without a password is considered unsecure. The absence of security makes it easier for the Bad Guys to do bad-guy things on the network. My advice is to use the connection but avoid sending sensitive information over an unsecure public network.

• The Wi-Fi connection works best when you plan to be in a specific location for an extended time. That’s because the Wi-Fi signal goes only so far. If you wander too far away, the signal — and your connection — are lost.
• To deliberately disconnect from a Wi-Fi network, turn off the device’s Wi-Fi radio, as covered in the preceding section.

Connecting to a hidden Wi-Fi network

Some wireless networks don't broadcast their names, which adds security but also makes it more difficult to connect. In such cases, follow these steps to make the Wi-Fi network connection:

1. Visit the Wi-Fi screen.

   Refer to the earlier section “Activating Wi-Fi.”

2. Tap the Add Network button.

   The button is found at the bottom of the list of available networks (refer to Figure 18-1). It may also appear with the Add icon, shown in the margin.

3. Type the network name or SSID.

4. Choose the security setting.

   How do you know which item to choose? Ask the person who gave you the network name. Otherwise, WPA/WPA2 is the most common option.

5. Tap the Save button or Connect button.
6. If prompted, type the network password.

As with other Wi-Fi networks, after the connection is made, your Android memorizes the connection. You must toil through these steps only once.

SSID stands for Service Set Identifier. Any further information on this acronym would needlessly lower your blood pressure, so I’ll leave it at that.

Setting up a metered Wi-Fi connection

Not every Wi-Fi network provides free, unlimited service. For example, a metered connection implies that the provider charges you per minute or per megabyte for Internet access. To avoid surcharges, you can configure the connection as metered. Follow these steps:

1. Connect to the network as you normally would.

   Directions are found earlier in this chapter.

2. Visit the Wi-Fi screen in the Settings app.

   Refer to the earlier section “Activating Wi-Fi” for directions.

3. Choose the connected network, or tap the Settings icon by the network name, if available.

   Look for a Network Usage item. If you can’t find it, choose Advanced and look for an item titled Metered Network.

   If your Android has already detected the connection as metered, you’re good to go. Otherwise, continue:

4. Choose Network Usage or Metered Network.
5. Choose Treat As Metered.

When a Wi-Fi connection is set as metered, your phone or tablet monitors and restricts data access. You are warned when a large download or upload is attempted.

Managing connections

It’s not necessary to review the list of memorized Wi-Fi networks — unless you need to change a network’s password. In that case, you must direct the phone or tablet to forget the network so that you can reestablish the connection and set the new password.

To review the list of memorized networks, visit the Wi-Fi screen in the Settings app and choose Saved Networks. On Samsung devices, follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Choose Connections.
3. Choose Wi-Fi.
4. Tap Action Overflow and choose Advanced.

5. Choose Manage Networks.

   You see the list of saved Wi-Fi networks.

To forget a network, tap its entry. On the network’s card, tap the Forget button or Trash icon. The network is removed from the list. To input the new password, access the network again, as described earlier in this chapter. Set the new password, and you’re good.

Forgetting a network doesn’t prevent you from connecting to that same network again. It means only that the connection isn’t established automatically.

Creating a mobile hotspot

To share your gizmo’s mobile data connection with other Wi-Fi devices in the vicinity, heed these steps:

1. Turn off the Wi-Fi radio.

   Why create a Wi-Fi hotspot when one is already available?

   Directions for disabling the Wi-Fi radio are found earlier in this chapter; see the earlier section “Activating Wi-Fi.”

2. Connect your Android to a power source.

   The mobile hotspot feature draws a lot of power.

3. Choose Hotspot & Tethering.

   This item might be titled Mobile Hotspot and Tethering.

4. Choose Wi-Fi Hotspot or Mobile Hotspot.

5. Fill in the details, the network name, and password.

   You can keep the default settings, which are unique to your device. For example, you can replace the preset password with something less onerous to type.

6. Set the master control to the On position.

   Your device may check with the cellular provider’s mothership to affirm that your mobile-data subscription plan features the mobile hotspot feature. If so, the Wi-Fi hotspot is up and running right away.

Once it’s active, the Wi-Fi hotspot is accessed like any other network and by any device with a Wi-Fi radio.

To disable the mobile hotspot, repeat the steps in this section, and disable the hotspot after Step 4.

• Some devices feature a Mobile Hotspot app. If so, use it instead of following the steps in this section.

• If your phone or LTE tablet is unable to create a mobile hotspot, check with your cellular provider about upgrading your plan to offer that feature. Or, instead, use the tethering feature covered in the next section.
• While the mobile hotspot is active, the Hotspot Active status icon appears, similar to the one shown in the margin.
• The range for the mobile hotspot is about 30 feet. Items such as walls and cement trucks can interfere with the signal, rendering it much shorter.
• When you use the mobile hotspot, data usage fees apply. When a crowd of people are using your hotspot, a lot of data is consumed rather quickly.

• Don’t forget to turn off the mobile hotspot when you’re done using it.

Tethering the Internet connection

A more intimate way to share an Android’s mobile data connection is to connect the device directly to a computer and activate the tethering feature. Follow these steps:

1. Use the USB cable to connect the phone or LTE tablet to a computer or laptop.

   I’ve had the best success with this operation when the computer is a PC running Windows.

2. Open the Settings app.
3. Choose Network & Internet or, on Samsung devices, choose Connections.

4. Choose Hotspot & Tethering.

   This item is titled Mobile Hotspot and Tethering on Samsung galactic gizmos.

5. Set the master control by the USB Tethering option to the On position.

The computer or laptop should instantly recognize the Android as a “modem” with Internet access. Further configuration may be required, which depends on the computer using the tethered connection. For example, you may have to accept the installation of new software in Windows.

To end the connection, repeat the steps in this section but disable tethering in Step 5. Then you can disconnect the USB cable.

• While tethering is active, the Tethering status icon may appear, similar to what’s shown in the margin.

• Sharing the mobile-data connection incurs data usage charges against your cellular data plan. Mind your data usage when you’re sharing a connection.

Understanding Bluetooth

To make Bluetooth work, you need a Bluetooth peripheral, such as a wireless earpiece or keyboard. The goal is to connect, or pair, the peripheral with your phone or tablet. The operation works like this:

1. Turn on the Android’s Bluetooth wireless radio.

   The radio must be on for both your Android and the Bluetooth gizmo.

2. Make the peripheral discoverable.

   The peripheral must announce that it’s available and willing to date other electronics in the vicinity.

3. On your phone or tablet, choose the peripheral from the list of Bluetooth devices.

4. If required, confirm the connection.

   For example, you may be asked to input or confirm a code. You might need to press a button on peripherals that have buttons.

5. Use the Bluetooth peripheral.

You can use the Bluetooth peripheral as much as you like. Turn off the Android. Turn off the peripheral. When you turn both on again, they’re automatically reconnected.

Bluetooth devices are branded with the Bluetooth logo, shown in the margin. It's your assurance that the gizmo works with other Bluetooth devices. Just because a device is wireless doesn’t mean it’s using the Bluetooth standard.

Activating Bluetooth

You must turn on the Android’s Bluetooth radio before you can enjoy using any Bluetoothy peripherals. The cinchy way to do so is to pull down the quick settings drawer and tap the Bluetooth icon: To pull down the quick settings drawer, use two fingers to swipe down from the tippy-top of the touchscreen.

When Bluetooth is on, the Bluetooth status icon appears, shown in the margin.

To turn off Bluetooth, use the quick settings drawer’s Bluetooth button again.

Bluetooth activation can also be made from the Settings app. All things Bluetooth are found in the Connected Devices category. On Samsung devices, open the Connections category and choose Bluetooth.

Pairing with a Bluetooth peripheral

To make the Bluetooth connection between your Android and another gizmo, such as a Bluetooth headset, follow these steps:

1. Ensure that the Bluetooth radio is on.

   Refer to the preceding section.

2. Make the Bluetooth peripheral discoverable.

   Turn on the gizmo and ensure that its Bluetooth radio is on. Keep in mind that some Bluetooth peripherals have separate power and Bluetooth switches. If so, press the Bluetooth button or take whatever action is necessary to make the peripheral discoverable.

3. On the Android, open the Settings app.

4. Choose Connected Devices or, on a Samsung device, choose Connections and then Bluetooth.

   The screen shows already paired and available peripherals, similar to what’s shown in Figure 18-2. If it doesn’t, choose the Pair New Device item or tap the Scan button.

   

5. Choose the Bluetooth peripheral from the list.

6. If necessary, type the device’s passcode or otherwise acknowledge the connection.

   For example, with a Bluetooth keyboard, you may see on the touchscreen a prompt showing a series of numbers. Type those numbers on the keyboard, and then press the Enter or Return key. That action completes the pairing.

After the device is paired, you can begin using it.

• Bluetooth peripherals stay paired whether you turn off the Android, turn off the device, or disable the Bluetooth radio. The connection is reestablished automatically when you turn things on again.
• Yes, your car can be a Bluetooth peripheral, if it has a Bluetooth radio installed. This connection is how you can use an Android phone hands-free while driving. Pairing the phone with your car works differently for each vehicle, though the general steps proceed as outlined in this chapter. Do be aware that the car won’t pair while it’s in gear; stop the car to begin the pairing process.

• When pairing your phone with a rental car, remember to unpair the phone when you return the vehicle. Use the rental car’s setup screen to delete your phone from the car’s memory.

• After pairing with a car, your phone may show a permissions card. Tap the Allow button so that the car can access the Android’s contacts list, call history, and text message details.
• To stop using a device long-term, you unpair it. To do so, tap the peripheral’s entry and, on its details screen, tap the Forget button. Choose Forget Device to confirm. The device is unpaired.
• On Samsung devices, tap the Settings icon next to the device’s entry on the Bluetooth screen. Choose the Unpair action.
• Unpair only the devices that you plan never to use again. Otherwise, turn off the Bluetooth device when you’re done using it.
• The Bluetooth radio isn’t a great power drain, so it’s okay to leave it on even when your Android isn’t connected to a Bluetooth peripheral.