TechTipADay

TechTipADay

Wi-Fi & Home tech cheat sheet

A printable Wi-Fi checklist. iPhone paths are iOS 18 and iOS 26. Android paths are Pixel, with the Samsung menu where it differs.

Read the Wi-Fi & Home tech tips

  1. Set a Private DNS hostname, and know how to undo it

    Settings > Network & internet > Private DNS. A typo here takes the internet away until you switch back to Automatic. Moderate. About 2 min. Pixel phones on Android 15 and 16, Samsung path noted in the steps.

    Why it matters. DNS queries leave the phone encrypted, which matters on a network you do not trust. A wrong hostname looks like the internet is down.

    1. Open Settings > Network & internet > Private DNS. On a Samsung phone: Settings > Connections > More connection settings > Private DNS.
    2. Choose Private DNS provider hostname.
    3. Enter dns.google and save.
    4. If web pages fail to load, come straight back and choose Automatic. Do not try a second hostname until the first one is working.

    Full tip

  2. Make an iPhone hotspot visible to an older laptop

    Turn on Maximize Compatibility under Personal Hotspot. It uses 2.4 GHz, which older devices can see. Easy. About 1 min. iPhone on iOS 18 and iOS 26.

    Why it matters. A laptop that cannot see the hotspot usually cannot see the 5 GHz name, not the password.

    1. Open Settings > Personal Hotspot.
    2. Turn Allow Others to Join on, if it is off.
    3. Turn Maximize Compatibility on and ask the other device to look for the network again.
    4. Turn Maximize Compatibility off when you are done, if the other device can join without it. 2.4 GHz is slower and more crowded.

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  3. Stop a weak Wi-Fi network from switching you to cellular

    Wi-Fi Assist is under Cellular, or Mobile Service. Turn it off when a bad network keeps spending your data. Easy. About 1 min. iPhone on iOS 18 and iOS 26.

    Why it matters. You stay on the Wi-Fi you chose, instead of quietly using mobile data because the router is slow.

    1. Open Settings > Cellular. If your phone says Mobile Service or Mobile Data, open that instead.
    2. Scroll to the bottom and turn Wi-Fi Assist off.
    3. Turn it back on later if you would rather the phone abandon a dead network than sit on it.

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  4. Forget a saved Wi-Fi network on Android

    Open the network in Internet settings and tap Forget. Samsung hides it behind the gear icon. Easy. About 2 min. Pixel phones on Android 15 and 16, Samsung Galaxy.

    Why it matters. The phone stops preferring a dead saved network over one that works.

    1. On a Pixel, open Settings > Network & internet > Internet.
    2. Tap the saved network, then Forget.
    3. On a Samsung phone, open Settings > Connections > Wi-Fi, tap the gear next to the network, then Forget.
    4. Join the network again.

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  5. Forget a Wi-Fi network that keeps failing to connect

    Settings > Wi-Fi, tap the i, then Forget This Network. Join it again and retype the password. Easy. About 2 min. iPhone on iOS 18 and iOS 26.

    Why it matters. A half-saved configuration is a common reason a network you used to join now spins forever.

    1. Open Settings > Wi-Fi.
    2. Tap the i next to the network that is misbehaving.
    3. Tap Forget This Network and confirm.
    4. Join the network again and enter the password.

    Full tip