How to Connect to WiFi on Your Phone or Tablet (Step-by-Step)

Connecting to WiFi is one of the most important things you can do with your phone or tablet. Once you are connected, you can browse the internet, watch videos, make video calls, and much more, all without using up your mobile data. This guide walks you through every step, no matter which device you use.

What is WiFi? A Quick Reminder

WiFi is an invisible wireless signal that lets your phone or tablet connect to the internet without any cables. A small box called a router in your home creates this signal. When your device connects to the router's signal, you are "on WiFi" and can use the internet.

If you would like a more detailed explanation, have a look at our guide on what WiFi is and how it works.

Step 1: Find Your WiFi Name and Password

Before you can connect, you need two pieces of information:

Your WiFi network name (also called the SSID). This is the name that will appear on your phone when you search for WiFi networks.
Your WiFi password. This is the code you type in to connect. It is sometimes called the "network key" or "wireless key."

Where to Find Them

The easiest place to look is on your router itself. Most routers have a small sticker on the back or bottom. On that sticker, you will usually see:

The network name (SSID), which might be something like "BT-Hub6-ABC" or "SKY12345" or "Netgear-5G"
The password or key, which is usually a string of letters and numbers

If someone set up your internet for you, they may have changed the name and password to something custom. In that case, ask them what the current WiFi name and password are.

Top tip: Write your WiFi name and password down on a piece of paper and keep it somewhere safe, like in a kitchen drawer or taped to the inside of a cupboard. You will need it whenever you connect a new device. Just make sure it is not visible to visitors you do not trust. For advice on choosing a strong password, see our guide on how to create strong passwords.

Step 2: Connecting on an iPhone

Follow these steps to connect your iPhone to WiFi:

Open the Settings app. This is the grey icon that looks like a gear or cog. You will find it on your home screen.
Tap "Wi-Fi." It is near the top of the list.
Make sure WiFi is turned on. There is a toggle switch at the top. If it is green, WiFi is on. If it is grey, tap it to turn it on.
Wait a moment. Your iPhone will search for nearby WiFi networks. A list of names will appear under "Networks."
Find your WiFi network name in the list and tap on it.
Type in your WiFi password. Be very careful here. The password is case-sensitive, which means capital letters and small letters matter. If the sticker says "AbCd1234", you must type it exactly like that.
Tap "Join."
Look for the tick. If you typed the password correctly, a blue tick will appear next to your network name. You will also see the WiFi symbol (a small fan shape) appear at the top right of your screen.

That is it. Your iPhone is now connected to WiFi. It will remember this network and connect automatically in the future.

Step 3: Connecting on an Android Phone

Android phones can look slightly different depending on the brand (Samsung, Google Pixel, Motorola, and so on), but the steps are very similar:

Open the Settings app. Look for a gear-shaped icon on your home screen or in your app drawer. On Samsung phones, you can also swipe down from the top of the screen and tap the gear icon.
Tap "Network & internet" or "Connections." The exact wording depends on your phone brand. On Samsung phones, it is usually called "Connections."
Tap "Wi-Fi."
Make sure WiFi is turned on. There will be a toggle switch. If it is off, tap it to turn it on.
Wait for the list to appear. Your phone will scan for available networks.
Find your WiFi network name and tap on it.
Type in your WiFi password. Again, be very careful with capital letters and small letters. You can usually tap a small eye icon next to the password field to see what you are typing, which helps avoid mistakes.
Tap "Connect."
Check the status. You should see the word "Connected" appear under your network name. The WiFi symbol will also appear at the top of your screen.

Your Android phone will now remember this network and reconnect automatically whenever you are at home.

Step 4: Connecting on an iPad or Android Tablet

Good news: connecting a tablet to WiFi works in exactly the same way as connecting a phone.

For an iPad

Follow the same steps as the iPhone instructions above. Open Settings, tap Wi-Fi, find your network, enter the password, and tap Join. The iPad and iPhone use the same operating system, so the steps are identical.

For an Android Tablet

Follow the same steps as the Android phone instructions above. Open Settings, find Wi-Fi under network settings, select your network, enter the password, and tap Connect.

The screens may look slightly larger on a tablet, but every step is the same.

Troubleshooting Common WiFi Problems

Sometimes things do not go smoothly. Here are the most common problems and how to fix them.

"Wrong Password" Error

This is the most common problem. Here is what to try:

Check the password very carefully. Look at each letter and number on the router sticker. Pay close attention to characters that look similar, like the number "1" and a lowercase "l", or the number "0" and a capital "O".
Make sure caps lock is not on. On your phone keyboard, check whether the shift key (the upward arrow) is active.
Try typing the password in a notes app first. Open any notes app on your phone, type the password there so you can see it clearly, then copy and paste it into the WiFi password field.
Ask someone to double-check. A second pair of eyes can often spot a mistake you missed.

Cannot Find Your Network

If your WiFi network name does not appear in the list:

Make sure your router is turned on. Check that the router has lights on. If it is off, make sure it is plugged in and the power switch is on.
Move closer to the router. If you are far away, the signal might not reach you. Try standing in the same room as the router.
Restart the router. Turn it off, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. Wait two or three minutes for it to fully start up, then try searching again on your phone.
Restart your phone or tablet. Sometimes a quick restart clears up the problem.

Slow WiFi Connection

If you are connected but everything loads very slowly:

Move closer to the router. WiFi signals get weaker the further you are from the router, and thick walls can block the signal.
Disconnect other devices. If many devices are using the WiFi at the same time (family members streaming videos, for example), your connection may slow down.
Restart the router. Turn it off for 30 seconds, then turn it back on. This can often improve speed.
Check if the problem is the website, not your WiFi. Try opening a different website or app. If only one thing is slow, the problem might be on their end, not yours.

Connected but No Internet

Sometimes your phone says "Connected" but nothing loads:

Restart your router. This fixes the problem more often than you might expect.
Check if other devices have the same problem. If your laptop or another phone also cannot get online, the issue is with your internet service, not your device. Contact your internet provider.
Forget the network and reconnect. See the section below on how to forget a network, then connect again from scratch.

How to Forget a WiFi Network

Sometimes you need to make your phone "forget" a WiFi network so you can start fresh. This is useful if you changed your WiFi password or if the connection is not working properly.

On iPhone or iPad

Open Settings and tap Wi-Fi.
Find the network name and tap the small blue "i" icon (a circle with the letter "i") next to it.
Tap "Forget This Network."
Confirm by tapping "Forget."

Now you can reconnect by selecting the network again and typing the password.

On Android

Open Settings and go to Wi-Fi.
Find the network name and tap on it (or tap and hold, depending on your phone).
Tap "Forget" or "Forget Network."

You can now reconnect by selecting the network and entering the password again.

Staying Safe on Public WiFi

Public WiFi is the free WiFi you find in places like cafes, libraries, airports, and hotels. It is convenient, but you need to be careful because these networks are not as secure as your home WiFi. Anyone on the same network could potentially see what you are doing online.

Here are some simple safety rules:

Do not do online banking or shopping on public WiFi. Wait until you are back on your home WiFi or use your mobile data for anything involving money or personal details.
Do not enter passwords for important accounts (like your email or bank) while on public WiFi.
Look for "https" in the address bar. The "s" stands for secure. If a website starts with "https://", your connection to that website is encrypted, which adds a layer of protection.
Consider using a VPN. A VPN is a tool that protects your privacy by encrypting everything you do online. It is especially useful on public WiFi. Read our guide on what a VPN is and how it works to learn more.
Turn off auto-connect. You can stop your phone from automatically joining public networks. On iPhone, go to Settings, then Wi-Fi, then scroll down and turn off "Ask to Join Networks" or "Auto-Join Hotspot." On Android, look for "Auto-connect to open networks" in your WiFi settings and turn it off.

WiFi vs Mobile Data: What is the Difference?

You might wonder why you need WiFi at all when your phone already has an internet connection through your mobile network. Here is the difference:

Mobile data is the internet connection your phone gets from your mobile provider (like EE, Vodafone, T-Mobile, or AT&T). It works anywhere you have phone signal, but your plan usually gives you a limited amount each month. If you go over your limit, you may be charged extra or your speed may be slowed down.

WiFi is the internet connection from your home router (or a public hotspot). When you are on WiFi, you are not using any of your mobile data allowance. This means you can stream videos, download apps, and browse the internet without worrying about data limits.

In simple terms: Use WiFi whenever you are at home. It is faster, you have unlimited data, and it saves your mobile data for when you are out and about.

Most phones will automatically switch to WiFi when they detect your home network, so you usually do not need to think about it after the first time you connect.

Quick Reference: Steps at a Glance

Here is a summary you can print out or write down:

Find your WiFi name and password (check the sticker on your router)
Open Settings on your phone or tablet
Tap Wi-Fi
Make sure WiFi is turned on
Tap your network name in the list
Type the password carefully (capitals matter)
Tap Join (iPhone/iPad) or Connect (Android)
Look for the WiFi symbol at the top of your screen

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to enter the WiFi password every time?

No. Once you have entered the password and connected successfully, your phone or tablet will remember it. The next time you are near that WiFi network, your device will connect automatically. You only need to enter the password again if you "forget" the network or if the password is changed.

Can I connect to WiFi without a password?

Some networks do not require a password, especially public WiFi in cafes or libraries. Your phone will connect as soon as you tap the network name. However, networks without passwords are less secure, so be cautious about what you do on them. Never do banking or enter sensitive information on an open network.

How do I know if I am connected to WiFi or using mobile data?

Look at the top of your phone screen. If you see the WiFi symbol (a small fan shape or a set of curved lines), you are on WiFi. If you see 4G, 5G, or LTE instead, you are using mobile data. On most phones, the WiFi symbol replaces the mobile data symbol when you are connected to WiFi.

Connecting to WiFi is one of those things that feels tricky the first time but becomes second nature very quickly. Once your phone is connected at home, it will remember the network and you will not have to think about it again. If you run into any problems, come back to the troubleshooting section above, and remember that restarting your router fixes most issues. Happy browsing!