There are several ways of getting access to free Wi-fi, but the easiest way is to find a public Wi-fi hotspot. If you live in a busy metropolitan city, this may be an easier task for you as compared to someone living in a rural area.
Where Can You Find Public Wi-Fi Hotspots?
Places that offer free Wi-Fi include;
Public librariesTrains or busesGymsCollegesPopular fast-food chains
Innumerous places offer this facility, for example, public libraries, and they also have workplaces where you can easily sit down and do your work in a quiet environment. Secondly, if you are traveling by train or bus, you are good to go, because they have a wireless network. However, they have a low bandwidth so you cannot use streaming services. And if you are a workout freak, then the gym is the ideal place for you and some gyms also have cafes. Universities and colleges also have libraries and spots that are completely accessible to everyone. Popular fast-food chains, such as McDonald’s, Starbucks, and Wendy’s always offer free Wi-fi. Another advantage is that you can also get something delicious to eat while you finish your work.
Private Wi-fi hotspots
What if you are in the middle of nowhere, but you genuinely need the internet. Then, all you need to do is turn your phone into a Wi-fi public hotspot. And if you have 3G or 4G, then it is perfect.
All Android users need to do is;
Tap on settingsTap on wireless and networksTap on tethering and portable hotspotTap on portable wi-fi hotspotChoose a password and turn it on
iOS users need to;
Tap on Settings. Tap on Personal HotspotChoose a strong password and turn on the option ‘Allow Others to Join’
Free Wi-fi near me apps
With the advent of technology, our lives have been made easier several times. Hence, it is not surprising that there are apps that tell you of locations that offer access to free Wi-fi near you. Here are some of these apps.
Wi-fi map
This app contains a map that shows millions of Wi-fi spots as well as hotspots. And to make your life easier, it also offers login credentials. Furthermore, all the networks are reliable so you do not have to worry about potential hackers or malware. It is available on both Android and iOS and it can provide Wi-fi passwords even when you are online.
Instabridge
It is also another app that has a map displaying millions of free Wi-fi networks. Just like a Wi-fi map, it also offers login credentials, but it also offers an auto-connect function that allows your phone to connect to verified networks near you automatically.
This is available for Android and iOS both and it has 10 million passwords and supports WEP, WPA, WPA2, and WPA3. You also do not have to worry if the network you are connecting to is slow because it shows the speed, data usage, and popularity statistics.
Wiman
It is one of the largest hotspot databases in the world. The best thing about this app is that it not only tells you of all the Wi-fi networks but also categorizes them according to their qualities. It also gives you incentives by giving you gifts and letting you compete with your friends.
Avast Wi-Fi Finder
Just like other similar apps, this also shows a map with different hotspot locations and you can tap on different places to get more information, like passwords, etc. It also allows you to connect automatically to any nearby network. You can choose if you want to connect automatically or manually and can always change this option. The best thing about this app is that any user can add the password for a free network, allowing other users to connect automatically.
Get a portable router
They are just like home routers, but instead of using cables, they use a SIM Card and use 3G or 4G networks. And this allows you to be able to use it anywhere. It creates a Wi-fi network, so you can connect all of your devices to the Internet. They are extremely portable and small and easy to carry. They are also not very expensive but do not buy the cheapest ones because they are very slow. This is a much better option than connecting to public hotspots. It is safer as there are also fewer risks of getting hacked or installing malware on your phone. The battery lasts the longest as well so you can not unexpectedly lose network in the middle of nowhere and can use it for an entire day on a single charge. It is obviously not free, but its advantages outweigh the disadvantages, so it is worth the investment.
Look for Hidden Wi-fi Networks
Another way is to simply try to find a hidden Wi-fi network. Wireless networks are identified by SSIDs (Service Set Identifiers). It is very easy to hide a network’s SSID and it will not be visible to nearby devices. However, they are very easy to discover. All you need to do is use a Wi-fi analyzer app such as NetSpot. Then, activate Discover mode and proceed to wait for the automatic scan to find nearby Wi-fi networks. It is perfect because it can be used on Windows and macOS computers both.
In today’s world, Wi-fi is a facility that is hard to live without and everyone should have access to it at all times. So now you know what to do in case you need access to Wi-fi in a public place.
