Wi-Fi

Connect To A Hidden Wi-Fi Network On Windows 10, Android and iOS

The ultimate step-by-step guide on how to connect to a hidden Wi-Fi network (hotspot that is not broadcasting its SSID) on Windows 10 desktop or laptop, phone or tablet with Android 8, 9, 10, iPhone or iPad (iOS 11, 12, 13)

As you probably know, you can hide your Wi-Fi network name in the settings of your wireless router (or access point) to improve security of your hotspot. After you hide SSID, everyone will first need to enter the correct SSID and only then – a valid security key to connect to your wireless network. And here is how to connect to a hidden Wi-Fi network that doesn’t broadcast its name.

Connect To A Hidden Wi-Fi Network From Windows 10 PC

Screenshots taken from a laptop running Windows 10 Pro Creators Update

  1. Click the Wi-Fi icon in the system tray of the taskbar. You will observe “Hidden Network (Secured)” in the list if there is any available nearby.
    2.
  2. Click on Hidden Network:
  3. Click Connect:

    Connect to a Hidden Wi-Fi hotspot (Secured)

  4. Enter the name for the hotspot (a.k.a. SSID) and click Next:

    First, you must enter the correct SSID to connect to a hidden Wi-Fi

  5. Enter the password (a.k.a. security key) and click Next: 
  6. Decide whether you would like your PC to be discoverable on the network or not:
  7. Now your computer is connected to a hidden Wi-Fi:

Quite simple.

Connect To A Hidden Wireless Network From Android

Screenshots taken from Google Pixel running Android 8.0.0 Oreo

  1. Tap and hold the Wi-Fi toggle in Quick Settings of your Android device: 
  2. Tap “Add network”: 
  3. On the following screen specify network name, security mode, password and tap Save:
  4. Your Android is now connected to the hidden Wi-Fi:

    Connected

Connect To Wi-Fi With Hidden SSID From iPhone / iPad

Screenshots from iOS 11

  1. Go to “Settings”: 
  2. Select “Wi-Fi”: 
  3. Ensure Wi-Fi is ON.
  4. Tap “Other”: 
  5. Enter the name of the hidden Wi-Fi hotspot in the “Name” field.
  6. Tap “Security”: 
  7. Choose the security mode. In most cases it is WPA2.
  8. Tap “Other network”: 
  9. Now specify the security key in the “Password” field.
  10. And finally tap “Join”: 

That’s it!
Adam Swift

Adam is a real tech maniac. He likes to spend time testing phones, tablets, laptops, as well as any other technical devices, and write practical manuals on their functions. He often sleeps all day, but always works at night. Adam bought his first computer in 1999, being an absolute beginner who never held a computer mouse in his hands. He began to study Windows, constantly experimented and often crashed the operating system. But six months later, he was able to reinstall Windows 98 from a scratch on his own, fix almost any software problem on a PC, he also did hardware upgrades and realized that computers, operating systems and programs are now his biggest passion. In addition, Adam has always been a big lover of phones. With the advent of smartphones with Android OS, he began to pick at them much more than in computers. Now Adam loves to study privacy issues in instant messengers, blocking unwanted calls and other nuances related to privacy and security on the network. You can follow him on Twitter: https://twitter.com/tunecomp

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Published by
Adam Swift
2017-09-14 19:14

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