I’ve got some smart home devices that need to be setup by another device on the same WiFi network, but it has to be 2.4ghz network. My modern android phone insists on connecting to the 5ghz network and so can’t complete the setup.

Currently, I use an old android tablet that only connects to 2.4ghz to get round this, but it’s clunky. Previously I’ve changed the WiFi network to produce seperate ssids for the two bands, but I’d rather not have to switch these settings around everytime I need to modify something.

What I want is a system setting in android or an app that forces my phone to turn off its wireless N capabilities and only use the 2.4ghz band. My searching and reading stackoverflow posts suggest this just isn’t possible, but surely that’s not true?! It seems like a simple enough option to have!

Tldr : how to force my phone to connect on 2.4hgz WiFi rather than 5ghz

  • slazer2au@lemmy.worldEnglish
    13·
    5 days ago

    Different ssid is the only way I have found to do this.

    I have a visible 5Ghz that everything connects to but a hidden 2.4 network with 2.4 in the network name.

    • infeeeee@lemm.eeEnglish
      7·
      5 days ago

      Other way I know of: disable 5ghz on the router, connect device, enable 5ghz.

      • Acamon@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
        2·
        5 days ago

        Yeah, that’s what I’ve done in the past. It seems unnecessarily clunky. Why can’t I control my own WiFi connection? Like, I get why the default is 5ghz when it’s available, but it’s not even a Advanced option.

        • infeeeee@lemm.eeEnglish
          1·
          5 days ago

          I think you can’t change that on any other os. It should be implemented better in the app. You just type/share the ssid and password and the app should trust you that you know what you are doing, and it will be able to connect even if it’s not the network you are currently connected to.

          E.g. the shelly app allows this, you can just type any ssid and pw.

          • InnerScientist@lemmy.worldEnglish
            1·
            4 days ago

            I think you can’t change that on any other os.

            Small correction: Using Networkmanager in KDE/Linux you can select the frequency (and even individual APs) in the GUI.

          • Acamon@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
            1·
            5 days ago

            Yeah, they’re cheap Tuya devices, and I regret buying them for many reasons. Good to hear that shelley has more flexibility, once I have saved some money I want to replace the tuyas.

            These comments have confirmed what is found from googlin, it’s not possible. I’m just kinda surprised? Is there a technical reason? And it’s not just these switches, I’ve had the same problem with trying to setup a chromecast in rented accommodation where I can’t change the WiFi router settings.

            It just seems like a simple option to include. I can choose whether my sim connects to 3g or rg or 5g, but not for WiFi. And from my the posts I’ve found im not alone. Can rooted phones do it?