How to Tell When a Smartphone Is Connected to Wi-Fi

By Melly Parker

System icons appear at the top of the smartphone screen.
i Justin Sullivan/Getty Images News/Getty Images

Keeping your smartphone connected to Wi-Fi can help reduce your mobile data charges. When you're connected to a Wi-Fi network, your phone uses that connection instead of your mobile data connection. Every major smartphone brand shows whether you're connected to Wi-Fi with a Wi-Fi icon on the main screen.

Android

When an Android device is connected to Wi-Fi, an indicator icon appears in the top right of the screen. To check which network your phone is connected to, open your Settings app and tap "Wi-Fi." If you're connected, the network will say "Connected" under its listing. An "On/Off" indicator is next to the Wi-Fi option in the "Settings" menu, too.

IPhone

An iPhone connected to a Wi-Fi network displays a Wi-Fi icon in the upper left side. To see what network you're connected to, tap "Settings" and then tap "Wi-Fi." A check mark is next to the connection your iPhone is using. The indicator bar above the connections shows that the Wi-Fi connection is on, too.

BlackBerry

The Wi-Fi icon on BlackBerry smartphones is located at the top right of the phone. It's made up of two images: the Wi-Fi icon and a four-dot image. When the Wi-Fi icon has solid bars and the dots appear, you're connected and can access BlackBerry services. To view and change your settings, tap the "Connections" area at the top of the screen and then tap "Wi-Fi Network." Tap on a network to connect to it. If you're connected to Wi-Fi, a check mark will appear on the connections screen as well.

Windows Phone

When a Windows Phone is connected to Wi-Fi, a sideways Wi-Fi icon appears at the top of the screen. Open your Settings app to see the Wi-Fi indicator. The indicator on the Wi-Fi page is green and labeled "On" if your Wi-Fi is on. All available and saved networks appear underneath the indicator, in case you want to change networks or see to which network you're connected.

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