Problems with 6GHz Wi-Fi on Android
Problems with 6GHz Wi-Fi on Android
Sharing this again after nearly a year to check if anyone has found a solid alternative. I really enjoy my Wi-Fi 6E connection on my Galaxy S21 Ultra, getting fast speeds inside the house when it's active. The challenge is setting up automatic connections on other bands when they're available. My APs (Linksys Atlas 6e) can use both combined and separate SSIDs. I connect via wired backhaul but the combined network seems to push 6GHz devices onto a 5GHz channel, even though all signals are strong—likely to keep 6GHz for wireless backhaul that I don’t need. Right now I stick with separate SSIDs, saving only 2.5GHz and 6GHz on my 6E capable phones. I want the 2.5GHz band free for areas like the driveway or yard where Wi-Fi is useful. I’ve had several team calls at my son’s bus stop because the signal there is still solid. The issue is that when I get home, it automatically switches to the 2.5GHz network until I change it manually. Android once let me prioritize 5GHz over 2.5GHz in Wi-Fi settings, but that feature has been removed. Most apps that adjust SSIDs have also disappeared from the Play Store. The ones I’ve tried either don’t function properly or only act on signal strength, which is naturally stronger for lower frequencies. It’s frustrating having to switch networks every time I’m out or walking the dog. There should be a better way.
Band steering isn't great; it's been a consistent issue. I switch to various SSIDs depending on the frequency bands.
It should work with WiFi 7 because it can handle several frequencies simultaneously. When you return home and connect to 2.4GHz, it will switch to 5GHz as you get closer, then to 6GHz if you're even nearer. I think only two bands will be active at once, which should provide smooth roaming eventually.
In theory this could work well even if it simply detected a higher frequency when your usage reaches a specific point. If it applies the same rules for picking frequencies as other gadgets, it should likely favor the slower, lower bands with stronger signals even if bandwidth is still limited. I'm relieved it's not just my equipment. I've always tried various SSIDs and used 5GHz before, assuming enough coverage, switching to 2.5GHz for older models or those needing longer reach (like car updates).
I wish there was an option in Android which would automatically prefer 5 & 6 GHz network rather than 2.4 GHz. I have the same problem, though, not with Wi-Fi 6E. I used to use "connect automatically" option only for 5 GHz, and switch to 2.4 GHz manually, but I eventually gave up thinking how I'll never use up 1 Gb/s on a phone anyway and 500 Mb/s is still plenty enough.
The issue remains unchanged regardless of your chosen frequency band; only the fact that you must stay connected matters. It's challenging to resolve without a mesh controller assessing clients and prompting them to change. I believe this is one improvement WiFi 7 will offer, making it necessary to support specific frequency selections at any given time.
You're partially correct. Wi-Fi 7 will enable smoother transitions between bands, similar to mesh networks. Android developers might also offer some improvements. Essentially, we'd need a simple code prompt asking users to choose their preferred network type—5/6 GHz or 2.4 GHz. If the device detects 2.4 GHz, it can connect there; if 5 GHz appears, it can switch back. The main issue would be the delay while disconnecting from 2.4 GHz and reconnecting to 5 GHz, though this shouldn't be a major concern since my apartment is mostly covered by 5 GHz. I miss losing the 5 GHz network when I leave; then only 2.4 GHz remains.
I understand the idea, but it would lead to unusual behavior. At the very edge of 5GHz reception, your phone might keep dropping connections because it keeps trying to latch onto a weak signal. Existing radios are limited to one frequency at a time, so they pause scanning each network before switching, which means scans happen infrequently—often just a few times per minute. If you reach 5GHz but can’t connect reliably, the experience would likely become worse than good. Even though it sounds appealing, this approach could create more problems than it solves. That’s why I believe WiFi 7 offers a better solution, allowing simultaneous connection to one band while still searching for nearby networks. It might still work on older routers, as a WiFi 7 client can scan actively without interrupting the current connection, switching only when a better option appears. Perhaps a cautious strategy would be to switch if 5GHz is available for a short period, like five minutes.