Android phones and Android tablets cannot connect to Ad Hoc networks, by default. Our Helproom Editor explains how to use third-party Ad Hoc enablers, as well as how to how to set up your phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot and connect your laptop to it.
Most Android phones and tablets cannot connect to Ad Hoc networks without some trickery
QUESTION I've set up a Wi-Fi network on my Windows laptop and want to connect to it from my Android phone. I scanned for Wi-Fi networks on my handset, but my network didn't appear. Other devices such as laptops are able to see and connect to it. On my Windows laptop my connection reports that it is 'Waiting for users', but my Android device just can't find it. Can you help? theinlinaung2010
HELPROOM ANSWER It sounds as though you're setting up an Ad Hoc network on your laptop. By default, Android won't connect to Ad Hoc networks, so these networks won't show up when you search for new wireless connections.
Third-party Ad Hoc enablers are available for Android, but they have many known problems and incompatibilities. You could try WiFi Ad Hoc enabler for Android, or the solution given at Android tablet hacks.
We haven't tried either, so use them at your own risk. They also require a fairly high level of technical knowledge to install.
Depending on the capabilities of your smartphone, you may find it easier to set up your phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot and connect the laptop to that. On our Samsung Galaxy S2 this is possible by opening Settings and selecting More, 'Tethering and portable hotspots' and enabling 'Portable Wi-Fi hotspot'.
Comments
Patrickkod said: After trying for several hours i give up and now im here to ask for some help I tried connecting the S3 to the default ad hoc in windows 7 but it wouldnt get picked up on the wifi list Quick google search shows that the s3 cannot do this Makes it worse when i found out that someone did it with their iphone Anyway i tried a couple of different virtual wifi softwares virtualrouter mhotspot and a few others The one i had most luck with was connectify where i got the s3 to pick up the network and even connect to it using a static ip
Ole Olesen said: The issue is typically that there is a landline in a hotel room but no wifiThere there is no choice to set the phone to be the wifi hotspot
thwap said: yes I agree rather than setting up an ad-hoc ICS wifi sharing on your router pc try connectify cos then it looks like the android will work its not a weird type of wifi network but a more normal oneI admit I havent tried it yet but will another time when I want my android as WELL as my laptop to connect to the router desktop in the room
Nigel said: just been bought a kindle fire hd but cant get it to connect to my bt wireless hub help
Sérgio Kucera said: Try Connectify its a Windows software that do all the hard work for you There is a free version wwwconnectifyme
PeterB said: Can also be a lot of Andriod phones have US wifi settings channel 1-11 and the laptop can be on any european channel 1-13 so if the laptop is using channel 12 or 13 the phone simply will not see it