ForceWifi5

This app allows you to automatically switch your Wifi connection to the 5 GHz band. Usually the 2.4 GHz band is crowded with most devices connected to any Wifi in your neighbourhoud, whereas only a few devices uses the 5 GHz band. Hopefully your Wifi connection will be faster and more stable!

Known issues

• You need a device and a router that support the 5 GHz Wifi with the same SSID. This should be the normal setup with most routers and modern smartphones. You can choose an option to switch to another SSID nearby in the settings.

• The 5 GHz band is fine as long as there are not too many walls between your device and your router.

•  If you have several Wifi repeaters in your home, the app might not correct the the best one. This feature is work in progress...

• Sometimes the app cannot find another access point. Then please open your settings and search for all Wifi networks nearby.

• If your router supports "automatic band steering", then you might have to switch off this option. Or: use your router's capabilities and de-install the app

• Starting with Android 10 (and enfored with Android 11) you probably have to switch your Wifi off and on again manually to switch your network (Google Issue #128554616 )

• Starting with Android 11, you will be asked whether you want to accept "network suggestions" from the app. Please select "Yes" or "Grant". The dialog may pop up unexpectedly, but is essential to make the app working.  Declining the network suggestion removes the CHANGE_WIFI_STATE permission from the app. In this case, the app won't work anymore.  Please open the settings menu and grant this special permssion again (Settings > Apps > Special App access  (from menu) > Wi-Fi Control > ForceWifi 5Ghz). 

• Please have a look at https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/connectivity/wifi-suggest for more details.

Permissions

The following permissions are necessary in order to make the app working:

• ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION: Google enforces this permission to list all available networks nearby. The reason is that by knowing all your networks around you, any app would be able to locate your device.

• CHANGE_WIFI_STATE: to switch to another access point

• RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED: to re-start the app just after your smartphone has booted

• ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE and WIFI_STATE: to detect your current network and access points

• INTERNET: for connections and ads

Open Source

This app has been published under the Apache 2.0 License. You can find the source code on GitHub.