Google Nexus 2016 phones are probably the most anticipated phones right now, but the search engine giant wants to make things even better before these two phones come into play in the coming weeks.
According to the latest report, Google will be updating the Nexus 6P, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6 and any other Nexus phone with a feature that helps users save their cellular data. Dubbed Wi-Fi Assistant, the Project-Fi certified feature allows all Nexus phones connect to millions of free and open Wi-Fi hotspots automatically. In the process, the phone will switch from using your cellular data into using the free Wi-Fi hotspot, hence cutting down on data usage while at the same time optimizing data speeds on your phone.
Before this update, this feature has remained exclusive to devices using Project Fi cell service, however, the process will still allow the best connection available to be used rather than merely connecting to a hotspot just so as to save you some data. If you own a Google Nexus 6P, a Nexus 5X or even a Nexus 6 and live in any of Canada, the UK, Mexico, the U.S. and Nordic countries, this is the time to save more on data usage.
To locate the Wi-Fi Assistant on your Google Nexus 6P phone, head over to the Android Settings app and hit the Google>Networking options to turn the feature on and off. A small key will show up in the upper corner of your phone when the Wi-Fi Assistant feature is enabled and connected. If you don’t want to be connected via the chosen free Wi-Fi network, head to the Nexus 6P or Nexus 5X Wi-Fi settings, press and hold the network you don’t want and “forget” it.
With the launch of Google Nexus 2016 phones, Marlin and Sailfish, Google is also expected to include the support for this Wi-Fi Assistant feature. Google Marlin is said to be the successor to Huawei Nexus 6P while Sailfish will succeed the LG Nexus 5X. HTC is reportedly making both phones, which should be unveiled this coming month.
I keep seeing this feature talked about in various articles, but I have a Nexus 6p updated to nugaut 7.0, purchased directly from Google, and can’t find this feature anywhere. Can anybody enlighten me? Does anybody actually see this on their phone?
Same here and I can’t find it either.
Currently this feature is only available to Google Project Fi users like myself. It works however you won’t see it unless you switch to Fi or receive an update with it in the future.
The option should be under the advanced wifi settings, tap the three guys in the corner on your wifi page and enable “Use open wifi automatically”
Nope. Not there either.
I have a Nexus 5x with Google Project Fi as my carrier. For me, I can go to Settings -> Wi-Fi -> Advanced Wi-Fi -> Use open Wi-Fi automatically (Let a Wi-Fi assistant automatically connect to open networks determined to be high quality) and toggle either On or off with a Radio button type control. Who is your current carrier? If you’re not currently with Google Project Fi as your carrier, then I think you’re still waiting for the update….
I have a 5X and don’t see this feature yet either. I s it not being included in the Android 7 update? I presume maybe it’s something being rolled out later but the info out there is very confusing
Me too. Nexus 6 in but I’m in South Africa, so look forward to it when it’s rolled out this side
Not live yet. Should be rolling out in the next few weeks. Once it’s live go to “settings” then go to “Google” and there should be a “network” feature. You should be able to enable WiFi Assistant from there.
Nexus 5X here v6.0.1 and it shows up for me exactly as described in the article… Apps>Google>Networking>Wi-Fi Assistant… bam!
Nothing for me yet on my 6P running 7.0. I will keep checking.