[brymbo76]

One thing I don't understand with so-called 'Free Wi-Fi' hotspots is what do they actually allow you to do?

Whether it is just the way some of my apps and other services are configured, unless I am connected to a hotspot with WPA2 encryption, such as to my BT Hub, then I appear to be unable to use email or Apps such as LINE, WhatsApp, Skype, Facebook, Facebook Messenger, eBay, Dropbox and open the Internet Browser.

There are some Wi-Fi hotspots that you just connect and that's it.
There are also some where it may involve registering on their website with your details such as your email address and then clicking on a link in the email to confirn it's you that registered and that's usually it.

My Smartphone is a Huawei Y5 but neither that phone or my previous Smartphone, a Samsung Galaxy Fame allowed me to use certain apps unless it was a proper encrypted Wi-Fi where I had to enter a password.

So do some of those apps only work with certain types of encrypted Wi-Fi or can you configure your apps to still allow them to work with unencrypted Wi-Fi hotspots?

Hope you can help.
Thanks.

[brymbo76]

So can anyone help then and explain how I can use the aforementioned apps when WPA2 encryption Wi-Fi isn't available?
Thanks in advance.

[errea]

Are you sure it's the apps as encryption is optional.
Is it not more likely that the wifi network blocks certain functions.

I use BT Wifi, O2 and The Cloud fairly regularly.
They are not always good with VOIP but everything else is fine.

[Mark C]

I find quite the opposite, Whatsapp in particular can 'punch' through those WifI networks
that have that awful 'gives us your email, inside leg, and sexual preferences to log on' arrangement, without any need to log on !

[de525ma]

Quote:

Originally Posted by brymbo76

One thing I don't understand with so-called 'Free Wi-Fi' hotspots is what do they actually allow you to do?

Whether it is just the way some of my apps and other services are configured, unless I am connected to a hotspot with WPA2 encryption, such as to my BT Hub, then I appear to be unable to use email or Apps such as LINE, WhatsApp, Skype, Facebook, Facebook Messenger, eBay, Dropbox and open the Internet Browser.

There are some Wi-Fi hotspots that you just connect and that's it.
There are also some where it may involve registering on their website with your details such as your email address and then clicking on a link in the email to confirn it's you that registered and that's usually it.

My Smartphone is a Huawei Y5 but neither that phone or my previous Smartphone, a Samsung Galaxy Fame allowed me to use certain apps unless it was a proper encrypted Wi-Fi where I had to enter a password.

So do some of those apps only work with certain types of encrypted Wi-Fi or can you configure your apps to still allow them to work with unencrypted Wi-Fi hotspots?

Hope you can help.
Thanks.

Nothing to do with the wireless encryption used. It's due to the network infrastructure. Some wifi hotspots only allow web traffic on common ports (e.g. 80 and 443 for standard HTTP(S) browsing), and other services are blocked. For example, on most Eduroam hotspots the Google Push Notification Service is blocked, so no hangouts notifications etc. Some institutions have fixed this now though.

[-GONZO-]

Quote:

Originally Posted by brymbo76

One thing I don't understand with so-called 'Free Wi-Fi' hotspots is what do they actually allow you to do?

They pretty much allow you do do what you can do on your own WiFi.
I use BT Wifi hotspots now and then to use Netflix, Facebook, Messenger, Whatsapp, email, Safari browser etc etc.

[brymbo76]

So if it's nothing really to do with the encryption, does anyone know how I change the settings on the apps or on the phone or something to allow me to carry on using them apps on other Wi-Fi connections without being restricted to Wi-Fi connections such as my BT Home Hub that require a password?

[-GONZO-]

Quote:

Originally Posted by brymbo76

So if it's nothing really to do with the encryption, does anyone know how I change the settings on the apps or on the phone or something to allow me to carry on using them apps on other Wi-Fi connections without being restricted to Wi-Fi connections such as my BT Home Hub that require a password?

Are you sure your actually logged into these WiFi hotspots as once your logged in apps should just work as they normally do?

[david16]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark C

I find quite the opposite, Whatsapp in particular can 'punch' through those WifI networks
that have that awful 'gives us your email, inside leg, and sexual preferences to log on' arrangement, without any need to log on !

You don’t also mean you can use whatsapp to freely access those secured hotspots around town that usually require you to key in what is an impossible to guess WPA2 passphrase to enter the hotspot when you press wifi in settings on your smartphone?

[brymbo76]

On my old phone, if I connected to a hotspot requiring a log-in, my phone would tell me.
But I'm sure even after logging in, I still couldn't use a lot of those apps.
My current phone hasn't prompted me to log in to any hotspots like that.

I still think that that the 'Free Wi-Fi' terminology is misleading and wherever the 'Free Wi-Fi' logo is shown, it should be clear what you can and can't do using that 'Free Wi-Fi' hotspot and what you need to do to be able to use all the features on your phone.

[david16]

I find that I still need to use mobile data as well as using free wifi hotspots when out and about.

But watch out if you are not with BT for your home wifi broadband or with BT mobile, the official BT Wifi hotspots are Open but you need to pay 4.00 per hour to use the service. But there are shops and banks such as Tesco, Bank of Scotland and Royal Bank of Scotland that use BT wifi to offer wifi hotspot access for free whether or not you are with BT for broadband or BT mobile.

[d123]

Quote:

Originally Posted by david16

I find that I still need to use mobile data as well as using free wifi hotspots when out and about.

But watch out if you are not with BT for your home wifi broadband or with BT mobile, the official BT Wifi hotspots are Open but you need to pay 4.00 per hour to use the service. But there are shops and banks such as Tesco, Bank of Scotland and Royal Bank of Scotland that use BT wifi to offer wifi hotspot access for free whether or not you are with BT for broadband or BT mobile.

So how would these BT spots charge you if you haven't signed up? I have never managed to access a paid for wifi hotspot by accident, they are only open to the extent they will connect and land you on a sign in page.

[brymbo76]

Anyway, if anyone uses the same apps as me, please explain what I need to do on my phone to access the apps from other Wi-Fi hotspots.

[corf]

Please explain your problems - what happens when you connect to free wifi like in Mcdondalds etc. Also can you give examples of free hotspots you are having trouble with - is it a local pub or cafe? as the hotspots you are trying might not be free. i.e. BT-wifi for example is not free.

Usually when you connect to a free hotspot that has a captive portal - once youve connected it will either pop up with a login screen or will pop up a login screen when you try and browse to a website. Once you have created an account and logged in you should be able to use the internet - Often only things on port 80 or 443 will work - so app stores etc are often blocked.

Also just because a wifi is not passworded with WPA - it doesnt mean its free and open.

[de525ma]

Quote:

Originally Posted by david16

You don’t also mean you can use whatsapp to freely access those secured hotspots around town that usually require you to key in what is an impossible to guess WPA2 passphrase to enter the hotspot when you press wifi in settings on your smartphone?

No of course he does not mean that. He means that Whatsapp can bypass the captive portal on open wifi hotspots. I've seen Dropbox do that too.

[de525ma]

Quote:

Originally Posted by brymbo76

So if it's nothing really to do with the encryption, does anyone know how I change the settings on the apps or on the phone or something to allow me to carry on using them apps on other Wi-Fi connections without being restricted to Wi-Fi connections such as my BT Home Hub that require a password?

In a nutshell, you can't. If the operator of the open WiFi network in question has decided to only allow traffic on standard web ports, there's not much you can do. You could email the operator and ask, but it likely won't get you far.

People use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) service to bypass port restrictions, but these are typically expensive and you'd be better just paying for a data plan through your mobile network.

Is there a particular open network provider that you have problems with?

[de525ma]

Quote:

Originally Posted by -GONZO-

Are you sure your actually logged into these WiFi hotspots as once your logged in apps should just work as they normally do?

No - this is not guaranteed. Only web traffic through the browser is.

[de525ma]

Quote:

Originally Posted by brymbo76

still think that that the 'Free Wi-Fi' terminology is misleading and wherever the 'Free Wi-Fi' logo is shown, it should be clear what you can and can't do using that 'Free Wi-Fi' hotspot and what you need to do to be able to use all the features on your phone.

Network providers intentionally restrict what you can and cannot do on their network. This is for good reasons. Even your own ISP has a service agreement which you sign when starting the service.

On free hotspots, anything which is detrimental to the security or quality of service to other users will be blocked. This includes iPlayer or Youtube on train wifi where bandwidth is limited. It also includes Apps and other services which attempt to circumvent security features on a network or those which facilitate illegal activities. I'm not sure if the law has changed, but the owners of the networks are ultimately responsible for activities which happen on their networks. So if someone uses your WiFi to illegally download a great load of films through P2P, you are ultimately responsible for it.

Unfortunately, this often means that legitimate services on non standard ports are blocked. However, it's still free WiFi as you can browse the web just fine.

[brymbo76]

Well I still think each 'Free Wi-Fi' Hotspot should specify which apps you can and can't use before wasting time trying to connect to them.
I am opted in to the BTWiFi-with-FON so I thought any of those or BTWiFi or BTWifi-X hotspots allowed me to do the same as on my hub but some don't allow me to log in and some after logging in still don't allow me to use some Apps.
If I try to use WhatsApp or LINE after connecting to some Hotspots, a message will come up saying that the App is unable to connect to whatever Hotspot I am connected to.
I did once register with 'The Cloud', but I still wasn't able to use a lot of apps even after logging into that either.

Anyway, 'Free Wi-Fi' should mean anything you can do on your Wi-Fi at home, you can do for free at any establishment displaying the 'Free Wi-Fi' logo.
Either that or the level of connectivity should be more easily explained alongside the 'Free Wi-Fi' logo to explain to people who don't understand much about 'Free Wi-Fi' as to what you can and can't do at that particular 'Free Wi-Fi' hotspot you are connected or trying to connect to.

[jeallen01]

FWIW, I NEVER use "free" Wifi hotspots - I've got a 4G connection SIM (Gifgaff) in my tablet and, occasionally a T-Mobile/EE 3/4G SIM in a Huiweia USB dongle in one of my laptops (both £5 a month). NO way will I EVER use a Wifi hotspot for security reasons . When I'm abroad, I buy a local pre-paid SIM in my tablet for most comms,

Again, NEVER.!

PS, my main home internet connection is via Virginmedia and I have deliberately not signed up to their scheme which allows connection to Virgin WiFi hotspots at various locations and on the London Tube system for the same reason.

[david16]

Quote:

Originally Posted by de525ma

Network providers intentionally restrict what you can and cannot do on their network. This is for good reasons. Even your own ISP has a service agreement which you sign when starting the service.

On free hotspots, anything which is detrimental to the security or quality of service to other users will be blocked. This includes iPlayer or Youtube on train wifi where bandwidth is limited. It also includes Apps and other services which attempt to circumvent security features on a network or those which facilitate illegal activities. I'm not sure if the law has changed, but the owners of the networks are ultimately responsible for activities which happen on their networks. So if someone uses your WiFi to illegally download a great load of films through P2P, you are ultimately responsible for it.

Unfortunately, this often means that legitimate services on non standard ports are blocked. However, it's still free WiFi as you can browse the web just fine.

You can listen to the internet radio (tunein) while logged in to a free wifi hotspot.

You will need your network’s sim card inserted in your smartphone in case the wifi hotspot disconnects. You cannot rely entirely on these wifi hotspots for internet connection on your smartphone or tablet when you are out and about.

[de525ma]

Quote:

Originally Posted by brymbo76

Well I still think each 'Free Wi-Fi' Hotspot should specify which apps you can and can't use before wasting time trying to connect to them.

Surely you can see the problem with that?

[david16]

Quote:

Originally Posted by corf

Please explain your problems - what happens when you connect to free wifi like in Mcdondalds etc. Also can you give examples of free hotspots you are having trouble with - is it a local pub or cafe? as the hotspots you are trying might not be free. i.e. BT-wifi for example is not free.

Usually when you connect to a free hotspot that has a captive portal - once youve connected it will either pop up with a login screen or will pop up a login screen when you try and browse to a website. Once you have created an account and logged in you should be able to use the internet - Often only things on port 80 or 443 will work - so app stores etc are often blocked.

Also just because a wifi is not passworded with WPA - it doesnt mean its free and open.

And most of these free wifi hotspots are unlikely to be superfast like the virgin home wifi e.g. In the same way 3G wifi is not superfast.

[brymbo76]

Quote:

Originally Posted by de525ma

Surely you can see the problem with that?

No I can't really.
Please explain.

[de525ma]

Quote:

Originally Posted by brymbo76

No I can't really.
Please explain.

Well, for a start, there are over 1.5 million apps in the App store alone. That would be some list to curate! Who's going to do all this testing?