Last Updated on September 22, 2023 by Christopher G Mendla
If you want some quantitative data on the signal strength of WiFi signals, there are tools for your Android that can give you just that. One such tool is WiFi Analyzer
I found a great wifi analyzer at http://a.farproc.com/wifi-analyzer
This free app will show ask all broadcasting WiFi points and their strength. It is easy to use and gives a lot of useful information. You can obtain it from the Google Play Store or visit the publisher’s site.
If you use an iPhone, there are similar apps available.
Usage
Simply install the app on your phone or tablet. There are several tools available that you can access by simply swiping right or left.
Some uses:
- Diagnosing WiFi issues – What is the signal strength at any particular location? How many WiFi signals are in the immediate area. This could cause conflicts.
- Locating unauthorized WiFi devices. – You can use this tool to determine the approximate location or the origin of a WiFi signal.
- Locating hotspots – Your ISP may allow you to connect to their hotspots. For example, an Xfinity account will allow you to connect to any open Xfinity hotspot. This tool will let you know if a hotspot is available. It shows if a signal requires authentication or not. If you are visiting a hotel or resort, this can help you locate the best WiFi locations.
Examples:
The following are examples of some of the tools available.
Bell Graphs
This shows the available signals. It will give you an idea of the number of signals and their relative strength on each WiFi channel. In the example, below, we only see four signals. The Netgear SSID is the strongest.
Signal Strength
You can show a signal meter for any individual signal. By slowly walking around you can see the strength in any location. Be sure to account for the effect of your body between the phone and signal source.
In some older houses, a bathroom wall will block the signal much more than the other walls. Some old houses used a metal lath for tiling.
Continuous Graph
This tool shows signal strength for all available signals sampled over time. This is another way to determine the available signals simply by walking around an area.
Summary
This is a handy tool to have on your phone. I only use it occasionally but when I do use it, it is invaluable.