Note: WPS is a legacy WiFi setup feature, and many modern Android phones no longer include a WPS button in their settings. Android deprecated WPS beginning with Android 9 because of security concerns. Still, older Android phones, some manufacturer-modified Android versions, and certain network devices may support it. This guide explains how to check, connect safely when WPS is available, and use better alternatives when it is not.
There are few things more annoying than standing next to your router, staring at a WiFi password that looks like a cat walked across a keyboard. Is that an uppercase “I,” a lowercase “l,” or the number one? Who knows. This is exactly why Wi-Fi Protected Setup, better known as WPS, was created.
WPS was designed to make connecting devices to a WiFi network easier. Instead of typing a long password, you press a button on the router, select a WPS option on your device, and let the two devices perform their tiny digital handshake. In theory, it is elegant. In practice, it can be a little like trying to coordinate a high-five with someone standing in another room.
This guide walks through how to connect to WiFi using WPS on Android, why the feature may be missing on your phone, how to troubleshoot common problems, and when you should skip WPS entirely in favor of a more secure method.
What Is WPS on a WiFi Router?
WPS stands for Wi-Fi Protected Setup. It is a router feature intended to simplify the process of connecting compatible devices to a password-protected wireless network.
Rather than manually selecting a WiFi network and entering a password, WPS allows a device to join through a short pairing window. The most common version is called WPS Push Button Configuration, or WPS PBC. You press the WPS button on the router and activate WPS on the device within a limited amount of time, usually around two minutes.
Once the connection succeeds, the router securely provides the WiFi credentials to the device. Your Android phone then saves the network like any other WiFi connection, so it can reconnect automatically later.
Common WPS Connection Methods
There are several WPS methods, although not all are recommended today:
- Push Button Configuration: Press a physical WPS button on the router and activate WPS on the device.
- WPS PIN: Enter an eight-digit PIN from the router or device.
- Router App or Web Dashboard: Start a WPS pairing session through the router’s mobile app or browser-based settings.
- Legacy NFC or USB Setup: Older WPS methods that are rarely used on current consumer devices.
For Android users, the push-button method is usually the simplest. It is also the only WPS method worth considering for occasional home use. WPS PIN setup has known security weaknesses and is generally best avoided.
Can You Still Use WPS on Android?
Maybe, but do not be surprised if your phone acts like WPS belongs in a museum next to floppy disks and dial-up internet.
Android deprecated WPS support starting with Android 9. As a result, many newer phones from Google, Samsung, Motorola, OnePlus, and other brands do not show a WPS option in the WiFi settings menu. Even when the router supports WPS, the phone may not.
Older Android phones may still offer options such as:
- WPS Push Button
- WPS PIN Entry
- Connect via WPS
- Wi-Fi Protected Setup
The exact wording depends on your phone manufacturer, Android version, carrier software, and how much the device maker enjoys rearranging settings menus just to keep life interesting.
How To Check Whether Your Android Phone Supports WPS
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap Network & Internet, Connections, or WiFi.
- Open the WiFi settings screen.
- Look for a three-dot menu, More, Advanced, or Additional Settings.
- Search for options labeled WPS Push Button, WPS PIN Entry, or similar wording.
If you do not see any WPS-related option, your Android phone likely does not support connecting through WPS. That does not mean your WiFi is broken. It only means you will need to use the regular password, a WiFi QR code, or another connection method.
How To Connect To a WiFi Network Using WPS on Android
Before starting, make sure you have permission to connect to the network. WPS is meant for your own router or a network where the owner has invited you to join. It is not a magic “borrow the neighbor’s WiFi” button, no matter how desperately your streaming app wants another episode.
Step 1: Confirm That Your Router Has WPS
Look at the router or gateway device. The WPS button is often located on the front, side, or back panel. It may be labeled:
- WPS
- WiFi
- Pair
- Sync
- A symbol resembling two curved arrows forming a circle
On many routers, pressing the WPS button briefly starts pairing mode. A small LED may begin flashing. Be careful not to hold down a button for too long, because some devices use long presses for functions such as disabling WiFi or resetting the router to factory settings. A factory reset is a dramatic way to solve a password problem, and usually not the kind of drama anyone needs before breakfast.
Step 2: Make Sure WPS Is Enabled
Some modern routers disable WPS by default for security reasons. If pressing the button does nothing, log in to your router’s mobile app or web control panel and look for settings related to:
- Wireless Settings
- WiFi Setup
- WPS
- Wi-Fi Protected Setup
- Advanced Wireless Features
Enable WPS only if you need it, preferably using the push-button method rather than a PIN method. Once your device is connected, consider disabling WPS again.
Step 3: Open the WPS Option on Your Android Phone
On an Android phone that still supports WPS, use a path similar to this:
- Open Settings.
- Tap WiFi, Connections, or Network & Internet.
- Open the WiFi options menu.
- Tap Advanced, More, or the three-dot menu.
- Select WPS Push Button.
Your phone may display a message telling you to press the WPS button on the router. Keep your phone near the router during setup, especially if your WiFi signal is weak.
Step 4: Press the WPS Button on the Router
After activating WPS on the Android phone, press the WPS button on your router. You usually need to do this within about two minutes.
Most routers display a blinking WPS light while they are waiting for a device to connect. Your phone should begin attempting to join the network automatically.
If the connection succeeds, Android will show Connected under the WiFi network name. You should now be able to browse the web, use apps, and send messages without manually entering the network password.
Step 5: Test Your Internet Connection
Open a browser and visit a familiar website. You can also open a streaming app, refresh your email, or ask your phone a question that it will answer with suspicious confidence.
If the WiFi symbol appears but websites do not load, the problem may be with the router’s internet connection rather than the WPS setup itself.
Why WPS May Not Work on Your Android Phone
WPS failures are common, and they are usually caused by one of a few predictable issues.
Your Android Version Does Not Support WPS
This is the most likely explanation on newer phones. Android removed or deprecated WPS support on many devices because WPS can introduce security risks. If you are using Android 9 or later, especially on a Google Pixel or a recent Samsung Galaxy device, the WPS option may simply not exist.
In that case, use one of the modern alternatives discussed later in this guide.
The Router’s WPS Feature Is Disabled
Many newer routers ship with WPS turned off. This is intentional. Router manufacturers and internet providers increasingly encourage users to connect through passwords, QR codes, or companion apps instead.
Check your router settings through the manufacturer’s app, your internet provider’s app, or the router administration page.
You Pressed the Wrong Router Button
Routers often have several buttons packed together like tiny plastic mystery switches. You may see buttons for power, WiFi, reset, pairing, and WPS. Check the label carefully before pressing anything.
A reset button is usually recessed and may require a paperclip. Avoid pressing it unless you truly intend to reset the router.
You Missed the Pairing Window
WPS pairing mode is temporary. If you activate WPS on the router and wait too long to activate WPS on the phone, the router stops listening for new devices.
Try again and complete both actions within the available pairing window. Keep the phone close to the router and avoid switching between apps while the connection is in progress.
Your Router Uses an Incompatible Security Mode
WPS is designed for WPA or WPA2 Personal networks. It may not work with older WEP networks, enterprise WiFi networks, guest networks, or routers configured with certain modern security combinations.
If your router uses WPA3-only security, WPS may also be unavailable. That is not necessarily bad news. WPA3 is a modern security standard, while WPS is an older convenience feature.
Is WPS Safe To Use?
WPS is convenient, but convenience and security do not always share a cabin on the same vacation cruise.
The biggest concern is the WPS PIN method. Researchers and cybersecurity agencies have warned that some WPS PIN implementations can be vulnerable to brute-force attacks. In simple terms, a nearby attacker may be able to repeatedly guess PIN combinations until the router reveals enough information to compromise the WiFi password.
The push-button method is generally safer than WPS PIN entry because it requires someone to activate the router physically or through its management software. However, it still creates a brief window during which a nearby unauthorized device could attempt to join the network.
Best Practices for Using WPS More Safely
- Use WPS only on a network you own or manage.
- Choose push-button WPS instead of WPS PIN whenever possible.
- Enable WPS only when you need to connect a device.
- Disable WPS after setup if your router allows it.
- Use WPA2 Personal or WPA3 security with a strong WiFi password.
- Change the router’s default administrator password.
- Keep router firmware updated.
- Review connected devices occasionally and remove anything unfamiliar.
For most modern households, typing the WiFi password once or scanning a QR code is safer than leaving WPS enabled permanently.
Better Alternatives to WPS on Modern Android Phones
Even though WPS can still work on some older devices, newer Android phones offer easier and safer ways to connect.
Use a WiFi QR Code
Many Android phones can connect to WiFi by scanning a QR code. A phone already connected to the network can open the WiFi settings, select the network, tap Share, verify identity, and display a QR code for another device to scan.
This is often the easiest option for guests. Nobody has to recite a 20-character password aloud while everyone pretends they can tell the difference between a zero and the letter O.
Enter the WiFi Password Manually
Manual setup is not glamorous, but it is reliable. Open Android WiFi settings, select the network, enter the password, and tap Connect.
You can often find the default network name and password printed on a label attached to the router. If the password was changed, the network owner or router administrator can provide the updated credentials.
Use Your Router Manufacturer’s App
Many major router brands and internet providers offer mobile apps for managing home WiFi. These apps can help you share network access, create guest networks, scan QR codes, change passwords, and review connected devices.
For households with frequent visitors, smart-home devices, or children who mysteriously know every password except the WiFi password, a guest network is often the cleanest solution.
Try Wi-Fi Easy Connect When Supported
Wi-Fi Easy Connect, sometimes called Device Provisioning Protocol or DPP, is a newer alternative designed to replace older setup methods such as WPS. It can use QR codes to securely add compatible devices to a network.
Support varies by router and device, so you may not see it everywhere yet. Still, it represents the direction modern WiFi setup is moving: fewer mystery buttons, fewer fragile PINs, and more secure onboarding.
Troubleshooting WPS Connection Problems on Android
Restart the Phone and Router
It is the oldest trick in technology, but it works often enough to deserve respect. Restart your Android phone. Then restart the router by unplugging it for about 30 seconds and reconnecting it.
Wait for the router to fully reconnect to the internet before trying WPS again.
Forget the Network and Reconnect
If your Android phone has a saved but broken connection, open WiFi settings, tap the network name, and choose Forget. Then attempt to connect again using WPS, a QR code, or the regular password.
Move Closer to the Router
Walls, appliances, Bluetooth devices, thick floors, and other wireless networks can interfere with WiFi. During WPS setup, stand close to the router so the phone receives the strongest signal possible.
Check the Router’s Firmware
Older router firmware may cause connection problems or security issues. Check the router manufacturer’s app or administration page for firmware updates. Updating firmware can improve stability, fix bugs, and reduce exposure to known vulnerabilities.
Use the Password Instead
If WPS fails repeatedly, do not spend an hour negotiating with a blinking router light. Enter the WiFi password manually or use a QR code. The password method is usually faster than troubleshooting a feature your phone may no longer officially support.
Real-World Experiences With WPS on Android
Using WPS on Android can feel wonderfully simple when the stars align. You tap one option on the phone, press one button on the router, and suddenly your device is online. No typing. No squinting at a sticker. No asking whether the password starts with “Home,” “HOME,” or “H0ME.” For older Android devices and basic home routers, it can still be a convenient shortcut.
In real-world situations, WPS is especially helpful when connecting devices with awkward keyboards or no keyboards at all. Smart printers, wireless cameras, range extenders, TVs, and some older tablets can benefit from push-button setup. It is much easier to press a router button than to enter a long password with a remote control that has the typing speed of a sleepy tortoise.
However, Android phones are a different story today. Many people start searching for a WPS option because they remember using it years ago, only to discover that the menu has vanished. They may check WiFi settings, advanced settings, developer options, and every three-dot menu they can find. Eventually, they realize the issue is not that they missed the option. The phone simply does not support WPS anymore.
This is where WiFi QR codes have become the practical replacement. A person who is already connected can open the network details, generate a QR code, and let another Android phone scan it. The process is almost as fast as WPS, but it avoids keeping a router pairing feature enabled. It is also more guest-friendly. You can share access without announcing your entire WiFi password to a room full of people holding snacks and phones.
Another common experience is pressing the wrong button on the router. Many routers place the WPS button next to the reset button, and the labels are often printed in tiny text that appears to have been designed for ants. A short WPS press is usually harmless, but holding the wrong button too long can reset the router. That can mean reconnecting every smart bulb, camera, speaker, thermostat, laptop, and appliance in the home. Suddenly, typing a password does not seem so terrible.
People also run into timing problems. WPS pairing windows are short. You may press the router button first, then spend a minute searching for the WPS setting on your phone, only to discover the router has already stopped waiting. The best approach is to find the WPS menu on the phone first, read the on-screen instructions, and then complete both actions quickly.
For most users, the lesson is simple: WPS can still be useful on older Android phones and compatible devices, but it should be treated as an occasional convenience tool rather than a permanent network feature. Use it carefully, avoid WPS PIN setup, and turn it off when you are done. On current Android phones, a QR code or strong WiFi password is usually the smoother, safer, and less frustrating route to getting online.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to connect to a WiFi network using WPS on Android is useful, especially if you have an older phone or a device that still includes WPS support. The push-button method can save time and prevent password-typing mistakes, but it is no longer standard on modern Android devices.
If your phone does not show a WPS option, do not panic and do not blame yourself. Android has largely moved away from WPS for security reasons. Use a WiFi QR code, enter the password manually, or manage access through your router app instead.
When WPS is available, use the push-button option, keep the pairing session brief, avoid PIN-based WPS, and disable the feature after connecting devices. Your WiFi network should be easy to use, but it should not be easy for strangers to join.
