Exposing your phone to an untrustworthy network set up by someone with malicious intent is not a good idea. Even if you spot an open Xfinity WiFi connection or use Now WiFi Pass, stay away from it unless it comes from a source you know or is hosted by you on a supported Xfinity Mobile plan. You can’t avoid this problem if your iOS or Android phone is set to automatically connect to public Xfinity WiFi hotspots. However, you can disable the auto-connect option in your mobile settings. Learn how to do that below.
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How to disable automatic connection of Wi-Fi hotspots on Android and iOS
If you’re using someone else’s Xfinity WiFi hotspot as a guest or using Now WiFi Pass, follow the steps below to prevent your phone from connecting to a public network. Public networks can be untrustworthy, insecure, and slow when multiple devices are connected. It’s also possible to find masked hotspots that appear identical to the official one, but aren’t. To prevent your device from connecting to a public Wi-Fi network you don’t trust, disable the auto-connect option. To learn more, read below.
Source: Comcast
How to disable automatic connection of Wi-Fi hotspots on a Samsung phone
- Open Settings.
- Knock Connections.
- Choose Wi-Fi.
- Knock Settings (gear icon) next to the Xfinity network.
- Turn off Automatic reconnection.
How to disable automatic connection of Wi-Fi hotspots on a Google Pixel
- Open Settings.
- Knock Network & Internet.
- Choose Internet.
- Tap the Xfinity network.
- Choose Connect automatically.
- Turn off Connect automatically.
How to Disable Auto-Connect Wi-Fi Hotspots on a Motorola Phone
- Open Settings.
- Knock Network & Internet.
- Choose Internet.
- Tap the Xfinity network and select Settings.
- Choose Progressive.
- Knock Automatic connection.
- Turn off Automatic connection.
Disabling automatic connection of Wi-Fi hotspots on iOS
- Open Settings.
- Choose Wi-Fi.
- Tap the I symbol alongside the Xfinity network.
- Turn off automatic participation.
How to turn off an Xfinity WiFi car hotspot on Android and iOS
These steps assume that you are the primary owner of the Xfinity public WiFi hotspot source. You can disable the Auto Hotspot option to prevent devices from joining the network. Always set a strong SSID and WiFi password to prevent unauthorized access.
Below we’ll be using an Android phone to complete these steps, but you can download the Xfinity app for iOS from the App Store. The steps will remain the same for the iOS app, so iOS users can follow along.
- Open the Xfinity App.
- Sign in to your Xfinity account.
- Knock Wi-Fi > Show Wi-Fi equipment.
- Choose Advanced settings.
- Knock Xfinity WiFi Hotspot Network.
- Turn off Join Xfinity WiFi (slide the switch to the left).
Why disable access to an Xfinity WiFi hotspot?
While it’s convenient to have your devices automatically connect to an open network, there may be several reasons why you might want to disable the Xfinity WiFi auto hotspot option. One reason is network congestion. If too many devices connect to the hotspot at the same time, it can slow down your internet speed. This causes downloads to slow down (or stall), apps to load slowly, and web browsing to take longer because pages load slower than usual.
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It is up to you whether you want to participate in the Xfinity WiFi network
Another reason is privacy. If you leave the hotspot open, anyone in your area can use it without permission. Unauthorized users could access your network and personal information, allowing them to access shared files on the same network. You can prevent these problems by disabling the Xfinity WiFi auto hotspot feature and changing the default SSID and password.
If you automatically connect to someone else’s Xfinity Wi-Fi hotspot as a guest, you may face security breaches, network congestion, and data theft. Hosted hotspots can also be used to track your activity and steal personal information, especially if you use websites without HTTPS encryption.
Unlike Xfinity WiFi, Xfinity Mobile and XFINITY are secure public networks, meaning all data remains encrypted.
Discover Xfinity’s services and packages
Xfinity, owned by Comcast, is the largest cable internet service in the United States. Comcast also offers TV and voice phone services, as well as Xfinity Home Security and Xfinity Mobile service plans. Because of Comcast’s number of packages branded with the Xfinity brand, you can upgrade, upgrade, or cancel your plan to explore other options and save on bills.
