A Complete Guide - Android Connecting to Internet

Last Updated: 03 Jul, 2025

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Explaining Android Connecting to Internet in Detail with Important Information

1. Network Types

Android devices support different types of internet connectivity, including:

Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity): Enables connection to local networks via routers. It is useful in home, offices, and public Wi-Fi hotspots.
Mobile Data: Utilizes the cellular network provided by mobile service providers (2G, 3G, 4G, 5G). This option is ideal for remote areas where Wi-Fi is unavailable.
Bluetooth: Although not typically used for the internet connection, it can establish a personal area network (PAN) called PAN-NAP (Personal Area Networking Profile – Network Access Point) for sharing an internet connection from a smartphone to other devices like computers or tablets.

2. Accessing Network Settings

To modify network settings on an Android device:

Open the Settings app.
Tap on Network & internet or Connections.
Here, you can manage Wi-Fi, mobile data, tethering & portable hotspot, VPN, and other network-related options.

3. Wi-Fi Connectivity Process

Connecting to a Wi-Fi network involves the following steps:

Scanning:
- The device scans for available Wi-Fi networks (access points).
Connecting:
- After selecting a network, the device requests to connect.
Authentication:
- If the network is secured (using WPA, WPA2, or WEP), the device prompts you to enter the password.
IP Address Assignment:
- Once authenticated, the device receives an IP address assigned by the router’s DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server.
Establishing Communication:
- The device is now ready to communicate with the internet and other devices on the local network.

4. Mobile Data Connectivity

Mobile data connectivity relies on cellular signals:

Signal Quality: Measured in dBm (decibels milliwatt) or as signal bars.
Roaming: Allows connection to mobile networks outside the device’s home country, typically at additional costs.
Network Architecture: Uses technologies like LTE (Long-Term Evolution), 5G, etc.

5. Network Speed and Quality Monitoring

Android devices provide tools to monitor network performance:

Speed Test Apps: Applications designed to measure internet speed and quality by testing upload and download speeds, ping latency, and server utilization.
Network Metering: Enables monitoring of mobile data usage to avoid exceeding plan limits.
Quality Indicators: Provides visual cues (signal strength, internet speed) in the status bar and settings menus.

6. Important Settings for Better Connectivity

Auto-Sync: Allows automatic synchronization of data like contacts, calendars, and emails when connected to Wi-Fi or mobile data.
Airplane Mode: Temporarily disables wireless networks including Wi-Fi, mobile data, and Bluetooth, useful when battery is low or when wireless signals need to be minimized.
VPN (Virtual Private Network): Provides a secure and private internet connection by routing traffic through a remote server, often used for enhanced privacy and security.
Data Usage Limits: Set up warnings and limits on mobile data usage to prevent unexpected charges.

7. Troubleshooting Connectivity Issues

Common issues and troubleshooting steps include:

No Internet Connection:
- Restart the device.
- Check network settings.
- Ensure proper SIM card installation and SIM card lock is turned off.
Slow Network Speed:
- Perform a speed test to determine if the issue is network-related.
- Close background apps and services consuming data.
- Restart the router (for Wi-Fi).
Security Concerns:
- Use strong and complex Wi-Fi passwords.
- Keep OS updates installed to patch security vulnerabilities.
- Use VPN for secure network connections.

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Step-by-Step Guide: How to Implement Android Connecting to Internet

Step 1: Set Up Your Android Project

Open Android Studio and create a new project.
Choose an appropriate Template (e.g., Empty Activity).
Name your application and set other configurations.

Step 2: Add Internet Permissions

To allow your app to access the internet, you need to add the following permission in the AndroidManifest.xml file:

<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.INTERNET"/>

Step 3: Check Network Connectivity

Before attempting to make any internet requests, it's a good practice to check if the device is connected to the internet.

Create a utility class to handle this:

// NetworkUtils.java

import android.content.Context;
import android.net.ConnectivityManager;
import android.net.NetworkInfo;

public class NetworkUtils {
    public static boolean isNetworkAvailable(Context context) {
        ConnectivityManager connectivityManager 
          = (ConnectivityManager) context.getSystemService(Context.CONNECTIVITY_SERVICE);
        NetworkInfo activeNetworkInfo = connectivityManager.getActiveNetworkInfo();
        return activeNetworkInfo != null && activeNetworkInfo.isConnected();
    }
}

Usage:

Inside your Activity or Fragment, you can use it like this:

if (NetworkUtils.isNetworkAvailable(this)) {
    // Device is connected to internet
} else {
    // No internet connection
    Toast.makeText(this, "No internet connection", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
}

Step 4: Make HTTP Requests Using `HttpURLConnection`

To make simple HTTP GET requests, you can use HttpURLConnection.

Here's a basic example of fetching data from an API:

// MainActivity.java

import android.os.AsyncTask;
import android.support.v7.app.AppCompatActivity;
import android.os.Bundle;
import android.widget.TextView;
import android.widget.Toast;

import java.io.BufferedReader;
import java.io.IOException;
import java.io.InputStream;
import java.io.InputStreamReader;
import java.net.HttpURLConnection;
import java.net.URL;

public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity {

    private TextView textViewData;

    @Override
    protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
        super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
        setContentView(R.layout.activity_main);

        textViewData = findViewById(R.id.textViewData);

        if (NetworkUtils.isNetworkAvailable(this)) {
            new FetchDataFromApiTask().execute("https://api.publicapis.org/entries");
        } else {
            Toast.makeText(this, "No internet connection", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
        }
    }

    private class FetchDataFromApiTask extends AsyncTask<String, Void, String> {
        @Override
        protected String doInBackground(String... urls) {
            StringBuilder result = new StringBuilder();
            HttpURLConnection urlConnection = null;
            BufferedReader reader = null;

            try {
                URL url = new URL(urls[0]);
                urlConnection = (HttpURLConnection) url.openConnection();
                urlConnection.setRequestMethod("GET");
                urlConnection.connect();

                InputStream inputStream = urlConnection.getInputStream();
                reader = new BufferedReader(new InputStreamReader(inputStream));

                String line;
                while ((line = reader.readLine()) != null) {
                    result.append(line);
                }
            } catch (IOException e) {
                e.printStackTrace();
            } finally {
                if (urlConnection != null) {
                    urlConnection.disconnect();
                }
                if (reader != null) {
                    try {
                        reader.close();
                    } catch (IOException e) {
                        e.printStackTrace();
                    }
                }
            }

            return result.toString();
        }

        @Override
        protected void onPostExecute(String s) {
            super.onPostExecute(s);
            if (s != null) {
                textViewData.setText(s);
            } else {
                Toast.makeText(MainActivity.this, "Error fetching data from API", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
            }
        }
    }
}

Layout File (`activity_main.xml`):

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<RelativeLayout xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
    android:layout_width="match_parent"
    android:layout_height="match_parent">

    <TextView
        android:id="@+id/textViewData"
        android:layout_width="wrap_content"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content"
        android:layout_centerInParent="true"
        android:text="Waiting for Data..."
        android:textSize="16sp"/>

</RelativeLayout>

Step 5: Parse JSON Data

The previous example fetched raw JSON data. Now, let's parse that JSON data into something more usable.

We'll use Gson for JSON parsing (add it as a dependency first).

Add Gson to your build.gradle:

dependencies {
    implementation 'com.google.code.gson:gson:2.8.8'
}

Define some classes to represent the structure of your JSON data:

// ApiEntries.java

import java.util.List;

public class ApiEntries {
    private List<Entry> entries;

    public List<Entry> getEntries() {
        return entries;
    }

    public void setEntries(List<Entry> entries) {
        this.entries = entries;
    }
}

// Entry.java

public class Entry {
    private String api;
    private String description;
    private String auth;
    private String https;
    private String cors;
    private String link;
    private String category;

    public String getApi() {
        return api;
    }

    public void setApi(String api) {
        this.api = api;
    }

    public String getDescription() {
        return description;
    }

    public void setDescription(String description) {
        this.description = description;
    }

    public String getAuth() {
        return auth;
    }

    public void setAuth(String auth) {
        this.auth = auth;
    }

    public String getHttps() {
        return https;
    }

    public void setHttps(String https) {
        this.https = https;
    }

    public String getCors() {
        return cors;
    }

    public void setCors(String cors) {
        this.cors = cors;
    }

    public String getLink() {
        return link;
    }

    public void setLink(String link) {
        this.link = link;
    }

    public String getCategory() {
        return category;
    }

    public void setCategory(String category) {
        this.category = category;
    }

    @Override
    public String toString() {
        return "API: " + api + "\nDescription: " + description + "\nHttps: " + https + "\nLink: " + link + "\nCategory: " + category + "\n\n";
    }
}

Modify the onPostExecute method to parse and display the data:

@Override
protected void onPostExecute(String s) {
    super.onPostExecute(s);
    if (s != null) {
        Gson gson = new Gson();
        ApiEntries apiEntries = gson.fromJson(s, ApiEntries.class);
        StringBuilder result = new StringBuilder();
        for (Entry entry : apiEntries.getEntries()) {
            result.append(entry.toString());
        }
        textViewData.setText(result.toString());
    } else {
        Toast.makeText(MainActivity.this, "Error fetching data from API", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
    }
}

Step 6: Use RecyclerView to Display Data

For better handling and displaying a list of data, use a RecyclerView.

Add RecyclerView Dependency

Add the RecyclerView library to your build.gradle:

dependencies {
    implementation 'androidx.recyclerview:recyclerview:1.2.1'
}

Update Layout File (`activity_main.xml`)

Replace TextView with RecyclerView:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<RelativeLayout xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
    android:layout_width="match_parent"
    android:layout_height="match_parent">

    <androidx.recyclerview.widget.RecyclerView
        android:id="@+id/recyclerViewApi"
        android:layout_width="match_parent"
        android:layout_height="match_parent"/>
</RelativeLayout>

Create an Item Layout (`item_entry.xml`)

Create a new layout file under res/layout for each item in the RecyclerView:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<LinearLayout xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
    android:layout_width="match_parent"
    android:layout_height="wrap_content"
    android:orientation="vertical"
    android:padding="16dp">

    <TextView
        android:id="@+id/textViewItemApi"
        android:layout_width="wrap_content"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content"
        android:text="API"
        android:textSize="20sp"
        android:textStyle="bold"/>
    
    <TextView
        android:id="@+id/textViewItemDescription"
        android:layout_width="wrap_content"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content"
        android:text="Description"
        android:textSize="16sp"/>
    
    <TextView
        android:id="@+id/textViewItemHttps"
        android:layout_width="match_parent"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content"
        android:text="Https:"
        android:textSize="14sp"/>
    
    <TextView
        android:id="@+id/textViewItemLink"
        android:layout_width="match_parent"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content"
        android:text="Link:"
        android:textSize="14sp"/>
    
    <TextView
        android:id="@+id/textViewItemCategory"
        android:layout_width="match_parent"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content"
        android:text="Category:"
        android:textSize="14sp"/>
</LinearLayout>

Create an Adapter for RecyclerView

Create a new Java class named ApiEntriesAdapter:

// ApiEntriesAdapter.java

import android.view.LayoutInflater;
import android.view.View;
import android.view.ViewGroup;
import android.widget.TextView;

import androidx.annotation.NonNull;
import androidx.recyclerview.widget.RecyclerView;

import java.util.List;

public class ApiEntriesAdapter extends RecyclerView.Adapter<ApiEntriesAdapter.EntryViewHolder> {
    private List<Entry> entryList;

    public ApiEntriesAdapter(List<Entry> entryList) {
        this.entryList = entryList;
    }

    @NonNull
    @Override
    public EntryViewHolder onCreateViewHolder(@NonNull ViewGroup parent, int viewType) {
        View view = LayoutInflater.from(parent.getContext()).inflate(R.layout.item_entry, parent, false);
        return new EntryViewHolder(view);
    }

    @Override
    public void onBindViewHolder(@NonNull EntryViewHolder holder, int position) {
        Entry entry = entryList.get(position);
        holder.textViewItemApi.setText(entry.getApi());
        holder.textViewItemDescription.setText(entry.getDescription());
        holder.textViewItemHttps.setText("Https:" + (entry.getHttps().equals("true") ? " Yes" : " No"));
        holder.textViewItemLink.setText("Link: " + entry.getLink());
        holder.textViewItemCategory.setText("Category: " + entry.getCategory());
    }

    @Override
    public int getItemCount() {
        return entryList == null ? 0 : entryList.size();
    }

    static class EntryViewHolder extends RecyclerView.ViewHolder {
        TextView textViewItemApi;
        TextView textViewItemDescription;
        TextView textViewItemHttps;
        TextView textViewItemLink;
        TextView textViewItemCategory;

        EntryViewHolder(View itemView) {
            super(itemView);
            textViewItemApi = itemView.findViewById(R.id.textViewItemApi);
            textViewItemDescription = itemView.findViewById(R.id.textViewItemDescription);
            textViewItemHttps = itemView.findViewById(R.id.textViewItemHttps);
            textViewItemLink = itemView.findViewById(R.id.textViewItemLink);
            textViewItemCategory = itemView.findViewById(R.id.textViewItemCategory);
        }
    }
}

Update MainActivity to Use RecyclerView

Modify MainActivity.java to use the RecyclerView adapter:

// MainActivity.java

import android.os.AsyncTask;
import android.os.Bundle;
import android.widget.Toast;

import com.google.gson.Gson;

import androidx.appcompat.app.AppCompatActivity;
import androidx.recyclerview.widget.LinearLayoutManager;
import androidx.recyclerview.widget.RecyclerView;

import java.io.BufferedReader;
import java.io.IOException;
import java.io.InputStream;
import java.io.InputStreamReader;
import java.net.HttpURLConnection;
import java.net.URL;
import java.util.List;

public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity {

    private RecyclerView recyclerViewApi;

    @Override
    protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
        super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
        setContentView(R.layout.activity_main);

        recyclerViewApi = findViewById(R.id.recyclerViewApi);
        recyclerViewApi.setLayoutManager(new LinearLayoutManager(this));

        if (NetworkUtils.isNetworkAvailable(this)) {
            new FetchDataFromApiTask().execute("https://api.publicapis.org/entries");
        } else {
            Toast.makeText(this, "No internet connection", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
        }
    }

    private class FetchDataFromApiTask extends AsyncTask<String, Void, ApiEntries> {
        @Override
        protected ApiEntries doInBackground(String... urls) {
            HttpURLConnection urlConnection = null;
            BufferedReader reader = null;
            ApiEntries apiEntries = null;

            try {
                URL url = new URL(urls[0]);
                urlConnection = (HttpURLConnection) url.openConnection();
                urlConnection.setRequestMethod("GET");
                urlConnection.connect();

                InputStream inputStream = urlConnection.getInputStream();
                reader = new BufferedReader(new InputStreamReader(inputStream));

                String inputLine;
                StringBuilder response = new StringBuilder();
                while ((inputLine = reader.readLine()) != null) {
                    response.append(inputLine);
                }

                Gson gson = new Gson();
                apiEntries = gson.fromJson(response.toString(), ApiEntries.class);

            } catch (IOException e) {
                e.printStackTrace();
            } finally {
                if (urlConnection != null) {
                    urlConnection.disconnect();
                }
                if (reader != null) {
                    try {
                        reader.close();
                    } catch (IOException e) {
                        e.printStackTrace();
                    }
                }
            }

            return apiEntries;
        }

        @Override
        protected void onPostExecute(ApiEntries result) {
            super.onPostExecute(result);
            if (result != null && result.getEntries() != null) {
                ApiEntriesAdapter adapter = new ApiEntriesAdapter(result.getEntries());
                recyclerViewApi.setAdapter(adapter);
            } else {
                Toast.makeText(MainActivity.this, "Error fetching data from API", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
            }
        }
    }
}

Final Notes: Modern Approach

While HttpURLConnection works, a more modern approach is to use libraries like Retrofit and OkHttp. These libraries simplify the process of making network requests and handling responses.

Example using Retrofit & Gson:

Add Dependencies

dependencies {
    implementation 'com.squareup.retrofit2:retrofit:2.9.0'
    implementation 'com.squareup.retrofit2:converter-gson:2.9.0'
}

Define a Retrofit Interface

// ApiService.java

import retrofit2.Call;
import retrofit2.http.GET;

public interface ApiService {
    @GET("entries")
    Call<ApiEntries> getEntries();
}

Create a Retrofit Instance

// NetworkClient.java

import retrofit2.Retrofit;
import retrofit2.converter.gson.GsonConverterFactory;

public class NetworkClient {
    private static Retrofit retrofit = null;
    private static final String BASE_URL = "https://api.publicapis.org/";

    public static ApiService getApiService() {
        if (retrofit == null) {
            retrofit = new Retrofit.Builder()
                    .baseUrl(BASE_URL)
                    .addConverterFactory(GsonConverterFactory.create())
                    .build();
        }
        return retrofit.create(ApiService.class);
    }
}

Fetch Data Asynchronously

Using Coroutines (recommended in Kotlin):

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Top 10 Interview Questions & Answers on Android Connecting to Internet

1. How do I check if my Android device is connected to the internet?

Answer: You can quickly check your internet connection by looking at the signal icons on your device’s notification bar or status bar. Typically, a WiFi icon means a wireless network connection, and mobile data icons in different forms represent a cellular data connection. You can also test your connection by opening a web browser and navigating to a site like Google or by using the built-in network diagnostics feature in the settings app.

2. How can I connect my Android device to WiFi?

Answer: To connect to WiFi:

Open the Settings app.
Tap on "Connections" or "Network and Internet" (the exact wording varies by device).
Tap on "Wi-Fi" to turn it on if it’s not already.
Tap the "plus" button (often represented by a "+" symbol) to manually add a network, or wait until the available networks are listed.
Tap the network you want to connect to.
Enter the password and tap the 'Connect' button.

3. How can I enable mobile data on my Android device?

Answer: To enable mobile data:

Open the Settings app.
Tap on "Connections" or "Network and Internet."
Tap on "Mobile network" or "Cellular data."
Toggle the switch next to "Mobile data" or "Enable Mobile Data" to the on position.

4. What are the benefits of using mobile data over WiFi?

Answer: Mobile data benefits include:

Portability: Works wherever your carrier has coverage.
Convenience: Access without needing to find a WiFi network.
Reliability: No risk of networks being down or restricted.

However, WiFi is generally faster and free, making it preferable in many situations.

5. How do I set up a VPN (Virtual Private Network) on my Android device?

Answer: To set up a VPN:

Open the Settings app.
Tap on "Connections" or "Network and Internet."
Tap "VPN" to access VPN settings.
Tap "Add VPN profile."
Choose a VPN provider app or set up a custom VPN connection.
Follow the instructions to configure the VPN settings.
Tap "Save" and then connect to your VPN.

6. How can I use USB tethering to share my phone's internet connection?

Answer: To use USB tethering:

Connect your Android phone to a computer using a USB cable.
On your Android phone, open the Settings app.
Tap on "Connections" or "Network and Internet."
Tap on "Tethering & portable hotspot."
Tap "USB tethering" and turn it on.
On your computer, find the new network connection and connect to it.

7. How can I manage my data usage on Android?

Answer: To manage data usage:

Open the Settings app.
Tap on "Connections" or "Network and Internet."
Tap on "Data usage."
From here, you can see your current usage, reset stats, and set data limits and warnings.
Tap "Mobile network" to manage individual apps' data usage.

8. What steps should I take if my device can't connect to WiFi?

Answer: If your Android device can't connect to WiFi:

Restart both the device and the modem/router.
Ensure Wi-Fi is turned on in your device’s settings.
Check if the device is close enough to the router and isn't blocked by walls or other obstructions.
Forget the network, then try to reconnect.
Update your device's firmware and apps.
Contact your ISP for potential issues with the router/modem.

9. How can I speed up my mobile data connection?

Answer: To speed up mobile data:

Close unused apps to free up resources.
Use LTE or 5G bands if available and supported.
Avoid using apps that require a lot of data (streaming, downloads) when your data limit is low.
Use Wi-Fi whenever possible.
Perform a factory reset to fix any software issues (as a last resort).

10. What are the best practices for using public WiFi?

Answer: Best practices for using public WiFi include:

Ensure that the network is secure and matches the name of the establishment.
Avoid accessing sensitive information (banking, personal info).
Use a VPN to encrypt your internet traffic.
Keep your device's software updated.
Enable firewall settings and avoid using unsecured WiFi networks.
Be cautious of phishing attempts.