Public Wi-Fi networks shouldn’t terrify you, but it’s reasonable to be shocked by your phone connecting to a network you didn’t authorize. For all you know, an unknown Wi-Fi network could have weak security protocols and represent considerable risk. However, there’s one time you shouldn’t be worried about your phone connecting to a public Wi-Fi network automatically. If you have an AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile plan — or even use a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) using those companies’ cellular networks — you can expect to see your phone connect to public carrier Wi-Fi networks.
While you certainly can disable this feature if you’re spooked, you probably shouldn’t. These public Wi-Fi networks hosted by your carrier are specifically designed to offset network congestion, provide better security, deliver faster speeds, and preserve your cellular data. There’s really no downside to using them. Here’s everything you need to know about public carrier Wi-Fi networks, how they work, and how you can disable them if you’d like.
Your phone connects to Wi-Fi Passpoints automatically
They’re not the same as regular Wi-Fi networks and are commonly found in public
We’ve all used captive public Wi-Fi networks before, and are probably familiar with how to use them. After connecting to a public network, you typically need to sign in to the network to actually connect to the internet, bypassing the enterprise-grade captive portal. Your internet or cellular service provider probably hosts public Wi-Fi networks that subscribers can connect to by entering their account username and password into the captive portal. Most people never go out of their way to use them due to the hassle, and that’s why the Wi-Fi Alliance created Passpoints (or Hotspot 2.0).
Hotspot 2.0 is a Wi-Fi standard developed to help users connect to these public networks automatically. It eliminates the step of needing to bypass a captive portal, which is why your phone may connect to a Hotspot 2.0 network without you even realizing it. They work by either using your SIM card, eSIM, or a Wi-Fi profile on your device to authorize a connection to the public network. The SIM or Wi-Fi profile tells the network your device is allowed to connect, and this handshake happens in the background without any user involvement.
Somewhere buried in your advanced Wi-Fi network settings is a toggle for Hotspot 2.0 that is automatically enabled on supported devices. It facilitates the automatic connection with Passpoints, but you can turn off this toggle if you don’t want to use the feature. You’ll most commonly run into Passpoints set up by your carrier, since only an active SIM or eSIM is required for automatic connection. However, there are Passpoints hosted by other companies, though they are rare and typically require setting up a standalone Wi-Fi profile.
Wi-Fi Passpoints offer faster speeds and better security
When your cellular network is congested, switch to Wi-Fi without the risks
Skeptics might worry about joining Wi-Fi networks hosted by your cellular carrier automatically, but there’s little cause for concern. Wi-Fi Passpoints use enterprise-grade security and only authorized devices can connect to them, so they’re as safe as a public Wi-Fi network can get. Additionally, if you’re suspicious about carrier Wi-Fi networks being a vector for data collection, there’s no reason to worry about that either. Cellular carriers can already see the sites you visit when using their network unless you use a VPN. If you use a VPN, your browsing activity is protected regardless of whether you’re using a carrier’s cellular network or a Wi-Fi Passpoint.
Passpoints use 802.1x for secure device authentication and either WPA2 or WPA3 for encryption, which should satisfy network security buffs. This extra security prevents brute force or man-in-the-middle network attacks that are occasionally used to steal user data, specifically password information. Truthfully, the dangers of public Wi-Fi networks are overblown. That said, there are risks — especially on paper — and using a carrier Passpoint instead of an insecure public Wi-Fi network eliminates them.
The other main advantage is speed. These carrier Wi-Fi Passpoints are typically an alternative to public Wi-Fi networks that exist in communal spaces, like airports, train stations, or concert halls. Those public locations have another thing in common, and that’s network congestion. When everyone is using their cellular data in an airport at once, you can expect network congestion and slower speeds. By offloading users onto a secure Wi-Fi Passpoint, those using Wi-Fi instead get really fast speeds, and everyone else using data benefits from the reduced congestion.
You Can Use Public Wi-Fi—But Only If You Follow These Safety Rules
You’re good to connect to public Wi-Fi networks. Just take some precautions first.
Carrier Wi-Fi networks preserve your valuable data
Unlimited plans aren’t really unlimited — this is where Wi-Fi Passpoints help
The final benefit that comes from using Wi-Fi Passpoints is less cellular data usage, and it’s a big one. You might think this perk doesn’t apply to you if you have an unlimited data plan, but check the fine print. Almost all unlimited data plans have a usage threshold that effectively serves as a cap. When you cross it, data speeds slow considerably.
Most people probably never notice or reach this threshold, but cellular data usage spikes while traveling. Coincidentally, you’re also more likely to run into Wi-Fi Passpoints while traveling. Letting your device automatically connect to carrier Wi-Fi Passpoints preserves your cellular data, and that helps regardless of whether you’re on a prepaid or postpaid cellular plan. Since the Hotspot 2.0 standard supports seamless roaming, your phone can switch between multiple Wi-Fi networks without skipping a beat — making it feel like you’re using cellular data.
If you’ve ever connected to a Wi-Fi network hosted by your carrier and wondered what was happening, now you know. It’s a mysterious behavior at first, but there’s no cause for concern. The feature is a benefit of having an active cellular plan with your carrier, and it only benefits you. Passpoints deliver enhanced security, faster speeds, and preserve your high-speed cellular data, so you should always let your device connect to them whenever possible.
