MDM WiFi: How to Configure Wi-Fi Setting for Android

Organizations highly prioritize data security, and to ensure this, they go at great lengths to safeguard the Wi-Fi networks their devices count on. Simultaneously, secure and uninterrupted internet access is also of utmost importance for productivity.

That’s precisely why enterprise WiFi deployment is needed.

In this blog, we’ll delve into the step-by-step process of setting up wi-fi connections on enterprise Android devices, leveraging the powerful Wi-Fi configuration tool that almost all Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions provide to get this all done seamlessly.

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Requirements for MDM Wi-Fi configuration

● Supported Android OS: 5.0+

● Supported Device Enrollment Methods: regular enromment; device owner enrollment (6 time tap & USB).

● Supported Device Types: smartphones, tablets, self-service kiosks, digital signage, rugged handheld tablet PC, and others.

● Others: Grant location permission to the MDM tool.

How to configure WiFi for Android devices using MDM?

Using MDM to configure WiFi for devices is easy and it can ensure the devices are always connected to the approved networks.

Follow the steps below to get started with configuring Wi-Fi for Android devices within a business environment.

Step 1:
Access Your MDM’s Portal
Login to your MDM solution’s administrative console using your credentials.
Take AirDroid Business for example, you can use your email address to sign up an account and then login to the console via the web portal.

Step 2:
Create Wi-Fi Configuration Profile
There are two methods, you can choose depending on whether the Android device is enrolled or not.

For Non-enrolled Devices

a) Go to 'Device' > 'Provisioning Templates' > '+ Create template.'
b) Click 'Add Wi-Fi Configuration' in 'Other settings.'

For Enrolled Devices

a) Go to 'Policy & Kiosk' > 'Policy & Kiosk Config Files ' > '+ Create Config File.'
b) Select Policy and navigate to 'Restrictions' > 'Network and Roaming' > 'Wireless Network'
c) Click 'Add Wi-Fi Configuration' to create a Wi-Fi profile.

Step 3:
Provide Wi-Fi Network Details
On the configuration profile window, provide the details related to the Wi-Fi network you’re trying to configure.
These details might include: WiFi name; Secure Type (WPA/WPA2 PSK); and password.

Note : Check the Hidden wireless network option if you don’t want to broadcast SSID of your Wi-Fi and keep the configured Wi-Fi undetectable. By default, this option is unchecked.
In addition, you can set up Wi-Fi status for the devices, such as keep enabled or disabled.

Step 4:
Apply Wi-Fi Configuration to Android Devices
If you're using Provisioning Templates, just scan the template QR code displaying in the MDM console during enrolling.
Steps are as follows：'Devices' > 'Device Enrollment' > 'Device Owner' > '6 times Tap.'

If you're using Policy Config File as the WiFi configuration policy, click '+ Add' in 'Apply Config File to the following devices/groups'.

Tips: How to set up wifi provisioning for Android in bulk?

The efficient way of deploying Wi-Fi configurations to multiple Android devices at once is to use device groups. You can apply the WiFi configuration policy to groups via the '+ Add' button. Not only will this streamline the deployment process but will also ensure that the devices within the same category or department are receiving consistent internet settings.

Benefits of Enterprise Wi-Fi Configuration for Devices

Now that you’ve understood how to configure Wi-Fi on Android devices, let’s see what benefits it offers to your organization.

Advanced Security Measures

To ensure that only authorized users may access the company’s network, Enterprise Wi-Fi configurations provide advanced security features like WEP, WPA/WPA2 PSK and 802.1x EAP. These security protocols are used to authenticate the devices trying to connect to the corporate Wi-Fi, thereby effectively lowering the risk of data breaches through unauthorized access.

Moreover, Enterprise Wi-Fi incorporates an additional layer of security to the network by offering the feature of creating guest-user accounts. These accounts are segregated from the main network through a firewall, making the guest-users unable to gain access to any confidential/sensitive information of your organization.

Controlled Connectivity

Enterprise Wi-Fi helps IT admins to control the connectivity scope of the company devices by specifying the trusted and secure Wi-Fi networks which they can connect to. This way employees will be unable to connect their devices to public internet connections that are often more prone to security vulnerabilities, thus mitigating the risk of data breaches at large.

Efficient Data Usage

Enterprise Wi-Fi provides comprehensive reports that business owners can use to get insights into data usage patterns. By analyzing these reports, organizations can significantly cut down on data expenses by optimizing network resources, ensuring that the network bandwidth and capacity are efficiently utilized. This prevents organizations from investing in unnecessary resources and network upgrades.

FAQs

How to prioritize Wi-Fi networks on Android devices?

Go to the Wi-Fi settings on your device.

Navigate to advanced or network preferences or a similar option.

Look for the Wi-Fi network you want to prioritize, select it, and set it to “Auto-connect’.

How to check Wi-Fi usage of devices?

Go to the settings of the Android device.

Navigate to the section titled ‘Network and Internet’ or a similar one.

Look for Data/Wi-Fi usage option.

How to Limit Wi-Fi Usage?

Go to the settings of the device.

Navigate to the section titled “Network and Internet” or a similar one.