WiFiAnalyzer User Manual

Table of Contents

• Basic Navigation
• Basic Operations
• Filtering
• Settings and Customization
  • Advanced Settings
• Interpreting Wi-Fi Data
  • Signal Strength
  • Channel Graph
  • Time Graph
  • Channel Rating
  • Wi-Fi Bands and Channel Width (HT/VHT)
  • Vendor/OUI Lookup
  • Estimated Distance

Basic Navigation

• Switching Bands: Tap the title bar to switch between 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz Wi-Fi bands.
• Hidden SSIDs: An SSID with *** or *hidden* means the network is hidden.
• Security Icons:
  • WPA3(SAE)/WPA2/WPA
  • WEP/WPS
  • Disabled
• Wi-Fi Standards (Requires Android OS 11+):
  • 4 - - 802.11n
  • 5 - - 802.11ac
  • 6 - - 802.11ax
  • 7 - - 802.11be

Basic Operations

• Real-time Analysis: The main screen displays a list of nearby Wi-Fi networks with their signal strength and other details.
• Channel Graph: Switch to the channel graph to see how access points are distributed across different Wi-Fi channels.
• Time Graph: Select an access point and switch to the time graph to monitor its signal strength over time.
• Pause/Resume Scanning: Use the pause and resume buttons to control the live scanning of Wi-Fi networks.
• Export Access Point Details: You can export the details of the scanned access points for offline analysis. This option is usually found in the application’s menu.

Filtering

The filter dialog lets you focus on Wi-Fi networks that matter most to you by combining multiple filters.

Available filter options:

• SSID: Filter networks by their name (SSID). Enter all or part of a network name to show only matching networks.
• WiFi Band: Select which Wi-Fi bands to display (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz). This option is available in the Access Points view.
• Signal Strength: Show only networks within a specific signal strength range.
• Security Type: Filter networks by their security protocol (e.g. WPA2, WPA3, etc).

Filter dialog actions:

• Apply: Apply the selected filters to update the network list.
• Reset: Clear all filters and return to the default view.
• Close: Close the filter dialog without making changes.

Settings and Customization

WiFiAnalyzer offers several options to customize your experience. These are typically found in the app’s settings menu.

• Themes: Choose between Dark, Light, and System themes to match your preference.
• Access Point View: You can switch between a complete view with all details for each access point, or a compact view that shows only the most essential information.
• Connection View: Select the layout for displaying connection details (detailed or compact view).

Advanced Settings

• Scan Speed: Adjust the speed of Wi-Fi scanning. A faster speed will update the data more frequently, but may use more battery.
• Sort and Group Access Points: Customize how the access point list is displayed. You can choose to sort the list by signal strength, SSID, or channel, and group related access points together.
• Graph Settings:
  • Maximum Y-axis Value: Set the maximum value for the Y-axis on the graphs to get a better view of the signal strength range.
  • Graph Legends: Configure the legends for both the channel and time graphs to show or hide specific information.
• Wi-Fi Control:
  • Turn Off Wi-Fi on Exit: If enabled, the app will automatically turn off your device’s Wi-Fi when you exit the application.
  • Keep Screen On: You can choose to keep your device’s screen on while using the app.
• Localization:
  • Country Code: Set your country to ensure the app uses the correct Wi-Fi channels for your region.
  • Language: Change the display language of the application.
• Reset Settings: This option allows you to reset all settings to their original default values.

Interpreting Wi-Fi Data

This section helps you understand the data presented in WiFiAnalyzer, so you can make informed decisions about your Wi-Fi network.

Signal Strength

Signal strength is measured in dBm (decibels per milliwatt) and typically ranges from -30 to -100.

• -30 dBm: Excellent signal (very close to the router).
• -50 dBm: Good signal.
• -67 dBm: Reliable signal for most online activities.
• -70 dBm: Weak signal. You may experience dropouts.
• -80 dBm: Very weak signal. Unlikely to be usable.
• -90 dBm: Unusable signal.

The closer the value is to 0, the stronger the signal.

Channel Graph

The channel graph visualizes the Wi-Fi channels and the access points on them.

• X-axis: Wi-Fi channels.
• Y-axis: Signal strength (dBm).
• Each shape: Represents an access point’s signal. The width of the shape shows the channel width (20, 40, 80, 160 or 320 MHz) it’s using.

An ideal Wi-Fi setup has your access point on a channel with little to no overlap from other networks. Look for channels that are less crowded to improve your Wi-Fi performance.

Note: On 5/6 GHz bands, pinch to zoom (in/out) and swipe (left/right) to scroll the channel graph’s X-axis.

Time Graph

This graph shows the signal strength of a selected access point over time. It’s useful for:

• Finding dead spots in your home or office. As you move around, you can see how the signal strength changes.
• Detecting interference. Sudden drops in signal strength might indicate interference from other devices.

Channel Rating

WiFiAnalyzer analyzes the Wi-Fi networks and rates the channels. The rating is based on factors like signal strength, congestion, and interference. Use this rating to choose the best channel for your router. A higher star rating indicates a better channel.

Wi-Fi Bands and Channel Width (HT/VHT)

• Bands (2.4, 5, 6 GHz):
  • 2.4 GHz: Longer range, but more prone to interference from other devices (microwaves, cordless phones). Slower speeds.
  • 5 GHz: Shorter range, but less interference and faster speeds.
  • 6 GHz: Even shorter range, very low interference, and highest speeds (Wi-Fi 6E and newer).
• Channel Width (20, 40, 80, 160, 320 MHz):
  • A wider channel allows for higher data rates (faster Wi-Fi).
  • However, wider channels are more susceptible to interference as they occupy more of the spectrum.
  • HT/VHT detection shows you the channel width used by an access point.

Vendor/OUI Lookup

The Vendor/OUI (Organizationally Unique Identifier) lookup feature helps you identify the manufacturer of the router or access point. This can be useful for:

• Identifying unknown devices on your network.
• Assessing the capabilities of a router based on its manufacturer.

The vendor name is displayed next to the access point in the list view.

Estimated Distance

WiFiAnalyzer provides an estimated distance to each access point. This calculation is based on the signal strength and the frequency of the Wi-Fi signal, using the Free-space path loss model.

Keep in mind that this is an estimation. The accuracy can be affected by obstacles like walls, furniture, and other electronic devices. Use it as a general guideline to understand the proximity of different access points.