Android smartphones can improve home Wi-Fi coverage

Certain Android smartphones, particularly those running Samsung's One UI, offer features that can help optimize home Wi-Fi networks without additional hardware costs. Some devices allow for Wi-Fi sharing, where the phone connects to the home router and acts as a temporary repeater, broadcasting the signal to areas with poor coverage.

Samsung Galaxy devices include a hidden diagnostic tool called ‘Connectivity Labs’. This interface can be accessed by tapping the Intelligent Wi-Fi version number seven times within the Intelligent Wi-Fi settings menu. This tool allows users to map signal strength in real-time and identify dead zones, helping to determine the ideal placement for routers or extenders. Other free applications, such as WiFiman, can provide similar network analysis capabilities for non-Galaxy devices.