Wifi quesion (not sure where to post)

[eclipse01]

I have kind of an odd question. I have an OBD2 sensor (for hooking up to my car), it connects my phone via wifi.

Problem is when i am connected to my device, it thinks I am connected to a wifi with internet, however, I have no internet.

Is there a way I can specify to use my cell service when connected to this device (or anytime my phone does not sense data coming from a wifi source for that matter)?

 

[california_kid]

Try hot spot, tethering mode

 

[Applejuiced]

How often do you connect to this device and for how long you stay connected?
If it uses wifi to connect to it then the phone will act like its connected to a router that has no internet data available.
Do they have any other connection option for that sensor to use Bluetooth or usb?

 

[eclipse01]

How often do you connect to this device and for how long you stay connected?
If it uses wifi to connect to it then the phone will act like its connected to a router that has no internet data available.
Do they have any other connection option for that sensor to use Bluetooth or usb?

Right that is my problem, bluetooth is not an option with IOS for some reason. I don't connect often but would like to maybe be connected for a long distance maybe for a trip to monitor some stuff in my car.
[doublepost=1511391322][/doublepost]

Try hot spot, tethering mode

I don't follow what do you mean?

 

[geoff5093]

I don't believe there is a way, unless it supports VPN functionality. Your phone uses either WiFi or cellular for data, if it detects that there is no WiFi it should switch over to cellular, but then you'd lose connection to your device.

 

[Applejuiced]

Right that is my problem, bluetooth is not an option with IOS for some reason. I don't connect often but would like to maybe be connected for a long distance maybe for a trip to monitor some stuff in my car.
[doublepost=1511391322][/doublepost]

I hear you, that sucks.
Because then the phone thinks its connected to a router and tries to use internet that is not available on that OBD2.
Wonder if turning on wifi assist would help to make it use carrier data since its supposed to function that way when wifi connectivity is poor or nonexistent.

 

[california_kid]

Ah, I thought it was other way around on what needed wifi so hot spot won't help at all.

 

[CharlesShaw]

I would also like a solution. I was recently trying to AirPlay Netflix from my iPhone to my Apple TV using only my cellular connection. As far as I can tell the Apple TV and iPhone must be using wifi.

 

[haruhiko]

Just like my Canon camera and GoPro.

 

[thesaint024]

I have kind of an odd question. I have an OBD2 sensor (for hooking up to my car), it connects my phone via wifi.

Problem is when i am connected to my device, it thinks I am connected to a wifi with internet, however, I have no internet.

Is there a way I can specify to use my cell service when connected to this device (or anytime my phone does not sense data coming from a wifi source for that matter)?

I came across this problem, and unfortunately, there's only an inelegant workaround. OBD2 adapters only make wifi versions for iOS, something with security in iOS from what I remember. Not totally sure why, but it doesn't matter because they never make BT versions for iOS. The workaround is to get a dedicated Android phone and get a BT Android OBD2 module. I know it's dumb, but last time I looked into this a couple years ago, this was the only way. I personally chose NOT to do this and just go without the real time OBD2 info. But lots of people get dedicated Androids for this. Unlocked, cheap phones were selling for $50 at the time if you looked around.

 

[ventmore]

There is a way around it.

Connect to the sensor as normal, then go into Settings > Wi-Fi. Hit the little “i” next to the sensors Wi-Fi connection, and make a note of the IP Address and Subnet Mask.

Hit “Configure IP” and then tap “Manual”. Enter the address and subnet mask you made a note of, and leave the “Router” field clear. Hit save and back out to the network list. When the phone connects with the manual settings, it should say underneath the SSID of the sensor that it doesn’t have an internet connection......I forget the exact wording.

You should now be able to connect to the sensor over Wi-Fi, and the internet over cellular.

 

[arubinst]

Go to Settings --> Mobile Data and activate the "Wi-Fi Assist" option. You will have to scroll all the way down the Mobile Data configuration screen.

I'm not sure it will work but it might. Let me know if that helps.

 

[ventmore]

Go to Settings --> Mobile Data and activate the "Wi-Fi Assist" option. You will have to scroll all the way down the Mobile Data configuration screen.

I'm not sure it will work but it might. Let me know if that helps.

WiFi assist won’t help with this......at least it didn’t when I was in a similar situation.

 

[arubinst]

WiFi assist won’t help with this......at least it didn’t when I was in a similar situation.

Ok. Too bad. I figured this kind of situation is exactly where WiFi Assist would shine.

 

[ventmore]

Ok. Too bad. I figured this kind of situation is exactly where WiFi Assist would shine.

I think wifi assist helps out when you have a weak wifi signal, but I could be wrong.

 

[Applejuiced]

I think wifi assist helps out when you have a weak wifi signal, but I could be wrong.

Yes, wifi assist seems pretty useless IMO.

 

[Givmeabrek]

I think wifi assist helps out when you have a weak wifi signal, but I could be wrong.

Wifi assist is excellent, but it only helps when you have a weak cellular signal! It switches over to wifi. There is no way to switch over to cellular without turning off wifi.

 

[ventmore]

Wifi assist is excellent, but it only helps when you have a weak cellular signal! It switches over to wifi. There is no way to switch over to cellular without turning off wifi.

It switches to cellular when you have weak WiFi...not the other way around.

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT205296

The workaround I posted earlier works fine. I had to use it a few weeks ago when I was connecting to a WiFi accessory but also needed to use cellular data.

Apparently, some WiFi accessories will advertise themselves to your device as having no internet, and with those accessories, no workaround is necessary.

 

[eclipse01]

There is a way around it.

Connect to the sensor as normal, then go into Settings > Wi-Fi. Hit the little “i” next to the sensors Wi-Fi connection, and make a note of the IP Address and Subnet Mask.

Hit “Configure IP” and then tap “Manual”. Enter the address and subnet mask you made a note of, and leave the “Router” field clear. Hit save and back out to the network list. When the phone connects with the manual settings, it should say underneath the SSID of the sensor that it doesn’t have an internet connection......I forget the exact wording.

You should now be able to connect to the sensor over Wi-Fi, and the internet over cellular.

Perfect! Thank you

 

[ventmore]

Perfect! Thank you

No problem at all!

 

[thesaint024]

Perfect! Thank you

Confirmed success? I need to do this for a couple of devices. Haven’t driven in a few days to test out myself.

 

[eclipse01]

Confirmed success? I need to do this for a couple of devices. Haven’t driven in a few days to test out myself.

Yes, worked like a charm

 

[thesaint024]

There is a way around it.

Connect to the sensor as normal, then go into Settings > Wi-Fi. Hit the little “i” next to the sensors Wi-Fi connection, and make a note of the IP Address and Subnet Mask.

Hit “Configure IP” and then tap “Manual”. Enter the address and subnet mask you made a note of, and leave the “Router” field clear. Hit save and back out to the network list. When the phone connects with the manual settings, it should say underneath the SSID of the sensor that it doesn’t have an internet connection......I forget the exact wording.

You should now be able to connect to the sensor over Wi-Fi, and the internet over cellular.

Ugh. Fail on the dashcam. Everything happened like you said, but then my iPhone wouldn't connect to wifi. Maybe it only works on OBD2 adapters? Haven't tried that yet, but I'd think that the wifi connectivity would be the same on any wifi device.

 

[nostresshere]

Wifi assist only makes it worse. Wifi assist is an ASSIST to cellular

The phone wants to use the wifi signal. BUT.... the wifi is connected to the car dongle. So, it goes round and round.

There needs to be a way to tell the freakin phone to use the cellular connection and forget about wifi.

 

[ventmore]

Ugh. Fail on the dashcam. Everything happened like you said, but then my iPhone wouldn't connect to wifi. Maybe it only works on OBD2 adapters? Haven't tried that yet, but I'd think that the wifi connectivity would be the same on any wifi device.

I used it on an AIS receiver, so not just OBD2 adapters. Not sure why it’s not working for your dashcam.

When you say it wouldn’t connect to WiFi, do you mean all WiFi, or just the dashcam?