Setting up a Wi-Fi connection for phone and PC

Whether you’re at home, in the office or staying in a hotel: these days, almost nothing works without Wi-Fi. Your smartphone, laptop or smart TV needs a stable Wi-Fi connection so that streaming, video calls and browsing run smoothly. But how do you actually set up a Wi-Fi connection correctly – on your phone and on your PC? In this guide, we show you step by step how to connect your device to a Wi-Fi network, which settings matter and what you can do if the connection doesn’t work straight away. You’ll also get a few tips on security and speed so that your Wi-Fi not only works, but is also reliable and protected.

19.12.2025 | Reading time: 5 minutes

What you need for a Wi-Fi connection

To set up a Wi-Fi connection, you only need a few basics:

• an internet router or modem with Wi-Fi – this is the device that turns your internet signal into a wireless network
  
  
• the network name (SSID) and the Wi-Fi password – both are often printed on a label on the router or in your provider’s documents
  
  
• a device with Wi-Fi capability, such as a smartphone, tablet, laptop or a PC with a Wi-Fi adapter
  
  

Once you have these things ready, you’re all set to connect your device to the Wi-Fi.

Setting up a Wi-Fi connection on your phone

Most of the time you probably connect to Wi-Fi with your smartphone – at home, at a friend’s place or on a public network. The process is very similar on Android and iPhone; the menu names are just slightly different.

Setting up a Wi-Fi connection on an Android phone

Depending on the manufacturer (Samsung, Xiaomi, Google and so on), the wording may differ slightly. In general, you proceed as follows:

1. Open Settings on your phone.
   
   
2. Tap “Wi-Fi” or “Connections” and then Wi-Fi.
   
   
3. Make sure that Wi-Fi is switched on.
   
   
4. Wait a moment until you see the list of available networks.
   
   
5. Select the correct Wi-Fi network (pay close attention to the exact name, especially if several networks look similar).
   
   
6. Enter the Wi-Fi password and confirm with “Connect”.
   
   

If everything works, a tick or the word “Connected” appears next to the network name, and you’ll see the Wi-Fi icon in the status bar. Many devices will automatically reconnect to this network next time.

Setting up a Wi-Fi connection on an iPhone

On iPhone it works in a similar way:

1. Open “Settings”.
   
   
2. Tap “Wi-Fi”.
   
   
3. Switch Wi-Fi on if it’s still off.
   
   
4. Wait for the list of networks to appear and select the network you want.
   
   
5. Enter the password and tap “Join” / “Connect”.
   
   

When the small tick appears next to the network and the Wi-Fi icon is shown at the top of the screen, you’re connected.

Setting up a Wi-Fi connection on your PC

It’s also quick to set up a Wi-Fi connection on your computer – whether you use Windows or macOS.

Wi-Fi connection on Windows 10/11

1. Click the network icon at the bottom right of the taskbar (Wi-Fi symbol or small globe).
   
   
2. A list of available networks opens.
   
   
3. Select your Wi-Fi and click “Connect”.
   
   
4. Tick “Connect automatically” if you want your PC to use this Wi-Fi automatically next time.
   
   
5. Enter the Wi-Fi password and confirm.
   
   

After a few seconds, you should see “Connected, secured”. You can now browse the internet as usual.

Wi-Fi connection on a Mac (macOS)

1. Click the Wi-Fi icon at the top right of the menu bar.
   
   
2. Make sure Wi-Fi is turned on.
   
   
3. Select your Wi-Fi network from the list.
   
   
4. Enter the password and confirm.
   
   

Once the connection is established, the Wi-Fi icon appears filled and you’re online.

When the Wi-Fi connection doesn’t work – common issues

Sometimes the Wi-Fi connection doesn’t work at the first attempt. The cause is often a small detail you can check quickly:

• Wrong password:
  typos are the classic issue. Double-check upper and lower case, and watch out for similar characters like “O” and “0”.
  
  
• Too far from the router:
  if the connection is weak or keeps dropping, try moving closer to the router. Thick walls or several floors can weaken the signal.
  
  
• Flight mode activated:
  on your phone, flight mode can switch Wi-Fi off. Check whether it has been turned on by mistake.
  
  
• Router needs a restart:
  sometimes it helps to unplug the router briefly, wait 10–20 seconds and plug it back in.
  
  
• Wrong network selected:
  in blocks of flats or office buildings, there are often many Wi-Fi networks with similar names. Make sure you really selected your own network.
  
  

If it still doesn’t work, it’s worth checking your provider’s documentation or giving their support a quick call.

Making your Wi-Fi secure

To make sure your Wi-Fi connection not only works but is also secure, you should check a few settings on your router. You usually access them via a web interface; the address and login details are in the router documentation.

Key points:

• Secure encryption standard:
  make sure your Wi-Fi is protected with at least WPA2, preferably WPA3. Older standards such as WEP are considered insecure.
  
  
• Strong Wi-Fi password:
  use a password that isn’t easy to guess. Avoid simple combinations like “12345678” or “password”. A mix of letters, numbers and special characters is a good idea.
  
  
• Change default login details:
  if possible, change the default password for logging into the router as well. This prevents someone from changing your router settings.
  
  
• Use a guest network:
  if you often have visitors, set up a guest Wi-Fi. This keeps your own devices and data separate from your guests’ devices.
  
  

These steps help protect your Wi-Fi against unauthorised access.

Tips for stable and fast Wi-Fi

How good your Wi-Fi connection is depends not only on your internet plan, but also on your home layout and where you place the router.

A few simple optimisations:

• Place the router correctly:
  put the router in a free, open spot – not in a cupboard or right next to large metal surfaces. A central location in your flat is often better than a corner at the edge.
  
  
• 2.4 GHz vs 5 GHz:
  many routers offer both frequency bands. 2.4 GHz has better range, while 5 GHz is often faster but more sensitive over distance. For streaming near the router, 5 GHz is usually the better choice.
  
  
• Avoid interference:
  other wireless sources, such as microwave ovens or old cordless phones, can affect the signal. If possible, keep some distance between them and the router.
  
  
• Use repeaters or mesh systems:
  in larger flats or houses, a Wi-Fi repeater or mesh system can help eliminate dead zones.
  
  

The better your Wi-Fi is set up, the more pleasant everything you do online will be – from working from home to film nights.

Wi-Fi connection and home internet – what else matters?

A stable Wi-Fi connection is the foundation if you want to use internet, streaming or internet TV at home. Besides the wireless signal itself, your available bandwidth (the speed of your plan) and the quality of your router play an important role.

If, for example, you use several devices at the same time – smartphone, laptop, smart TV and maybe a games console – you may need a slightly faster plan or a more modern Wi-Fi system to keep everything running smoothly. This is especially true for services like internet TV or high-resolution streaming. You can find out more about how internet and TV work together in yallo’s article “How Internet TV works”.

Setting up and using Wi-Fi made easy

Setting up a Wi-Fi connection for your phone or PC is no big deal these days: switch on Wi-Fi on your device, choose the right network, enter the password – done. If you also pay attention to a few details, such as a good router location, a secure password and up-to-date devices, you’ll benefit from a connection that not only works, but is also stable and secure.

Whether you want to get a new phone online quickly, connect your laptop for home office or simply stream from the sofa – with the steps and tips in this guide, you’re well equipped to make the most of your Wi-Fi.