2. I stopped Wi-Fi from auto-connecting to networks I didn’t recognise
Nikhil Azza / Foundry
Phones typically reconnect automatically to saved networks within range. While this is convenient for frequently used networks like home or office Wi-Fi, it also includes less familiar places such as a pub you visited half a year ago, a hotel from a business trip, or a coffee shop that no longer exists. Once connected, the network name is saved, and the phone reconnects whenever it detects the network again.
To manage saved networks, access your Wi-Fi list. For any networks that are unfamiliar or unused, disable the auto-reconnect option. Reviewing the entire list is advisable, as most people have many saved networks but use only a handful.
I realized I had overlooked security when my banking details were exposed. While at a coffee shop I had visited months earlier, I accessed my Monzo app and noticed my phone had switched to the café’s Wi-Fi instead of 5G. As a result, I was on an open network while managing my bank account.
That evening, I reviewed my saved networks and discovered thirty, though I could only identify nine with certainty.
3. I prevented nearby device scanning
Nikhil Azza / Foundry
I had previously overlooked a setting that allows Android devices to scan for nearby Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices even when both are deactivated from the quick settings panel. Despite being turned off, scanning continues to enhance location accuracy and enable quicker reconnections. This causes the phone to keep its radio active and running silently in the background.
