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Wifi Analyzer

Wifi Analyzer – Just browsin'

by Jay O. on Aug 23, 2011 11:48:22 PM — read 2,121 times

TAGS: Apps,

Tested version: 2.5.14
Latest version: 3.0.6
Requires Android: from 1.5

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Summary

Some situations call for a precise overview of which WLAN networks are available, as well as how strong the signals are. Wifi Analyzer is a great app for this sort of thing. Why, you ask? All will be revealed in today’s review!

Features & Use

Section rating:

Test device:
Samsung Nexus S
Android version: 2.3.4
Root: No
Modifications: None


App details:
Runs as of: Android 1.5
Apps2SD: Yes
Permissions: Network communication, system tools, storage

In a lot of cases scanning for Wlan signals in the Android menu does the trick, seeing as signal strengths are also displayed. But—sometimes this just ain’t enough! I helped a pal hook up his Playstation 3 to a Wlan hotspot recently, and was frustrated that the hotspot was located in the basement whereas the Playstation was on the ground floor. The signal strength was bad and we had to deal with constant disconnections. Wifi Analyzer really helped us sort the problem out.

The app’s main function is to display signal strengths very accurately. Let me run you through how we did it: we threw together a Wlan amp (take a carton cut-out, cover it with aluminium foil and stick it on the router’s antenna). This helps focus the signal on one specific point, which in our case happened to be the ceiling. Whadaya know—the signal displayed by Wifi Analyzer was slightly stronger. All that was left to do was find the right angel for the antenna.

 

The main drawback with the Android signal display is that it’s shown in four levels: a little dot (minimal strength) and three waves. As I said, in most cases this is all you really need, but in our case it just wasn’t detailed enough. The minimal strength was being displayed, whereas Wifi Analyzer shows minute changes.

 

So what else is Wifi Analyzer capable of? Honestly—not all too much. It displays all available Wlan networks and there’s also an option for selecting individual networks. Four different modes for displaying the reception strength are available:

 

  • Channel overview: Displays all available networks, their names and signal strengths in the form of half elipses.
  • Signal strength progression: A chart displays signal strengths.
  • AP list: Networks and their signal strengths are displayed in the form of a list.
  • Signal strength: Simulates a gauge indicator; only one network can be selected.

 

A good solid four options there. Speaking of options, go to options (how often can one repeat the same words in 1 ½ sentences?) in order to set the scan interval, mark open networks and choose whether the app can de/activate Wlan automatically.

 

Bottom line:

 

This is no He-Man app by any means, but it’s a great tool for specific purposes. Changes in signal strengths are displayed very accurately—the app picks up on even tiny steps away from / close to the signal source. What’s missing? It’s not possible to make changes to the time interval which is preset.

 

Screen & Controls

Section rating:

 

This is by no means the flashiest app I’ve ever laid eyes on, but that’s actually a good thing, because wild designs are absolutely not necessary for these types of apps—or have you ever seen an radioactive aerosol meter with crazy graphic effects?

There’s room for improvement as far as the on/off button for sound goes.

Aside from this, Wifi Analyzer is really easy to use seeing as the menus come in the standard Android format.

 

Speed & Stability

Section rating:

Wifi Analyzer does really well in this category. The app starts up really fast, Wlan is activated really fast and as far as I could tell there was virtually no delay when it came to displaying stuff. Switching between different modes was also easy as pie.

Price/Performance Ratio

Section rating:


Wifi Analyzer can be downloaded for free from the Market. There are ad banners which can be deactivated for one week via the menu.

Comparable Apps

WiFinder

WiEye - WiFi Scanner

WiFi Manager

WiFi Buddy BETA

Report comparable or similar apps

Reviews of this app in other languages

Review "Wifi Analyzer" from Aug 26, 2011 (Spanish)

Review "Wifi Analyzer" from Aug 23, 2011 (German)

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Zhu Lee
Aug 24, 2011 10:07:48 AM

i can't think of many situations where I would need this app.


Raj P.
Aug 24, 2011 10:08:22 AM

Great app. Very helpful and detects even the slightest fluctuations.


Jay O.
Aug 25, 2011 2:34:06 PM

Thanks for chiming in, guys. It's always interesting to see how differently people will react to applications...

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Market Comments

Lee, Apr 17, 2012
Great app, mudt have! Just doesnt get any better.
Christy, Apr 17, 2012
InSSider who? Great app, keep up the Android support.
Morrie, Apr 17, 2012
Good wifi tool Help me alot managing wireless in a school district!
Yna, Apr 17, 2012
Phinklips I like this applicTion it working good
Christiaan, Apr 17, 2012
The best wiffi analycer Excellent
Anonymous, Apr 17, 2012
Awesome app Very intuitive and gives great deal of functionality, might benefit from UI overhaul though
Anonymous, Apr 16, 2012
Works great Does what it is expected to do.
Philip, Apr 16, 2012
Just perfect! I found out that I can change my channels to get less problems with my neighbours wifi signals.... You find mine now on canal 3! LOL
jimbho, Apr 16, 2012
SE LwW Nice app, work perfectly...
Timothy, Apr 16, 2012
Android ze-pad Amazing works so good on android zepad
, Apr 16, 2012
Ease of use. Easy, accurate and tremendously helpful.
, Apr 16, 2012
Inside advertising Ads now take up the bottom of the application now. The ads are using 80% more battery than wifi analyzer itself... I've gone from a fan to a hater...
chloe, Apr 16, 2012
Hey guys if you want to win free prizes from your phone checkout (AndroidPrizes.Com) Just won myself a free $250 amazon gift card hehehe
Chris, Apr 16, 2012
Love apps that dont b/s me Works for me. No b/s, I use it to find the strongest wireless signal for my xbox through the wall. PERFECT
tony, Apr 16, 2012
The best
Anonymous, Apr 15, 2012
Great app Comes in very handy for a lot of tasks.
oriel, Apr 15, 2012
Very limited Shows you nice graphs of networks, but you cannot use it to connect to them? If so, where? There are plenty of apps that do both.
locochat25, Apr 15, 2012
Kool Perfect
Andrew, Apr 14, 2012
Top marks Great app, love the graphs.
Pedro, Apr 14, 2012
Very good Quick and very useful
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