Enabling WiFi on Android Emulator

Question

How to enable WiFi on Android emulator? I have tried to find this but everyone is confusing WiFi with 3G.

Answer 1

Wifi is not available on the emulator if you are using below of API level 25.

When using an AVD with API level 25 or higher, the emulator provides a simulated Wi-Fi access point ("AndroidWifi"), and Android automatically connects to it.

https://developer.android.com/studio/run/emulator.html#wi-fi

Answer 2

As of now, with Revision 26.1.3 of the android emulator, it is finally possible on the image v8 of the API 25. If the emulator was created before you upgrade to the latest API 25 image, you need to wipe data or simply delete and recreate your image if you prefer.

Added support for Wi-Fi in some system images (currently only API level 25). An access point called "AndroidWifi" is available and Android automatically connects to it. Wi-Fi support can be disabled by running the emulator with the command line parameter -feature -Wifi.

from https://developer.android.com/studio/releases/emulator.html#26-1-3

Answer 3

Apparently it does not and I didn't quite expect it would. HOWEVER Ivan brings up a good possibility that has escaped Android people.

What is the purpose of an emulator? to EMULATE, right? I don't see why for testing purposes -provided the tester understands the limitations- the emulator might not add a Wifi emulator.

It could for example emulate WiFi access by using the underlying internet connection of the host. Obviously testing WPA/WEP differencess would not make sense but at least it could toggle access via WiFi.

Or some sort of emulator plugin where there would be a base WiFi emulator that would emulate WiFi access via the underlying connection but then via configuration it could emulate WPA/WEP by providing a list of fake WiFi networks and their corresponding fake passwords that would be matched against a configurable list of credentials.

After all the idea is to do initial testing on the emulator and then move on to the actual device.

Answer 4

(Repeating here my answer elsewhere.)

In theory, linux (the kernel underlying android) has mac80211_hwsim driver, which simulates WiFi. It can be used to set up several WiFi devices (an acces point, and another WiFi device, and so on), which would make up a WiFi network.

It's useful for testing WiFi programs under linux. Possibly, even under user-mode linux or other isolated virtual "boxes" with linux.

In theory, this driver could be used for tests in the android systems where you don't have a real WiFi device (or don't want to use it), and also in some kind of android emulators. Perhaps, one can manage to use this driver in android-x86, or--for testing--in android-x86 run in VirtualBox.

Answer 5

The emulator does not provide virtual hardware for Wi-Fi if you use API 24 or earlier. From the Android Developers website:

When using an AVD with API level 25 or higher, the emulator provides a simulated Wi-Fi access point ("AndroidWifi"), and Android automatically connects to it.

You can disable Wi-Fi in the emulator by running the emulator with the command-line parameter -feature -Wifi.

https://developer.android.com/studio/run/emulator.html#wi-fi

What's not supported

The Android Emulator doesn't include virtual hardware for the following:

• Bluetooth
• NFC
• SD card insert/eject
• Device-attached headphones
• USB

The watch emulator for Android Wear doesn't support the Overview (Recent Apps) button, D-pad, and fingerprint sensor.

(read more at https://developer.android.com/studio/run/emulator.html#about)

https://developer.android.com/studio/run/emulator.html#wi-fi

Answer 6

When using an AVD with API level 25 or higher, the emulator provides a simulated Wi-Fi access point ("AndroidWifi"), and Android automatically connects to it.

Source : https://developer.android.com/studio/run/emulator.html#wi-fi