A few years ago, most routers used 2.4 GHz WiFi frequency. Nowadays, most wireless routers are dual-band routers that support both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz band frequency. Likewise, some devices can connect to both bands and some need to connect to the 2.4 GHz band. So the question here arises; how to tell if a WiFi network is 2.4 or 5 GHz?
The easiest way to find out if a Wi-Fi is 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz is to check the WiFi’s name. Turn on the Wi-Fi menu on your Android phone and see if you can see 2G, 2GHz, 2.4GHz, 5, 5.0, 5G, 5GHz or else extra in the Wi-fi name. This method however may not work as the administrator can choose not to include this information in the name during the Wi-Fi configuration. Also recent dual-band wireless routers allow users to configure both 2.4G and 5G Wi-fi networks with same SSID and password. The two Wi-fi networks appear as one, you can’t tell if you are connected to the 2.4G or 5G Wi-Fi from its name.
Most Android phones allow users to view the details of the current Wi-fi network. Here’s how to find out if a Wi-Fi network is 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz from network details.
Open up the Settings on your mobile phone, go to the Wi-Fi or Wireless & network menu, turn on Wi-fi and connect your phone to the network you like to examine. If this is the first time you are connecting to it, you may be prompted to input the Wi-fi password. Once connected, see if you can find a the gear icon or menu icon besides the Wi-fi network name. Tap on it to view the Network details. You can also tap on the Wi-fi name to open and view its properties. Look for Frequency where it says 2.4GHz or 5GHz.
