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Using Mobile Internet/Data While Connected To A WiFi Network (IOS/Android)

When attempting to connect an external device like a SkyEcho2, a Stratux, or a PowerFLARM to your phone, you need to ensure that your phone is connected to the external device's Wi-Fi hotspot while also having internet access through 4G/5G mobile data.

It's important to note that this setup is independent of the SafeSky App itself and is instead a configuration specific to your phone's operating system. Below are some common ways to solve this connectivity issue. However, if these methods don't work for your device, please consult your device's user manual for further assistance, as the SafeSky team cannot provide support for individual device configurations.

IOSiOS Devices

This should be workingwork out of the box.

iOS 13 and above will automatically detect that your WiFiWi-Fi network does NOTnot have Internet and allow you to access other devices on the WiFiWi-Fi network while automatically using your mobile Internet. If not, you can follow these steps to FORCEforce iOS to use mobile Internet while connected to a WiFiWi-Fi network.

iOS 13 and above Instructions

instructions
1.
  1. Go to “Settings”Settings then→ “WiFi”Wi-Fi
    2. 2.
  2. Connect to your WiFiWi-Fi network
    3. 3. Click
  3. Tap the Infoinfo (i) icon next to your current WiFiconnected network
    4. to view network info 4.
  4. Make note of your IP Address and Subnet Mask
    5. 5.
  5. Change “Configure IP”IP from “Automatic”Automatic to “Manual”Manual and enter the IP Addressaddress and Subnetsubnet Mask.mask
    6. DO
  6. Do NOTnot CONFIGUREfill ROUTER. Thein “Router” setting— shouldleave beit BLANK/EMPTY!blank
    7. 6.
  7. Save your changes. iOS will show “No Internet Connection” next to your WiFiWi-Fi device.network
    8. iOS
should no longer attempt to connect to Internet through this WiFi network.
The change above will

This only affectaffects the WiFicurrent networkWi-Fi you are currently connected to.network. If you connect to another WiFi network, yourWi-Fi, iOS device will try to use that network’s Internet connection unless you repeat these steps.

Android Devices

On Android >11 11,and above, it should be workingwork out of the box. Android should detectdetects that no internetInternet connection is available on the WiFi,Wi-Fi and may prompt you to use your SIM data instead.

You maycan be able toalso manually configure your WiFiWi-Fi network connection similar to the iOS method above. If not, you canor force your phone to always use your mobile data connection.data.

Android 9 instructions (use mobile data for a specific WiFiWi-Fi network)

1.
  1. Go to Settings >→ Connections >→ WiFiWi-Fi
    2. 2.
  2. Tap and hold your WiFiWi-Fi network name until a menu appears
    3. 3.
  3. Tap Click “Manage Network Settings”Settings
    4. 4. Make note of
  4. Note your IP Address and Subnet Mask
    5. 5.
  5. Change “IP Settings”Settings from “DHCP”DHCP to “Static”Static
    6. 6.
  6. Remove the IP address from “Gateway”Gateway so thatthe “Gateway”field is blank.blank
    7. 7. DO NOT CHANGE any other settings. Be sure to leave “IP Address” or “Network Prefix Length” alone. The “Router” setting should be BLANK/EMPTY! 8. Save your changes.
  7. Save. Android should no longer attempt to connectuse tothis Wi-Fi for Internet throughaccess
    8. this
WiFi
network
Recent versions of Android OS also allow users to force the OS to always use Mobile Data. **This is not as ideal as the iOS settings above, so only use as a last resort.** You must toggle this setting whenever you DO want to use a WiFi Internet Connection.

Android 9 instructions (always use mobile data)

Enable Developer Mode

1.
  1. Go to Settings >→ System >→ About Phone
    2. 2.
  2. Tap “Build Number”Number repeatedly until Developer Mode is enabled
**

Toggle Mobile Data Setting**Setting

1.
  1. Go to Settings >→ System >→ Developer Options
    2. 2.
  2. Enable Toggle “Mobile Data Always Active”Active
####

Android 8 Instructionsinstructions (always use mobile data)

Enable Developer Mode

1.
  1. Go to Settings >→ About Phone >→ Software Information
    2. 2.
  2. Tap “Build Number”Number (~about 7 times)times until you see “Developer Mode has been turned on”
    3. is
displayed
**

Toggle Mobile Data Setting**Setting

1.
  1. Go to Settings >→ Developer Options >→ Network
    2. 2.
  2. Enable Toggle “Keep Mobile data turned on”on
WARNING:

⚠️ Enabling this option will force your device to ALWAYSalways use mobile data. Your device will NEVER try to access the Internet through your WiFi connection,data, even ifon youWi-Fi switch to a WiFi networknetworks that DOESdo have Internet access.

IfTo you suspect Developer Options are causing any problems, you canrevert, go back to Developer Options (Settings > Developer Options) and changedisable the very firstmain toggle fromat “On”the to “Off”.top.

Android (version 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16+)

On newer Android versions, the operating system prioritises Wi-Fi when connected..
If theyour Wi-Fi network (e.g., SkyEcho2/Stratux/PowerFLARMSkyEcho2, hotspot)Stratux, PowerFLARM) has no Internet, Android may still try to route all trafficdata overthrough Wi-Fi and not fall back toignore mobile data unless you change a few settings.data.
This behaviour varies bybetween manufacturermanufacturers (Samsung, Xiaomi, etc.) and OSAndroid version.versions.

Goal: Stay connected to the device’s Wi-Fi hotspot for data exchangeexchange, while theyour phone uses 4G/5G for Internet.Internet.

1)

1. Samsung / One UI: force an app to use mobile data

On Samsung devices allow you canto force specific apps to use mobile data even whenwhile Wi-Fi is connected.

Path:
Settings → Connections → Data usage → Mobile data only apps
(or Allowed networks for apps) → enable it for SafeSky.

This is the cleanest approachsolution on Samsung,Samsung devices, though some usersfirmware reportversions inconsistenciesshow acrossinconsistent models/updates.

results.
Forum

2)

2. Keep mobile data active (Developer Options)

Ensures mobile data remainsstays available while you’re onconnected to Wi-Fi.

  1. Enable Developer Options: Settings → About phone → (tap) Build number ×7.
  2. Go to Settings → System → Developer options
    3. and
  3. Enable enable “Mobile data always active”active
    4. (wording
may

This vary).
Thissetting helps somethe devicesOS keep both interfacesconnections upalive, soallowing Androidrouting can route/fallback aswhen needed.Wi-Fi (Availability/wordinghas differsno byInternet.

OEM/OS.)

3.

3)Disable Intelligent Wi-Fi / Auto-switch settings (Samsung)

Samsung includesSamsung’s “Intelligent Wi-Fi” featuresautomatically that switchtoggles between Wi-Fi and mobile data.
Disable thesethis sofeature to maintain a stable Wi-Fi stays connectedlink to theyour deviceexternal hotspot without Android trying to drop it:device.

Path:
Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi → (⋮) → Intelligent Wi-Fi
→Turn turn off options like “Switch to mobile data”data or “Auto switch to mobile data”data.

4)

Reference: Android Authority – Mobile data & Wi-Fi issues

4. Connect to the device hotspot and allow “No Internet”

When youjoining join theyour external device’s SSID,Wi-Fi hotspot:

  • Android may showwarn: “This network has no Internet”.

      Internet.”
    • Choose “Connect anyway”anyway /or “Stay connected”connected so the OS keeps the Wi-Fi link purely for local data while mobile Internet remains available.
    • On some devicesdevices, there’sopen alsothe aWi-Fi per-networkdetails optionand likeenable
      “Use this network even without Internet”Internet

    Reference: Android Stack Exchange

    5. Advanced workaround (VPN / proxy routing)

    If all else fails, you can use a VPN-based routing app (like NetGuard inor theDrony) advancedto force certain apps to use mobile data even when Wi-Fi settings.is connected.
    This method is advanced, may impact battery life, and could be limited by manufacturer restrictions.

    ⚠️ Notes & caveats

    • Features may differ between manufacturers and OS versions.
    • On some Samsung S-series devices (Android 14–16), Mobile data only apps may not work consistently.
    • Test your setup after any OS update or firmware change.
    • Reference: Samsung Community

    Stratux: WifiWi-Fi Direct and Android mobile data while

    For many users, the Stratux AP mode is working justworks fine.
    If,If however,not, youconsider areusing onWi-Fi Android and would likeDirect to useconnect while maintaining mobile datadata.
    while connected to your Stratux, Wifi Direct might beSee the better option. It's not super convenient, but it does the job.

    The Stratux team has made ateam’s specific workaround if none of the above is working..

    Other cases

    If none of the above scenario is working,works, the combinationissue betweenmay depend on your phonespecific manufacturer,device, operatingOS systemversion, version and the extra software layer of youror vendor iscustomisation goinglayer.
    to make things specific.

    Several use casesYou can becheck checkedadditional tutorials here.

    SafeSky does not offer vendor-specific support,support. and pilotsPilots should search the internet or refer to thetheir userdevice manual providedor bymanufacturer’s thehelp respective vendorspages for assistancedetailed withguidance.

    their devices.

    Original blog post from jrklein.com

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