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Constant WiFi notifications on Android Lollipop Verizon phones

I just bought an HTC One M8 and updated to Android Lollipop 5.0.1 through Verizon's OTA update. Now I'm getting constant WiFi notifications in the status bar and pull-down bar, one saying "WiFi networks available" and another saying "Connected to [the WiFi SSID]". I've unchecked everything related in Settings > WiFi and anything else that looks related to WiFi notifications, and they don't stop. It's constantly making me think there's an important notification or getting in the way of other notifications, pushing them off the screen.

Every forum post I'm reading on the internet is saying these can't be disabled except through root. I contacted Verizon customer support through chat and they said "The notification simply lets you know when you are connected to wifi if this did not show up and you were under the impression you were on wifi but really using data that would be an issue this is just there to prevent that." The problem is that it only happens while I'm on WiFi, and shows "Connected to", completely killing the point. If Verizon thinks I was under the impression that I was on WiFi while I wasn't, they would show a notification while WiFi is off.

The only way to stop these notifications is to disable WiFi, meaning I'm more likely to go over my data plan and pay them the extra fee. So it appears to be extortion. If nothing else, there should be a class-action lawsuit to at least give us the option to disable the notifications, as they only happen while WiFi is on.

Comments

MiiHere

Do you leave your Wi-Fi on all the time? Does it alert your multiple times about the same wi-fi you are connected to even if you don't leave the area; for instance every x amount of minutes?

Momma23dogs

What do you mean by "constant wifi notifications....", are you getting a sound or vibration? A wifi icon in notification bar? Or do you only see notice when you pull down notifications?

dhinged

Do you leave your Wi-Fi on all the time?

Yes, I've always left WiFi on since I've had a smartphone, it's on by default in Android, it's assumed normal behavior of most people.

The notifications only happen while WiFi is on, there's no setting to turn them off (believe I've tried changing everything I could find, all forum posts say they can't be disabled except through root), so having to disable WiFi to get rid of them is basically extortion by Verizon, otherwise they'd have a notification that WiFi is off (going by their logic that they want to remind you to connect to WiFi to save data, which is negated by the "Connected to" notification). There is a file in Android system to turn off the notification but it requires root and Verizon locks the bootloader.

Does it alert your multiple times about the same wi-fi you are connected to even if you don't leave the area; for instance every x amount of minutes?

As I said in the original post, it alerts me when it connects to WiFi, and alerts me when WiFi networks are available (meaning it's not connected to any WiFi). I don't connect to unsecured networks, and even if I set it to automatically connect to any network regardless of security (I'm not even sure that's possible), it would still add a notification that I've connected.

MiiHere

I don't know that your statement is true, though I don't know that it is false, but I personally never leave my Wi-Fi on because it drains the battery when I am not using it.

It must be an HTC One feature because when I go into my Wi-Fi, use the settings menu button within, I have "Wi-Fi Notifications: notify me when wi-fi is available or connected" and it can be unselected. Verizon is half right, it is to let you know when you're connected, but it also seems to be device specific.

B33

Wi-Fi is more true and Constant more reliable than the Network if you have a Good Router there for it Doesn't pull on the Battery as much as its the only source the phone is pulling from if you have it set up Correctly I know as I've done several Test with my Equipment..

Different OS's might treat it Different mine what I'm using does well.. with Wi-Fi..

Ann154

Did you look under the Advanced settings for wifi?

I made it a habit to turn off wifi when I leave my house and turn it on when I return. I do a similar thing with the cellular data connection too.

Verizon_Support

Dhinged,

I can attest to those notifications on the phone being an annoyance. As MiiHere, mama23dogs and B33 have given some great information I would love have you check your settings to ensure it shows as follows:

Settings>WiFi>three dots in the top right corner>Advanced:
Ensure network notification is not check marked.
Show WiFi pop up is not check marked.
Scanning always available, is that ON or OFF?
WiFi Optimization, does that have a check mark there?

As with your original post, not sure if that is how you altered the settings before. But if you are still having the issues, I would suggest to do the opposite of what it says in your phone now. In those settings above to see if that helps with your issue. Keep us posted on your outcome.

-TakendraW_VZW

Follow us on TWITTER @VZWSupport If my response answered your question please click the _Correct Answer_ button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!!

dhinged

@MiiHere I personally never leave my Wi-Fi on because it drains the battery when I am not using it.

If that's the case, then by Verizon's logic you get a constant reminder to turn on WiFi, because, you know, they don't want you using data when you don't have to *ahem* ***cough***. Maybe you missed where I said the notifications aggravate you into disabling WiFi so that you're more likely go over your data plan.

"Wi-Fi Notifications: notify me when wi-fi is available or connected"

The HTC One M8 for Verizon doesn't have that option; Verizon intentionally turned on this notification by default for the phone and removed the option to turn it off. This means every time it connects, I get a notification. Every time it wakes from deep sleep (which disconnects from WiFi or the router just times it out), I get the notification. It's pointless, obtrusive, and makes me want to disable WiFi, therefore making it more likely that I go over my data limit and pay them more money.

Also, this isn't just on the HTC One M8, Verizon has been doing it to phones since the Galaxy S3 in 2012:

http://forums.androidcentral.com/verizon-galaxy-s-iii/220673-there-way-remove-constant-wi-fi-notification-s3.html

It's now a huge annoyance among many users on many Verizon phones, and is becoming a standard on their Android Lollipop phones, including the Nexus 6.

Relentless WiFi Notifications - Pg. 2 | Verizon HTC One (M8) | XDA Forums

dhinged

@VZWSupport I've gone through all instructions I could find, including yours, including Verizon support, and there is no way to stop these notifications outside of rooting the phone or running an app that hacks root onto it, compromising my phone, data, and Verizon's network. Would Verizon rather we do that or just give us the option to disable these notifications?

I don't need a notification every time (or ever) that my phone has connected to WiFi. I don't need a notification every time a wireless network is available. I have WiFi on all of the time anyways and it just automatically connects to networks that I've trusted; it's up to me whether to pay extra for data. If I turn off WiFi for any reason, I turn it on when I can so that it doesn't use my cell data. I'm already aware that I have a data cap and I pay attention to it.

Verizon's own logic on this is not only obnoxious, obtrusive, and largely pointless for the average user, but is contradictory and counter-productive. If people have WiFi on, they don't need to be told that it's connected or networks are available. The only useful one is the latter, and if I'm cognizant enough to connect to networks I trust, I don't need notifications that they're available, I will find them myself.

It's a security risk to connect to any network available, as it is easy to view people's unencrypted over-the-air data on public unsecured WiFi. Verizon is putting not only their users at risk with this relentless notification, but their network as well.

Snn5

After my last FDR, no more constant notifications for wifi connections. IDK why.

Agunats

I leave my WIFI turned on all of the time so I don't forget to do it when I get home. I have no desire to be informed when there is a new WIFI connection available. When ever I drive anywhere almost all stores I pass have WIFI. I don't need to be notified of each one!

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