[UPDATE] Wifi Assistant Disabled by Verizon

[KillerClaw]

[UPDATE]
The feature is being pushed to phones, when it is pushed to your phone you'll likely see a notification asking if you want to turn the feature on.

Original post follows...
I purchased my phone from Verizon this morning and noticed that Wifi Assistant is not listed as an option in Wifi settings. Nor is there a "Network" sub-category under Settings>Google.

I noticed that the feature seems to be tied to the following application:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.gcs&hl=en

Which can not be installed to my Verizon locked Pixel XL, "This item is not available on your carrier"

I just got off of the phone with Google support. After a long process of holding and consulting with specialists they decided to consult with Verizon. Eventually they connected me directly to a Verizon rep who confirmed that the carrier is disabling the capability.

The google rep also confirmed the feature is turned off for Google Fi subscribers.

Haven't tried to install the apk manually.

 

[Joe the Insider]

Re: Wifi Assistant Disabled by Verizon

I hate to take Verizon's side, But Wifi Assistant is a terrible feature and it has to only led people to pay overages. Just ask Apple user's.

 

[Richard Servello]

Re: Wifi Assistant Disabled by Verizon

I hate to take Verizon's side, But Wifi Assistant is a terrible feature and it has to only led people to pay overages. Just ask Apple user's.

Wifi assistant on Android is different than iPhone. iPhone makes it use LTE while on wifi. Android redirects data thru a google VPN to secure data. Verizon obviously wants to keep track of data, so they disabled it.

 

[KillerClaw]

Re: Wifi Assistant Disabled by Verizon

I hate to take Verizon's side, But Wifi Assistant is a terrible feature and it has to only led people to pay overages. Just ask Apple user's.

That's good to know, I guess. I mainly wanted to let people know it isn't a bug. I spend an hour + on phone with support to figure that out. :/

 

[karmamule]

Re: Wifi Assistant Disabled by Verizon

I have a pixel xl on project Fi and see wifi assistant is on.

 

[Joe the Insider]

Re: Wifi Assistant Disabled by Verizon

Wifi assistant on Android is different than iPhone. iPhone makes it use LTE while on wifi. Android redirects data thru a google VPN to secure data. Verizon obviously wants to keep track of data, so they disabled it.

Ah ok, I just read up and it just connects to open wifi networks when cell is bad.

 

[Richard Servello]

Re: Wifi Assistant Disabled by Verizon

Ah ok, I just read up and it just connects to open wifi networks when cell is bad.

Basically the opposite of Apple's tragedy. They connect to cell data when it determines wifi is too slow.

 

[Joe the Insider]

Re: Wifi Assistant Disabled by Verizon

Basically the opposite of Apple's tragedy. They connect to cell data when it determines wifi is too slow.

Yeah, Why does Apple think that's a good idea? Lol

 

[Richard Servello]

Re: Wifi Assistant Disabled by Verizon

Yeah, Why does Apple think that's a good idea? Lol

I have no idea. It's horrible.

 

[weknsmith]

Re: Wifi Assistant Disabled by Verizon

I have a pixel xl on project Fi and see wifi assistant is on.

So it sounds as if your device is fine, but a Verizon purchased device won't use WiFi Assistant even if it is used on Project Fi. Glad I didn't buy mine from Verizon.

 

[Richard Servello]

Re: Wifi Assistant Disabled by Verizon

I have a pixel xl on project Fi and see wifi assistant is on.

Wifi assistant has been a Fi exclusive feature until the pixel. Now it's supposed to be on all networks. Guess not.

 

[Ry]

Re: Wifi Assistant Disabled by Verizon

I purchased my phone from Verizon this morning and noticed that Wifi Assistant is not listed as an option in Wifi settings. Nor is there a "Network" sub-category under Settings>Google.

I noticed that the feature seems to be tied to the following application:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.gcs&hl=en

Which can not be installed to my Verizon locked Pixel XL, "This item is not available on your carrier"

I just got off of the phone with Google support. After a long process of holding and consulting with specialists they decided to consult with Verizon. Eventually they connected me directly to a Verizon rep who confirmed that the carrier is disabling the capability.

The google rep also confirmed the feature is turned off for Google Fi subscribers.

Haven't tried to install the apk manually.

I thought this is for Fi only.

 

[Richard Servello]

Re: Wifi Assistant Disabled by Verizon

I thought this is for Fi only.

They announced it was becoming a standard feature.

 

[KillerClaw]

Re: Wifi Assistant Disabled by Verizon

So it sounds as if your device is fine, but a Verizon purchased device won't use WiFi Assistant even if it is used on Project Fi. Glad I didn't buy mine from Verizon.

I'm thinking its more likely a SIM locked application, that makes the most sense.

 

[Ry]

They announced it was becoming a standard feature.

Is this on the Pixel? OP mentioned a the Google Rep said it's blocked on Fi too.

Which is odd since other posters are saying it's not.

 

[Richard Servello]

Re: Wifi Assistant Disabled by Verizon

Is this on the Pixel? OP mentioned a the Google Rep said it's blocked on Fi too.

Why would it work on 6p Fi and blocked on pixel?

 

[Ry]

Re: Wifi Assistant Disabled by Verizon

Wifi assistant has been a Fi exclusive feature until the pixel. Now it's supposed to be on all networks. Guess not.

All Nexus phones, http://www.droid-life.com/2016/09/0...s-rolling-non-project-fi-nexus-devices-today/

 

[Ry]

Re: Wifi Assistant Disabled by Verizon

Why would it work on 6p Fi and blocked on pixel?

Pixels aren't Nexus phones.

 

[Jeremy8000]

Re: Wifi Assistant Disabled by Verizon

Is this on the Pixel? OP mentioned a the Google Rep said it's blocked on Fi too.

Which is odd since other posters are saying it's not.

"Wi-Fi Assistant is available only on Pixel phones and Nexus devices running Android 5.1 and up in selected countries....Wi-Fi Assistant is off by default, unless you have Project Fi." (source)

It was originally only available with Project Fi, but was later made available to the above devices (well, evidently unless the device was modified by Carrier specification).

 

[KillerClaw]

Re: Wifi Assistant Disabled by Verizon

The rep did think it might be a conflict with Wifi calling (didn't confirm it though) which would make sense with the whole VPN element.

She also said it might be added back in with a future patch but didn't confirm that either.