Web Tip Wednesday: Blackberry/Android Ad-Hoc

Posted by jshaab on December 21, 2011 under Weekly Web Tips

Have you ever started a hotspot, but your device can’t see it? This probably means you’re running an Ad-Hoc mode hotspot, not an Access Point!

Ad-Hoc mode is an older means of PC-to-PC or PC-to-Device communications, defined near the beginning of the Wi-Fi era to enable communications without the need for a hotspot. It has some limitations, but it’s usually perfectly fine for the needs of Internet access, which is what most people are looking for. Only Windows 7 has the necessary low-level interfaces to allow infrastructure mode hotspots. This is not something Connectify has control over; it’s just part of the evolution of Windows.

As mentioned, Ad-Hoc mode is a perfectly usable way to connect. However, for reasons known only to their manufacturers, many device makers don’t automatically support Ad-Hoc mode, or they actually put in code to block it.

Unfortunately, most Android devices are programmed to reject Ad-Hoc connections. To connect via Connectify, you will need to upgrade your PC to Windows 7.  Or, if you’re an advanced Android user, you can find out more about working on Ad-Hoc networks on sites like XDA Developers. People who actually are Android experts might be able to help you and will (hopefully) not lead you astray. But do realize, there’s a small risk of screwing up your device if you do attempt any modifications!

Blackberry devices also do not show Ad-Hoc networks when scanning for a Wi-Fi device. We do know that at least some Blackberries can be manually added to an Ad-Hoc network. Click “Manage Connections” from the BlackBerry homepage. Click “Manually Add Network.” Type the name of the network when prompted and click “Add.” “Select Pre-Shared Key” for security type and type the WPA-Personal password you entered when creating the network. Click “Connect” to initiate the connection.

Good Luck & Happy Connecting,

-The Connectify Team

p.s. If you have any ideas for next week’s tip, leave us a comment on our Facebook.

Comments

  • athena

    Posted on 12-22-2011

    i have tried that steps for blackberry but it still wont work even if you manually add the network. :( can you make an upgraded version in which blackberry users can connect? please? thanks

  • greg

    Posted on 12-24-2011

    Yeah I have a lot of trouble getting it to broadcast properly. I use the WPA mode, but constantly need to exit and restart for all my mobile devices to connect.

  • jshaab

    Posted on 12-24-2011

    Greg, thanks for your comment! I’m sorry you have trouble, but I hope this tip helped you figure out a better solution! Happy holidays :)

  • jshaab

    Posted on 12-24-2011

    Thanks for the tip, Athena! We will work on it… let us know if you have any more questions!

  • David

    Posted on 12-27-2011

    I can find my android tablet but it will not maintain a connection. What is the best method of troubleshooting which end is having the problem?

  • jshaab

    Posted on 12-28-2011

    Hi David,

    Please visit the Connectify Support Center (Connectify Menu->Help->Support Center (Get Help, Solve Problems) and follow the prompts to submit your information to our engineers! They will get back to you as soon as possible!

    Thanks,
    Jenny
    Connectify Social Media