11 Ways You Can Get Free Internet Access Right Now

PDF download Download Article
In-depth guide to finding free internet service anywhere
PDF download Download Article

If you want to learn how to connect your computer, phone, or tablet to the internet for free, this wikiHow guide has you covered. If you are able to get on the internet at all, you can use various websites and apps to find and save lists of public Wi-Fi access points to take with you on your travels. If not, you can typically get free internet access at major chain establishments, college campuses, libraries, hospitals, and sometimes through your employer.

Easy Ways to Get Free Internet

  • Find free public Wi-Fi at libraries, hospitals, cafes, schools, airports, and college campuses.
  • Many chain stores, including McDonald's, Walmart, Starbucks, Taco Bell, Best Buy, and Target, offer free internet in stores.
  • To get free home internet, look into low-income internet programs, or sign up for a free internet provider like NetZero or Juno.
Section 1 of 2:

Finding Free Wireless Hotspots

PDF download Download Article
  1. Even if you're not a current student, most college campuses offer free wireless access to anyone on the premises. The same goes for hospitals, even if you aren't a patient. Most libraries have computers with internet access that anyone can use, but you may also find a library that offers free Wi-Fi.
    • Some libraries/schools have daily use restrictions or content restrictions, so make sure you know what you can and cannot do before using these resources.
    • Look for a Wi-Fi network called "Guest" or "Open" when searching. If a password is required for guests, ask someone at an information desk how to proceed.
  2. The internet's role in daily life is hard to ignore, which is why many businesses and public buildings offer free Wi-Fi. While there may be a caveat for the Wi-Fi—you may have to buy a drink or a snack or create a membership with the business—the "cost" for the Wi-Fi is usually minor enough that it's worth paying. Some examples of free Wi-Fi locations include the following:
    • Coffee shops (Starbucks, Peet's)
    • Airports (Nearly all airports in the United States and other countries offer free Wi-Fi, although some require payment)
    • Hotels, though some may require payment or a reservation (Hyatt, Best Western, Motel 6, Comfort Inn, Extended Stay America, Walt Disney Resorts)
    • Restaurants (Taco Bell, McDonald's, Dunkin, Einstein Bros, IHOP, Denny's, Krispy Kreme, Panera, Wendy's)
    • Retail Stores (Apple, Office Depot, Lowes, Ikea, Target, Best Buy, Staples, Whole Foods, Safeway)
    • Community centers
    • Truck stops (Love's, Flying J, Petro, TA)
    • Malls (Typically, there will be a free mall-wide Wi-Fi service, and some stores may offer their own)
    Advertisement
  3. Use WiFi Map to find free hotspots . WiFi Map is a free crowdsourced website and mobile app that lists free wireless internet access worldwide. Although you'll need internet access to use WiFi Map initially, you can write down the suggested locations and keep them available when you're on the go. Check out https://www.wifimap.io in your web browser, or download the official app (by WiFi Maps LLC) to your Android, iPhone, or iPad.
    EXPERT TIP

    Luigi Oppido

    Computer & Tech Specialist
    Luigi Oppido is the Owner and Operator of Pleasure Point Computers in Santa Cruz, California. Luigi has over 25 years of experience in general computer repair, data recovery, virus removal, and upgrades. He is also the host of the Computer Man Show! broadcasted on KSQD covering central California for over two years.
    Luigi Oppido
    Computer & Tech Specialist

    Use free Wi-Fi hotspots with caution. Make sure you have good antivirus and anti-spyware software, that your machine is updated, and that all security fixes are in place before using a public hotspot.

  4. Many internet companies, including Xfinity, provide free wireless hotspots around major cities for current customers. All you need to do to access them is log in with your account email and password.
    • Most other internet providers that offer free hotspots have Wi-Fi locators on their websites.
  5. Instabridge, which you can get from the Google Play Store for Android or App Store for iOS, maps free public Wi-Fi hotspots offered by other Instabridge members. Before you head out, search for free internet in locations you visit often, and tap any pin on the map to view and save that Wi-Fi network's password. Then, when you are near that access point, you can connect to it for free internet access. [1]
  6. If you have internet access on your phone through a mobile data provider, you may be able to use it to get your computer online as well. This is called "tethering," and some mobile providers allow you to use a certain amount of data for tethering as a part of your plan.
    7. Advertisement
Section 2 of 2:

Getting Free Home Internet Access

PDF download Download Article
  1. If you're a student, teacher, or employee of a participating company, you may be eligible for free internet access through your school, company, or an affiliated service provider. Even if the service isn't free, discounts may be available to current students and employees.
  2. Some regions offer free or deeply discounted services for residents who qualify for food stamps, Medicaid/Medicare, or other government resources.
    • If you're in the United States, Lifeline offers free or discounted internet and mobile phone services for qualifying households. [3]
    • If you live in a New York City Housing Authority property, you can get free high-speed internet through Big Apple Connect. To sign up, go to https://www.nyc.gov/assets/bigappleconnect , find your apartment complex, and contact the phone number provided. [4]
    • Call your region's information line (211 in many US regions) to ask about free and discounted internet options.
  3. Both NetZero and Juno offer 10 hours of dial-up internet per month at no cost. [5] If you want a faster connection, both services provide upgrades for $30/month, but only if you use a Windows PC. You will need a phone line and a modem for dial-up internet access.
    • Other internet service providers (ISPs) sometimes offer free hours or trials as well, so keep an eye out for these promotions.
    • If you sign up for a trial, make sure to cancel your account before you are billed for service.
  4. This T-Mobile program provides 200 GB of free internet to eligible low-income students. If you qualify, T-Mobile will send you a mobile hotspot you can use to access the internet from anywhere. You (or your child) must be a part of the National School Lunch Program, SNAP, TANF, FPIR, CEP, Medicaid, Head Start, or be a foster, migrant, homeless, or runaway youth to qualify. [6]
  5. Some mobile providers, such as Verizon, offer discounted or free home internet service to mobile subscribers. Free offers tend to be limited to low-income subscribers, but you may be able to find a package deal that discounts the internet service to a very, very low cost. [7]
    6. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Can I get free WiFi through a neighbor's PC tower without him/her knowing?
    Community Answer
    Use Dumpper and Jumpstart. This works on Windows. These softwares are good to thief WiFi passwords if your neighbor has turned off WPS(wifi_protected_setup). Otherwise, you won't get WiFi passwords.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 121 Helpful 283
  • Question
    How do I hack a WiFi password if the WPS is turned off or the WPA was enabled?
    R2_d2000
    Top Answerer
    It is not recommended that you hack WiFi. Try the options listed in this article before trying to hack a WiFi password.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 87 Helpful 171
  • Question
    How can I get internet connection to an Android phone?
    Community Answer
    There are many ways to get Internet connection to your device. The most used ways are: 1.Sim Data Access-Use your Sim Card for wireless data service. 2. WiFi. The best way is to get a free and high speed wireless data service.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 93 Helpful 213
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Reader Videos

      Tips

      • Some cafés will allow you to connect directly to the internet via Ethernet cable if you have a computer that has an ethernet port.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      • If you have friendly neighbors, offer to perform house or yard work in exchange for access to their home network. Make sure that you draw up a contract with them to ensure that everybody is on the same page as far as use goes. Just be sure not to perform any illegal actions (e.g., copyrighted file-sharing) or hog bandwidth with streaming activities.
        Thanks
        Helpful 1 Not Helpful 2

      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • If eligible, enroll in government or nonprofit programs providing free or discounted home internet service for low-income households.
      • Tether your phone's mobile data to a laptop if your plan includes hotspot capabilities. But watch for potential extra charges.
      • Be cautious using public Wi-Fi for banking, shopping, or entering passwords. Use a VPN or only visit encrypted sites.
      • Use crowdsourced apps like WiFi Map to find and save lists of free public hotspots in your area and when traveling.
      • Many businesses like coffee shops, malls, and hotels offer free Wi-Fi, sometimes with minor purchase requirements.
      • College campuses, hospitals, and public libraries often provide free wireless access, even for non-students.
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • Be aware that public Wi-Fi hotspots may expose your personal information (such as your passwords and banking information) to others. To stay protected , only use encrypted websites (or a VPN ) when using public Wi-Fi.
        Thanks
        Helpful 2 Not Helpful 1
      • Note that in some countries and states/provinces, using someone's internet access without permission can be a criminal offense.
        Thanks
        Helpful 29 Not Helpful 5
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Get Rid of Pop‐Ups
      How to
      Maximize the Speed of Your Internet Connection
      How to
      Make Internet Explorer Your Default Internet Browser
      How to
      Connect to the Internet: Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone
      How to
      See a WiFi Password on Android With or Without a QR Code
      7 Different Ways to Get Free WiFi at Home
      8 Easy Ways to Get Online Without Internet Service
      How to
      Connect to the Internet On Your Laptop Through Your Cell Phone
      4 Ways to Disable Internet Access
      Why Does Your Phone Keep Disconnecting from WiFi?
      The Easy Way to Share an Internet Connection over Ethernet or WiFi
      9 Solutions If You’re Connected to Wi-Fi But Can’t Access the Internet
      How to
      Close a Free AOL Account
      How to
      Build Your Own Internet Service Provider
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://help.instabridge.com/support/solutions/articles/77000574425-how-do-i-connect-to-a-wifi-hotspot-ios-
      2. ↑ https://support.google.com/android/answer/9059108?hl=en
      3. ↑ https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/lifeline-support-affordable-communications
      4. ↑ https://www.nyc.gov/assets/bigappleconnect/
      5. ↑ https://www.netzero.net/free/
      6. ↑ https://www.t-mobile.com/brand/project-10-million
      7. ↑ https://www.verizon.com/discounts/verizon-forward/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To get a free internet connection, try searching online for “Free internet hotspots,” in your local area to find open Wi-Fi connections. You can also head to a nearby coffee shop or shopping mall, many of which have free Wi-Fi you can use. Alternatively, go to your local library, which should have public computers you can access. If you need a free Wi-Fi connection at home, try asking your neighbors to use their internet in exchange for helping with their house or yard chores. For more tips, including how to get a free Wi-Fi trial, read on!

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 4,160,224 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Anonymous

        Jul 15, 2016

        "I liked the tip on using hotels, McDonalds, Burger King, local bars, library and other places of business. Thank ..." more
      More reader stories Hide reader stories
      Share your story

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement