It’s no secret that Walmart is one of the largest retail chains in the United States. In fact, as of January 2018, it was reported that Walmart is the third largest employer in the country. With more than 5,000 locations across the nation – and counting – it’s no wonder that so many people ask if you can buy wifi at Walmart. But what you may not know is that there are multiple ways to get wifi at your local store. This article will answer some common questions about wifi at Walmart and give you a few tips on how to get it there as well. In addition to general information about wifi access at Walmart stores, we’ll also cover different benefits of having this service available and some insider tricks on how to get it at your local location.
Can I Buy WiFi At Walmart?
Yes, you can buy wifi at Walmart. In fact, Walmart offers several different types of wifi routers and adapters, including the Netgear Nighthawk AC1900 Smart WiFi Router and the Linksys AC1200 Dual-Band Wireless Router. You can also find a variety of wireless adapters, including the Netgear A6200 WiFi Adapter and the D-Link DWA-182 UltraWiFi USB Adapter.
Why Can I Buy WiFi At Walmart?
1. Free WiFi at Walmart
If you are looking to get free wifi at Walmart, you have several options. First, you can simply ask the cashier if they have free wifi. They will likely tell you that they do not have free wifi, but will direct you to another location where you can purchase your own. You can also purchase a Netgear or D-Link router from the store and find the nearest open Wi-Fi hotspot from the router’s built-in map feature.
2. Direct Access to Walmart’s Network
You can also find an open wireless network in most stores that connects directly to Walmart’s network. This means that instead of connecting to your home wireless router – which is usually located on your home’s wired network your device connects directly to Walmart’s Wi-Fi system through a password protected connection. This allows you access the same amount of bandwidth as if you were connected directly to your home router, but without the hassle of setting up a new wireless network.
3. Access Your Email & Internet on the Go
If you have an email account and are looking to access the internet on your smartphone, tablet, or laptop while at Walmart, you can do so through a free app called NetLimiter. The app allows you to access your email, browse the internet and purchase items from the Walmart.com website – all while connected to Walmart’s free Wi-Fi network.
4. Stay Connected While Shopping
If you are looking to stay connected while shopping at Walmart, there are several options available for you as well. First, if you have a smartphone or tablet that supports tethering and has a Wi-Fi connection, you can connect it directly to your phone using an Ethernet cable in order to get online while shopping at Walmart – very similar to connecting your computer directly through Ethernet cable when using public computers at libraries or coffee shops for example.
How To Get WiFi At Walmart?
Change your WiFi channel
If you are able to, you should change the WiFi channel on your phone to see if that improves your connection. You’ll want to experiment with this, but in general you’ll want to avoid the top few channels as most people are on these. You can also change the router channel at home to see if that helps. This is easier said than done, but if you can log into your router’s admin panel and change the channel, you’ll have better luck. If you have an old router and don’t know the login info, you can try installing a program like a WiFi analyzer to see what channels are less crowded.
Stay away from the food court
This may seem like a silly suggestion, but it’s actually really important. The food court is usually a hotspot, and people are constantly logging on and off while they’re eating. If you’re really desperate, you could get a salad and sit in the food court, but you’d be better off just finding another spot in the store. If you’re near the electronics section, you’ll probably have a better chance of finding a connection. You might also have luck near the auto section or in the lawn and garden section. Aisles that don’t have as many customers have a better chance of having a less crowded signal.
Use Ethernet if you can
If you need to get some work done, you might consider plugging into an Ethernet wall port. This will help you avoid the frustration of finding a WiFi signal and having it drop every few minutes. If you have a laptop that has an Ethernet port, you can plug directly into the wall, but you may have to get a cable for this. If you have a desktop computer, there’s likely a port on the back you can plug into. If you’re on a desktop computer and don’t have an Ethernet port, you may be able to get a USB-to-Ethernet adapter. If you’re using a laptop and don’t have an Ethernet port, you can try a WiFi adapter that is plugged into an Ethernet cable.
Turn off WiFi Assist
WiFi Assist is a feature on newer iPhones to use WiFi when cellular isn’t available. While this is convenient, it also sucks up data like crazy. If you’re trying to get some WiFi at Walmart but it’s not working, you can turn off WiFi Assist to prevent this from happening. Go to Settings > Cellular > WiFi Assist and turn off WiFi Assist. WiFi Assist will be turned on by default on newer iPhones. If you have an older phone, you can turn this on by going to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data and turn on “WiFi Assist”.
Get there early
The best time to go to Walmart for WiFi is first thing in the morning. You’ll have less traffic in the store, fewer people around you, and a better chance of actually connecting to the WiFi. This will usually be before the store opens, but you can call ahead to find out the store hours. If you’re lucky, you may also be able to find someone in line who also needs WiFi. This is a great way to make a new friend and help each other out.
Use a VPN
Even if you’re connected to WiFi, someone can still log your information. A VPN keeps your information secure while you’re using public WiFi. There are plenty of options on the market, but you’ll want to make sure they have a no-logging policy to protect your information. ExpressVPN is a great choice for this. You’ll want to make sure the VPN is compatible with your device. You can also set it up on your phone so it will connect automatically when you get into WiFi range.
Don’t use iOS
Yes, we know that’s a pretty bold statement, but hear us out. iOS devices are more susceptible to hacking due to the way they’re designed and built. Android devices, on the other hand, are built with security in mind. If you want to get WiFi at Walmart, you’re better off with an Android device. There are some advantages to iOS, but it’s not worth the risk of being hacked at a public WiFi spot. Android devices are better designed for public WiFi and are more likely to protect you against hackers.
Don’t rely on Walmart app
The Walmart app advertises free WiFi at select stores. However, it’s not reliable. Customers have reported that the app says they have WiFi when they don’t and vice versa. The app also relies on WiFi, so you’d still be at risk of hacking and poor connections. While it’s a convenient app, you’re better off just relying on the WiFi sign at Walmart. If you still want to use the app, we don’t recommend relying on it for anything sensitive like banking.
Get a Mifi device for constant connectivity
If you know you’re going to be at a place with bad or non-existent WiFi, you can get a device like a Mifi device to help you get connected. A Mifi device is essentially a WiFi hotspot that you plug into your computer or phone. You’ll have to pay for the service, but it will be worth it if you have a job that requires constant connectivity. These devices typically come with a set amount of data that you can use before you have to pay again. You can also purchase a plan that will renew each month.
Tips For Getting Wifi At Walmart
Be prepared
The easiest way to get WiFi at Walmart is to be prepared. Bring a book or magazine with you if you’re going to be spending a lot of time in the store. You’ll also want to bring your laptop/phone/tablet with you so you can use it as a hotspot for your devices. If you have multiple devices that need constant connectivity, bring an extra USB port for charging on the go.
Check out the WiFi sign
The best way to get WiFi at Walmart is by checking out the sign in front of the store. The sign will have several different options like “free WiFi” or “no password required” and similar options like this. If there are no signs, take your chances and ask around for assistance from other customers if possible. Just make sure that they don’t try to get money out of you when they say they know where free Wifi is located.
Keep an eye out for hotspots
If you’re at Walmart and there is no WiFi sign, look around for any signs with a WiFi logo on them. These will be the best option since they’ll be free to use and don’t require a password. You may have to ask around to find them, but they are usually pretty easy to spot if you’re looking for them.
Conclusion
We hope you’ve found this article helpful. Now you know what WiFi at Walmart is and how to get it. In addition to general information about wifi access at Walmart stores, we’ve also covered different benefits of having this service available and some insider tricks on how to get it at your local location. With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to getting the most out of your shopping experience.
