How-to: Connect to a WPA-PSK network via Wifi on Windows Mobile 6
Posted by Jon Lee in How-to, Personal, tags: cell phone, How-to, smartphone, troubleshooting, wifi, windows mobile 6, Windows-Mobile, wpa-psk
So you’ve managed to watch movies and videos on your windows mobile device and you’ve managed to check your e-mail without a data plan. But you can’t seem to manage to connect to those pesky WPA-PSK and WPA-PSK2 networks, is that right? Well probably not, but that’s exactly what happened to me so hopefully this post will help someone.
My home wireless network is set to use WPA-PSK2 security which is currently the strongest security that is publicly available and supported. Unfortunately, it’s not supported by all devices such as my i-mate SP5. So the first thing I had to do was to set my network to WPA-PSK & WPA-PSK2 dual compatibility mode. You could also opt for just WPA-PSK but I would highly recommend against choosing WEP as a solution since it can be easily cracked within minutes using easily obtainable tools.
Now Windows Mobile 6 appears to have issues connecting to WPA-PSK networks but there’s a little trick I found on the PPCGeeks forum to get it to work. Just follow these steps:
- Restart your device (optional but recommended)
- Connect to your desired network and input the proper settings. Here are mine:
- Authentication: WPA-PSK
- Encryption: TKIP
- The key is automatically provided: no
- Network key: <your network key>
- When it attempts to connect, go back to the Connection Manager and turn OFF Wifi.
- Wait about 1-2 seconds and then turn Wifi back on.
- WM6 should now be able to connect to your WPA-PSK network.
It really shouldn’t be this complicated but until Microsoft fixes these issues with Windows Mobile 6, this is a nifty little workaround.
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Thanks for the mobile 6 tip. It was driving me a wee bit crazy but it will no longer
In 2005, a group from the FBI demonstrated a crack of a WEP-protected network in 3 minutes using tools that are available to the public.
Fortunately there is a solution to the WEP vulnerabilities. The PSK technologies in the form of WPA and WPA2 provide a much more secure alternative.
the tips are useful as always. great job!!!
Why windows choose the green color? I didn’t get the idea. The base of windows is blue. They have broken their doing style.
Nice tips! I don’t think my phone has wi-fi, so I can’t use this one.
HOHO I have a similar phone, thanks for the guide!
There’s increasingly new ways of hacking with the availabilty of these new devices. You can hack into stuff with just your mobile phone these days.
This is a great hack Jon, will use it once I upgrade to a smartphone.
Thanks! You saved my life. Or at least a lot of time
This trick works with WM 6.1 as well.
Thank you soooo much for erasing my frustration! I’ve been trying to connect for weeks and finally i can. Works like a charm! Thanks again.
Unbelievable. You’re my life saver. I’ve been trying to make it work for a long time. It’s finally working!!!
I am fairly new to Windows Mobile 6. I have the conenction working fine to my works exchange server. However when I sync, only the “inbox” syncs and I often need remote access to other folders in my mailbox. Is there a way to select other folders to sync too in WM6 or is this a limitation of using WM6 to sync with Exchange?
Thanks it works!
Man…Thank’s a lot…you have gave us enlightment…I don’t even found those kind of tricks in xda-developers…it does really WORKS…good job !!!
Holy c*ap, i can’t believe it was that simple
thank you sooo much!
the only thing tho…
as soon as the phone falls asleep, it disconnects
and refuses to connect again. none the less it will take me less
than 5 seconds to connect now.