WiFi Test: Signal Strength - not showing in 1.65.1 (43)

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Greg

• October 21, 2025 21:11

Are there steps required to add the 'Signal Strength' test to the Wi-Fi Test page? 

I'm only seeing 'Download', 'Upload' and 'Ping Latency' after the latest update.

Android 16 - Firewalla App v1.65.1 (43) - connected to AP7 via Wi-Fi 7 

AP7 Desktop version 0.1.108.1.767 

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  Firewalla

  • October 21, 2025 21:18

  Did you give location access to the app?

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  Greg

  • October 21, 2025 21:26

  Yes for setup, but I don't generally keep 'location' turned on with the phone.  Turning location back on makes the test show up.  Odd that it needs location for 'Signal Strength' but not the other tests. Thanks for the help!

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  Firewalla

  • October 22, 2025 00:19

  Both Android and iOS are the same, WiFi access is related to location ... 

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  Greg

  • October 22, 2025 15:06

  WiFi access is related to location ... 

  I'm assuming this meant to say the 'Signal Strength' test is related to location. Obviously Wi-Fi access is related to proximity with the access point but not the phone's location feature (I've been using the AP7 this way for months).

  The other AP7 Wi-Fi tests also show up and run without the phone's location feature enabled:
  Download
  Upload
  Ping Latency

  It didn't dawn on me to try turning the location on for the 'Signal Strength' test until your first response above, but now I know how to enable when needed.  I have to admit, I don't understand the correlation and technically curious as to the reason location is required. 

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  Cole Young

  • December 19, 2025 02:06

  Disclaimer: Gemini generated answer.
  Apple and Google have made this a strict privacy requirement for a few key reasons:
  ​Wi-Fi as a "Location Fingerprint": Modern operating systems consider your Wi-Fi network's identity (SSID) and signal strength as sensitive location data.
  ​Mapping Without GPS: Even if your GPS is off, an app can pinpoint exactly where you are by seeing which Wi-Fi networks are nearby and how strong their signals are. They cross-reference this with massive global databases of Wi-Fi access point locations.
  ​Transparency Requirements: Because this "Wi-Fi scanning" can be used to track you, Apple and Google force apps to ask for Location Permission before they are allowed to look at those technical Wi-Fi details.

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