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My guest Wi-Fi has no password, and another network is hidden; which security option do I pick for the Wi-Fi QR?

For an open guest network, choose 'No password'. For WPA, WPA2 and WPA3 networks choose the first option, and keep WEP for an old router that still uses it. Tick 'Hidden network' only if the network does not appear in the phone's list, knowing that its name stays readable inside the code.

Published · 2 min read

An open network: what goes into the code

For a network called Shop-Guest with no password, the tool writes only this:

WIFI:T:nopass;S:Shop-Guest;;

There is no password field in the text at all. Even if you typed something into the password box by mistake and then chose 'No password', the tool ignores it, and the content stays at 28 bytes. That matters: the security type in the code must match the router setting, and a code that says nopass for a protected network will not connect.

A hidden network: when to tick the option

A hidden network does not broadcast its name, so it is missing from the network list. The phone needs to know that so it can look for it by name. For an office network called Office, with a password, WPA security and 'Hidden network' ticked:

WIFI:T:WPA;S:Office;P:abc;H:true;;

The H:true part is what the option adds. Do not tick it for a visible network: it adds no protection, and it may make some devices handle the network differently for no reason.

Quick choice list

  • An open guest network in a cafe or waiting area: 'No password'.
  • Any modern home or business network: 'WPA, WPA2 or WPA3'.
  • A very old router still on WEP: 'WEP (legacy)', and consider upgrading, since that encryption is outdated. Example: WIFI:T:WEP;S:OldRouter;P:12345;; at 32 bytes.
  • A network that does not show in the list: tick 'Hidden network' together with the correct security type.

A word on privacy

Hiding a network does not hide its name from the code. Anyone who photographs the code reads the name and the password as plain text. So show a hidden network's code to staff only, not on a public wall. Build it in the QR code generator by choosing 'Wi-Fi', then test it on a phone that has never joined the network.

Common questions

Does a Wi-Fi code connect the phone automatically?

Scanning offers to join the network on the phone, and the connection happens only if its owner accepts. The tool itself joins nothing.

My network runs mixed WPA2 and WPA3. Which do I pick?

Choose 'WPA, WPA2 or WPA3'; it is the single option for that whole family in the tool.