How I turned my old Android phone into a Wi-Fi extender - and fixed dead spots at home

https://www.zdnet.com/a/img/resize/62a4f0e53ace26866beb625b76ca1d1823d24ad2/2026/02/16/82c83abe-dddf-4f5b-b490-44ef6795201e/dsc09323.jpg?auto=webp&fit=crop&height=675&width=1200

Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.


ZDNET's key takeaways

  • Uses your existing Wi-Fi, not mobile data, to extend coverage.
  • It extends coverage, but may result in slower speeds than your router.
  • Place the phone between the router and dead zone for best results.

I have a Pixel phone that usually sits in a drawer. I mostly use it to test new Android features for work, but sometimes I find creative ways to use or repurpose it. My latest experiment is fixing Wi-Fi dead zones.

Also: 4 Android Auto developer settings that make driving so much easier - how to enable them

You know... that one room or corner of your home where everything buffers, drops, or refuses to load. Most people fix this by buying a dedicated Wi-Fi extender or upgrading to a mesh system.

But there's another option if you're like me and have...

Copyright of this story solely belongs to zdnet.com. To see the full text click HERE

Read more

https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5HiLgXDJgWGw7SsRBKqLMS-900-80.jpg

A 'massive escalation in electronic warfare': researchers show how Russian satellites can jam GPS across Europe — and a mysterious series of ‘interference events’ show it could already be happening

* New research analyzes GPS jamming signals over the last 7 years * A Russian satellite network seems to be the source of the interference * There are still questions over the purpose of the 10-second bursts Losing access to GPS navigation systems might not stop you finding your way to the office,