How to stop a Google Pixel switching to mobile data on weak Wi-Fi (Android 17)

Device

Android

Shown on

Google Pixel 10a, Android 17 (build CP3A.261005.005)

App

Settings

Path

Settings › Network and Internet

Real screenshots

4 of 4 steps

What we did

Looked at each screen; changed nothing

Checked

October 2026

Sources

3 official, linked below

Step by step

1. 

   Open Network and Internet

   Open Settings and tap Network and Internet: Mobile, Wi-Fi, hotspot.

   Done

2. 

   Tap Adaptive connectivity

   Adaptive connectivity is near the bottom, below Private DNS. Ours said On. Tap it.

   Done

3. 

   Turn off Auto-switch to mobile network

   The first switch is Auto-switch to mobile network: Ensures connectivity when Wi-Fi is poor or unavailable. Data charges may apply. It was on on ours. Tap the switch to turn it off. The second switch, Optimise network for battery life, was on too; the page says it automatically selects the best network connection to extend your battery life.

   Done

4. 

   Limit mobile data as well

   Back on Network and Internet, Data Saver was Off on ours. Google's Pixel help offers it to use less mobile data. Tap it to turn it on.

   Done

If you do not see this option

• Expected a 5G switch? Google describes Adaptive Connectivity as turning on 5G only when an app needs more speed, with one on/off switch. On our Pixel 10a the page had two switches instead, Auto-switch to mobile network and Optimise network for battery life. Source: Control aeroplane mode, private DNS and other network settings
• No Adaptive connectivity row? Google lists it for Pixel 4a (5G) and later, and says some operators in the United States may limit it. Source: Control aeroplane mode, private DNS and other network settings
• No SIM in the phone? Ours had none (SIMs said Add a network), so it had no mobile data to switch to. The switch only matters with a SIM and mobile data on.

If this does not work

• Still slow when Wi-Fi is weak? With the switch off, the phone stays on the weak Wi-Fi. Google suggests turning the router and modem off and on again. For more checks see Pixel Wi-Fi keeps disconnecting. Source: How to fix Wi-Fi connection problems
• Worried about the bill? Set a warning before you hit your allowance: how to set a data warning and limit. Data Saver helps too: how to use Data Saver. Source: Use less mobile data with Data Saver
• No internet on mobile data either? See Pixel mobile data not working.

About this guide

Google says a Pixel with this switch on moves from Wi-Fi to mobile data when the Wi-Fi has no internet connection or the link to the router is weak. That keeps you online, but it can use more mobile data.

The screenshots are from our Google Pixel 10a with Android 17 (build CP3A.261005.005), in Dark mode. Both switches on the page were on. We only looked and changed nothing. The network names are blurred.

Good to know

Google says Auto-switch gives a seamless internet experience but may use more mobile data. Turn it back on if you would rather stay online.

Wi-Fi turning itself back on is a different switch: how to stop Wi-Fi turning on automatically.

In short: Settings, Network and Internet, Adaptive connectivity: Auto-switch to mobile network off.