Android 4.0 and web login authorization with open networks

Sunburn74

Diamond Member
Oct 5, 2009
5,076
2,635
136
Hi. I just got a new job and am having trouble with the wifi network. Its an open wifi network that is free to all. You connect to the network and are rerouted to an authorization page where you basically agree to follow the policies and then you can surf the net freely.

However, I cannot use this network with my Google nexus 7 or my HTC evo 3d. The only thing in common they have is the same operating system (ICS). I can connect to the network, but it never brings up the authorization page. Its been extremely frustrating as google is ignoring me and so is the IT service at my workplace.

Has anyone ever run into this problem with open networks that use web login authorization with their smartphone?
 

Ns1

No Lifer
Jun 17, 2001
55,420
1,600
126
Hi. I just got a new job and am having trouble with the wifi network. Its an open wifi network that is free to all. You connect to the network and are rerouted to an authorization page where you basically agree to follow the policies and then you can surf the net freely.

However, I cannot use this network with my Google nexus 7 or my HTC evo 3d. The only thing in common they have is the same operating system (ICS). I can connect to the network, but it never brings up the authorization page. Its been extremely frustrating as google is ignoring me and so is the IT service at my workplace.

Has anyone ever run into this problem with open networks that use web login authorization with their smartphone?

I had this issue with my samsung tab 2.0. when I first set up the tab, I could not do ANYTHING because it would not connect to wifi and there was no way to open up an internet browser to authenticate.

I had to go home log onto a known network to setup the tab...

not sure if you're having the issue during setup or while using it.
 

Sunburn74

Diamond Member
Oct 5, 2009
5,076
2,635
136
Nothing happens. It tries to load but never loads the page.

So to be clear here is the order of things:
1) I turn on wifi
2) it connects to wifi
3) I open up browser
4) browser opens but never loads web login page
5) I try opening other tabs to load new pages but the same, they never load the webpage
6) all browser tabs eventually time out saying there is no internet connection
 

Sunburn74

Diamond Member
Oct 5, 2009
5,076
2,635
136
I had this issue with my samsung tab 2.0. when I first set up the tab, I could not do ANYTHING because it would not connect to wifi and there was no way to open up an internet browser to authenticate.

I had to go home log onto a known network to setup the tab...

not sure if you're having the issue during setup or while using it.

It wouldn't connect to the wifi or it would connect but never bring up the authentication page?
 

Ns1

No Lifer
Jun 17, 2001
55,420
1,600
126
It wouldn't connect to the wifi or it would connect but never bring up the authentication page?

it connects to wifi but you can't complete setup because the wifi hasn't been authenticated.

you can't go to a webpage to complete setup because you need to leave setup to go to the browser (I'm not sure it would even let me go to a browser w/o first setting up the wifi, I don't remember right now)

repeat infinite cycle.
 

Slacker

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
8,623
33
91
Nothing happens. It tries to load but never loads the page.

So to be clear here is the order of things:
1) I turn on wifi
2) it connects to wifi
3) I open up browser
3a) Go to browser settings and check "Request desktop site"
3b) Login, or if it doesnt work throw device at wall.
4) browser opens but never loads web login page
5) I try opening other tabs to load new pages but the same, they never load the webpage
6) all browser tabs eventually time out saying there is no internet connection

try it and see if that works.
edit 1> is flash required? and is it installed if so?

edit 2>also, go to wifi settings and tap on the connection and see if it is just found or actually connected.

edit 3> Nexus 7 ships with jelly bean, it does not have flash, there is a version of flash that you can install, check the xda nexus 7 forum.
 
Last edited:

sygyzy

Lifer
Oct 21, 2000
14,001
4
76
That's weird because on my Galaxy Nexus, it pops up a notification that says I need to authenticate and when I click it, it opens the browser to let me agree to the terms (ie checkbox at Starbucks)
 

Sunburn74

Diamond Member
Oct 5, 2009
5,076
2,635
136
try it and see if that works.
edit 1> is flash required? and is it installed if so?

edit 2>also, go to wifi settings and tap on the connection and see if it is just found or actually connected.

edit 3> Nexus 7 ships with jelly bean, it does not have flash, there is a version of flash that you can install, check the xda nexus 7 forum.

One device has flash. The other doesn't. It doesn't help.

The only thing i found is if I pick static IP instead of DHCP and set google's DNS or Open DNS rather than what being automatically selected, I can get the authentication page a little more reliably (maybe 1 out of every 6 tries), but i still cannot authenticate even after hitting accept.

The request browser desktop thing is interesting. I will try it tomorrow.
 

Sunburn74

Diamond Member
Oct 5, 2009
5,076
2,635
136
Request browser desktop did not help. Has anyone else ever solved an issue like this?
 

sygyzy

Lifer
Oct 21, 2000
14,001
4
76
Do you mind if I ask what sort of company you work at that has this sort of internet setup?
 

Ns1

No Lifer
Jun 17, 2001
55,420
1,600
126
Do you mind if I ask what sort of company you work at that has this sort of internet setup?

I work for a media company and we have this type of setup for independent contractors to log into company wifi (no password, just authenticate. no access to intranet, internet only)
 

Sunburn74

Diamond Member
Oct 5, 2009
5,076
2,635
136
Do you mind if I ask what sort of company you work at that has this sort of internet setup?

Hospital. The network is an open one that anyone walking into the hospital can use (except seemingly ICS devices which is stupid).
 

Dulanic

Diamond Member
Oct 27, 2000
9,965
590
136
That's odd... with my SGSII it gives a prompt in my notification drop down that a web login is required and it loads the browser and pulls up that page. Wonder if that's a samsung fix or maybe its just a different type of login? I've had no problems at airports either with this type of authorization.
 

Super56K

Golden Member
Feb 27, 2004
1,390
0
0
Actually having similar issues at work after my boss put in a new access point. He turned on a landing page to accept a generic ToS agreement on the open guest network. Since then (a little over a week ago) I've had a few people come in because they're not able to use it with an Android phone or tablet.
 

sygyzy

Lifer
Oct 21, 2000
14,001
4
76
I understand you guys work in places that provide internet access through a portal, but your IT department doesn't have a locked down SSID for employees?
 

Slacker

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
8,623
33
91
I'm just about out of ideas, check browser setting/advanced scroll down to to see if "Block pop ups" is on, if so, uncheck it and try again.
 

Sunburn74

Diamond Member
Oct 5, 2009
5,076
2,635
136
Well I think i found the issue. Its this:
http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=8030

This is exactly the problem I am experiencing. Unfortunately the workaround requires me to root my phone and tablet which (as I glance at the instructions posted online) is like a 12-15 step process for ICS that can brick it at anytime (unlike gingerbread which only was a 3-4 step process)

I'm really pretty ticked at this point and it seems a stupid omission by google since they are effectively locking out their devices from most enterprise related open networks.