A classic lockdown conundrum: any way to strengthen mobile phone's (or Chromebook's) WiFi?

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jonathan18

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#289217 20-Aug-2021 12:22

My mother has a Google Hub Max, which allows family members to call her using Duo. The problem is she has a tendency to put it into DND mode (but has no recollection of doing so, and it's tricky to get her to turn it off), and thanks to the inability to adjust settings unless connected to the same WiFi network I'm unable to fix this unless I'm at her unit.

Given, we're in lockdown, I'm unable to visit; I tried going to the gates, from where I can see her unit, but I'm unable to connect to her WiFi (I couldn't see her SSID on my phone, and while I could see it on a Chromebook, I was unable to connect).

I get that the problem is probably primarily driven simply by the strength of the WiFi from her router, but are there any ways I can strengthen the WiFi reception on my mobile or Chromebook to get a connection, even if it's crappy?

I was trying to connect from the other side of a metal bar fence (they had a slightly officious person posted on the other side of the fence to prevent entry - I didn't think they'd take kindly to me sticking my devices through the fence!) - while the bars are a decent distance apart, could this still have a negative impact on reception?

Thanks for any ideas.

SATTV

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#2763689 20-Aug-2021 13:06

You could use an external dongle with USB cable and Wokfi

https://www.google.com/search?q=wokfi&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwjFoovzs77yAhVNhEsFHeaICE0Q2-cCegQIABAA&oq=wokfi&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQAzIFCAAQgAQyBAgAEBgyBggAEAoQGDIECAAQGDIGCAAQChAYMgQIABAYMgYIABAKEBgyBggAEAoQGDIGCAAQChAYMgQIABAYOgQIIxAnOggIABCABBCxAzoFCAAQsQM6BAgAEEM6CwgAEIAEELEDEIMBUKxlWMBwYPtzaABwAHgAgAG1AYgBxwaSAQMwLjWYAQCgAQGqAQtnd3Mtd2l6LWltZ8ABAQ&sclient=img&ei=hP8eYcXQG82IrtoP5pGi6AQ&bih=722&biw=1536&rlz=1C1GCEA_enNZ893NZ894

Does you mum have a computer you can teamviewer in to?

John

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SATTV

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#2763693 20-Aug-2021 13:08

Or Windsurfer.

https://www.google.com/search?q=DIYwifi+windsurfer&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwjQ8ZqatL7yAhWbCSsKHU3xAwcQ2-cCegQIABAA&oq=DIYwifi+windsurfer&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQAzoFCAAQgAQ6BggAEAoQGFDUiQdY5qoHYK2sB2gAcAB4AIABsQGIAbATkgEEMC4xNZgBAKABAaoBC2d3cy13aXotaW1nwAEB&sclient=img&ei=1v8eYdCuHpuTrAHN4o84&bih=722&biw=1536&rlz=1C1GCEA_enNZ893NZ894

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robcreid

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#2763860 20-Aug-2021 14:58

Can't help with the original problem sorry but I did find this link.

https://www.reddit.com/r/googlehome/comments/g066ka/guide_how_to_set_up_google_home_nest_hub_max_for/

If you do manage to get connected it has some ideas for allowing you to remotely initiate a call to a known contact from her Duo.

jonathan18

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#2763909 20-Aug-2021 16:25

Thanks for the suggestions.

Unfortunately, as I have no access to her unit while we're in lockdown, I'm not able to do anything to modify the wifi from her end; IIRC, as well, her modem/router has only internal antennae (a Netcom model from Slingshot), so I assume my options will be more limited. So there's nothing I can do to improve things from my phone's end?

Also, no computer her end these days - only an iPad and, while I've previously had TeamViewer on that, it wasn't a workable solution even back then.

And, also frustratingly, while it's possible to send basic commands to interact with the Hub Max from my own devices, as outlined in that link, it's not possible to adjust settings - for that one must be connected to the same WiFi network (as confirmed by a Google rep in an online chat earlier today - she sad this is the only way at the moment, but would pass the suggestion to change this up the chain - doubt that will lead to anything!). That's why connecting to my mother's WiFi is key.

As it happens, my sister has also talked my mother through disabling DND; but then she discovered she'd also disabled the camera, so that caused another whole lot of work to get that sorted! These devices could be so fantastic as a tool to assist isolated individuals, but need the ability to lock down settings so they can't be easily changed, plus that ability for full remote management. I'd have hoped the experiences brought about by Covid would have provided the impetuous, but I don't like the chances...

johny99

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#2764285 21-Aug-2021 12:57

Can you not stand on the other side of her closed door, we just had countdown delivery, which is essentially the same thing, you could argue that it is essential to be able to get hold of her.

jonathan18

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#2764426 21-Aug-2021 16:41

johny99: Can you not stand on the other side of her closed door, we just had countdown delivery, which is essentially the same thing, you could argue that it is essential to be able to get hold of her.

As per earlier posts - security guards on the gates of the complex, so it's not even a matter of being able to get into the corridors! Just had a message from another family member who's talked my mother through sorting the settings on the Hub, but that'll only be ok until she presses the wrong button again!