Tutorials · Retro handhelds

Android handheld: how to connect to Wi-Fi

29 September 2026

To connect an Android handheld to Wi-Fi, open its network settings, select your network and enter its password. First check the model and operating system actually running: dual-system RG353 models, Odin variants and Android versions do not necessarily have the same menus.

Android handheld connecting to a home Wi-Fi router — LODEX illustration — simplified representation.

At a glance

TimeA few minutes for setup, excluding troubleshooting

DifficultyBeginner (LODEX estimate)

ConsoleAndroid handhelds documented below

SystemAndroid, depending on the installed firmware

Compatible devices

Compatible consoles

The method applies to the models below when running Android with their Wi-Fi settings available. The sources establish that they have Android and Wi-Fi; they do not represent connection tests carried out by LODEX on every device.

Anbernic running Android 11: RG353V, RG353M and RG353P. Use the Android session; this guide does not cover Linux. Do not confuse RG353V with RG353VS, or RG353P with RG353PS.
Anbernic running Android 12: RG405M and RG405V.
Anbernic running Android 13: RG406H, RG406V, RG Cube, RG556, RG Slide and RG476H. RG Cube XX is a different model and is not covered here.
Anbernic running Android 14: RG557 and RG477M.
Powkiddy: X28 running Android 11.
Retroid running Android 11: Pocket 3+ and Pocket 4. Running Android 13: Pocket 4 Pro, Pocket 5, the documented Snapdragon 865 variant of Pocket Flip 2, Pocket 6 and Pocket Nova. Running Android 14: Pocket Classic.
AYN: Odin Base/Pro running Android 10; Odin Lite running Android 11; Odin 2 Base/Pro/Max, Odin 2 Mini and Odin 2 Portal running Android 13. A Windows or Linux installation is not covered by this Android procedure.

These versions match the configurations described by the sources. An update or different firmware can change menus. Having Wi-Fi does not guarantee compatibility with every band, security setting or network.

What you need

Required items are listed below; optional diagnostic or backup equipment is marked as recommended.

A console documented above, booted into Android, with Wi-Fi that can be enabled.
A Wi-Fi network within range and compatible with the console.
The network name and password if it is secured. No external dongle is needed for the models with built-in Wi-Fi described here.

Four Wi-Fi checks: enable Wi-Fi, select a network, enter the password and check Internet access — Explanatory diagram — simplified representation; use it alongside the steps below. Click to enlarge.

1. Open Internet settings

Open Settings and find the Wi-Fi or Internet settings. Google’s help example uses Network & internet > Internet and notes that some steps apply to Android 12 or later. On Android 10 or 11, or with a different manufacturer interface, follow the network entry actually available instead of trying to reproduce an absent label.

On the Internet page, check that Wi-Fi is enabled. If not, turn it on before searching for the network.

2. Select the Wi-Fi network

Wait for the available-network list to refresh.
Tap your Wi-Fi network’s name.
Enter the password when prompted.
Confirm the connection.

The selected network should then show as connected on the Internet page. If a network has been used before, Android may save it and try to reconnect automatically when Wi-Fi is enabled and the network is within range. This behaviour can depend on system, manufacturer or user settings.

3. Add a network that does not appear

If your network does not appear, stay on the Internet page to let the list refresh. If it remains absent, use the option to add a network when your Android interface provides one.

Manually enter the SSID, which is the network name, and the requested security settings. For a hidden SSID, enable the corresponding option if Android offers it. Visible options and their location vary by system version.

4. If the connection fails

First check that Wi-Fi is enabled and the console has a strong enough signal. Move it closer to the router, then try connecting again.

If the problem affects only this network, check the network name and the password you entered.
If several devices can no longer use this network, restart the router and try again.
If the network was saved with an old configuration, use the option to forget it, then add it again with its current settings.

These checks help distinguish a network problem from a difficulty limited to the console, without by themselves establishing the cause of a possible hardware or firmware problem.

5. Check the result

Check that your chosen network shows as connected in Android’s Wi-Fi settings. Joining the network does not by itself prove Internet access. If an app still cannot connect, also check the network on another device and follow Google’s troubleshooting guidance cited below. The same result is not guaranteed for an undocumented firmware or model.