Google Wifi - how to connect to the strongest AP

[trojan_m50]

I have 4 Google Wifi AP units distributed across my house. I often see that the wifi signal from a device is slow. When i debug the issue, the device is not connected to the nearest access point. Sometimes it is connected to a an AP that is very far away. (I do this by checking the gateway IP address and mapping it to the unit IP address)

How can I ensure that the AP that the unit is connected to is the strongest one or the one that is physically closest. 

[David_K]

@trojan_m50 The short answer is you can't, let me explain. 

Client devices themselves decide which of your Wifi points and which band to connect to, and also when to switch between the bands. Like most Wifi systems, Google Wifi and Nest Wifi use industry standard mechanisms (known as 802.11k and 802.11v) to help devices make these decisions. However, not all devices support those specifications, or if they do, they arguably may not implement them particularly well.

With that said, I see you selected iOS, which actually does implement those specifications pretty well. Here are some things you can try to improve things:

1.  Toggle Airplane Mode: on and off to refresh your network connection. 

2.  Forget and Reconnect: to the Wi-Fi network in your iPhone's settings. 

Settings > Wi-Fi > 'i' next to your Wi-Fi network > Forget This Network

3.  Turn Off Low Data Mode: in your Wi-Fi settings, as this can limit your connection.
Settings > Wi-Fi > 'i' next to your Wi-Fi network > Toggle off Low Data Mode if it's enabled 

4.  Disable Wi-Fi 6E Mode: in the Wi-Fi settings for your network.
Settings > Wi-Fi > 'i' next to your Wi-Fi network > Wi-Fi 6E Mode > Off
5.  Update iOS Software: to the latest version to address potential bugs. 

6.  Reset Network Settings: to clear any corrupted configuration data. 

Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings 
7.  Disable VPN or Private IP Addresses: Remove any VPN profiles or turn off the private Wi-Fi address setting for the specific network to simplify connection management. 

8.  Force Restart Your iPhone: by holding the volume up, volume down, and side buttons until the Apple logo appears.

Edited as my first draft of this included personal anecdotal experience that isn't entirely accurate.

[trojan_m50]

iOS is just one among many. Specifically im having issues with my TV's and streaming 4k. My modem has 600Mbps bidirectional. Google Wifi drops that down to 120 to 180 Mbps and on the low end to 50Mbps. I assume this is because the TV is not connected to the nearest access point. Of course there are other factors such as the mesh network, other devices such as microwaves being operational. 

I can do the "forget and reconnect" but it seems that there is a device affinity/memory stored in the Google router.  Last time I deleted the device from the router and added it again and it still picked up an access point sitting two rooms away over the one right next to it.