WiFinder iPhone app takes the pain out of finding open WiFi networks

Many a time I have sat in an airport lounge trying to get email on my iPhone using what appears to be open networks but really are paid for service gateways. Constantly having to go to settings and disconnect from the network to try another can be a laborious task.

WiFinder iPhone app

The WiFinder app from Lars Bergstrom can put a stop to this by easily locating a free network for you.

WiFinder is a one-screen application that scans all of the local WiFi networks.

It determines if they’re locked (reporting which lock type to you) or if they’re open.

If they’re open, it attempts to associate with them and open up Google’s homepage. If it gets a result, it checks to see if it was actually from Google or not – many “open” networks actually require authentication, and redirect you to a login page. If it is from the right server, then the status icon is updated with a green check mark. Otherwise, you’ll get either a red X (for redirected) or red – (for locked).

WiFinder is currently at Version 1.0 but Version 2 should hit the app store any day now and includes many new features which I am looking forward to. Most notably the ability to connect to an open network directly from the results screen.

WiFinder is available from the iTunes app store. iTunes Link

Update Sadly it appears that this app has been pulled from the app store.

From the developers site: http://www.lars.com/iPhone/

WiFi Checker was a simple application that scanned all of the local WiFi networks. Apple has since contacted me and requested I stop using private APIs, and has now been removed from sale. Thanks to the over 1 million downloaders, and I hope you all had as much fun using it as I had making it!

Posted on Sep 5th, 2008 by Philip Nicosia in iPhone Apps | 27 Comments

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27 Comments to “WiFinder iPhone app takes the pain out of finding open WiFi networks”

  1. on 25 Mar 2009 at 4:12 am1Huh

    Why did it get pulled from iTunes? Lars (developer) says Apple asked them to stop because it pulled APIs (not sure what that is). Besides, there are other apps that do the same thing.

  2. on 09 Jun 2009 at 3:26 am2Carlos

    I haven’t been able to find an app that compares, this was the best. Now WiFi apps only find ‘published’ sites, not a list of every wifi in range. Please bring it back, it was very helpful, especially in places where it’s difficult to find an open connection, especially if abroad and you don’t have international AT&T service… Thanks Lars!

  3. on 09 Jun 2009 at 8:36 pm3thatcomputerguy

    i have it and was using it often, but it broke with the iphone os 3 update. it was a great app for finding wifi signals. i hope Lars can figure out a way to bring it back, even if it becomes a paid for app.

  4. on 09 Jun 2009 at 11:03 pm4Philip King

    I’ve got it and it works great although I’m still on 2.2.1
    It really takes the pain out of finding an open network and it’s a shame it had to be withdrawn from the app store.

  5. on 19 Jun 2009 at 1:18 pm5Beth

    I love this app, but when I downloaded 3.0 yesterday it started crashing on me. No other Wi-Fi finder app works like this one, it finds every app in range not just public ones. Please Please Please fix this!!! Even if it’s ad supported, I don’t care.

    P.S. Did I mention how much I love this app, when it works?

  6. on 20 Jun 2009 at 9:07 pm6Bert

    I agree with the other comments. This was a great APP. I used it all the time, both in the US and abroad. Very annoyed that it stopped working after the “improved” upgrade.

  7. on 21 Jun 2009 at 6:49 am7Rotar

    This Apple dictatorship is ridiculous. Why remove this great program from iTunes? Buy any wifi modem from anywhere and they can search for Open wireless. A laptop can do it at any airport, private address, etc, so what’s the difference??? Nothing, just the bully boys are at it again.

  8. on 22 Jun 2009 at 7:56 am8lorenzo

    When is going about money and lobbies apple is not better than microsoft and co.! Maybe worest…

  9. on 22 Jun 2009 at 12:42 pm9Stickman

    Wifinder is the best app that was!!!! I used it every day. I am fed up with open networks only to go there and be redirected to some loser paysite

  10. on 22 Jun 2009 at 3:06 pm10Warren

    Lars. Thanks for this great application. Like others, I’ve found it extremely useful all over the US and Europe. Please find a way to bring it back in OS 3.0, even as a paid application. It has no competition and is easily worth $9.99.

  11. on 22 Jun 2009 at 4:17 pm11Craig

    I wonder if apple will pull the plug on wi fi fo fun as well?

  12. on 22 Jun 2009 at 8:02 pm12Squiz

    oh woe is me. I love this app. so much I wouldn’t have upgraded to 3.0 if i had known it blows WiFinder away. Notebooks will sniff out unlocked personal wi-fi so why shouldn’t WiFinder ?

  13. on 23 Jun 2009 at 9:58 pm13yonian

    I really REALLY wish I hadn’t bought OS 3.0 now. The crappy search is really a disappointment and the lost of Wifinder hurts me badly. I work in a building with over 30 WAPs and it was great for troubleshooting. At least the not nearly as nice WiFiFoFum still works.

  14. on 24 Jun 2009 at 7:57 pm14WiFinderFan

    The problem is that the application is not compatible to iPhone OS 3.0 and apple published months ago that non compatible Apps will be pulled from the app store. Is there an alternative or can we help making the App compatible?

  15. on 25 Jun 2009 at 12:28 am15Rob

    Please make an updated version to work with iPhone 3.0 this is a fantastic app and a great shame it no longer works!! Is it possiible the app will still run on a jailbroken iPhone??
    Thanks

  16. on 29 Jun 2009 at 3:57 pm16bebe

    please please provide the update to apple so that this app will work again on my iPhone. this is the most useful app ever — i use it almost everyday but now its “broken”… =:-(

  17. on 29 Jun 2009 at 9:29 pm17REECE THOMSON

    I am lost without this app. I travel a lot and it was the most useful of all apps for traveling. I seemed to use it every day..PLEASE LARS UPGRADE IT FOR 3.0 and I’ll gladly pay for it!!!

  18. on 30 Jun 2009 at 8:48 pm18WiFinder Fan

    Yes we all need the WiFinder back on App Store. I also used this app much and will gladly pay for it Lars :) Now I upgraded to 3.0 it’s not working anymore, that was a big loss.

    So PLEASE LARS, can you fix the issues Apple said was a problem and make it work again ? :)

  19. on 30 Jun 2009 at 8:53 pm19WiFinder Fan

    GOOD NEWS ANYONE !!

    Lars has deployed a new version of it under the name Wifi Checker. He is in contact with Apple and the software is under review with Apple to upgrade it to 3.0 !!!! :-)

    Here we go again, soone :)

  20. on 30 Jun 2009 at 11:58 pm20Philip King

    That’s great news. I’ve updated the iTunes links in the post to go to the new app named WiFi Checker but it doesn’t yet work with OS3.0. It’s a free download and is worth getting I suppose so when the new version arrives it will popup as an updated app and you can get your hands on it straight away.

  21. on 09 Aug 2009 at 9:09 am21eric

    Arr, so Wifinder turned into WiFitrack?
    And because of the name change, he/she can charge another 99 cents?
    And the basic wifi sniffing function was replaced with some fluffy interface that’s kinda useless?

    And the connect to linda breaks the basic function of the iPhone’s Wifi interface, and the only way to recover is to cycle the WiFi switch on the iPhone..
    Am I on track here? If so, How come no one else is irritated about this??

  22. on 09 Aug 2009 at 5:41 pm22Philip King

    Eric, your not on track here at all. The name was changed to Wifi Checker. WiFitrack is a completely different app altogether.

  23. on 09 Aug 2009 at 6:53 pm23eric

    Ok, my apologies, and thanks for the correction.

  24. on 28 Oct 2009 at 3:27 am24Costa

    This was the best app, I dont understand why apple seems not to accept it. Esta era la mejor app, no entiendo porque apple no lo acepta.

  25. on 29 Oct 2009 at 5:12 am25Brian

    This is why I refuse to buy a Mac. Steve is such a protectionist bully.

  26. on 23 Mar 2010 at 8:42 pm26Bob

    What Apple meant about API’s is that this particular programmers software, was calling for instructions that were proprietary and for Apple’s eyes only, and so permissions that were given before are now taken away. It’s all about rights,money and lawyers , if you want to bring these corporations to their knees the you would have to stop buying their products.

    Heres the description….
    Common API publishing policies include:

    * Protecting information on APIs from the general public. For example, Sony used to make its official PlayStation 2 API available only to licensed PlayStation developers. This enabled Sony to control who wrote PlayStation 2 games. This can increase quality control and provide companies with potential licensing revenue streams.
    * Making APIs freely available. For example, Microsoft makes the Microsoft Windows API public and Apple releases its APIs Carbon and Cocoa so that software can be written for their platform.

    [edit] ABI’s

  27. on 29 Mar 2010 at 9:09 pm27Shannon

    This app was amazing for the IT work I did during the summer where I had to hunt down failed WAPs that were hidden in the walls. Sad to see it go as an iPhone is easier to carry than a laptop.

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