[Update: Supports Hotspot 2.0R1, No 2.0R2 Yet] The Google Pixel 2 Doesn’t Support WiFi Passpoint Which Would’ve Made Switching Hotspots Easier

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Update 11/16/17: Google reached out to us to inform us that the Google Pixel/Pixel XL and Google Pixel 2/Pixel 2 XL support WiFi Hotspot 2.0 R1, but support for WiFi Hotspot 2.0 R2 is still being worked on.

WiFi Passpoint, also referred to as Hotspot 2.0, and is an improved method that wireless devices can use to connect to WiFi hotspots. This was created by the WiFi Alliance and it enables devices which have already logged into a hotspot network to connect automatically and silently to other hotspots in the background when moving from one node to the next. While Android 8.0 Oreo does support this feature, it is optional for OEMs to implement and even the newest Google Pixel 2 does not seem to include support for it.

Hotspots have become quite popular over the years as more people are trying to stay connected to the internet as much as possible. Whether this is for social reasons, work related, or just out of boredom, we as a society are becoming more dependent on the internet for everyday tasks. This can sometimes get expensive on a cellular connection, and there are times in which those aren’t even available due to poor signal reception. In those cases, a hotspot network (such as the one included for Comcast subscribers) can really help out when you’re in need.

These new hotspot networks are made up of a number of nodes depending on how popular it is and where you’re currently at. Traditionally, you would need to login and authenticate each time you switched from one node to the next but this is no longer needed if your hardware and software supports WiFi Passpoint. Last month we talked about how Google had included WiFi Passpoint support for Android Oreo but it is entirely at the OEM’s discretion as to whether or not they want to implement it.

The package to include support is included in the Android Open Source Project, as seen here, but we have been unable to locate it on the Pixel 2 as of yet. This feature could be coming in a future software update but as of right now it seems the feature is unavailable on the Pixel 2 or the Pixel 2 XL.