How can I know if my mobile phone is using Wifi or the mobile network while connected to the internet?

[Rodion15]

I have a mobile phone Sony Xperia J with Android. I need to know if it's connected to the internet using wifi or the mobile network. How can I know without needing to go to settings? I guess there's some icon telling me...

 

[BrandonYoung]

Mobile phones favor Wifi. If you are connected to Wifi, your phone will favor this as the connection of choice for downloading content. If no Wifi is available, the phone will favor the cell network. In specific situations, the phone will not favor its current connection if it is not Wifi (such as large downloads from the app store).

Even if your Wifi is a metered (limited) service, it will be favored above cell data. The phone knows no better.

If/When you are connected to Wifi, you will notice an icon on the top of your display, showing signal strength for the wifi network. This will look like a up/down arrow, with radial bands above it.

Typically, when your phone is using cell data, you will not have the Wifi icon, and you're phone will show "bars" and some form of 3g, 4g, or 4g LTE.

If you phone is only showing its connection strength to the 3g, 4g, 4g-LTE network, you are not on Wifi, and the phone will be operating with the cell network.

While my phone is on Wifi, it shows two signal bars, one to 3g, 4g, 4g-LTE (cell), and also the one for Wifi.

Good luck.

 

[Rodion15]

Thanks mate, great answer.