Enabling WiFi on Android Emulator

As of now, with Revision 26.1.3 of the android emulator, it is finally possible on the image v8 of the API 25. If the emulator was created before you upgrade to the latest API 25 image, you need to wipe data or simply delete and recreate your image if you prefer.

Added support for Wi-Fi in some system images (currently only API level 25). An access point called "AndroidWifi" is available and Android automatically connects to it. Wi-Fi support can be disabled by running the emulator with the command line parameter -feature -Wifi.

from https://developer.android.com/studio/releases/emulator.html#26-1-3

Wifi is not available on the emulator if you are using below of API level 25.

When using an AVD with API level 25 or higher, the emulator provides a simulated Wi-Fi access point ("AndroidWifi"), and Android automatically connects to it.

More Information: https://developer.android.com/studio/run/emulator.html#wifi

Apparently it does not and I didn't quite expect it would. HOWEVER Ivan brings up a good possibility that has escaped Android people.

What is the purpose of an emulator? to EMULATE, right? I don't see why for testing purposes -provided the tester understands the limitations- the emulator might not add a Wifi emulator.

It could for example emulate WiFi access by using the underlying internet connection of the host. Obviously testing WPA/WEP differencess would not make sense but at least it could toggle access via WiFi.

Or some sort of emulator plugin where there would be a base WiFi emulator that would emulate WiFi access via the underlying connection but then via configuration it could emulate WPA/WEP by providing a list of fake WiFi networks and their corresponding fake passwords that would be matched against a configurable list of credentials.

After all the idea is to do initial testing on the emulator and then move on to the actual device.