How an Android device chooses its Wi-Fi network

If a device has multiple Wi-Fi networks configured, then it will automatically connect to an SSID in the following priority order, assuming a signal is available:

1. A managed SSID with the highest priority as set by the administrator (if Always Connect Device to Managed Wi-Fi is enabled.)
2. An unmanaged SSID, (or a managed SSID if Always Connect Device to Managed Wi-Fi is disabled) as chosen by the Android operating system.

When multiple Wi-Fi networks have the same priority, the Android operating system typically prioritizes the most recently used SSID.

When the device receives a new highest-priority Wi-Fi configuration, the configuration takes effect after the current Wi-Fi connection is ended for any reason.

When multiple Wi-Fi signals become available

In Ivanti Mobile@Work with the Lockdown policy setting Always Connect Device to Managed Wi-Fi set to Enable, an existing unmanaged Wi-Fi connection is pro-actively disconnected if a managed SSID signal comes into range.

For example, if a user connects to an unmanaged network, and walks into range of one or more managed networks, the device disconnects from the unmanaged network and connects to the highest-priority managed network.

With the Lockdown policy setting Always Connect Device to Managed Wi-Fi set to Disable, Wi-Fi connections are not actively disconnected. The next time the Wi-Fi connection is reestablished, Android will automatically choose the highest priority network.