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Finding free WiFi near you kinda feels like finding a new best friend: hard to find, but when you find one, it’s oh-so-good.
The trouble is that free WiFi, like best friends, can be tough to find.
That’s why I put together this article with 12 places near you that almost certainly have free WiFi that you don’t need a password for (very important).
Related: 12 Genius Free Internet Hacks
1. Starbucks
Starbucks has teamed up with Google to give all visitors free WiFi.
To log on, simply select the “Google Starbucks” network in your network list.
Then open up your browser; the Starbucks WiFi landing page should load.
If it doesn’t, then try to navigate to any website, and you should be redirected to the Starbucks WiFi landing page.
After the landing page loads, complete the required fields (if there are any), and then click “Accept & Connect”.
Now, enjoy some blogs with your brew!
2. Barnes & Noble
Barnes & Noble, originally formed in the year 1886 as Arthur Hinds & Company, has come a long way technologically.
The aged bookseller now has free WiFi at most of its locations.
So drop by, thumb through and sniff a few books, and get connected.
3. McDonald’s
You want some WiFi with that burger? Well, now you got it at most of the 11,500 McDonald’s restaurants around the country.
Now, we’ve been told by some readers that there are a few McDonald’s out there that do not offer free WiFi, and we actually confirmed with McDonald’s that some store franchisors opt out of offering free WiFi for guests (boo).
But the vast majority of McDonald’s restaurants around the country do indeed have free AT&T WiFi.
4. The Apple Store
Are you near a mall? If so, you may be near an Apple Store.
All Apple Stores have a wireless hotspot in them that you can access from any device.
And if for some reason it isn’t working, you can walk right in and use one of their computers to access the web.
5. Staples
Staples has free WiFi, and that makes sense.
Its customers are generally people shopping for businesses, and they may need to check the Internet (on their mobile device) to price shop or figure out exactly what item they need.
6. Target
Many stores that have their own app offer free WiFi because they want more people to use their app.
Target, which released its proprietary Cartwheel App a few years back, is no exception.
The retailer offers free WiFi to all guests.
7. Public Library
If all else fails, see if there’s a public library near you where you can get online.
Be careful, though, since a few libraries require that you have a library card with them in order to use their WiFi.
Related: How to Get the Most Out of Your Local Library
Where else have you gotten free WiFi, readers? Let me know in the comments!
Public Libraries often do require a library card – issued by their city (and not neighboring towns) – plus the speeds I’ve encountered are often painfully slow 0.something Mbps and inadequate to download updates. I assume this is because the people running the libraries (city governments) simply don’t know how to negotiate a proper deal and/or have no one responsible to see to it that they are (We are!) getting our money’s worth.