Dual Channel Network Acceleration on Android Phone

[Swamp Thing]

My phone has a setting called Dual Channel Network Acceleration within the WiFi setup menu. Once you enable it, it shows a short list of apps that can be individually permitted to use this feature -- Firefox, Chrome, Internet (Native browser) and WhatsApp.

I would like to know what this does, and how to take advantage of it. At the moment it doesn't seem to be making any difference -- the mobile data connection icon in the status bar turns off when WiFi is enabled, just as it does with the Dual Channel switch set to OFF.

Also, there is a setting under Developer Options to keep data on even when WiFi is on, but that doesn't seem to be making any difference either.

Has anyone actually used one of these features, and how?

Edit: Since certain apps are listed under the Dual Channel option, does this mean that any developer can build an app that uses it? Where can one learn about the Android API for this?

 

[Wrichik Basu]

Dual Channel Network Acceleration is not related to mobile data. It allows you to connect to WiFi hotspots at two different frequencies — 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz — simultaneously. 5 GHz strength drops significantly faster when you go away from the router. So if you have Dual Channel Network Acceleration turned on, your device will likely rely on the stronger connection or one that gives a lower ping. The device will be simultaneously connected to both, so it can choose which one it wants to use, rather than first disconnecting from the 5 GHz and then connecting to the 2.4 GHz, or you manually switching to the other. It works best when you have a dual-channel router with the same SSIDs for both the channels.

there is a setting under Developer Options to keep data on even when WiFi is on, but that doesn't seem to be making any difference either.

That option is similar to Dual Channel Network Acceleration, but this time, it's between WiFi and mobile data. Mobile data remains active when you turn this on, so when your WiFi signal strength smalls, the device can quickly switch over to mobile data, rather than waiting for the mobile internet to be activated first.

 

[Swamp Thing]

I just checked what it says in the description, and it does say it's about using mobile data and WiFi...

 

[Wrichik Basu]

These are not established terms to be exact. If I say 802.11ac, you will know exactly what I am talking about. But terms like "Dual Channel Network Acceleration" are made by device manufacturers, and their meanings can vary from one brand to the other.