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Wifi

Wifi connectivity is available across campus and at various offsite locations owned and/or managed by the University.

Available wifi networks on campus

eduroam

A secure network that should be used by anyone with a University account.

eduroam wifi is a worldwide wifi service allowing users from participating institutions to access the internet at other eduroam-enabled institutions using their home university credentials.

UoY Setup

A limited time internet connection that gives you access to the network setup tool to set up your connection to eduroam. University staff and students will need to use this network first if they have never connected to eduroam before.

mydevices

A pre-shared key network allowing smart home devices and games consoles to connect to the internet.

CityConnect

CityConnectWiFi is a free wifi network maintained by a third-party supplier.

  • Ideal for visitors who don't have access to eduroam through York or another university. If you have a University account, you should use eduroam.
  • IT Services cannot provide help with connecting to this service.

Key features

  • Over 5,000 wifi access points, providing comprehensive wifi coverage across campus and University buildings.
  • Once connected to eduroam, York users can set up access to internal digital resources such as filestores and printing.

Access instructions

eduroam

If you're using a University-managed device it should connect to eduroam automatically. You may need to enter your username in the format username@york.ac.uk and your password.

You'll need to set up any personal devices before connecting:

Various networks are available to staff, students, associates, conference guests

All networks are available to members of the University with a valid IT Services account. Conference guests and visitors are only able to access CityConnect. Visitors on University business can request a temporary account to connect to eduroam through their University contact.

Compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iOS.

For all wifi networks, you should ensure you are running a current up-to-date, fully-patched operating system.

Funded by the University

There isn’t a cost to you for standard use.

Additional information

The following devices are known to work on the mydevices network:

  • Amazon Echo/Dot devices
  • Xbox
  • PlayStation
  • Nintendo consoles
  • Smart TVs

You may try to connect other smart home devices to the mydevices network, however we cannot guarantee that they will connect or work with full functionality if they do connect.

You will need to register your device with us so that they can connect to the network. As part of the registration process you will need to know your device's MAC address. 

This network should not be used to connect laptops, phones or tablets – please connect these devices to the eduroam network. 

Prohibited devices

You're not allowed to use any of the following on the campus network. They can cause significant disruption and/or pose security risks.

  • devices with out-of-date, unsupported operating systems.
  • wireless access points or wifi repeaters not installed and managed by IT Services.
  • network infrastructure equipment such as routers or managed switches not authorised by IT Services.
  • personal hotspots including mifi devices.
  • devices that are set up for internet connection sharing.

Incompatible devices

There are a number of devices that won't work or won’t have full functionality on our network. This includes devices designed for a domestic setting and requiring client-to-client communication.

For example, you can't use the following on our network:

  • media devices such as Sonos audio systems
  • Google Chromecast
  • smart domestic devices such as wifi kettles and wifi light bulbs and smart switches
  • wireless printers will have limited functionality. You will be able to use cloud print services but in order to print locally you will have to connect via a USB cable.

If in doubt, you can contact IT Services to check if a device will work before purchasing or bringing it to campus.

Access instructions

eduroam

If you're using a University-managed device it should connect to eduroam automatically. You may need to enter your username in the format username@york.ac.uk and your password.

You'll need to set up any personal devices before connecting:

Related tools

Guides and help

How-to guides and set up

Search all our guides and help

Contact for support

If you're experiencing technical issues and need advice, please contact IT Services.

Service commitments

  • All wifi networks: You must comply with Regulation 11: Using University Information.
  • eduroam: You must comply with the eduroam (UK) policy (jisc.ac.uk).
  • Personal hotspots: Many mobile phones and other devices allow you to create a personal wifi hotspot, usually using a data network connection. We ask you not to use this facility while on campus. Personal hotspots interfere with the campus wifi, causing significant local disruption.

The following policies apply to all IT services provided by the University.

Availability

Support

  • This service is managed by IT Services.
  • We are responsible for monitoring, identifying and fixing faults.
  • Support is available during our opening hours.

Standards

  • Our service performance and standards have been produced in consultation with our customers, and we monitor the delivery, performance and availability of facilities and services.

We appreciate feedback as it helps us review and continually improve our service.

Page last reviewed: 9 September 2024