📡 What is FoxHardware connectivity?
Connectivity describes how a FoxHardware device transmits its measurement results to the FoxCloud. From there, the measurement results are displayed in FoxPortal and in the FoxMobile app. Depending on the model, FoxHardware devices can connect via the mobile network or via Wi-Fi.
Bluetooth is used exclusively for the local on-site connection between the FoxHardware and the FoxMobile app, for example during setup or during the “Device & measurement check”. No measurement results are transmitted to the FoxCloud via Bluetooth.
Connection types of the individual FoxHardware devices
Device | Mobile network standards | Wi-Fi |
NB-IoT, LTE-M (Cat-M) | yes | |
NB-IoT, LTE-M (Cat-M) | yes | |
FoxRadar (Gen 3) | NB-IoT, LTE-M (Cat-M), 2G | yes |
FoxPressure (Gen 3) | NB-IoT, LTE-M (Cat-M), 2G | yes |
FoxSonic | NB-IoT | yes |
NB-IoT | yes | |
FoxHall | NB-IoT, LTE-M (Cat-M) | no |
NB-IoT, LTE-M (Cat-M) | no | |
NB-IoT, LTE-M (Cat-M) | no |
The FoxHardware device automatically selects which mobile network standard is used based on the available networks. All FoxHardware devices with mobile network capability use an integrated SIM card. You do not need your own SIM card.
🎯 What are the mobile network and Wi-Fi each suited for?
Mobile network
The mobile network is the default connection method of the FoxHardware. It is independent of the on-site infrastructure: neither a router nor login credentials of the end customer are required. If necessary, the FoxHardware can automatically switch between the currently strongest mobile networks. This increases the likelihood that the measurement results are successfully transmitted to the FoxCloud.
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is an alternative for locations with weak or no mobile network coverage, provided that a suitable Wi-Fi router is available on site. The connection depends on the end customer’s Wi-Fi infrastructure. If the router is switched off or replaced, or the Wi-Fi password is changed, the FoxHardware can no longer connect to the configured Wi-Fi network.
For this case, there is an automatic fallback to the mobile network: if a FoxHardware device with mobile network capability can no longer connect to the previously configured Wi-Fi network, it automatically transmits its measurement results via the mobile network. Exception: if the option “Wi-Fi only” is selected on the partner level, there is no automatic switch to the mobile network.
A weak connection – whether mobile network or Wi-Fi – increases battery consumption and can lead to missing measurements. You can find possible causes and solutions in the article FoxHardware - Battery drains faster than expected?
⚙️ How does the connectivity setting work?
Set the default connectivity preference in FoxPortal
In FoxPortal, you define which connection method is displayed as the preferred option when the FoxHardware is set up in the FoxMobile app. This setting applies to all FoxHardware devices on the same partner level and can only be changed by users with the Administrator or Manager role.
In FoxPortal, select “Settings” in the left panel.
Select “Connectivity”.
If you want to define a different setting for a subordinate partner level than for the parent partner level, first activate the “Override Settings” switch.
Under “Default Connectivity Preference”, select one of the three options and click “Save”.
Option | Behavior during setup in FoxMobile | Changing the connection method afterwards |
Mobile radio (default setting) | The FoxHardware automatically connects via the mobile network. The end customer is not asked whether they would like to connect to Wi-Fi instead. | Switching to Wi-Fi is possible at any time. |
Wi-Fi | The end customer is asked for the Wi-Fi router and the Wi-Fi password. | Switching to the mobile network is possible at any time. If the FoxHardware can no longer connect to the configured Wi-Fi network, it automatically switches to the mobile network. |
Wi-Fi only | The end customer is asked for the Wi-Fi router and the Wi-Fi password. | Switching to the mobile network is not possible, neither automatically nor manually, as long as this option is selected. |
The default connectivity preference in FoxPortal does not change the connection method of FoxHardware devices that have already been set up. It only defines which connection method is displayed to the FoxMobile user as the preferred option during setup.
Switch the connection method of a single device
To switch between the mobile network and Wi-Fi for a specific FoxHardware device, use the “Device & measurement check” in the FoxMobile app. This is possible at any time. As soon as the FoxHardware has connected to the FoxMobile app via Bluetooth, you can do the following under “Connectivity settings”:
switch between the mobile network and Wi-Fi
for Wi-Fi: change the Wi-Fi settings, for example after replacing the router or changing the Wi-Fi password
for the mobile network: select the preferred mobile network (e.g. Vodafone)
We recommend keeping the default setting for the mobile network. The FoxHardware can then automatically switch between the currently strongest mobile networks so that the measurement results are reliably transmitted to the FoxCloud.
It is not possible to switch between the mobile network and Wi-Fi for a specific FoxHardware device via FoxPortal.
Requirements for a Wi-Fi connection
To connect the FoxHardware to Wi-Fi, you always need the name of the Wi-Fi router and the Wi-Fi password. Also make sure that the router meets the router requirements. Otherwise, it is not possible to connect the FoxHardware to Wi-Fi.
🌍 Country settings for the mobile network
What does the country setting affect?
Before delivery, each FoxHardware device is set to the country to which it is delivered. This country setting mainly affects
which country is displayed in FoxPortal under “Devices” (left panel) → device details → section “Tank data, configuration & location”.
which postal codes can be entered in FoxMobile (“My tanks” → “Tank settings” → “Address”) and in FoxPortal (“Devices” (left panel) → device details → “Edit” → tab “Location”).
How is the country setting changed?
You cannot change the country setting of a FoxHardware device yourself. Please contact the FoxInsights Support Team and specify the affected devices and the country they should be switched to.
Using FoxHardware in other countries
The country setting only has a limited influence on the country in which a FoxHardware device can connect to the mobile network. Most EU countries use an international mobile network profile. A FoxHardware device set to Germany can therefore also be installed in the Netherlands, for example. We nevertheless recommend having the FoxInsights Support Team switch the device to the country of installation so that entering the postal code works smoothly.
Exceptions: Switzerland, United Kingdom (UK) and USA
These countries do not use the international mobile network profile. If you want to operate FoxHardware devices in these countries via the mobile network, please contact the FoxInsights Support Team before installation so that the corresponding mobile network settings can be made.
A connection via Wi-Fi, on the other hand, is possible in all countries without any changes.
🔍 How can you see how a device is currently connected?
You can see whether a FoxHardware device is currently connected via the mobile network or Wi-Fi in the following places in FoxPortal:
You can see the signal strength of a device in FoxPortal in the “Signal” column of the device table. Directly at the tank, you can check the current signal strength with the “Device & measurement check” in the FoxMobile app.
❓ Frequently asked questions
Does the setting in FoxPortal change the connection of devices that are already installed?
No. The default connectivity preference under “Settings” → “Connectivity” only defines which connection method is displayed as the preferred option during setup in the FoxMobile app. Devices that have already been set up keep their connection method.
How do I switch a device from the mobile network to Wi-Fi or vice versa?
Use the “Device & measurement check” in the FoxMobile app and select the desired connection method under “Connectivity settings”. This switch is not possible via FoxPortal. If “Wi-Fi only” is selected on the partner level, switching to the mobile network is only possible once this option has been deselected.
What happens if the Wi-Fi network is no longer available?
If the FoxHardware can no longer connect to the configured Wi-Fi network, it automatically switches to the mobile network – unless “Wi-Fi only” is selected on the partner level. If the device still does not send any data, check whether the router is switched on and whether the router or the Wi-Fi password has been changed. In this case, update the Wi-Fi settings via the “Device & measurement check” or switch to the mobile network there. You can find further solutions in the article The FoxHardware no longer sends fill level measurements and is offline - what can I do?
Can I select the mobile network provider for a device?
Yes. In the “Device & measurement check” in the FoxMobile app, you can select a preferred mobile network under “Connectivity settings”. However, we recommend keeping the default setting so that the FoxHardware can automatically switch to the strongest mobile network in each case.
Can I install a device set to Germany abroad?
In most EU countries, yes, as they use an international mobile network profile. We nevertheless recommend having the FoxInsights Support Team switch the device to the country of installation so that the postal code can be entered correctly. In Switzerland, the United Kingdom (UK) and the USA, the FoxInsights Support Team must change the settings in advance for a mobile network connection. A connection via Wi-Fi is possible in all countries without any changes.
Which FoxHardware devices cannot connect via Wi-Fi?
FoxHall, Hall Pro and Pressure EX connect exclusively via the mobile network (NB-IoT or LTE-M). All other FoxHardware devices can connect via both the mobile network and Wi-Fi.