Set up multiple WiFi Networks (Phone hotspots)

Question

I want to be able to connect through different phones' hotspots (Pi4 - operating system of last June - the Pi has a static IP).

I am only able to connect to the latest phone that was connected and wpa_supplicant shows the others as disabled=1

I followed this post: How to setup multiple WiFi networks?

But every time I modify wpa_supplicant the file goes back to its original script. Basically:

1. I delete disabled=1,
2. I add the priority
3. and I add names for the id_str
4. then I press CTRL+X and Y

However nothing changes and I am only able to connect to the latest phone's hotspot the pi was connected.

If I re-open wpa_supplicant.conf just after I supposedly change it the file it is in its original format including the disabled=1, no priorities and id_str.

What am I doing wrong?

Answer 1

"What am I doing wrong?"

Using the Network icon on the Desktop to change WiFi networks.

This is how it is DESIGNED to work, and is the only (reliable) way of MANUALLY switching networks.

You could set update_config=0 - but then you can't use the Network icon to change WiFi networks.

There should be no need to MANUALLY switch networks on a correctly configured wpa_supplicant.conf.

See How to set up networking/WiFi

PS setting static IP is a recipe for disaster with different hotspots. It MAY work if they ALL use the most common setting.

Incidentally that post is hopelessly out of date. Following any 8 year old tutorial is dangerous.