What has changed, and what has not
Most major apps, including social apps, now encrypt the connection between your phone and their servers. That makes casual snooping on public Wi-Fi much harder than it used to be.
The remaining risks are less about the encryption and more about being tricked: joining the wrong network, typing details into a fake page or installing something you should not.
Watch out for lookalike networks
Anyone can create a hotspot named "Free Airport WiFi" or something close to a café's real name. If you connect to it, the person running it can see which sites you visit and may show you fake login pages.
Ask staff for the exact network name, and be wary of open networks with generic names. Turn off auto-join for public networks so your phone does not connect without asking.
Be careful with login and sign-up pages
Many public networks show a page asking you to accept terms or enter an email. Be suspicious if it asks for your social media password, bank details or to install an app.
Never log in to your accounts through a link on a Wi-Fi portal. Open the app itself instead.
Simple habits that help
Keep your phone's system and apps updated, since updates fix security problems. Use two-factor authentication so a stolen password is not enough on its own.
For banking, payments or changing passwords, switch to mobile data or a personal hotspot when you can. Some people also use a reputable VPN on public networks for an extra layer of protection.
After using public Wi-Fi
Forget the network in your settings once you leave, so your phone will not reconnect automatically later. Check your accounts for unfamiliar login alerts if anything felt off.
If you think you entered your password on a suspicious page, change it straight away and sign out of other sessions in the app's security settings.
Frequently asked questions
Can someone see my TikTok activity on public Wi-Fi?
Encrypted apps make the content of your activity hard to read on a shared network, but a fake hotspot can still see some information and try to trick you. Use trusted networks and keep apps updated.
Do I need a VPN on public Wi-Fi?
It is not essential for most everyday scrolling, but a reputable VPN adds protection on networks you do not trust. Avoid unknown free VPN apps, which may collect your data themselves.