The FreeWiFi Secure network uses an authentication protocol linked to the SIM card of the Free mobile subscriber. Contrary to what the term “free wifi code” suggests, this network does not rely on a traditional username/password pair. The distinction between FreeWiFi and FreeWiFi Secure, often misunderstood, directly affects the connection method.
EAP-SIM Protocol: the mechanism that replaces the wifi code on FreeWiFi Secure
FreeWiFi Secure operates thanks to the EAP-SIM protocol, an authentication method that utilizes the information contained in the phone’s SIM card. The network automatically identifies the Free mobile subscriber without any password being manually entered.
This protocol establishes an encrypted exchange between the SIM card and the hotspot. The Freebox of the individual emitting the signal verifies the validity of the subscription directly with Free’s servers. The user does not intervene in this process.
The connection is protected by WPA encryption, which distinguishes it from the classic FreeWiFi network (not secured). On the latter, Freebox subscribers must indeed enter credentials retrieved from their subscriber area on wifi.free.fr. The two networks coexist but do not use the same access logic at all.
For subscribers looking to obtain a free wifi code, the answer depends on the targeted network: FreeWiFi Secure does not require one, while classic FreeWiFi requires Freebox credentials.
Classic FreeWiFi vs FreeWiFi Secure: two networks, two distinct accesses
The confusion between these two networks generates the majority of connection problems encountered by Free subscribers.
Classic FreeWiFi: Freebox credentials required
The network named “FreeWiFi” (without the word “Secure”) is accessible to Freebox subscribers. The first connection requires visiting wifi.free.fr to activate the wifi account. The credentials are distinct from those of the Freebox subscriber area: they were communicated by postal mail during subscription.
This network does not benefit from WPA encryption. Data is transmitted in clear between the device and the hotspot, making it vulnerable on a public network.
FreeWiFi Secure: reserved for Free mobile subscribers
Only holders of an active Free mobile SIM card can connect to FreeWiFi Secure. The three Free mobile plans (2 euro plan, unlimited plan, and Special Series) provide access. The traffic consumed via this network does not count against the mobile plan’s data, a point often overlooked by subscribers with smaller plans.
- Classic FreeWiFi: manual credentials, open network, reserved for Freebox subscribers
- FreeWiFi Secure: automatic SIM authentication, WPA encryption, reserved for Free mobile subscribers
- A subscriber who has both a Freebox and a Free mobile plan can access both networks, but via different mechanisms
Connecting to FreeWiFi Secure on Android and iPhone: initial setup
The connection is automatic once the initial setup is completed. On Android, you need to access the WiFi settings, select the “FreeWifi_secure” network, and then choose “SIM” as the EAP method. The phone remembers this setting for future connections.
On iPhone, the procedure is even simpler: the FreeWiFi Secure network appears in the list of available networks, and the Free SIM card manages the authentication transparently. No manual configuration of the EAP protocol is required on the iOS side.
In case of connection failure, three checks are necessary:
- The inserted SIM card must be a valid Free mobile SIM (not a Freebox SIM or one from another operator)
- The Free mobile plan must be active, without line suspension for non-payment
- The selected network must indeed be “FreeWifi_secure” and not “FreeWifi” (the classic network that will require credentials)
If the problem persists, “forgetting the network” in the WiFi settings and then reconfiguring it resolves most cases. On some Android models, it is also necessary to check that the “SIM authentication” option is enabled in the advanced network settings.
Gradual phase-out of FreeWiFi Secure since 2025: what it changes
The community network FreeWiFi Secure is undergoing a gradual phase-out since 2025. Free is gradually disabling the service, meaning that the available hotspots are decreasing over the months.
This decision is explained by the evolution of mobile plans. The data allowances of Free plans have significantly increased in recent years, making the community network less relevant for the majority of subscribers. The unlimited plan, by definition, does not require any WiFi relay to save data.
For subscribers on the 2 euro plan, whose data allowance remains limited, the disappearance of FreeWiFi Secure is more penalizing. No direct alternative has been announced by Free to compensate for this loss of access.
Subscribers who still see the “FreeWifi_secure” network in their WiFi list can still connect as long as the hotspot remains active. However, configuring a new device for FreeWiFi Secure is no longer relevant in the medium term, as the network is set to disappear completely.
The credentials for the classic FreeWiFi network (non-Secure) remain functional for Freebox subscribers, but this network could follow the same trajectory. Subscribers who rely on Free’s community WiFi for their mobile connections should ensure that their mobile plan covers their data needs without this supplement.
