Eduroam is a guest WiFi network for students and staff at participating schools
Eduroam (Education Roaming) is a free WiFi network available at universities, colleges, and research institutions worldwide. If your school participates, you can connect using your student or staff login credentials — the same username and password you use for email or the student portal. The network is encrypted and works across thousands of institutions in over 100 countries, so your login travels with you.
Connection steps differ slightly by device type, but the core process is the same: find Eduroam in your available networks, select it, and enter your institutional credentials. Most devices connect on the first try once you have the right username format. If you do not know your login details or your school does not offer Eduroam, your institution's IT help desk can confirm both.
Key Takeaways
- Eduroam uses your school login (student ID and password), not a separate account, so check your institution's IT website for the exact username format your school requires.
- On most devices, you select Eduroam from the WiFi list, choose your institution from a dropdown menu, and enter your credentials — no certificate installation needed for standard setups.
- Connection problems usually stem from an incorrect username format, expired password, or your school not offering Eduroam; contact your IT help desk to confirm both.
- Eduroam works on phones, tablets, and laptops, and once connected, your device typically reconnects automatically when you return to campus.
How to connect on Windows or Mac
Open your WiFi settings and look for Eduroam in the list of available networks. Click or tap Eduroam to select it. A login window will appear asking for your username and password.
Enter your institutional username in the format your school specifies — this is often your student ID number, email address without the domain, or a combination like "studentid@institution.edu". Check your school's IT website or email confirmation to see the exact format; using the wrong one is the most common reason connection fails. Enter your institutional password (the same one you use for email or the student portal).
On Windows, you may see a checkbox asking whether to trust the certificate or network. Check the box to proceed. On Mac, the system may ask for permission to save the password to your keychain — select "Always" so your device reconnects automatically next time. Click Connect or OK.
Your device should connect within a few seconds. If a browser window opens asking you to log in again, close it — Eduroam does not use a captive portal login page. If you see an error message, check that your username format and password are correct, then try again.
How to connect on iPhone or iPad
Go to Settings, then WiFi. Find Eduroam in the list of available networks and tap it. A login screen will appear.
Tap the Username field and enter your institutional username in the exact format your school requires. Tap the Password field and enter your institutional password. Leave the Security Type set to WPA2/WPA3 (the default) unless your school's IT instructions say otherwise.
Tap Join. Your device will connect and remember the network, so you will reconnect automatically when you return to campus. If you see a message saying "Cannot Connect", go back to Settings > WiFi, tap the Eduroam network name, select "Forget This Network", and try again with your username and password double-checked.
How to connect on Android
Open Settings and go to WiFi. Tap Eduroam from the list of available networks. A login screen will appear.
Select your institution from the dropdown menu labeled "Domain" or "EAP Method" — this list shows participating schools. If you do not see your school, it may not offer Eduroam; contact your IT help desk to confirm. Enter your institutional username and password in the fields provided. Leave the security settings at their defaults unless your school's IT website gives different instructions.
Tap Connect. Your device will connect and save the network. If connection fails, check that your username format matches what your school specifies, then try again. Some Android devices ask you to install a certificate before connecting; if prompted, follow the on-screen steps or contact your IT help desk for guidance.
Troubleshooting connection problems
The most common reason Eduroam connection fails is an incorrect username format. Before troubleshooting anything else, visit your school's IT website or email your IT help desk asking for the exact username format they require — it may be your student ID, your email address, a shortened version, or something else entirely. Write it down and try connecting again.
If you have the correct username and password but still cannot connect, try forgetting the network and reconnecting. On Windows or Mac, go to WiFi settings, find Eduroam, and select "Forget" or "Remove". On iPhone, go to Settings > WiFi, tap the Eduroam network name, and select "Forget This Network". On Android, long-press Eduroam and select "Forget". Then reconnect using the steps above.
If you still see an error after reconnecting, your password may have expired or your account may have been deactivated. Log into your school's student portal or email to confirm your account is active. If you cannot log in there either, contact your IT help desk — they can reset your password or reactivate your account.
If Eduroam does not appear in your network list at all, you may be out of range of the campus WiFi, or your school may not offer Eduroam. Move closer to a campus building and refresh your network list. If Eduroam still does not appear, contact your IT help desk to confirm your school participates in the Eduroam network.
What to do if your school does not offer Eduroam
Not all institutions participate in Eduroam. If Eduroam does not appear in your network list and your IT help desk confirms your school is not part of the network, you will need to connect to your school's own guest or student WiFi network instead.
Look for a network name like "SchoolName-Guest", "SchoolName-Student", or "SchoolName-WiFi" in your available networks. Select it and follow any login or registration steps that appear. Your IT help desk can tell you the network name and provide login instructions if you cannot find it.
Eduroam on multiple devices
You can connect multiple devices to Eduroam using the same login credentials. Each device will remember the network and reconnect automatically when you return to campus. If you change your institutional password, you will need to update it on each device by forgetting the network and reconnecting with the new password.
If you graduate, change schools, or your account is deactivated, your Eduroam login will stop working. Forget the network from all your devices at that time so you do not see repeated connection errors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a separate Eduroam password?
No. Eduroam uses your institutional login — the same username and password you use for email or the student portal. If you do not know your password, use your school's password reset tool on the IT website, or contact the IT help desk.
Why does my device keep disconnecting from Eduroam?
Disconnections usually happen if your device moves out of range or if your password has expired. Try moving closer to a campus building. If the problem continues, log into your school's student portal to confirm your account is active and your password has not expired. If it has, reset it and reconnect to Eduroam.
Can I use Eduroam off campus?
Eduroam only works on networks operated by participating institutions. You cannot use it at home, coffee shops, or other locations. However, your login works at any other participating school or research institution worldwide if you visit one.
Is Eduroam secure?
Yes. Eduroam uses WPA2/WPA3 encryption, which is the same security standard used by most institutional and corporate networks. Your login credentials are encrypted during transmission, so it is safe to use for email, banking, and other sensitive tasks.
What if I see a certificate warning when connecting?
Some devices or networks may prompt you to accept or install a certificate. This is normal for Eduroam. If you trust the network (you are on your school's campus), you can proceed. If you are unsure, contact your IT help desk before accepting.