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NetworkHelper

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The NetworkHelper class provides functionality to monitor changes in network connection and allows users to query for network information without additional lookups.

It exposes network information though a property called ConnectionInformation. The ConnectionInformation holds information about ConnectionType, ConnectivityLevel, ConnectionCost, SignalStrength, Internet Connectivity and more.

What is a metered connection? A metered connection is an Internet connection that has a data limit or cost associated with it. Cellular data connections are set as metered by default. Wi-Fi network connections can be set to metered, but aren't by default. Application developers should take metered nature of connection into account and reduce data usage.

Try it in the sample app

NetworkHelper Properties

Property Type Description
ConnectionInformation ConnectionInformation Gets instance of ConnectionInformation
Instance NetworkHelper Gets public singleton property

ConnectionInformation Properties

Property Type Description
ConnectionCost ConnectionCost Gets connection cost for the current Internet Connection Profile
ConnectionType ConnectionType Gets connection type for the current Internet Connection Profile
ConnectivityLevel NetworkConnectivityLevel Gets connectivity level for the current Internet Connection Profile
IsInternetAvailable bool Gets a value indicating whether internet is available across all connections
IsInternetOnMeteredConnection bool Gets a value indicating whether if the current internet connection is metered
NetworkNames IReadOnlyList<string> Gets signal strength for the current Internet Connection Profile
SignalStrength Nullable<Byte> Gets signal strength for the current Internet Connection Profile

ConnectionInformation Methods

Methods Return Type Description
UpdateConnectionInformation(ConnectionProfile) void Updates the current object based on profile passed

NetworkHelper Events

Events Description
NetworkChanged Event raised when the network changes

Example

// Detect if Internet can be reached
if (NetworkHelper.Instance.ConnectionInformation.IsInternetAvailable)
{
}

// Detect if the connection is metered
if (NetworkHelper.Instance.ConnectionInformation.IsInternetOnMeteredConnection)
{
}

// Get precise connection type
switch(NetworkHelper.Instance.ConnectionInformation.ConnectionType)
{
    case ConnectionType.Ethernet:
        // Ethernet
        break;
    case ConnectionType.WiFi:
        // WiFi
        break;
    case ConnectionType.Data:
        // Data
        break;
    case ConnectionType.Unknown:
        // Unknown
        break;
}

' Detect if Internet can be reached
If NetworkHelper.Instance.ConnectionInformation.IsInternetAvailable Then
    ...
End If

' Detect if the connection is metered
If NetworkHelper.Instance.ConnectionInformation.IsInternetOnMeteredConnection Then
   ...
End If

' Get precise connection type
Select Case NetworkHelper.Instance.ConnectionInformation.ConnectionType
    Case ConnectionType.Ethernet
        ' Ethernet
    Case ConnectionType.WiFi
        ' WiFi
    Case ConnectionType.Data
        ' Data
    Case ConnectionType.Unknown
        ' Unknown
End Select

Sample Project

NetworkHelper sample page Source. You can see this in action in the Windows Community Toolkit Sample App.

Requirements

Device family Universal, 10.0.16299.0 or higher
Namespace Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.Connectivity
NuGet package Microsoft.Toolkit.Uwp.Connectivity

API