Instructions for Using Free Wireless Internet at Starbucks

When I'm in Starbucks using my laptop, people ask me all the time "how did you access the Internet?"

Many people don't even realize that they can free Internet service at Starbucks locations. It's not 100% at least not technically-you have to buy a $5 Starbucks card, which you use to register for an account. But the upside is that you can then use the $5 car to make purchases. This service is through AT&T WiFi.

So how does it work? Well first you buy the Starbucks card (it needs to be recharged regularly-you can buy on online as well). On the back is a scratch off code. You need this to register and sign up for free wireless Internet.

Connect your laptop to the wireless connection marked "attwifi" and then bring up a browser. Type in a random website, like www.google.com. This will bring you to the Starbucks AT&T WiFi login page. You'll see a link on the front page that says "Sign up for a Starbucks/WiFi account" or similar (it's pretty small, so keep looking).

Follow the instructions to register your card and account. The registration wizard will ask you for that code on the back of the Starbucks card and instruct you on how to create a username and password to access wireless Internet in the store. (You may have to confirm your registration with an email address, so it's best to have a web-enabled cell phone handy to open the email and click the link.)

Now you can go back to the main login page (just type in "google.com" or something similar) with your username and password in hand. The website will automatically default to the Starbucks main login page. Enter your Starbucks username and password, select "AT&T WiFi" from the drop down list, and be sure to accept the terms. Click "Login" and wait for the confirmation screen that says you're online. You can now type in a web address as usual.

If you have any problems with accessing or using the free wireless Internet at Starbucks, just call the customer service number on the back of the card.

Sources:

Using AT&T WiFi at Starbucks for Free

http://www.att.com/gen/general?pid=11375