Man ends relationship with girlfriend after her phone automatically connects to hotel WiFi

What was meant to be a relaxing holiday turned into a dramatic breakup for a young couple in Chongqing, southwestern China, when a WiFi network stirred more than just signals. According to a report by the South China Morning Post (SCMP), a man broke up with his girlfriend after her phone mysteriously connected to the hotel’s WiFi, suggesting to him that she had visited the location before, and not alone.

A Holiday Gone Wrong

The incident occurred during the May Day holiday, when the couple checked into a local hotel for the first time together. As the woman, identified by her surname Li, stood at the reception desk trying to retrieve her digital ID having forgotten her physical card her phone automatically connected to the hotel’s WiFi.

Her boyfriend, witnessing this, immediately grew suspicious. Since both are Chongqing locals, he questioned how her device could have previously recognised the network if she had never been there. Despite Li's repeated assurances that this was her first visit, her partner refused to believe her and ended the relationship on the spot.

Li's Fight for the Truth

Feeling devastated and disbelieved even by friends, Li decided to investigate the matter herself. She eventually recalled that she had once worked at a different hotel in the city, which used the same WiFi name and password.

To verify her claim, a reporter from Chongqing TV visited both the hotel Li had worked at and the one she visited with her boyfriend. As suspected, the reporter’s phone auto-connected to the hotel WiFi just as Li’s had.

Expert Clears the Air

A cybersecurity expert, Mr Liu, also weighed in, confirming the technical explanation. “It is normal for a smartphone to automatically connect to a new Wi-Fi network if it shares the same username and password as one the device has previously saved,” he explained.

A Digital Misunderstanding with Real-World Consequences

Li’s story has since gone viral on Chinese social media, with many users sympathizing with her and criticising her ex-boyfriend for jumping to conclusions. While technology may offer convenience, this bizarre episode is a stark reminder of how it can sometimes complicate our most human emotions—trust, doubt, and heartbreak.