Fallback AP

Automatic fallback Wi-Fi access point for headless Linux devices

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Table of Contents

• Fallback AP
  • About
    • Built With
  • Setup
    • Installation
    • Usage
  • License

About

A NetworkManager-based script for headless Linux devices (e.g. a Raspberry Pi) that keeps them reachable even when their configured Wi-Fi network isn't available. When the device loses its Wi-Fi connection, it automatically stands up a local access point so you can connect directly and reconfigure it. While that access point has no clients connected, it periodically steps aside for a short window to let NetworkManager try reconnecting to a known network in the background, then brings the access point back up if nothing was found.

Runs as a systemd service and is managed entirely through nmcli/iw — no extra daemons (hostapd, dnsmasq, etc.) required.

Built With

Setup

Installation

Prerequisites

• A Linux device with a Wi-Fi adapter (wlan0 by default) — a Raspberry Pi or similar SBC
• NetworkManager and iw (installed automatically if missing)
• Root access

Instructions

1. Download & Install: curl -sL https://git.zakscode.com/ztimson/fallback-ap/raw/branch/master/install.sh | sudo bash

Usage

Once installed, the service runs automatically and requires no further interaction. A few commands are available for manual control:

• sudo ./pi-fallback-ap.sh status — show service, connection, and access point state
• sudo ./pi-fallback-ap.sh start / stop — manually bring the access point up or down
• sudo ./pi-fallback-ap.sh uninstall — remove the service and access point profile

License

Copyright © 2026 Zakary Timson | Available under MIT Licensing