Connect to secured and hidden SSID without manually editing config files

Question

Is there an alternative to manually editing configuration files if I want to connect my PI 3 to a hidden -and secure- SSID?

Answer 1

I you, like me, don't feel like manually editing the interfaces and wpa_supplicant config files AND you own or have admin access to the network you're trying to connect to, then this simple trick should do it:

• set your router to broadcast your ssid (only 2.4Ghz mind you) for like 2 minutes.
• your pi should list your ssid, connect to it with your passkey.
• set your router to NOT broadcast it again.
• reboot your pi and it should pick it up automatically even if hidden on each start.

Tested it myself and working.

Answer 2

execute the following command in a terminal:

sudo apt-get install wicd-gtk

and wait for it to install itself on your RPi. Double-click on the Internet/Wicd Network Manager menu item.
If it does not list your hidden essid, then change your router settings to show the hidden essid (You're better off protecting the essid with a passphrase, rather than hiding the essid).
If that doesn't appeal to you execute the following in a terminal:

sudo apt-get install network-manager

This will install nmcli on your RPi.
Use nmcli:

sudo nmcli con add conectionName PiHostName ifname wlan0 type wifi ssid HiddenSSID
sudo nmcli con modify PiHostName wifi-sec.key-mgmt wpa-psk
sudo nmcli con modify PiHostName wifi-sec.psk HiddenPassPhrase 
sudo kill wpa_supplicant
sudo nmcli con up PiHostName