diff --git a/pwnagotchi/grid.py b/pwnagotchi/grid.py
index a76c269d..b4abe77a 100644
--- a/pwnagotchi/grid.py
+++ b/pwnagotchi/grid.py
@@ -13,10 +13,9 @@ API_ADDRESS = "http://127.0.0.1:8666/api/v1"
 def is_connected():
     try:
         # check DNS
-        host = socket.gethostbyname('api.pwnagotchi.ai')
-        if host:
-            # check connectivity itself
-            socket.create_connection((host, 443), timeout=30)
+        host = 'https://api.opwngrid.xyz/api/v1/uptime'
+        r = requests.get(host, headers=None, timeout=(30.0, 60.0))
+        if r.json().get('isUp'):
             return True
     except:
         pass