Can't connect to database from Android App

So basically I'm trying to connect to my online database. I have 2 php files hosted on my website. I'm able to connect to those php files from the app. In those php files I set up a connection. I check the connection using ($conn->connect_error) and it says I successfully connected. I then try and ping my server using mysqli_ping() except that returns false.

So I'm able to connect to the server, but the servers ping fails? If I try to connect to this database using MySQLWorkbench (entering the EXACT same credentials), I can access the database and perform a successful query, where using my PHP files I can connect but can't access the database and can't perform any queries.