You can use your phone's mobile data to connect another phone, tablet or computer to the Internet. Sharing a connection this way is called tethering or using a hotspot. Some phones can share Wi-Fi connection by tethering.
Most Android phones can share mobile data by Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or USB.
Important: Some mobile operators limit or charge extra for tethering. We recommend checking with your operator.
Important: Some of these steps work only on Android 9 and up. Learn how to check your Android version.
Turn on your hotspot
- Swipe down from the top of the screen.
- Tap Hotspot
.
- If you don’t find Hotspot
and drag Hotspot
- If you don’t find Hotspot
and drag Hotspot Connect another device to your phone's hotspot
- On the other device, open that device's list of Wi-Fi options.
- Pick your phone's hotspot name.
- Enter your phone's hotspot password.
- Click Connect.
If you don't want your hotspot to require a password:
- Swipe down from the top of the screen.
- Touch and hold Hotspot
- Under 'Security', tap None.
Tip: You can share your phone's mobile data with up to 10 other devices via a Wi-Fi hotspot.
Choose how to tether
Tether by Wi-Fi
Tether by Bluetooth
Tether by USB cable
- Swipe down from the top of the screen.
- Touch and hold Hotspot
- Turn on Wi-Fi hotspot.
Tip: To find or change your hotspot name or password, tap it. You may need to first tap Set up Wi-Fi hotspot.
- Pair your phone with the other device.
- Set up the other device's network connection with Bluetooth.
- On your phone, swipe down from the top of the screen.
- Touch and hold Hotspot
- Turn on Bluetooth tethering.
Important: Mac computers can't tether with Android by USB.
- Connect your phone to the other device with a USB cable. A notification shows at the top of the screen.
- On your phone, swipe down from the top of the screen.
- Touch and hold Hotspot
- Turn on USB tethering.
Extend battery life while tethering
- Plug in your devices while tethering.
- Turn off tethering connections when you've finished with them.
- If your phone can turn off your hotspot for you when no devices are connected, turn on that setting.