Android hotspot · Connect guide
How to turn on hotspot on Android and Samsung
Sources checked · how we check
Every Android phone can share its mobile data, but the menu name depends on the maker: Samsung calls it Mobile Hotspot, Google's Pixel calls it Wi-Fi hotspot. The quick-settings shortcut works on most phones.
01 · Before you start
Check these first
- Samsung says you need a tethering plan on your account; any carrier may limit or charge extra for tethering.
- Hotspots use battery and mobile data. Roaming while sharing can add charges.
- Some Android menu steps only work on Android 14 and later.
Source: Samsung: use a mobile hotspot on your Galaxy phone or tablet
02 · Connect
Step by step, by device
Most Android phones: quick settings
Swipe down → touch and hold Hotspot → Wi-Fi hotspot
- Swipe down from the top of the screen and touch and hold the Hotspot icon.
- Turn on Wi-Fi hotspot. If asked, tap Set up Wi-Fi hotspot to see the name and password.
Source: Google: share a mobile connection by hotspot or tethering on Android
Samsung Galaxy
Settings → Connections → Mobile Hotspot and Tethering → Mobile Hotspot
- Go to Settings → Connections → Mobile Hotspot and Tethering and tap the switch next to Mobile Hotspot. You can also turn it on from the Quick Panel.
- To see or change the network name and password, tap Mobile Hotspot and look in the Information section.
Source: Samsung: use a mobile hotspot on your Galaxy phone or tablet
Google Pixel
Settings → Network & internet → Hotspot & tethering → Wi-Fi hotspot
- Open Settings → Network & internet → Hotspot & tethering → Wi-Fi hotspot and turn it on.
- Tap the hotspot to change its name or password.
Pixel's Instant Tethering shares data automatically with your own devices on the same Google Account: Settings → Google → Instant Tethering.
USB or Bluetooth tethering
Touch and hold Hotspot → USB tethering or Bluetooth tethering
- USB: connect the phone to the other device with a cable, touch and hold Hotspot, and turn on USB tethering.
- Bluetooth: pair the phone with the other device first, then touch and hold Hotspot and turn on Bluetooth tethering.
Google notes Macs can't tether with Android phones by USB, or by Bluetooth on macOS Monterey and later.
If it still won't connect
If other devices can't see the hotspot, make sure it's still switched on and re-check the password in its settings. Up to 10 devices can join an Android Wi-Fi hotspot. Some carriers limit tethering, so check your plan if the hotspot won't share data.
Source: Google: share a mobile connection by hotspot or tethering on Android
Frequently asked questions
Where is the hotspot on a Samsung phone?
Settings → Connections → Mobile Hotspot and Tethering, or the Mobile Hotspot tile in the Quick Panel.
How many devices can connect to an Android hotspot?
Up to 10 devices over Wi-Fi.