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.
Important: Some mobile carriers limit or charge extra for tethering. We recommend checking with your carrier.
Tether by Wi-Fi hotspot
Use the Settings app
Step 2: 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.
Tip: You can share your phone's mobile data with up to 10 other devices via a Wi-Fi hotspot.
Use notifications
Step 2: Set up tethering using notifications
Step 1: Sign in to the same account on all devices
- Sign in to the same Google Account on all devices. Learn how to add accounts.
- Turn on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Learn how to turn them on.
Step 2: Let your phone share its connection
- Open your phone's Settings app.
- Tap Google Instant Tethering.
- Turn on Provide data connection.
Step 3: Let your other devices use your phone's connection
- Open your other device’s Settings app.
- Tap Google
Instant Tethering.
- Turn on Get data connection.
Tip: This kind of tethering is on by default for most devices that can use it.
Step 3: Tether using notifications
Step 1: Make sure your devices are ready
- Check that all devices are set up to tether via notifications (above).
- Keep your phone with mobile data nearby.
- Unlock the device that you want to connect.
Step 2: On the other device that’s not connection
Step 3: On your phone with mobile data
- When you connect, you’ll get a “Sharing data connection” notification. This notification will stay on as long as you're connected.
- To disconnect, on the notification, tap Disconnect.
Tip: When you don't use an Instant Tethering connection for about 10 minutes, it disconnects.
Tether by Bluetooth
- Pair your phone with the other device.
- Set up the other device to get its network connection by Bluetooth. Follow the instructions that came with the device.
- Open your phone's Settings app.
- Tap Network & internet Hotspot & tethering.
- Tap Bluetooth tethering.
Tether by USB cable
Important: Mac computers can't tether with Android by USB.
- Using a USB cable, connect your phone to the other device. A "Connected as a…" notification shows at the top of the screen.
- Open your phone's Settings app.
- Tap Network & internet
Hotspot & tethering.
- Turn on USB tethering.
Let your hotspot turn off automatically
Important: To save battery, your hotspot turns off when no devices are connected.
Tip: We recommend plugging in your devices while tethering, and turning off connections when done.
Related resources
- Use your Pixel phone with any mobile carrier
- Connect to Wi-Fi networks
- Connect via Bluetooth
- Transfer files between your computer & phone
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