Share a mobile connection by hotspot or tethering on Android

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.

The Pixel battery continuously learns your behaviours and optimises itself based on your most recent app usage. When you set up a new device or after a factory reset, optimisation may take up to a few weeks to take full effect. For best results keep Adaptive Battery and Battery Optimisation on.

It's normal for your Pixel battery to drain a little more than usual after a software update. This is because the phone is working hard to download and optimise the new software and get everything up and running.

If you still experience unusual battery drain after a few days, please let us know and we'll be happy to help.

Turn on your hotspot

1. Swipe down from the top of the screen.
2. Tap Hotspot .
   • If you don’t find Hotspot , at the bottom left, tap Edit and drag Hotspot into your Quick Settings.

Connect another device to your phone's hotspot

1. On the other device, open that device's list of Wi-Fi options.
2. Pick your phone's hotspot name.
3. Enter your phone's hotspot password.
4. Click Connect.

If you don't want your hotspot to require a password:

1. Swipe down from the top of the screen.
2. Touch and hold Hotspot .
3. 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

1. Swipe down from the top of the screen.
2. Touch and hold Hotspot .
3. 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.

Tether by Bluetooth

1. Pair your phone with the other device.
2. Set up the other device's network connection with Bluetooth.
3. On your phone, swipe down from the top of the screen.
4. Touch and hold Hotspot .
5. Turn on Bluetooth tethering.

Tether by USB cable

Important: Mac computers can't tether with Android by USB.

1. Connect your phone to the other device with a USB cable. A notification shows at the top of the screen.
2. On your phone, swipe down from the top of the screen.
3. Touch and hold Hotspot .
4. 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.