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.
- Most Android phones can share mobile data by Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or USB using the Settings app.
- All Pixel and some Nexus phones can also share mobile data by Wi-Fi using notifications.
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.
Tether by Wi-Fi hotspot
Use the Settings app
Step 1: Turn on your phone's hotspot
Important: If you've turned on Data Saver, turn it off to tether by Wi-Fi. Learn how to turn off Data Saver.
- Open your phone's Settings app.
- Tap Network and Internet
Hotspot and tethering
- Turn on Wi-Fi hotspot.
- To see or change a hotspot setting, such as the name or password, tap it. If needed, first tap Set up Wi-Fi hotspot.
Hotspot and tethering Tip: If you don't want your hotspot to require a password, pick None under 'Security'.
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 1: Check that your devices can tether using notifications
Make sure that your phone can receive shared mobile data via notifications. Eligible phones include:
- Pixel phones
- Pixel C tablet
- Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Nexus 6 and Nexus 9
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
- 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
- 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 that 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 connected
- You get a 'Wi-Fi hotspot available' notification. Tap it and follow the on-screen steps.
- To connect later without the notification, open your Settings app and tap Google
- If you see a network verification notification, tap Continue.
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 and Internet
- 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 and Internet
- Turn on USB tethering.
Let your hotspot turn off automatically
Important: To save battery, your hotspot turns off when no devices are connected.
- Open your phone's Settings app.
- Tap Network and Internet
- To turn this setting on or off, tap Turn off hotspot automatically.
Tip: We recommend plugging in your devices while tethering, and turning off connections when finished.