Share a mobile connection by tethering or hotspot on Pixel

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.
  • Pixel 3 and later Pixel phones can also use tethering to share a Wi-Fi connection with other devices.

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.

  1. Open your phone's Settings app.
  2. Tap Network and Internet And then Hotspot and tethering And then Wi-Fi hotspot.
  3. Turn on Wi-Fi hotspot.
  4. To see or change a hotspot setting, such as the name or password, tap it. If needed, first tap Set up Wi-Fi hotspot.

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
  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.

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

  1. Sign in to the same Google Account on all devices. Learn how to add accounts.
  2. Turn on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Learn how to turn them on.

Step 2: Let your phone share its connection

  1. Open your phone's Settings app.
  2. Tap Google And then Instant Tethering.
  3. Turn on Provide data connection.

Step 3: Let your other devices use your phone's connection

  1. Open your other device’s Settings app.
  2. Tap Google And then Instant Tethering.
  3. 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 And then Instant Tethering And then your phone And then Connect.
  • 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

  1. Pair your phone with the other device.
  2. Set up the other device to get its network connection by Bluetooth. Follow the instructions that came with the device.
  3. Open your phone's Settings app.
  4. Tap Network and Internet And then Hotspot and tethering.
  5. Tap Bluetooth tethering.

Tether by USB cable

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

  1. Using a USB cable, connect your phone to the other device. A 'Connected as a…' notification shows at the top of the screen.
  2. Open your phone's Settings app.
  3. Tap Network and Internet And then Hotspot and tethering.
  4. Turn on USB tethering.

Let your hotspot turn off automatically

Important: To save battery, your hotspot turns off when no devices are connected. 

  1. Open your phone's Settings app.
  2. Tap Network and Internet And then Hotspot and tethering And then Wi-Fi hotspot And then Advanced.
  3. 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.

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