Share your internet connection

When you need an internet connection for another device, share your phone's:

  • For wireless sharing with another Wi-Fi capable device, turn on your Wi-Fi hotspot, which is great for range and speed. This uses more power, so it's best when you can plug in.
  • For wireless sharing with a device in close proximity (like a phone next to a computer), you can use Bluetooth tethering, offering you less interference in crowded Wi-Fi environments, more privacy, and less power consumption than your Wi-Fi hotspot.
  • To share over a physical connection, connect your phone to a device with a USB cable, providing a more stable, speedy, and safe connection in some situations than sharing over wireless connections.

Your cellular plan must support data sharing. If you don’t know, contact your carrier.

Use your hotspot

Step 1: Set it up

  1. Check that:

  2. Go to Settings > Network & internet > Hotspot & tethering.

  3. Tap Wi-Fi hotspot and do any:

    • Make it easier to find and connect to your hotspot. Tap the name for your hotspot and change it.
    • See your current password or change it. Tap Hotspot password.
    • Help other devices find your hotspot. Be sure Extend compatibility is on .
    • Increase the hotspot connection speed. If you no longer need to assist others in finding your hotspot, turn Extend compatibility off.
    • Save battery life. Make sure Turn off hotspot automatically is on so that your hotspot turns off if nobody is using it.

Step 2: Connect devices

  1. Check that cellular data is on. If cellular data is off, your phone doesn't have an internet connection to share.
  2. Go to Settings > Network & internet > Hotspot & tethering.
  3. Tap Wi-Fi hotspot.

  4. Turn Use Wi‑Fi hotspot on , then plug in your phone to charge. Using the hotspot really drains the battery!

    When your hotspot is active, you'll see in the status bar.

  5. Set up the connection.

    To connectDo this
    A phone
    1. On your phone, next to the hotspot's name, tap and unlock if prompted.
    2. Use the other phone's camera to scan the QR code that provides the password.
    Other device
    1. Open the device’s Wi-Fi settings.
    2. Select your phone’s hotspot.
    3. Enter the hotspot password. Learn how to find the hotspot's password.

View or change password

  1. Go to Settings > Network & internet > Hotspot & tethering.
  2. Tap Wi-Fi hotspot.
  3. Tap Hotspot password to see the current password.
  4. To change the password, type over the current password.
NoteAlthough you can turn off passwords for your hotspot, keeping a password prevents unauthorized usage of your cellular data.

USB tethering

To connect a device to the internet using your phone's cellular data and a USB cable:

  1. Check that cellular data is on. If cellular data is off, your phone doesn't have an internet connection to share.

  2. Connect your phone to your computer with a USB cable.

  3. On your phone, go to Settings.
  4. Tap Network & internet > Hotspot & tethering.

  5. Turn on USB tethering to start the connection.

    You'll see in your notifications.

To stop the connection, tap the notification and turn off USB tethering, then disconnect your phone and computer.

Bluetooth tethering

To connect a device to the internet using your phone's cellular data and a Bluetooth connection:

  1. Check that cellular data is on. If cellular data is off, your phone doesn't have an internet connection to share.
  2. Turn on Bluetooth on your phone and pair with the other device.
  3. Set up the other device to get its network connection via Bluetooth.
  4. On your phone, go to Settings.
  5. Tap Network & internet > Hotspot & tethering.

  6. Turn on Bluetooth tethering to start the connection.

    You'll see in your notifications.

To stop the connection, tap the notification and turn off Bluetooth tethering.

Fix an issue

If you're having issues, try these troubleshooting steps: