How to Set Up Mobile Hotspot on Android 

Learn how to set up mobile hotspot on Android devices (Samsung, Google Pixel, Huawei, and more) and use your Android phone as a WiFi hotspot efficiently.

If you have no internet connection while on the go, you can turn your Android phone into a WiFi hotspot and share the connection with other devices. This article will help you understand how to set up a mobile hotspot on an Android phone, keeping you connected wherever you go.

I. What is a Mobile Hotspot? How It Works on Android

A mobile hotspot is like a personal, portable router that allows you to connect compatible devices (smartphones, tablets, or computers) to the Internet. Sharing a connection this way is called using a hotspot or tethering. Mobile hotspots are also known as portable hotspots, WiFi hotspots, pocket routers, or travel routers (sometimes).

The purpose of a mobile hotspot is to connect different devices to the Internet while there are no public hotspots available. It can be used in locations like trains, cards, coffee shops, or hotels rather than being tied to a specific location.

How does a mobile hotspot work on Android?

A mobile hotspot works by converting a 3G, 4G, or 5G signal to a WiFi signal and vice versa. The device creates a WiFi network that can be shared by multiple devices at a time within about 10 meters of distance.

II. How to Set Up a Mobile Hotspot on Android

Mobile hotspot can be set up on an Android device by four major methods, including:

• Set up in the Settings menu  – the traditional way
• Configure in the Quick settings panel
• Set up using the USB tethering
• Set up using the 3rd party app (not all devices work with)

Below we introduce a guide for each method.

1. How to set up mobile hotspot on Android through Settings

• Go to Settings menu > Network & Internet
• Tap Hotspot & Tethering
• Switch on WiFi hotspot
• Tap on WiFi Hotspot to customize the settings (optional)
• Change the network name, security type, password, etc. (optional)

2. How to turn on the mobile hotspot on Android using Quick Settings

The fastest way to turn on and off your mobile hotspot is to look for the hotspot button in the quick settings drawer of your device. However, for the first time of setting up your mobile hotspot on Android, you should take time to configure things first. 

Take these steps:

• Swipe down your Home screen
• Swipe down again to look for Quick Settings switching button
• Tap on Hotspot
• If the Hotspot shortcut is not there, select Edit, and long-press on Hotspot and drag it to the grid of tiles.

3. How to set up mobile hotspot via USB tethering

Another way to set up a mobile hotspot is using the USB connection of your Android phone. But, this method is not always compatible with all Android devices. Check if your phone supports it. If yes, here are steps to do it:

• Use the USB cable to connect your Android phone to your computer
• Allow your computer to set up the connection for a while
• On your Android phone, go to Settings menu
• Select Network & Internet
• Select Hotspot & Tethering
• Switch on USB tethering option

This process also works for Bluetooth tethering but it is not recommended because it is much slower than the two ways above.

4. How to set up mobile hotspot a third party app

You can set up a mobile hotspot by using a third-party app on recent Android smartphones. But this does not work for older smartphones. You can refer to two apps such as PdaNet+ and Portable WiFi Hotspot. 

▶ If your phone is compatible with eSIM, you can learn to set up eSIM hotspot for staying connected wherever you go.

III. How to Find the Hotspot Password on a Samsung Galaxy Phone?

There are several ways to find the hotspot password on your Samsung Galaxy phone. Here are how to do it for each method:

Method 1: Using the Setting app

• Go to Settings menu
• Select Connections > Mobile Hotspot and Tethering 
• Select Mobile Hotspot
• The password will be shown under the Password field

Method 2: Using the Quick Setting Panel

• Swipe down twice from the top of your phone screen to access the Quick Settings panel
• Select Mobile Hotspot to get it on
• The password will be shown under the Password field

Method 3: Using the Notification Panel

• Swipe down from the top of your screen to access the Notification Panel
• Look for the Mobile Hotspot feature notification
• Select the Notification and you will see the password there

Method 4: Using the Phone app

• Go to the Phone app
• Dial *#4636##*
• Select the Phone Information
• Scroll down the WiFi Hotspot feature
• The password will be shown under the Password field

IV. How Many Devices can connect to my Android phone?

You can share the internet of your phone with up to 10 devices with a hotspot feature.

V. Should mobile hotspot be on or off?

You should turn on your Mobile Hotspot when not in use to conserve your phone’s battery and mobile data. Also turn off Allow Others to Join to remove the hotspot.

VI. FAQs