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How to Share Your Internet Using a Mobile Hotspot on Android

By Site Editor · Updated September 4, 2026 · 7 min read

Turn your Android phone into a portable Wi-Fi router in a few taps. This guide covers setting up the hotspot, securing it with a password, and troubleshooting common issues.

1. Turn on the mobile hotspot

On most Android phones, go to Settings → Network & Internet → Hotspot & tethering → Wi-Fi hotspot and toggle it on. On Samsung devices the path is Settings → Connections → Mobile Hotspot and Tethering → Mobile Hotspot.

The hotspot uses your phone's mobile data, so make sure your data plan is active and you have available data. Hotspot sharing may count against your data cap depending on your carrier.

2. Set a strong hotspot name and password

Tap Hotspot name (or SSID) to give your hotspot a recognisable name. Then tap Hotspot password and set a strong password — at least 12 characters with letters, numbers, and a symbol. Leave the security type as WPA2-Personal or higher.

Never leave the hotspot open (no password) in a public place. Anyone nearby can connect and use your data.

3. What to do if the hotspot is not working

If other devices cannot connect or have no internet through the hotspot, try these steps in order:

  1. Toggle the hotspot off and back on again.
  2. On the device trying to connect, forget the hotspot network and reconnect.
  3. Make sure your Android phone has mobile data — open the browser on the phone itself and load a page to confirm.
  4. Check with your carrier that hotspot/tethering is allowed on your plan.
  5. Restart both the Android phone and the connecting device.

Frequently asked questions

Does using a hotspot drain battery quickly?

Yes, mobile hotspot is one of the most battery-intensive features on a phone because it keeps the mobile radio and Wi-Fi radio both active. Keep your phone plugged in if you plan to use it as a hotspot for more than 30 minutes.

How many devices can connect to my Android hotspot?

Most Android phones support between 5 and 10 connected devices simultaneously. The exact limit depends on the manufacturer and Android version. Performance will drop noticeably as more devices connect and use data at the same time.

Can I set a data limit for my hotspot?

Yes, on Android 8 and later you can set a data usage limit directly in the hotspot settings. Once the limit is reached, the hotspot turns off automatically to prevent overage charges.