Android's Instant Hotspot is NOT Available on Samsung Smartphones—Why?

A new feature from Google made available to all Android smartphones is 'Instant Hotspot,' which allows immediate connection sharing for other devices from a mobile device's data connection. However, as revealed by the latest reports, one smartphone brand cannot use it: the South Korean tech giant Samsung.

While this means Samsung users will miss out on this Android-wide release, other options are still available via the OneUI.

Android's Instant Hotspot is NOT Available on Samsung Smartphones

The latest Android Feature Drop for May 2024 is now available, but its Instant Hotspot feature is unavailable for Samsung smartphones, according to Android Authority. This feature was regarded as an Apple Continuity-esque feature that offers instant access when an Android device looks to connect to another smartphone's data without the need to look for it in the settings and enter the password.

Users only need to tap the network on the connecting device and allow it on the smartphone with mobile data, with Google taking care of the rest.

This feature is available for devices running Android 11 or later, but Google specified on its website that Samsung smartphones will not have it.

Samsung OneUI's Alternative to Instant Hotspot

There are unknown reasons why Android's Instant Hotspot is not available on Samsung devices, with reports saying that it may or may not be because of a lack of support. However, Samsung already has this feature available, called the 'Auto Hotspot,' which is a similar alternative to Instant Hotspot.

Both have the same feature, but Samsung's Auto Hotspot is exclusive to its Galaxy ecosystem, unlike Android's platform-wide approach.

Samsung and Android Features

Usually, Android updates are available on all the companies and brands that use the renowned operating system, offering significant features for all available straight from Google. Recently, Google and Apple worked on developing the capability to detect unwanted Bluetooth trackers in a user's possession, with Android and iOS giving them alerts for a wide selection of brands in the market.

On the other hand, Samsung's renowned OneUI interface is best known for using Android's open-access codes to deliver the experience, still featuring Google's device operating system's spirit. This system may feature Samsung's design and experience, including unique features like battery protection, camera zoom controls, and more, but it still runs on Android.

The many updates from Google on Android are widely accessible to its partner companies that use the OS for their gadgets, but they have the discretion to include or exclude them for users to access. This is the case with Android's Instant Hotspot, which is not available for Samsung. While the exact reason remains unknown, the South Korean tech offers its Auto Hotspot as a similar alternative.