In a recent update, Google has announced a new feature called Instant Hotspot, designed to streamline the process of sharing mobile data between Android devices.
This feature, part of the latest Android Feature Drop, aims to simplify connectivity across devices, enhancing user convenience and reducing the hassle associated with connecting to mobile hotspots.
Google introduces Instant Hotspot, a new feature allowing seamless mobile data sharing between Android devices, enhancing connectivity and convenience.Photo by William Hook on Unsplash
What is Instant Hotspot?
Instant Hotspot is a tool that allows Android users to instantly connect one device to another's internet connection with just a single tap on a notification.
This eliminates the need for manual configuration, password entry, or navigating through multiple settings menus. The feature leverages Google's new cross-device services, which facilitate seamless interaction between devices signed into the same Google account.
How to Use Instant Hotspot
To use Instant Hotspot, both the host device (the one sharing its internet connection) and the client device (the one connecting to the internet) must meet certain prerequisites.
First, both devices need to be signed into the same Google account. Second, they must have Android's new cross-device services enabled.
Users can activate these services by navigating to Settings > Google > All services > Devices & sharing > Cross-device services and enabling Internet sharing and Instant Hotspot.
Once these settings are configured, the process is straightforward. When the client device is within range of the host device, a notification will appear on the client device.
Tapping this notification will instantly connect it to the host device's internet without requiring a password. This feature is particularly useful for users who frequently need to connect multiple devices or find themselves in areas with limited Wi-Fi access.
Despite its convenience, Instant Hotspot does come with several caveats. Notably, Android Authority has discovered the feature is not supported on Android Go or Samsung devices.
Users with Samsung devices are advised to use One UI's Auto Hotspot feature instead. Additionally, Instant Hotspot requires Android 11 or later, excluding devices running Android 10 or older versions.
Pixel devices running Android 14 or later enjoy a slight advantage with Instant Hotspot. The SSID (network name) for these devices will be more user-friendly, displaying the device's given name (e.g., "N's Pixel 8 Pro") rather than a generic label like "Instant Hotspot 12345". This makes it easier for users to identify their devices when connecting.
There are also specific limitations for Android tablets. While tablets can use Instant Hotspot, they must connect through the notification. If users try to find the SSID manually through the settings menu, it will not appear. It remains unclear if this limitation applies to the Pixel Tablet, as Google has yet to clarify this point.
When Will the Feature be Released
While the feature was announced in May 2024, Google has not provided a concrete timeline for its rollout. The support page for Instant Hotspot is live, offering detailed instructions on how to use the feature, but the cross-device services required for Instant Hotspot are not yet active on any devices.
Users will need to wait for these services to become available before they can take advantage of Instant Hotspot.
