How to distribute the Internet from a phone on Android or iOS

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Use your smartphone as a modem when there is no fixed internet access.

Any modern phone can distribute the Internet to computers, tablets and other smartphones. It is enough to activate 3G or LTE on this phone and connect the desired device to it via Bluetooth, USB or Wi-Fi. Moreover, the third option allows you to distribute the Internet to several devices at once.

After successfully connecting the gadgets to your smartphone, you can use the Network on any of them, including the source device.

Some tariff plans may not support tethering. If after setup, no data will be transmitted, contact your operator.

How to distribute the Internet from an Android smartphone

This manual is based on the example of Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro with Android 9. The setup process on your device may be slightly different, but the general principle will be the same.

First of all, make sure that the smartphone is connected to the mobile Internet and picks up the signal well.

Then open your phone settings and look for a section called "Hotspot", "Connections and Sharing", "Tethering" or similar. Here you can configure the type of connection you want.

How to distribute the Internet from your phone via Wi-Fi

In the settings, activate the "Access Point" function. On some devices, it is called “Wi-Fi Modem” or “Wireless Modem”. As a result, your smartphone will create a Wi-Fi network through which it can distribute the Internet. Then open the settings of the access point and set the network name and password to protect it from strangers.

Take the device to which you want to distribute the Internet and connect to the created Wi-Fi network. After that, everything should work.

When you're done sharing the internet, turn off the hotspot on your smartphone.

How to distribute the Internet from a phone via USB

Please note: this method does not work with Mac.

Connect your computer to your phone using a USB cable. Find and enable the "USB-tethering" function in the smartphone settings. After that, the Internet on the computer should work.

When you're done sharing, unplug the USB tethering on your smartphone and unplug the cable.

How to distribute the Internet from a phone via Bluetooth

Find and enable the “Bluetooth tethering” function in the smartphone settings. Then lower the shade and open the Bluetooth options. Check the name of your smartphone here. You will need it for your search.

Now open the Bluetooth menu on the device to which you want to share the Internet and start a search. When the name of your smartphone appears on the screen, tap on it and allow the connection.

After that, the Internet should work. When you're done using it, turn off Bluetooth on both devices.

How to share internet from iPhone

Make sure your smartphone is connected to the mobile internet and picks up the signal well.

Open your iPhone settings, go to the Tethering submenu, and turn on Allow others. If you have iOS 12 or older, turn on the Hotspot switch.

How to distribute the Internet from your phone via Wi-Fi

Do not close the Hotspot menu on iPhone until you connect a new device. Pay attention to the network name under the heading "for connecting via Wi-Fi" and the password. You will need them to connect.

Take the gadget to which you want to distribute the Internet and connect to the created Wi-Fi network. After that, everything should work.

How to distribute the Internet from a phone via USB

In this way, you can distribute the Internet from the iPhone only to computers with Windows and macOS. Linux is not supported.

If you have Windows

Make sure your PC has the latest version of iTunes. Connect the iPhone to the computer via a cable - immediately after that, the Internet should work. If after connecting the smartphone the question “Can I trust my computer?” Appears, answer in the affirmative.

If you have macOS

Update iTunes to the latest version. But if you're using macOS Catalina, you won't need the program.

Connect iPhone to computer via cable. Go to System Preferences → Network and select iPhone USB. This will turn on the internet.

If the iPhone USB option is not displayed, click on the plus at the bottom of the window and add it.

How to distribute the Internet from a phone via Bluetooth

Thus, you can distribute the Internet from the iPhone only to Android devices and computers. If you want to connect other iOS ‑ devices to the Network, use Wi ‑ Fi.

In the settings, open the Bluetooth section and turn on the wireless connection. Pay attention to the name of your device here - you will need it for the search. Don't close the current section just yet.

Take the device to which you want to share the Internet, and open the Bluetooth menu on it. After searching for new devices, connect to your iPhone.

Then pick up your iPhone again. In the Bluetooth section, click on the name of the connected device. If you are joining it for the first time, select "Create Pair".

When “Connected” appears next to the name of the added device on the iPhone screen, the Internet should work on both gadgets.

This material was first published in December 2017. In April 2020, we updated the text.