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Knowledge Base // Tutorial 08

Share Your Android Phone’s Internet Over USB or Bluetooth

Difficulty: Easy No apps needed Pixel & Galaxy

Need internet on a laptop with no Wi‑Fi? Your phone can share its mobile data over a USB cable or Bluetooth. This guide covers those two built-in options only, not the Wi‑Fi hotspot. Follow the steps for your phone below.

Phone sharing internet with a laptop over USB or Bluetooth Illustration of an Android phone marked USB / BT tether linked by a cable to a laptop showing an online network icon. USB / BT TETHER ONLINE
Checklist // Before You Start

What You Need

Heads Up

Check With Your Carrier

Some mobile carriers limit or charge extra for tethering. Check your plan before you rely on it. Also, Mac computers can’t use USB tethering with Android. Use Bluetooth instead, or another method your Mac supports.

Walkthrough // Pixel USB

Pixel and Stock Android: USB

Menu names can vary by Android version. Some of these steps need Android 14 or newer.

  1. Step 1: Plug in a USB cable

    Connect your phone to the computer with a USB cable that supports data.

  2. Step 2: Open Hotspot settings

    Swipe down from the top of your screen. Touch and hold Hotspot.

    If you don’t see Hotspot, tap Edit and drag it into Quick Settings.

  3. Step 3: Turn on USB tethering

    Turn on USB tethering.

  4. Step 4: Check the computer

    On the computer, open a browser or another app that needs the internet to confirm it works.

Walkthrough // Pixel Bluetooth

Pixel and Stock Android: Bluetooth

  1. Step 1: Pair the devices first

    Pair your phone with the other device over Bluetooth.

  2. Step 2: Turn on Bluetooth tethering

    On your phone, swipe down, touch and hold Hotspot, then turn on Bluetooth tethering.

  3. Step 3: Set up the other device

    On the other device, set its network connection to use Bluetooth (often an “Internet access” or Bluetooth network setting on the paired phone).

Walkthrough // Samsung USB

Samsung Galaxy: USB

Screens and settings vary by model and software version.

  1. Step 1: Connect the USB cable

    Plug your phone into the receiving device with a USB cable. Until the cable is connected, USB tethering stays unavailable (greyed out).

  2. Step 2: Open Mobile Hotspot and Tethering

    Go to Settings > Connections > Mobile Hotspot and Tethering.

  3. Step 3: Turn on USB tethering

    Turn on the switch next to USB tethering. If asked, allow the connection.

  4. Step 4: Check the other device

    On the receiving device, open a browser or an app that needs the internet.

Walkthrough // Samsung Bluetooth

Samsung Galaxy: Bluetooth

  1. Step 1: Pair over Bluetooth first

    On your phone, go to Settings > Connections > Bluetooth, and pair with the other device.

  2. Step 2: Turn on Bluetooth tethering

    Go to Settings > Connections > Mobile Hotspot and Tethering, then turn on Bluetooth tethering.

  3. Step 3: Allow internet on the other device

    On the receiving device’s Bluetooth settings for your phone, turn on Internet access (wording varies by device).

Pro Tip

Save Battery

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