Microsoft Phone Link’s Instant Hotspot Expands to More Android Phones
The Instant Hotspot feature first popped up in thePhone Link appback in October 2022. It lets you connect your Windows PC to the internet by turning yourphone into a mobile hotspotwithout touching your phone. No need to manually turn on the hotspot or enter a password either. Initially, it was exclusive to Samsung running One UI 4.1.1 or later. But now, it’s starting to roll out to other smartphone brands like Oppo and OnePlus and should be available to all Android phones soon.
According toAndroid Authority, to get Instant Hotspot up and running, you might need to have Windows 11 and Windows Service app (version 2.24014.5.35.0 or later) on your phone. It is mainly supported on newer phones from brands like OnePlus, such as the OnePlus 12 andOnePlus Open. But, if you’re rocking an older model like the OnePlus 10 Pro, you might be out of luck – there’s no Instant Hotspot support because it’s still running Link to Windows Service version 2.23103.5.18.0.
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Now, you might be wondering why it took Microsoft so long to bring this feature to other Android brands and why it’s still not available on all Android phones. The deal is that Android only allows system apps to start a mobile hotspot. So, the Windows Service app needs to be preinstalled by the phone manufacturer for Instant Hotspot to work. Since Samsung bundles Microsoft’s Link to Windows Service app with One UI, their users have enjoyed this feature for a while now.
So, make sure to check if your smartphone brand supports the Link to Windows Service app. And just a heads up – you won’t get this update through the Play Store. It requires an OTA update from the OEM.
How to Use Instant Hotspot on Phone Link
If your phone supports Instant Hotspot, setting it up is a breeze. Here’s how:
Note:Be sure to enable the Instant Hotspot feature in the Link to Windows app on your Android phone. You can find this option in the app’s settings.
Once you’re done setting up, you’ll start seeing your phone’s name in the Wi-Fi network list in the Action Center. Just clickConnect, and your phone’s hotspot will turn on and connect automatically. Easy peasy!
And that’s it, folks.
Rahul is your go-to guide for fixing Windows, Steam, Android, Samsung TV, and Google Chrome. An engineering college dropout who followed his passion for tech, he brings 3 years of troubleshooting experience and 2+ years of running his own tech blog to the table. When he’s not solving your tech problems, you’ll find him unwinding with the latest anime or K-drama.
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