How to Turn Phone Link Instant Hotspot on or off in Windows 11

Setting Up Instant Hotspot: Step-by-Step

Now set up the connection. You will work on the PC first, then on the phone, then back on the PC. Keep both devices close together, with Bluetooth turned on for each, and make sure the phone is already paired with Phone Link.

Step 1Start Setup on Your Computer

Phone Link is the app that connects your phone to your PC. You start the Instant Hotspot setup from its settings.

1. Open the Phone Link app. Click its icon on the taskbar, or search for it in the Windows search bar. You should see your phone's name and recent content in the app.
2. Click the gear icon in the bottom-left corner of the window to open Settings.
3. In the Settings menu, click the Features tab.
4. Under Features, find and click Instant Hotspot.
5. Click Setup Instant Hotspot. A pop-up window opens and walks you through the next stage.

If you cannot find Instant Hotspot under Features, your phone or one of the apps is probably too old. Go back to the requirement lists and check each version. Also check that Phone Link shows your phone as connected.

Step 2Follow the Instructions on the Screen

Choosing the setup option on the PC starts a request to your phone. Follow the prompts in the pop-up window.

1. In the pop-up window, click Send Notification. This sends a connection prompt to your phone.
2. Keep the PC awake and the pop-up open until the phone responds. If the screen locks or the window closes, the request may not reach the phone, and you will need to start again from Setup Instant Hotspot.

Step 3Approve on Your Android Device

Now pick up your phone. The notification should arrive within a few seconds. If you do not see it, pull down the notification panel, and check that the phone has a data connection and Bluetooth turned on.

1. Find the notification on your Android phone. It may appear at the top of the screen or sit in the notification panel.
2. Tap the notification to open it.
3. Tap Allow to confirm the connection. This links your phone and PC for Instant Hotspot.

Step 4Turn On Instant Hotspot on Your Phone

Next, turn the feature on from the phone's Link to Windows app. You do this in the app on the phone, not in Phone Link on the PC.

1. Open the Link to Windows app on your Android phone.
2. Find the Instant Hotspot setting in the app.
3. Slide the switch to ON. The switch should now show as enabled.

To turn Instant Hotspot off later, open the same setting and slide the switch to OFF. You do not need to restart either device. You can also go back to the Features tab in Phone Link settings on the PC and look at the Instant Hotspot entry there. Turning it off does not unpair the phone, so the rest of Phone Link keeps working.

Step 5Connect Using Your Computer's Wi-Fi Menu

The last step is to join the phone's network from the PC. Your phone's hotspot now shows up in the PC's list of Wi-Fi networks.

1. On the PC, click the Wi-Fi icon in the taskbar, usually near the clock. A list of available networks opens.
2. Look for your phone's hotspot in the list. It may use your phone's name or a general hotspot name.
3. Click the hotspot name, then click Connect. After a few seconds, the network should show as connected.

Remember that the PC now uses your mobile data plan, so large downloads and updates can use up your data allowance quickly.

Reference:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/instant-hotspot-9c448dff-509c-4bc5-9c18-a8595511deea

Summary

Instant Hotspot shares your Android phone's cellular data with your PC through the Phone Link app. Once it is set up, the phone works as a portable wireless router, so you can get online away from your usual networks. You can switch it off from the phone whenever you want to stop sharing data.