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

What You Need for Instant Hotspot

Before you can share your phone’s internet with your computer, let’s make sure you have everything ready. Think of this as a quick pre-flight check!

Your Computer’s Needs

For Instant Hotspot to work, your Windows computer needs to be up-to-date and have the right parts.

• Your computer must be running Windows 11, version 22H2 build 22621 or newer. To check your version, type winver into the Windows 🔍 search bar and press Enter.
• Your computer needs 🔷 Bluetooth. This helps your devices talk to each other wirelessly.
• Your computer needs a 📶 Wi-Fi adapter. This is how your computer will get internet from your phone.
• You need the Phone Link app. Make sure it’s updated to version 1.22092.211.0 or newer. This app helps manage the connection between your phone and computer.

Your Phone’s Needs

Your phone is important for this feature, so it also has some requirements:

• A Samsung phone running One UI 4.1.1 or newer.
• An HONOR phone running HONOR Magic OS 8.1 or newer.
• An OPPO, OnePlus, or Realme phone running ColorOS 14.1 or newer.
• A vivo phone running Funtouch 15.0 or newer.
• A SIM card with a plan that lets you use your phone as a hotspot. This means your phone company allows you to share your data.
• The Link to Windows app. Make sure it’s updated to version 1.22093.2.0 or newer. This app works with the Phone Link app on your computer.

Setting Up Instant Hotspot: Step-by-Step

Now that you’ve confirmed you have everything you need, let’s get your devices connected! Setting this up involves a few steps on both your computer and your phone, but it’s made to be simple.

Step 1Start Setup on Your Computer

You begin on your Windows 11 computer. You need to tell the Phone Link app that you want to set up Instant Hotspot.

1. Open the Phone Link app on your computer. If you don’t see it on 🖥️ your taskbar, search for it in the Windows search bar.
2. Once the Phone Link app is open, ⚙️ go to Settings. You can usually find this by clicking the gear icon.
3. In ⚙️ the Settings menu, look for the Features tab.
4. Under Features, find and click on Instant Hotspot.
5. Click Setup Instant Hotspot.

Step 2Follow the Instructions on the Screen

After you click “Setup Instant Hotspot,” a window will pop up with more instructions. This is where your computer and phone begin their connection.

• The pop-up window will guide you. You will likely need to choose an option to Send Notification. This sends a message to your phone.
• Keep your computer screen open because your phone needs to get this message to continue.

Step 3Approve on Your Android Device

Now, look at your Android phone. This is where you give permission for the connection.

• You should get a notification on your Android phone. It might show up at the top of your screen or in your notification list.
• Tap on this notification to open it.
• You will be asked to Allow the connection. Tap “Allow” to confirm. This connects your phone and computer for Instant Hotspot.

Step 4Turn On Instant Hotspot on Your Phone

Now that the connection is started, you need to turn on the Instant Hotspot feature in your phone’s Link to Windows app.

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 to enable the feature.

Step 5Connect Using Your Computer’s 📶 Wi-Fi Menu

The last step is to actually connect your computer to your phone’s hotspot. It’s like connecting to any other 📶 Wi-Fi network, but your phone’s hotspot will now be an option.

1. On your computer, click the 📶 Wi-Fi icon in 🖥️ the taskbar (usually near the clock).
2. You should now see your phone’s hotspot listed among the available 📶 Wi-Fi networks. It might have your phone’s name or a general hotspot name.
3. Click on your phone’s hotspot name and choose Connect.

Reference:

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

Summary

Instant Hotspot is a helpful feature in Windows 11 that lets you share your Android phone’s internet connection with your computer. By setting it up through the Phone Link app on your PC and the Link to Windows app on your phone, you can turn your phone into a 📶 Wi-Fi hotspot. This is perfect for when you need to get online with your laptop but don’t have access to regular Wi-Fi. Make sure both your devices and apps are updated and meet the requirements, then follow the steps to connect.