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Share your PC’s internet with your phone, tablet, or other devices
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This wikiHow teaches you how to broadcast your Windows computer's Wi-Fi connection to your smartphone. You can do this on any computer that has a network hosting-enabled Wi-Fi adapter installed, meaning that you won't be able to use many desktop computers for this process. Keep in mind that this process is different than using your smartphone's data as a Wi-Fi network on your computer . If your computer's Wi-Fi adapter doesn't allow you to create a hotspot, you can use Connectify to broadcast your Wi-Fi.
Steps
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Open Start . Click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen. [1] X Trustworthy Source Microsoft Support Technical support and product information from Microsoft. Go to source
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Open Settings . Click the Settings gear in the lower-left side of the Start menu. The Settings window will open. [2] X Trustworthy Source Microsoft Support Technical support and product information from Microsoft. Go to sourceAdvertisement
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Click Network & Internet. It's the globe-shaped icon in the middle of the Settings window. [3] X Trustworthy Source Microsoft Support Technical support and product information from Microsoft. Go to source
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Click the Mobile hotspot tab. This is on the left side of the window. [4] X Trustworthy Source Microsoft Support Technical support and product information from Microsoft. Go to source
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Click the grey "Mobile hotspot" switch . It's at the top of the page. Clicking the switch turns it on which signifies that your computer is now broadcasting your Internet connection.
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Review the network name and password. In the middle of the page, look at the "Network name" and "Network password" headings to determine the name and password for your mobile hotspot. [5] X Trustworthy Source Microsoft Support Technical support and product information from Microsoft. Go to source
- The network name should be your computer's name, and the password should be your network's usual password.
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Connect your smartphone to your Wi-Fi network. Now that your Wi-Fi hotspot is set up on your computer, you can connect to it via your smartphone's Wi-Fi menu:
- iPhone — Open your iPhone's Settings , tap Wi-Fi , tap your hosted hotspot's name, enter the password, and tap Join . [6] X Research source
- Android — Swipe down from the top of the screen, long-press the Wi-Fi icon, tap your hosted hotspot's name, enter the password, and tap JOIN or CONNECT . [7] X Research source
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Make sure that you have a wireless adapter installed. You can check to see if your computer has a built-in Wi-Fi adapter by doing the following:
- Open Start .
- Type in command prompt , then click Command Prompt .
- Type in netsh wlan show drivers and press ↵ Enter .
- Wait for your adapter's information to appear. If you instead see "The Wireless AutoConfig Service is not running" appear, you don't have a wireless adapter installed.
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Download the Connectify setup file. Connectify is a free app that you can use to broadcast your computer's Wi-Fi over short distances:
- Go to https://www.connectify.me/ in your computer's web browser.
- Click the purple Download button.
- Click Continue to Download .
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Install Connectify. Once the Connectify setup file finishes downloading, you can install it by double-clicking it and then doing the following:
- Click Yes when prompted.
- Click I Agree .
- Click Agree
- Check the "Reboot now" box.
- Click Finish .
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Wait for your computer to finish restarting. Once your computer boots back up, you can proceed.
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Open Connectify if necessary. Double-click the "Connectify Hotspot 2018" icon on your computer's desktop.
- Skip this step if the Connectify window opens automatically.
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Click Try it Out . It's a purple button at the bottom of the Connectify app window.
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Change your password if necessary. In the "Password" text box, delete the existing text and type in the password you want to use for your network.
- You cannot change the network name in the free version of Connectify.
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Wait for your computer's hotspot to start. Once Connectify alerts you that the hotspot is enabled, you can proceed.
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Connect your smartphone to your Wi-Fi network. Now that your Wi-Fi hotspot is set up on your computer, you can connect to it via your smartphone's Wi-Fi menu: [10] X Research source
- iPhone — Open your iPhone's Settings , tap Wi-Fi , tap your hosted hotspot's name, enter the password, and tap Join . [11] X Research source
- Android — Swipe down from the top of the screen, long-press the Wi-Fi icon, tap your hosted hotspot's name, enter the password, and tap JOIN or CONNECT . [12] X Research source
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionCan I share my phone's internet with my computer?Spike Baron is a Network Engineer & Desktop Support Expert based in Los Angeles, California. He is the owner of Spike’s Computer Repair. With over 25 years of working experience in the tech industry, Spike specializes in PC and Mac computer repair, used computer sales, virus removal, data recovery, and hardware and software upgrades. He has worked as an IT Systems expert for numerous companies, including Huntington Health, Blackbox, Honda, and Manufacturers Bank. In his spare time, Spike also builds and restores computers. He has his CompTIA A+ certification for computer service technicians and is a Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert.Yes, this is called tethering. You can do it either wirelessly with Bluetooth or with a USB connection, depending on the types of phone and computer you have.
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QuestionHow can mobile WiFi connect to PC WiFi?Community AnswerOpen the WiFi hotspot setting on your phone and connect through there.
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QuestionI followed the instructions, but this didn't work for my Lumia 730. Is there anything else I can try?Community AnswerMake sure you are not being hacked, make sure you don't have a virus, and make absolutely sure you have the WiFi password correct.
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Tips
- The Connectify method will work for any Windows 10, 8.1, or 7 computer that has a network hosting-enabled Wi-Fi adapter card installed.Thanks
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Warnings
- Not all USB Wi-Fi adapters come equipped with network hosting abilities. If you decide to use a Wi-Fi adapter, make sure that yours supports network hosting.Thanks
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References
- ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/use-your-windows-pc-as-a-mobile-hotspot-c89b0fad-72d5-41e8-f7ea-406ad9036b85
- ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/use-your-windows-pc-as-a-mobile-hotspot-c89b0fad-72d5-41e8-f7ea-406ad9036b85
- ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/use-your-windows-pc-as-a-mobile-hotspot-c89b0fad-72d5-41e8-f7ea-406ad9036b85
- ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/use-your-windows-pc-as-a-mobile-hotspot-c89b0fad-72d5-41e8-f7ea-406ad9036b85
- ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/use-your-windows-pc-as-a-mobile-hotspot-c89b0fad-72d5-41e8-f7ea-406ad9036b85
- ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202639
- ↑ https://support.google.com/android/answer/9075847?hl=en
- ↑ https://support.connectify.me/article/123-wifi-to-wifi
- ↑ https://support.connectify.me/article/123-wifi-to-wifi
About This Article
Article Summary
X
1. Open Windows 10 Settings
.
2. Click Network & Internet
.
3. Click the Mobile hotspot
tab.
4. Click the "Off" switch at the top of the page to turn it on.
5. Connect to the network on your smartphone.
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