How to Connect PC Internet to Mobile via WiFi

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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.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Using Windows Settings

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  1. Click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen. [1]
  2. Click the Settings gear in the lower-left side of the Start menu. The Settings window will open. [2]
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  3. It's the globe-shaped icon in the middle of the Settings window. [3]
  4. This is on the left side of the window. [4]
  5. It's at the top of the page. Clicking the switch turns it on
    Windows Switch On
    which signifies that your computer is now broadcasting your Internet connection.
  6. 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]
    • The network name should be your computer's name, and the password should be your network's usual password.
  7. 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
      iPhone Settings App Icon
      Settings , tap Wi-Fi , tap your hosted hotspot's name, enter the password, and tap Join . [6]
    • 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]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Using the Connectify App

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  1. You can check to see if your computer has a built-in Wi-Fi adapter by doing the following:
    • Open Start
      Windows 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.
  2. Connectify is a free app that you can use to broadcast your computer's Wi-Fi over short distances:
  3. 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 .
  4. Once your computer boots back up, you can proceed.
  5. Double-click the "Connectify Hotspot 2018" icon on your computer's desktop.
    • Skip this step if the Connectify window opens automatically.
  6. It's a purple button at the bottom of the Connectify app window.
  7. This is at the top of the Connectify window. [8]
  8. 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.
  9. It's at the bottom of the window. [9]
  10. Once Connectify alerts you that the hotspot is enabled, you can proceed.
  11. 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]
    • iPhone — Open your iPhone's
      iPhone Settings App Icon
      Settings , tap Wi-Fi , tap your hosted hotspot's name, enter the password, and tap Join . [11]
    • 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]
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    Can I share my phone's internet with my computer?
    Spike Baron
    Network Engineer & Desktop Support
    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.
    Spike Baron
    Network Engineer & Desktop Support
    Expert Answer
    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.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 3 Helpful 39
  • Question
    How can mobile WiFi connect to PC WiFi?
    Community Answer
    Open the WiFi hotspot setting on your phone and connect through there.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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    Not Helpful 20 Helpful 45
  • Question
    I followed the instructions, but this didn't work for my Lumia 730. Is there anything else I can try?
    Community Answer
    Make sure you are not being hacked, make sure you don't have a virus, and make absolutely sure you have the WiFi password correct.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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    Not Helpful 15 Helpful 12
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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.
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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.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/use-your-windows-pc-as-a-mobile-hotspot-c89b0fad-72d5-41e8-f7ea-406ad9036b85
      2. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/use-your-windows-pc-as-a-mobile-hotspot-c89b0fad-72d5-41e8-f7ea-406ad9036b85
      3. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/use-your-windows-pc-as-a-mobile-hotspot-c89b0fad-72d5-41e8-f7ea-406ad9036b85
      4. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/use-your-windows-pc-as-a-mobile-hotspot-c89b0fad-72d5-41e8-f7ea-406ad9036b85
      5. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/use-your-windows-pc-as-a-mobile-hotspot-c89b0fad-72d5-41e8-f7ea-406ad9036b85
      6. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202639
      7. ↑ https://support.google.com/android/answer/9075847?hl=en
      8. ↑ https://support.connectify.me/article/123-wifi-to-wifi
      9. ↑ https://support.connectify.me/article/123-wifi-to-wifi
      1. ↑ https://connectify.me/blog/how-to/share-internet-from-laptop-to-phone-wifi/
      2. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202639
      3. ↑ https://support.google.com/android/answer/9075847?hl=en

      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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