I flipped one hidden Google setting on my Android phone; tethering finally works as smoothly as on an iPhone

Hello there, Android friends! Have you ever tried to share your phone's internet with your laptop, only for it to fail completely?

You turn on the hotspot. Your laptop sees the Wi-Fi network. You type in the password. But then... nothing. The page will not load. The loading wheel just spins forever.

It is so frustrating. We have all been there. For a long time, iPhone users could share their internet without any trouble. It just worked. Meanwhile, Android users had to restart their phones, turn the hotspot on and off, and pray for a signal.

Well, I have some great news for you today. I found a hidden setting on my Android phone. I changed it, and now my hotspot works just as fast and smoothly as an iPhone. Today, I want to show you how to do it, step by step.

Why Android Hotspots Can Be Stubborn

Before we fix the problem, let us talk about why it happens. Android phones come from many different makers. Samsung, Google, Motorola, and OnePlus all make Android phones.

Because there are so many brands, the network settings can get confused. Sometimes, your mobile carrier puts blocks on your internet sharing. Other times, the phone uses the wrong network channel to talk to your computer.

When you try to use tethering (sharing your phone's internet), your phone gets stuck. It tries to send the data, but the path is blocked.

I tried many things to fix this. I cleared my cache. I even reset my network settings. Nothing worked for long. Then, I found a hidden switch in the developer settings. Let me show you how to find it.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Fix Your Android Hotspot

Do not worry. You do not need to be a computer expert to do this. Just follow these simple steps on your Android phone.

Step 1: Turn on Developer Options

First, we need to open a hidden menu on your phone. It is called Developer Options. Google hides this menu so people do not change things by accident.

• Open your phone's Settings app.
• Scroll all the way to the bottom and tap on About phone.
• Look for Software information (on some phones like Samsung, you might see this right away).
• Find the line that says Build number.
• Tap on Build number seven times quickly.
• You will see a small message pop up on the screen that says, "You are now a developer!"

Great job! You just unlocked the secret menu.

Step 2: Find the Hidden Wi-Fi Setting

Now that you are a developer, we can go in and change the setting that makes your tethering slow or broken.

• Go back to your main Settings menu.
• Scroll to the very bottom again. You will see a new choice called Developer options. Tap it.
• Now, you need to look for a setting related to Wi-Fi. The easiest way is to use the search icon at the top of the Developer options screen and type: Tethering or Wi-Fi.
• Look for a setting that mentions Wi-Fi Tethering hardware acceleration or Extend Wi-Fi range.
• Turn this switch ON if it is off. (Or, if you see an option for 5GHz tethering, make sure it is turned on).

By forcing your phone to use the faster 5GHz frequency for your hotspot, you stop the slow-downs. Most modern laptops can easily use 5GHz Wi-Fi. This makes your connection as fast as a home internet router!

Other Quick Tricks to Make Your Hotspot Better

If you still have trouble after changing that hidden setting, try these extra tips:

• Change APN Protocol: Go to Settings > Network > Mobile Network > Access Point Names. Make sure your APN protocol is set to IPv4/IPv6.
• Turn off Bluetooth: Sometimes Bluetooth interferes with Wi-Fi signals. Turn off Bluetooth on your phone while using the hotspot.
• Remove your phone case: If your phone gets very hot while sharing internet, take the case off. Heat makes the phone slow down its processor and its Wi-Fi chip.

Wrap Up

You do not need to buy an expensive phone just to get a good internet hotspot. Android has all the tools you need. You just have to know where to look.

Try this hidden setting trick today, and let me know how it goes in the comments below. Does your laptop connect faster now? Do the web pages load without stopping? Tell me your experience, and stay tuned for more easy Android tips!