Call forwarding and instant hotspot are coming to Android devices—unless you’re using a Samsung

It’s going to be a lot easier for (some) Android users to share the internet with their WiFi-only devices. The new Internet Sharing feature is currently rolling out in beta and works as an instant hotspot for any Android device, even a Chromebook, without the need for a password. Everything should work seamlessly unless your main phone is a Samsung Galaxy. If so, you’re out of luck.

Any Android mobile device should now or soon allow you to go to Settings, Google, Devices & Sharing, and toggle the cross-device services option. As shown in 9 to 5 googleAccording to Google Play, which first spotted the update, this should go through the process of setting up your device groups with different Android phones, tablets, or even your Chromebook. The feature is still rolling out, and is currently in the latest beta update for Google Play Services. Users should get these features “as soon as they’re released,” according to the feature. Support Page.

Google first showed off some of these features in I/O Development Conference in MayInternet sharing is easily the most useful of the two. Any of those phones or tablets in your device group can instantly connect to your 5G network when you’re out on the town. Additionally, sharing features should let you more easily move your calls between Android devices. For example, a Meet call should be easily streamed to your tablet by tapping the new broadcast icon within the app. Currently, video sharing is limited to Google Meet and Gmail.

But there are several big issues that could render the new update useless. The big one is that if you’re using a Samsung phone, you won’t have any option to use the new Instant Hotspot feature. On its support page, Google advises Galaxy users to try Galaxy’s Auto Hotspot feature instead.

Samsung’s Auto Hotspot automatically connects to devices that share your Samsung account or are already part of your Samsung account family group. I personally don’t use any other devices other than my Galaxy products with my Samsung account, so it’s not as immediately useful as Google’s Internet Sharing. If you’re a Samsung fan, you won’t care. Otherwise, Galaxy users are missing out.

We have learned about this. border It’s been a pain since it was first announced, but it’s still a nuisance. However, Galaxy users can already connect to their Windows 11 PCs using the Phone Link app’s Instant Hotspot feature. That’s certainly useful, but this limitation is just another symptom of Samsung’s growing push toward smartphones. walled garden like apple Allergies.

Galaxy phones remain the most popular Android devices in the US, so millions of people will miss out on this feature. Samsung users already have access to many of the features offered by Google Features like Circle to Search and Gemini. And this works well with the AI ​​features Samsung is touting. Why can’t we share the love with instant hotspots too?