The Instant Hotspot feature in Microsoft's Phone Link app recently expanded beyond Samsung phones to select OnePlus and potentially other Android devices that come with the Link to Windows Service app pre-installed. This feature enables fast and convenient Internet access on a Windows PC by turning your phone into a mobile hotspot without the need for manual setup or password entry.
Microsoft originally introduced Instant Hotspot as an exclusive feature for Samsung phones in October 2022. The feature simplifies the process of connecting your Windows PC to a mobile hotspot by eliminating the need to manually turn on the hotspot on your phone and enter a password on your PC. It's a quick and easy way to get online, especially when you're on the go.
To enable Instant Hotspot on non-Samsung devices, the Link to Windows app – the companion app that comes on Android devices – must be pre-installed by the phone manufacturer. Samsung bundles Microsoft's Link to Windows Service app into One UI and gives the Link to Windows app on Galaxy devices access to privileged features like starting or stopping a tethered hotspot.
Link to Windows Settings on two different OnePlus models | Image credit – Android Authority
However, Samsung is not the only Android manufacturer that offers the Link to Windows Service app. BBK brands such as OPPO and OnePlus, as well as ASUS, also offer the app. Recently, phones from these other brands started supporting the Instant Hotspot feature.
OnePlus users have reported varying levels of support for Instant Hotspot. While some users on the OnePlus 12 reported success, other users on the OnePlus 10 Pro did not. The difference seems to be related to the version of the Link to Windows Service app installed on the device. It is possible that an OTA update with a newer version of the app is required to enable the feature on some OnePlus devices.
Microsoft's expansion of Instant Hotspot support to OnePlus devices is a welcome development. It brings this handy feature to a wider range of users and further improves integration between Android phones and Windows PCs. While Samsung devices still offer some exclusive features, the gap is narrowing, making the Phone Link app an even more valuable tool for cross-device productivity.
