Tethering an iPad to an Android Cell Phone

By David Nield

Bluetooth and Wi-Fi tethering options may be available, depending on your Android device.
i David Becker/Getty Images News/Getty Images

The tethering feature built into the stock version of Android enables you to create a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth hot spot for other devices to use. The hot spot uses your Android device's cellular connection, so you may not see the same speeds you're accustomed to via the broadband connections you probably access via Wi-Fi. It's also important to check the details of your mobile plan; you might be charged extra if you exceed your data-transfer limit. Tethering can be a useful option for areas where Wi-Fi is otherwise unavailable. The maximum possible transfer speeds for a Bluetooth hot spot are not as high as they are with a Wi-Fi hot spot.

Connect via Wi-Fi

Step 1

Tap "Settings" on the All Apps screen on your Android cell phone. Tap "More," and then tap "Tethering & portable hotspot."

Step 2

Tick the "Portable Wi-Fi hotspot" icon to activate the feature. Tap "Set up Wi-Fi hotspot" to configure it further.

Step 3

Change the network SSID, security protocol and associated password if required. Tap "Show password" to see the password required to gain access to the hot spot. Select "Save" to confirm.

Step 4

Tap "Settings" on the home screen on your iPad and select "Wi-Fi." Tap the Wi-Fi switch to turn Wi-Fi on, if it isn't already, then select the network being broadcast by your Android cell phone. The SSID you configured earlier will appear here.

Step 5

Enter the password displayed earlier on your Android cell phone, then tap "Join." After a few moments the iPad connects to the hot spot and will then route all Internet activity -- from Web browsing to app downloads -- through this connection.

Connect via Bluetooth

Step 1

Tap "Settings" on your iPad's home screen and choose "Wi-Fi." Switch the Wi-Fi button to the Off position.

Step 2

Select "Bluetooth" and toggle the Bluetooth switch to the On position.

Step 3

Tap "Settings" on the All Apps screen on the Android device, and then select "More" and "Tethering & portable hotspot."

Step 4

Select "Bluetooth tethering" to enable it. Tap the back button twice and select "Bluetooth" to configure the connection to your iPad.

Step 5

Tap "Search for devices" and wait until your iPad appears on the list. Tap once on the entry to connect, and then tap "Pair" on the pop-up dialog.

Step 6

Tap "Pair" on the dialog that pops up on your iPad screen as well. After a few moments, the connection between the devices will be established.

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