It may not be that often but there will be situations where you need to access the internet via the Bluetooth hotspot. For example, while traveling recently, I started facing issues with the regular WiFi hotspot. So, I enabled Bluetooth tethering on my Android phone and connected to the Bluetooth hotspot in Windows 11 to access the internet without hiccups. The good thing is that the entire process is pretty simple and straightforward. In this quick and easy tutorial, let me show you the steps to connect to a Bluetooth hotspot in Windows 11 to access the internet.
Before You Start
- Bluetooth must be turned on on both your devices (Mobile & Computer).
- The Bluetooth device you want to use for the hotspot should have internet connectivity.
- Make sure your Bluetooth device is paired to your laptop/computer. If it’s not already paired, put your Bluetooth device in pairing mode, go to “Settings” > “Bluetooth & devices” page in the Windows 11 Settings app, click on “Add device”, select “Bluetooth”, and then click on your device to pair.
- On your mobile device, Bluetooth Tethering must be turned on.
- On Android, open the Settings app, go to “Connection & sharing” > “Personal Hotspot”, and turn on the “Bluetooth tethering” toggle. Depending on your Android device manufacturer and version, the steps might be different.
- On iPhone, open Settings, go to “Personal Hotspot” and turn on the “Allow others to join” toggle.
- The Bluetooth hotspot is slower and often less reliable compared to the normal WiFi hotspot.
- Keep both devices close to each other (ideally within 5 to 10 meters or 15 to 30 feet) for the best connection.
Connect to Bluetooth Hotspot in Windows 11
- Open the Settings app by pressing “Windows key + I”.
- Go to the “Bluetooth & devices” tab.
- Click the “Devices” option.
- Click the “More options” (three dots) icon next to your Bluetooth device.
- Select the “Join Personal Area Network (PAN)” option.
- Select “Access Point” from the dropdown menu.
- Click the “Connect” button.
- With that, the Bluetooth hotspot connection is established and you can access the internet via Bluetooth.
Detailed Steps (With Screenshots)
On Windows 11, press the “Windows key + I” shortcut to launch the Settings window. You can also right-click on the Start button on the taskbar and select the “Settings” option.
In the Settings window, go to the “Bluetooth & devices” tab on the sidebar and then click the “Devices” option on the right page.
Now, scroll down the list of paired and available devices, find your Bluetooth device, and click the three dots icon (More options) next to the device name. Select the “Join Personal Area Network (PAN)” option.
In the prompt that appears, select “Access Point” from the dropdown menu and click the “Connect” button.
As soon as you click the button, Windows establishes the Bluetooth personal area network (hotspot). Once done, you can access the internet on your computer via the Bluetooth hotspot.
Wrapping Up — Connecting to the Internet Using Bluetooth Connection in Windows 11
As you can see, thanks to the built-in options, you can easily connect to Bluetooth hotspot in Windows 11 and access the internet. Keep in mind that the Bluetooth hotspot device should have internet connectivity and compared to the regular WiFi hotspot, the connection speed is limited. Moreover, ensure both devices are close to each other for optimal connection.
That is all. If you have any questions or need help, comment below and I’ll be happy to assist.
