How to connect your Galaxy device to the internet

Last Update date : Apr 23. 2021

Sharing, streaming, gaming. Almost everything that we do on our smartphones is better with the internet. There are many different ways of connecting to the internet.  You can either connect to a wi-fi network, mobile data, or mobile hotspot. 

Note: Device screenshots and menu may vary depending on the device model and software version.

Connect to a wi-fi network

When you have Wi-Fi turned on, your phone automatically connects to nearby Wi-Fi networks you've connected to before.

Setting up a Wi-Fi connection
1 Head into your Settings > Connections.
2 Toggle on the switch to turn on Wi-Fi then tap again to view more settings.
3 Select the Wi-Fi network you would like to connect to
4 Enter the Password then tap Connect.
Removing a network

If you would like to remove the network you're connected to, follow the steps below:

1 Head into your Settings > Connections.
2 Tap Wi-Fi.
3 Tap Settings icon.
4 Tap Forget.

Turn on Mobile Hotspot

Mobile hotspots or tethering allow you to share your internet connection with other devices you own. You can also configure several features and settings to keep your hotspot private.

Turn on mobile hotspot

See the steps below on turning on the Mobile Hotspot option of your Samsung phone or tablet.

via Connection Settings

1 Head into your Settings > Connections.
2 Tap on Mobile Hotspot and Tethering.
3 Toggle on or off Mobile Hotspot to enable/disable this setting.

via Quick Settings

1 Swipe down from two places at the top of the screen to see your quick settings.
2 Tap Mobile Hotspot to turn it on or off.
Configure mobile hotspot

If you don't want strangers using your hotspot, you can hide your device and adjust more options. Here’s how you configure a hotspot connection on your device. 

1 From Settings, search for and select Mobile Hotspot and Tethering.
2 Tap Mobile Hotspot.
3 Under your Mobile Hotspot Settings, tap on the three dots icon.
4 Change the Network name, Security & Password, once complete tap on Save.

The following settings will be available:

  • Network name: View and change the name of your hotspot.
  • Hide my device: Make your phone or tablet undetectable by others.
  • Security: Select the hotspot's security level.
  • Password: View and change the password for your hotspot.
  • Power saving mode: Reduce battery usage by analyzing mobile hotspot traffic.
  • Protected management frames: Allows the hotspot to be encrypted.
Mobile hotspot timeout settings

To save battery, your mobile hotspot will automatically be turned off if no devices are connected for a specified amount of time.

1 From Settings, search for and select Mobile Hotspot and Tethering.
2 Tap Mobile Hotspot.
3 Under your Mobile Hotspot Settings, tap on the three dots icon
4 Tap Timeout Settings. Select how long to wait before turning off your Mobile Hotspot when there are no connected devices.

If you're experiencing unusual behavior on Samsung mobiles, tablets, or wearables, you can send us an error report or ask us a question in the Samsung Members app. This allows us to take a closer look at what is happening. The data is anonymized and only held for the duration of the investigation. Find out more about how to send an error report here: How to use the Samsung Members app.

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