Using wifi and hotspot at the same time sounds like a technology contradiction to many users. Normally, when you turn on the mobile hotspot on your smartphone, the Wi-Fi will automatically turn off. But there are some situations and workarounds which allow you to use two features at once. Check this guide explaining how to use hotspot and Wi-Fi at the same time — especially on Samsung, iPhone, and Android phones.
What Does It Mean to Use Wi-Fi and Hotspot at the Same Time?
Normally there are two cases, your phone uses either Wi-Fi or mobile data to connect to the internet. When you enable the hotspot feature, your phone shares its mobile data with other devices. But what if you want to share the internet from a wifi network (not mobile data) via hotspot? That’s the idea behind using both wifi and hotspot together.
In easy words: You will connect your phone to a wifi, it shares that wifi connection to your friends device using the hotspot feature.
Can You Use Wi-Fi and Hotspot at the Same Time?
Short answer is Yes, but only under certain conditions. See how
Most phones don’t allow this by default. Because your phone’s hotspot feature usually relies on mobile data. But now we are seeing some newer smartphones and third-party apps, allowing you to bypass this limitation using Wi-Fi repeater or Wi-Fi sharing features.
Why Would You Want to Do This?
Here are some common reasons:
- To extend your Wi-Fi coverage
- To share a Wi-Fi network with devices that can only connect to hotspots
- To use one device as a Wi-Fi bridge in a room when signal is weak
Wi-Fi and Hotspot at the Same Time on Samsung Phones
Samsung is one of the few Android phone manufacturers that supports wifi sharing natively in some models. See how to do it.
How to Use Wi-Fi and Hotspot Simultaneously on Samsung
- Go to Settings > Connections > Mobile Hotspot and Tethering
- Tap on Mobile Hotspot
- Tap the three dots on the top right and select Wi-Fi Sharing
- Turn on both Mobile Hotspot and Wi-Fi Sharing
- Connect your Samsung phone to a Wi-Fi network
Your phone will now act like a Wi-Fi repeater. It will receive internet from one wifi and share it via hotspot to other devices.
Supported Samsung Devices
- Galaxy S21, S22, S23 series
- Galaxy Note 10 and above
- Galaxy A52, A72, and newer A-series
Also please note that not all models have this feature, so check your specific model’s settings.
How to Use Hotspot with Wi-Fi on iPhone
Unlike Samsung, iPhones do not natively support Wi-Fi sharing via hotspot. The hotspot on iPhones uses mobile data only.
Workaround Using a Mac or Second Phone
If you’re using an iPhone and want to share a Wi-Fi network this is what you can do
- Connect your iPhone to a Wi-Fi network.
- Use a Mac or another iOS device to create a bridge via Bluetooth tethering.
- Alternatively, use a portable travel router to share the Wi-Fi.
Unfortunately, iOS device iPhones don’t let you use wifi and Personal Hotspot at the same time like Samsung phones do. (Apple fans, we know it’s hard, maybe you can ask Siri for help 😛 )
Using Apps to Use Wi-Fi and Hotspot at the Same Time
Because your phone’s built-in features aren’t enough to make it, using other third-party apps can help you to use wifi and hotspot simultaneously. It will act as These apps often act as wifi repeaters or use proxy-based connections to share wifi internet through your phone’s hotspot feature.
Popular Apps to Try:
- NetShare – No Root Tethering (Android)
- Allows Wi-Fi sharing without root
- Creates a Wi-Fi repeater network
- Devices connect via proxy/VPN
- PdaNet+
- Works on Android
- Shares internet via Wi-Fi, USB, or Bluetooth
- Needs companion app on the receiving device
- Repeater
- Turns Android phone into a Wi-Fi repeater
- Needs root access on some models
Note: These apps may not work on all Android versions. (or It may require specific permissions).
By the way, check this guide on hiding your Wi-Fi network, if you want to keep your neighbors out from accessing.
How to Use Hotspot with Wi-Fi on Any Android Phone
If your Android phone doesn’t support native Wi-Fi sharing, try this below method:
- Install NetShare from Google Play Store
- Connect your phone to a Wi-Fi network
- Open NetShare and start the hotspot
- Connect other devices using the instructions in the app (often requires proxy settings)
This will not be as smooth as native solutions. But it usually seems to work well most of the time. Give it a try.
Technical Explanation: How It Works
Your phone must act as a Wi-Fi repeater in order to use Wi-Fi and hotspot together. This means it needs two different wifi interfaces — one is to receive and one is to transmit. Most phones have only one, which is why it’s a little tricky for many. Some newer chipsets or custom firmware will allow this, or software-based tricks simulate it using virtual networks.
Best Use Cases for Wi-Fi + Hotspot
- In hotels or cafes: Use one login on your phone and share it with others
- Old devices: Share Wi-Fi to older devices that don’t support modern Wi-Fi security protocols
- Smart TVs or consoles: Extend internet access where Wi-Fi signal is weak
Limitations and Warnings
- Battery drain: Running both hotspot and Wi-Fi consumes a lot of battery
- Speed drop: Sharing Wi-Fi can reduce internet speed
- Security: Use strong passwords and avoid sharing sensitive data
- Compatibility: Not all apps or devices support proxy/VPN-based sharing
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my Wi-Fi and hotspot not work together?
Nowadays most of the phones have a single Wi-Fi chip. These simply can’t receive and transmit at the same time. So that means when you turn on the hotspot, the wifi turns off automatically. Only phones with special support or using certain apps can bypass this situation.
How to open both Wi-Fi and hotspot?
For Samsung users, it is very easy. Just open these >> Settings, Connections, then Mobile Hotspot and Tethering, and enable both Mobile Hotspot and Wi-Fi Sharing. Other android users, they can use apps like NetShare. On iPhones this feature is not allowed by default.
Why does Wi-Fi turn off when the hotspot is on?
This happens mainly because most smartphones use a single radio for both functions. Turning on the hotspot tells the phone to switch from receiving (Wi-Fi) to transmitting, which disables wifi by default.
Final Thoughts
It is possible to use Wi-Fi and hotspot at the same time. But your device should support it or you will need to try some tweaks by yourself. Samsung users are lucky, thanks to native Wi-Fi sharing which is a built-in feature in it. Other Android users can explore third-party apps, while iPhone users may need external devices for this.
So to use this wifi sharing feature, get a phone that supports Wi-Fi repeater mode or use an app like NetShare to make this work.
If you have tried any of these and worked, let us know in the comments.
