‘Instant Tethering’ is now available for Nexus and Pixel devices

Instant Tethering, the application within Android that should make it easier to share a mobile data connection with other devices, is now officially available. The feature requires a Nexus 5X, 6, 6P or a Pixel or Pixel XL.

The functionality allows users to easily share a mobile data connection via tethering with other devices signed in to the same Google account. A private WiFi hotspot is then set up and the data is exchanged between the involved devices via Bluetooth. Also, the Wi-Fi function is correctly turned on or off depending on whether the device fulfills the role of gateway or client. Finally, the operating system keeps track of when the client is actually in use. At times when it is not, the tether is also automatically disconnected. When the client is put back into use, it is re-established without additional actions being required.

While only the Nexus 5X, 6, 6P, and the Pixel and Pixel XL can serve as hosts, there are slightly more devices that can function as clients. In addition to the devices already mentioned, those are the Pixel C and Nexus 9 tablet. To serve as a host, a device must be running Android 7.1.1, but a client must be running at least Android 6.0.

Instant Tethering emerged in January when the feature was made available to a small group of users. The functionality was not officially announced or explained at the time, so the exact fate of the feature was still a mystery. Instant Tethering is now officially introduced to the Android community through a forum post.