A few weeks ago, Google started testing the new ‘Instant Tethering’ feature on the Pixel phones. As the name indicated, it is a feature that lets you do the tethering of two devices quickly and conveniently. What happens is that this feature takes advantage of having the same Google account on both your tablet and your Pixel phone, allowing them to communicate with each other locally via Bluetooth.

We all are concerned about the battery of our smartphone, and a hotspot is one of the biggest battery drainers on our phone. To use the internet on another device, we have to turn the hotspot ‘ON’ and sometimes, we forget to turn it ‘OFF.’ We realize our mistake when the battery is about to die or is already dead.

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WHAT’S INSTANT TETHERING?

Google explained this new features in this way –

When you unlock a tablet such as the Pixel C, it will notice if there is no internet connection available, and will ask your Pixel phone if it has internet and battery life. If it does, we will give you an option to enable a secure hotspot and pair automagically, without even taking your phone out of your pocket. When you are done, if you don’t disconnect, we will notice that you stopped using your tablet and we will disconnect the hotspot for you to save your precious battery throughout the day.

NOTE: There are a few Cellular Carriers that charge a bit extra for tethering. So, make sure that you confirm this with your carrier.

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ENABLE IT BY GOING TO SETTINGS > GOOGLE > INSTANT TETHERING

This is surely a helpful feature and today, the Instant Tethering feature is officially rolling out of the Google Pixel and also Nexus devices. The official Google’s Support site has listed the devices that will be getting this new feature. The ‘Hosts’ i.e. the phones that can share their data automatically include Pixel, Pixel XL, Nexus 6, Nexus 5X, and Nexus 6P running Android 7.1.1 and up. On the other hand, the phones that can use the data shared by the ‘hosts’ automatically include Pixel, Pixel XL, Nexus 6, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Pixel C, and Nexus 9 running Android 6.0 and up. Is your device there among the eligible devices? What do you think about this new feature? Is it helpful? Do let us know via the comments section.

VIA: GOOGLE SUPPORT, DROID-LIFE