Android Cross-Device Services Launched: Internet Sharing

At the end of May, Google announced the first set of multi-device features, with Call Forwarding and Instant Hotspot now rolling out to Android devices.

Once they’re on your device, go to: Settings > Google > Devices & sharing > Cross-device services. The setup process involves creating your own “device group” by enabling these preferences on the devices you’re signed in to.

• Send the call:”Transfer calls between this device and other nearby devices that are signed in to your Google Account. Call transfer is only available for certain apps. Some data about your devices may be shared with these apps when you switch devices.”
  • When this feature is turned on, other devices can send video calls to the device you’re using.
  • For now, this is just the Google Meet app, with the existing Cast branding reused. There will be a Cast icon to transfer a video call between your Android phone, tablet, or desktop browser.
• Internet sharing > instant hotspot:”Automatically share hotspot access with your own devices. Internet sharing works with Chromebooks and Android devices signed in to your Google Account. Bluetooth must be turned on and the device located to share the Internet.”
  • According to Google“Internet sharing is not available on Samsung devices. If you have a Samsung device, you can use the auto hotspot feature instead.”

The toggle lets you turn each feature on/off, while Google will display your device groups on the main Cross-Device Services page.

We are currently seeing cross-device services on Android devices running Google Play Services version 24.28.34, which is Currently in betaIt is available for phones and tablets running Android 11+.

Google says Android users “will get new features across devices as they’re released.”