Windows can now control internet sharing on Windows Phone!


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I was looking at available Wifi hotspots and noticed that the name of my phone's hotspot was showing up in the list. I was pretty sure internet sharing on phone was turned off so I checked on the phone and as expected it was turned off. So I clicked on the hotspot fully expecting it to throw some error. I then notice that it started connecting and internet sharing was enabled remotely on the phone.

 

Was this always possible? or is this something new?

 

This was news to me (mostly because I rarely use internet sharing from phone) but looks like Windows 8.1U can now turn on internet sharing on a WP 8.1U handset.

 

Note:

- PC and WP are both using the same Microsoft account

- PC is Windows 8.1U

- Phone is Lumia 920 running Windows Phone 8.1 latest dev. preview

- Internet sharing was previously configured and another PC (with same MSFT account) had connected to my phone

 

tl,dr; I am happy that Windows can turn on internet sharing on Windows Phone.

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I was looking at available Wifi hotspots and noticed that the name of my phone's hotspot was showing up in the list. I was pretty sure internet sharing on phone was turned off so I checked on the phone and as expected it was turned off. So I clicked on the hotspot fully expecting it to throw some error. I then notice that it started connecting and internet sharing was enabled remotely on the phone.

 

Was this always possible? or is this something new?

 

This was news to me (mostly because I rarely use internet sharing from phone) but looks like Windows 8.1U can now turn on internet sharing on a WP 8.1U handset.

 

Note:

- PC and WP are both using the same Microsoft account

- PC is Windows 8.1U

- Phone is Lumia 920 running Windows Phone 8.1 latest dev. preview

- Internet sharing was previously configured and another PC (with same MSFT account) had connected to my phone

 

tl,dr; I am happy that Windows can turn on internet sharing on Windows Phone.

 

Nice feature! I wonder if that works in RT? It would be a great convenience with my Surface when I'm out of town.

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very nice feature. it worked even if you had wp8, not 8.1, but your pc os must be win 8.1

Nice feature! I wonder if that works in RT? It would be a great convenience with my Surface when I'm out of town.

I don't see why it shouldn't. rt should be identical to the x86 version.

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I assume you use sharing via Bluetooth?

 

Edit: Just tried it myself and it works but you have to use Bluetooth to pair the phone to the device you want it to use internet sharing with and then the Bluetooth connection hands off to WiFi for internet sharing. Basically, if it's not connected via Bluetooth initially then it doesn't show up in the list of networks.

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I didn't have to explicitly share it with BT, I just set up the wireless networks and it handed the connection off automatically.

 

Bluetooth was turned on for both devices though.

 

It also works with Windows RT from memory. It's been a while since I used my Surface 2 though >.>

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I assume you use sharing via Bluetooth?

 

Edit: Just tried it myself and it works but you have to use Bluetooth to pair the phone to the device you want it to use internet sharing with and then the Bluetooth connection hands off to WiFi for internet sharing. Basically, if it's not connected via Bluetooth initially then it doesn't show up in the list of networks.

I don't use BT pairing between Laptop and Phone but my phone was somehow paired. I received a new laptop at work and had no reason to pair it with my phone.
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I don't use BT pairing between Laptop and Phone but my phone was somehow paired. I received a new laptop at work and had no reason to pair it with my phone.

That's interesting, I had mine paired anyway. I assume that Windows is sharing paired devices in the same way settings and wireless hotspots are shared.

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I had this. My surface found my lumia. I got worried that I had internet sharing on without a password. But when I checked there was a random alphanumeric password. Pretty cool!

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