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Tom’s Guide
Tom’s Guide
Technology
Tom Pritchard

This hidden Android feature was a lifesaver when my home internet died — here's how it works

Android 11 ethernet tethering feature.

One of the worst first-world problems we can face is being cut off from the internet. I'm not talking about being deprived of social media, or the ability to send memes to our friends, though that is a part of it. The internet has infiltrated every aspect of our lives, and lack of access means a lot of modern conveniences we take for granted are worthless — even if you're connected to the same local network.

I know this for a fact, because my internet has been cut off for over a week at this point. While I was able to tether a few of my devices so I could continue to work without issue, the lack of stable home Wi-Fi meant a bunch of my devices were completely cut off. Until I realized that the best Android phones have a hidden feature that could help get everything up and running — all while using my existing wireless network.

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