Usually, we’re stuck with the crowded 2.4GHz or 5GHz bands for hotspots, which are fine but not exactly speed demons. Now, Google is unlocking the 6GHz band – the super-fast lane used by Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 – for Android hotspots.
Pixel owners can already find this buried in the settings (Settings > Network & internet > Hotspot & tethering). But here’s the catch: 6GHz is incredibly fast, but it hates walls and has a shorter range. Plus, your older laptop or tablet probably can’t even see it.
That’s why the real magic is in a new feature Google is testing right now in the Android Canary build. It’s a “dual-band” mode that broadcasts both 2.4GHz and 6GHz at the same time. It slots right in between the standard options, offering a “best of both worlds” solution.
Why it matters: Faster hotspots, more compatible devices – and fewer compromises
Hotspots are absolute lifesavers when you’re working from a coffee shop or stuck in an airport. But until now, you had to choose: do you want compatibility (so your old Kindle connects) or raw speed?
With 6GHz finally unlocked, Pixel users – and soon, likely everyone on Android – can get dramatically faster tethering speeds with way less lag. But because 6GHz is so fragile with distance, the new 2.4 + 6GHz combo mode is the real breakthrough. It acts just like a premium home router, giving your brand-new laptop the high-speed connection while still letting your older gadgets connect on the reliable, slower band.
For you, this means smoother video calls, faster downloads on the go, and finally being able to use the full power of your expensive phone’s internet connection without bottlenecks.
What’s Next: Wider rollout and deeper integration across Android
Right now, this dual-band goodness is just for testers in the Android Canary channel. But it’s a strong sign that Google is prepping this for a wider release, likely in Android 16 or a Feature Drop early next year.
As regulations around the world catch up, expect big names like Samsung, Xiaomi, and OnePlus to jump on this, too. We might even see tri-band hotspots eventually. But for now, Google’s move is finally making mobile hotspots feel less like a backup plan and more like a real, powerful network you can take anywhere.
