Today, I’ve come across another potential use case for Android TV boxes with Wi-Fi and Ethernet. Let’s say you are in a room with Ethernet, but there’s no Wi-Fi signal or the signal is too weak, and want to use your smartphone to connect to the Internet via Wi-Fi. If you don’t have one of these small (openWRT) Wi-Fi router with you, but instead brought an Android mini PC, you can configure the “Portable Hotspot” function to transform it into a secure Wi-Fi access point.
Assuming you’ve connect an Ethernet cable, and powered the device, first make sure Ethernet is enabled\, and Wi-Fi is disabled in the Settings menu. To click on Settings->More.. in the Wireless & Networks section, and select “Tethering & portable hotspot” or simply “Portable hotspot” depending on your firmware. In the next menu, click on Portable Wi-Fi hotspot to enabled it, then “Set up Wi-Fi Hospot” to optionally change the Network SSID and Security protocol, and enter a password. Click on Save, and you’re done. Now you can connect with your smartphone to you Android mini PC SSID, by default “AndroidAP”. I’ve tested it with Tronsmart Vega S89 Elite, and it worked nicely.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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Great tips, thanks! Is there a cheaper Android box we could use for this purpose? I assume requirement is Ethernet + WiFi. Any tips on a below $50 box would be awesome!
@FossXplorer
If you only need a Wi-Fi router, the best is to simply use something like TP-Link WR703N – http://www.cnx-software.com/2012/07/19/tp-link-wr703n-23-hackable-openwrt-wi-fi-802-11n-router/.
But if you want cheap device to connect to a TV too, then some of the AllWinner A20 boxes might do.
Something like http://www.cnx-software.com/2014/06/08/37-shenzhen-visson-v5-android-tv-box-features-allwinner-a20-soc/ that sells for less than $40.
The firmware must support “Portable Hotspot” function. I think it’s in most of the boxes, but maybe not all, and it’s not something I’ve ever tested with other boxes, so YMMV.
Just tried this on my Jynxbox…speed drops to 5 Mbps down…5 up…usually get 30 down.
Good trick to know though.
I use a $20 D-Link DIR-615 with DD-WRT for access points…one upstairs…one in basement.
Is this kind of hotspot is as fast as a standard Wi-Fi router signal?
Hi, what about having the Android Box connected via Ethernet and then connect a tablet with the USB cable. Can I tether Internet TO the tablet from the Android box?
@Kai
I doubt this will work out of the box. Maybe implementing Ethernet USB gadget driver would do.
@cnxsoft
Any suggestion which one to use?
@Kai
I suggest you don’t do this as chances of success are low.
Why do you want to do this? Do you have a tablet without WiFi?
In that case, it might be better to use a USB Ethernet dongle and connect it to a router since it has a better chance of working out of the box.