How to Use an Android TV Box as a Wi-Fi Access Point

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.

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8 Comments
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FossXplorer
FossXplorer
9 years ago

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!

Greg Dalton
9 years ago

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.

Shinobi
Shinobi
8 years ago

Is this kind of hotspot is as fast as a standard Wi-Fi router signal?

Kai
Kai
6 years ago

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
Kai
6 years ago


Any suggestion which one to use?

Khadas VIM4 SBC