Wi-Fi sharing is a technological advancement that allows users to share Wi-Fi connections from one device to other devices. The Wi-Fi sharing concept may sound new but has been there for a considerable period and, in most cases, has been confused with hotspot, which is referred to as Wi-Fi hotspot. There exists a difference between the two; a mobile hotspot uses the data of one device to allow the other to connect to the internet, and while the hotspot is on, other Wi-Fi services are inaccessible. On the other hand, Wi-Fi sharing shares the Wi-Fi connection of one device to another, and therefore the first user doesn’t incur any data charges.
What is the difference between Wi-Fi sharing and Wi-Fi direct?
The two concepts are mistakenly used as if they were the same thing. However, they are not the same though they may seem to serve the same purpose: connecting two or more devices to a shared internet. Wi-Fi Direct is a technology that allows two devices to connect wirelessly and communicate without a physical connection. Wi-Fi direct is much more like a file-sharing app, the likes of Bluetooth, Zapya, Xender, and Flashare, to mention a few. The major work is sharing files between the two connected devices. Examples of situations where Wi-Fi direct is used are; printing documents from a phone or laptop wirelessly using a WI-FI direct enabled printer, a wireless keyboard, and even a wireless mouse. In all the above cases, none of them needs the internet service in both the connected devices, which brings the difference between Wi-Fi Direct and Wi-Fi sharing. Wi-Fi sharing allows devices to share a common internet. Wi-Fi Direct allows devices to exchange files wirelessly.
How does one turn Wi-Fi share on?
On Android device
This feature is only available for Android devices running Android 10 and later. The steps to turn it on are here below;
With the device connected to the Wi-Fi network, go to settings >network and internet, then Wi-FiTap on the cog next to your Wi-Fi network Tap the share icon on the right, and a QR code appears on the screen On the device you want to share Wi-Fi with, go to settings, network, internet, Wi-Fi, and then add network next to it. You should see a QR code icon, tap on it and start scanning. The end of scanning allows the devices to share the Wi-Fi
On apple device
This feature is also available to iPhones running iOS 11or newer Macs on macOS High Sierra or later for Apple devices. Sharing Wi-Fi is then done by sharing the Wi-Fi password, and for this to go through, the contacts of the participating devices have to be mutually listed. Here’s how to share it.
Ensure that the host device is connected to Wi-Fi which you want to shareTurn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on both devices while ensuring that the personal hotspot is off; both the devices should be unlocked and nearby On the second device, select the host’s Wi-Fi from the list of available networks A prompt should appear on the host’s phone confirming the actionTap share password and all is set.
When does one use Wi-Fi sharing?
Wi-Fi sharing, as is evident, is an important feature that has, though not been fully exploited. Hotspots and tethering may be sufficient in some cases, but some scenarios will call for Wi-Fi sharing. Examples are;
When using public Wi-Fi, it sometimes may not be possible to log into several devices at once, especially if passwords are given out. Wi-Fi sharing, therefore, comes in handy when you have more devices to connect to the internetIn hotel rooms. Hotel rooms are often too limited to a few connections, which may not serve every individual in a family of 4 or 5. Using Wi-Fi sharing, therefore, becomes a lifesaver
What are the advantages and disadvantages?
Wi-Fi sharing is desirable in many ways
It saves on personal data since it makes maximum use of the Wi-Fi availableIt is cheaper as compared to installing a router or a Mi-Fi deviceIt saves one the hustle of feeding in a password which may at times be complicatedHelps to log several devices on the Wi-Fi In places and situations which would otherwise be difficult
There are two sides to every coin. Thus Wi-Fi sharing has its advantages and shortcomings as well, and here below are some shortcomings;
It drains more battery power in the device sharing the connection and at times causes overheating on the deviceThe connections so established may not be as fast as regular Wi-Fi or a mobile hotspot
To conclude, WI-FI sharing is a relatively latest feature in laptops, Mac books, android phones, and iPhones running the latest versions of their respective OS; this feature allows a device to share its WI-FI connections with another device without the other device inputting the password for the WI-FI. WI-FI direct is another feature that is often mistaken for the former; the significant difference between the two is that whereas the former shares the internet connection, the latter allows the connected devices to exchange files between them. WI-FI sharing is an intelligent feature but cannot be overly perfect; it has its shortcomings, too, which, however, cannot out way the pros.
