Android Bluetooth Tethering Setup on macOS

Note: This article applies to macOS Big Sur and older versions only. Apple removed Bluetooth tethering support in macOS Monterey and later. If you're on a newer Mac, skip to the Pair & Share section below.

This article explains how to tether your Android phone to your Mac over Bluetooth, so you can use your Android phone's internet connection on your Mac.

Keep in mind that Bluetooth tethering has speed limits: Bluetooth 4 tops out at around 1 Mbps, and Bluetooth 5 at around 2 Mbps. If your Android phone has fast 4G/5G cellular speeds, you'll likely get better results with USB tethering or Wi-Fi tethering instead.

What You'll Need

  • An Android phone with Bluetooth tethering support
  • Bluetooth enabled on both devices

Let's Get Started

Step 1

On your Android phone, turn on Bluetooth tethering. Open the Settings app and tap More... Then choose Tethering & Mobile Hotspot and toggle the Bluetooth tethering switch on.

Note: The exact menu names can vary depending on your Android phone's manufacturer and software version. Look for options like "Hotspot & Tethering" or "Network Sharing" if you don't see the labels above.

Step 2

Pair your Android phone and your Mac. On your Mac, go to System Preferences > Bluetooth and make sure Bluetooth is turned on. Your Android phone should appear in the list of available devices. Select it and follow any on-screen prompts to complete the pairing.

Step 3

Once paired, open System Preferences on your Mac and click Network. Select Bluetooth from the list on the left. If your Android phone isn't listed, click the + button to add it. Then click Connect.

Your Mac should now be connected to the internet through your Android phone's Bluetooth tethering connection.

On a Newer Mac? Try Speedify's Pair & Share

If you're running macOS Monterey or later, or you find that Bluetooth tethering isn't fast enough for your needs, Speedify's Pair & Share feature is a great alternative.

What is Pair & Share?

Pair & Share is a cellular sharing feature built into Speedify that lets you share 4G/5G cellular internet connections between devices on the same local network, with no cables or adapters required. Connections over Pair & Share can reach up to 10 Mbps, which is significantly faster than Bluetooth tethering.

Unlike a standard personal hotspot, Pair & Share works both ways: once two devices are paired, each can share and receive the other's connections at the same time. The more devices you pair with, the more internet connections you have available to combine.

All internet traffic between paired devices is fully encrypted, and you stay in control at all times. You can set permissions, apply limits, or unpair from any device whenever you like.

Pair your Android phone with your Mac using Pair & Share and share its 4G/5G cellular internet connection to get faster upload and download speeds and added connection stability on your Mac.

Did you know - you can combine multiple internet connections at once on your Mac instead of just switching between them? That means Speedify can bond your Android's tethered connection with your Mac's Wi-Fi network for faster upload and download speeds and a more reliable connection overall. Learn how to do that with Speedify.