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Android's New Dual-Band Hotspot Mode Pairs 6 GHz Speed With 2.4 GHz Compatibility (androidauthority.com)

(Thursday November 27, 2025 @04:00PM (msmash) from the bridging-the-gap dept.)


Google is [1]testing a new Wi-Fi hotspot configuration in the latest Android Canary build that pairs the 6 GHz band's superior throughput with the 2.4 GHz band's broad device compatibility, eliminating the trade-off users previously faced when choosing between speed and legacy support. Android's default hotspot setting uses 2.4 and 5 GHz frequencies, omitting 6 GHz because most devices lack support for the newer standard and because U.S. regulations previously prohibited smartphones from creating 6 GHz hotspots. Recent regulatory changes and a Pixel update unlocked standalone 6 GHz hotspots, but that option cuts off older devices entirely. The new "2.4 and 6 GHz" dual-band mode, spotted in Android Canary, is expected to arrive in an upcoming Android 16 QPR3 beta.



[1] https://www.androidauthority.com/android-new-dual-band-wifi-hotspot-option-3620037/


US regulations preventing 6GHz hotspot (Score:2)

by Valgrus Thunderaxe ( 8769977 )

Was the reasoning behind this?

Re: (Score:2)

by Valgrus Thunderaxe ( 8769977 )

s/Was/What was

Re: US regulations preventing 6GHz hotspot (Score:2)

by tiananmen tank man ( 979067 )

air waves are gov property

Re: (Score:2)

by ArchieBunker ( 132337 )

Corporations or lobbying, take your pick.

Re: (Score:2)

by 93 Escort Wagon ( 326346 )

> Was the reasoning behind this?

Probably the fact that Trump recently clawed back the previous 6GHz spectrum allocation so he can give it to his billionaire buddies.

Nothing new (Score:2)

by pcjunky ( 517872 )

Except for 6GHz support, this duel band support is nothing new. I routinely setup such routers/access points with wide channel widths and higher security on the 5GHz radio and use standard 20MHz channels and older encryption and authentication for compatibility with older devices on the 2.4Ghz radio..

Re: Nothing new (Score:2)

by DeanonymizedCoward ( 7230266 )

I guess the story is that it's new in Android and potentially handy for folks who have high speed cellular connectivity and use their Android device as a hotspot.

Nice to see, considering all the stupidity around the 6 GHz band, even getting STA adapters to support it under non-Windows OS's often sucks due to firmware/driver lockdown hassles.

Android hotspot kinda sucks anyway, what with dual band support, ability to manage connected devices, etc. being flaky and vendor dependent.

Re: (Score:2)

by Z00L00K ( 682162 )

For real upgrade I'd like 60Ghz.

OPTION (Score:2)

by markdavis ( 642305 )

The summary omits that this is an OPTION, and won't replace other options. I have ZERO devices with 6Ghz (and I doubt I am alone), so it would make no sense to offer only 2.4/6.

What I don't understand is why it can't offer a triple-band hotspot (apparently not an option). Or just a 6Ghz or 5Ghz only option. So you will be forced to choose between 2.4/5 or 2.4/6. But since it is mostly personal use, I guess that is fine.

I do wish there was a power setting also shown and that they chose a low-power mode by

Re: (Score:2)

by tlhIngan ( 30335 )

The reason is simple, Android already offers 2.4/5 GHz. When you go to the hotspot option, the 2.4GHz option is marked "Compatible". Unselecting it means the hotspot will operate at 5GHz.

The reason it generally can't do dual 2.4/5 is because that requires dual radios to operate simultaneously. Your router that does 2.4 and 5GHz has two separate WiFi adapters, one operating at 2.4GHz and the other at 5GHz. These are independent and the underlying software bridges the two with the Ethernet ports.

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