How to transfer Wi-Fi from phone to phone without a password: all working methods

Are you in a situation where you urgently need to share internet from another phone, but you've forgotten or lost the Wi-Fi password, or you're just too lazy to enter it? Or perhaps you want to share mobile data from one smartphone to another without having to go through complicated setup? This article will help you solve the problem in 2-3 minutes—without any unnecessary manipulation or technical difficulties.

We will consider 5 proven methodsHow to transfer Wi-Fi from phone to phone without a password: from standard functions Android And iOS to little-known life hacks using QR codes, Bluetooth and even NFCAll methods work on modern devices (2018 and newer), but some require specific conditions—we'll warn you about these in advance.

Important: If you need to distribute mobile Internet (3G/4G/5G) from one phone to another, rather than sharing access to an existing Wi-Fi network - go straight to the section about access pointTo transfer connection data to a router without a password, read about QR codes And Wi-Fi Direct.

Conditions for successful Wi-Fi transfer without a password

Before you start setting up, please check 4 key points, on which the performance of the methods depends:

• 📱 OS version: on Android must be versions 10+ (for QR codes - 9+), iPhone — iOS 11+. Older devices may not support some features.
• 🔄 Protocol compatibility: if one phone only works on Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), and the other one is on Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), direct data transmission may not be available.
• 🔋 Battery charge: When sharing internet through a hotspot, power consumption increases by 30-50%. Make sure the phone sharing the internet has at least 40% battery.
• 📶 Network signal: If you're sharing access to the router rather than sharing mobile data, make sure both phones are within the network coverage area.

If at least one of the conditions is not met, some methods may not work. For example, Wi-Fi Direct often refuses to connect between devices with different wireless standards, and QR codes are not readable on smartphones with very outdated cameras.

⚠️ Attention: On phones Huawei And Honor with firmware EMUI 12+ additional permission to use may be required Wi-Fi Direct in the security settings. If the function is not activated, check the section Settings → Security → Advanced.

Method 1: Sharing Wi-Fi via QR Code (Android and iPhone)

The most universal and fastest method is to generate a QR code with network connection details on one phone and scan it with a second one. It works on most modern devices, including Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, Xiaomi Redmi And iPhone (with iOS 11+).

Advantages of the method:

• 🔹 No need to enter your password manually (no risk of error).
• 🔹 Works even if you don't know your current Wi-Fi password.
• 🔹 Supported by most routers (except for very old models).

Instructions for Android:

1. Open Settings → Wi-Fi.
2. Click on the name of your network (already connected).
3. Tap on the icon Share (or QR code on Xiaomi).
4. Confirm the action with your fingerprint/PIN.
5. On the second phone, scan the QR code using the camera or app Google Lens.

Instructions for iPhone:

1. Make sure both phones are connected to iCloud with the same Apple ID (or are in Family Sharing).
2. On a phone that is already connected to Wi-Fi, open Settings → Wi-Fi.
3. Click on the network name → Share Password.
4. Bring the second iPhone closer to you and the password will be transferred automatically. without QR code.

The camera of the second phone is clean (no streaks)

The QR code fits entirely within the viewfinder

The sending phone has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled (for iPhone)

The devices are no more than 1 meter away-->

If the QR code doesn't scan on Android, try using a third-party app, such as WiFi Key Share (available on Google Play). It generates codes even on devices that don't have this feature built into the system.

Method 2: Wi-Fi Direct – Direct connection without a router

Wi-Fi Direct — a technology that allows devices to connect directly, like Bluetooth, but at Wi-Fi speeds. This method is suitable if you need to transfer files or share the internet from one phone to another. without the participation of a router.

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 Doesn't work between Android And iPhone (only within one OS).
• 🚫 On some phones (Sony Xperia, old Samsung) the function can be called differently: Wi-Fi P2P or Direct Share.
• 🚫 Connection speed is lower than standard Wi-Fi (maximum ~150 Mbps).

How to enable Wi-Fi Direct on Android:

1. Open Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi.
2. Tap on «Wi-Fi Direct» (or Direct connection on Xiaomi).
3. Select a device from the list of available ones.
4. Confirm the connection on both phones.

Once connected, you will be able to:

• 📁 Transfer files via Conductor or Galaxy Quick Share (on Samsung).
• 🌐 Share the Internet if the first phone is enabled access point (more on this below).

Why doesn't iPhone support Wi-Fi Direct?

Apple uses its own technology AirDrop For direct data transfer, which only works between Apple devices. For communication with Android, use Bluetooth or QR codes (method 1).

⚠️ Attention: On phones OnePlus With OxygenOS 12+ function Wi-Fi Direct It may be hidden. To find it, search for "direct" in the settings.

Method 3: Share mobile Internet via a hotspot (without a password)

If you need to share mobile Internet (3G/4G/5G) from one phone to another, not access to the router - use access point With a simplified connection. This method works on all smartphones, but requires the device sharing the data plan to have an active data plan.

How to share internet without a password:

1. On the donor phone, open Settings → Connections → Hotspot & Tethering (on iPhone: Settings → Tethering).
2. Turn on Mobile Hotspot.
3. Click Setting up an access point → select "No password" in the security section.
4. On the second phone, connect to the created network (the name will be something like «AndroidAP» or "iPhone" + last digits of IMEI).

Warnings:

• 🔴 Safety: An open network is vulnerable to unauthorized connections. Use this method only for temporary data transfers.
• 🔴 Operator restrictions: Some mobile operators block Internet distribution without a password (for example, Tele2 or Iota).

Method 4: Transferring Internet via Bluetooth (for Android)

A little-known but working method is to share the Internet from one Android-phone to another through BluetoothThe speed will be lower than via Wi-Fi (~1-3 Mbps), but the connection is stable and does not require a password.

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Turn on the donor phone Bluetooth And access point (as in method 3, but you can leave the password).
2. In the access point settings, select Bluetooth connection (on Samsung this can be called Bluetooth Modem).
3. On the second phone, connect to the first one via Bluetooth (Settings → Bluetooth).
4. In the mobile network settings of the second phone, select "Bluetooth Internet" as a data source.

Restrictions:

• 🐢 Low speed (not suitable for high-definition videos).
• 📱 Doesn't work on iPhone (Apple blocks internet transmission via Bluetooth).
• 🔋 Increased battery consumption on both devices.

Method 5: Fast Wi-Fi Sharing via NFC (Android Only)

If both phones support NFC (For example, Samsung Galaxy S21+, Google Pixel 6, Xiaomi 12 Pro), you can transfer Wi-Fi connection data with a simple touch. This method only works for transferring router settings, and not for distributing mobile Internet.

How does this work:

1. Make sure NFC is turned on on both phones (Settings → Connections → NFC).
2. On a phone that's already connected to Wi-Fi, open network settings.
3. Select your network → click Share → «NFC».
4. Place the back of the second phone against the first (where the NFC chip is located).
5. Connection will occur automatically without entering a password.

Where is the NFC chip located on popular phones:

• 📱 Samsung Galaxy: top of the back cover (near the camera).
• 📱 Google Pixel: middle of the back panel.
• 📱 Xiaomi Redmi/POCO: upper left corner.

⚠️ Attention: On phones Huawei And Honor The Wi-Fi sharing feature via NFC may be disabled in some regions due to firmware limitations. If this option is disabled, use a QR code (method 1).

Common problems and their solutions

If none of the methods worked, check these points:

If you use custom firmware (For example, LineageOS), some functions (like Wi-Fi Direct) can be disabled. In this case, the only reliable way is access point with a simplified password (For example, 12345678).

FAQ: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Is it possible to share Wi-Fi from iPhone to Android without a password?

Yes, but only if you have an iPhone with iOS 13+ and Android 10+. Use QR code (Method 1): Generate a code on your iPhone using the app Shortcuts (there are ready-made scenarios), and on Android, scan it. Direct transfer via Wi-Fi Direct between iPhone and Android is not possible.

Why doesn't the second phone connect when sharing the Internet via a hotspot?

There are several reasons:

1. It's turned on on the donor phone. Modem mode in power saving mode (turn it off).
2. The operator is blocking distribution (check your tariff).
3. The second phone has a VPN or proxy enabled (disable them).
4. IP addresses conflict (reboot both phones).

How to transfer Wi-Fi from a phone to a laptop without a password?

The following are suitable for a laptop:

• 🖥️ QR code (scan it with your laptop's webcam through a website like zxing.org).
• 🖥️ Access point without password (method 3), but it is not safe.
• 🖥️ USB modem (connect your phone to your laptop with a cable and turn it on USB modem in the settings).

Wi-Fi Direct And NFC not suitable for laptops.

How much traffic is used when sharing the Internet from a phone?

Consumption depends on activity:

• 📱 Social media: ~60-150 MB/hour.
• 🎵 Music (Spotify, YouTube Music): ~70-120 MB/hour.
• 🎬 Video (YouTube, 720p): ~600-900 MB/hour.
• 🎮 Online games: ~40-100 MB/hour (without downloading updates).

Tip: Turn it on on the donor phone Saving traffic (Settings → Connections → Data Usage) to limit background consumption.

Is it possible to share Wi-Fi from one phone to another if one of them doesn't have a SIM card?

Yes, but only if:

• You are granting access to router (not mobile internet) via QR code, NFC or Wi-Fi Direct.
• One of the phones is connected to Wi-Fi, and the second one receives network data without a SIM card.

If you need to distribute mobile Internet, the SIM card must be in the donor (distributing) phone.