Samsung devices won't support Android 15's 'Instant Hotspot' feature
What's the story
Google's upcoming Android 15 OS will introduce a new feature, 'Instant Hotspot,' designed to facilitate seamless connectivity between Android tablets and Chromebooks with a phone's hotspot. However, it has been confirmed that this feature will not be compatible with Samsung Galaxy devices. 'Instant Hotspot' streamlines the task of linking your tablet or Chromebook to your phone's internet. If Wi-Fi isn't available but your devices are within range, a notification will prompt you to connect to the phone's hotspot.
Feature comparison
Auto Hotspot v/s Instant Hotspot
Samsung Galaxy users have access to a similar feature called 'Auto Hotspot,' provided by Samsung's One UI. This functionality allows Galaxy devices to connect to a phone's internet. However, unlike Google's 'Instant Hotspot' which works with all Android tablets and Chromebooks, Samsung's 'Auto Hotspot' is limited to Galaxy devices within the same Samsung account or family group. The key difference between these two features lies in their compatibility range.
Speculation
Unclear reasons for incompatibility
The reason behind the incompatibility of Google's 'Instant Hotspot' feature with Samsung Galaxy devices remains unknown. Despite being part of Google Play Services, that is accessible on all Google-certified Android gadgets including Samsung's, the 'Instant Hotspot' feature will not be available on Galaxy devices. Some speculate that Samsung may have chosen to opt out due to the overlap with their existing 'Auto Hotspot' feature.