ANDROID ADDS NEW DUAL-BAND WI-FI HOTSPOT OPTION AS CONNECTIVITY FEATURES EXPAND

A new dual-band hotspot option has begun appearing in Android, giving users the ability to broadcast 2.4GHz and 5GHz connections simultaneously from a single device.

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The feature, first identified inside recent Android builds, introduces a more flexible hotspot configuration that aligns with how many modern routers manage multi-band support. Its arrival reflects Google's ongoing adjustments to Android's networking stack as the platform incorporates more advanced tethering and device-to-device connectivity tools.

Android has long supported switching between 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands for mobile hotspots, but users previously had to choose one band at a time. The updated implementation provides a concurrent mode that allows older devices and low-power accessories to connect through the 2.4GHz channel while laptops, tablets and newer phones can use the faster 5GHz option. The change benefits households, travelers and remote workers who rely on mixed hardware and need a single tether that accommodates varying wireless capabilities.

Early builds showing the feature indicate that Google is restructuring the settings interface to surface the dual-band option in a straightforward configuration panel. The interface reveals separate toggles for each band, along with background handling that switches channels based on device compatibility. While the precise version rollout may differ across manufacturers, the functionality is tied to Google's core tethering framework rather than a vendor-specific enhancement, making it likely to appear across a range of upcoming Android releases.

THE NEW HOTSPOT MODE TARGETS MIXED-DEVICE CONNECTIVITY NEEDS