A Bluetooth Personal Area Network (BTPAN) is another way to share Internet connectivity between devices wirelessly. This feature can be used to connect a Windows device to a device that has hotspot capabilities, such as a phone or another computer, through Bluetooth instead of using Wi-Fi.
To use BTPAN:
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The Windows device needs to have Bluetooth built in or added via a Bluetooth adapter.
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A secondary device needs to have Bluetooth and support hotspot functionality.
To connect a Windows device to a hotspot device via Bluetooth, follow these steps:
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Turn on Bluetooth on both the Windows device and the hotspot device, and ensure the devices are paired via Bluetooth to each other. For more information, see Pair a Bluetooth device in Windows.
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On the hotspot device, activate the hotspot and set it to share over Bluetooth.
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On the Windows device, right-click Start and then select Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Devices . Or Select the following Bluetooth & devices > Devices shortcut:Open Bluetooth & devices > Devices
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In the Bluetooth & devices window under Other devices, select the hotspot device to expand it.
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Under the hotspot device next to Personal Area Network (PAN), select the Join button.
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In the Bluetooth Personal Area Network window that opens, make sure Access Point is selected in the drop-down menu, and then select the Connect button.
Note: Access Point might be the only option available in the drop-down menu. If it is, then Access Point is automatically selected, and the drop-down menu is greyed out.
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After selecting the Connect button, Windows will attempt to connect to the hotspot device. If it's successful, a Connection successful message is displayed. Select the OK button to close the Bluetooth Personal Area Network window.
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The status of the connection is displayed in Other devices under the hotspot device's name. To disconnect from the Bluetooth Personal Area Network, follow the same steps to connect to the hotspot device, but select the Disconnect PAN button instead of the Connect button.
Support for Windows 10 will end in October 2025
After October 14, 2025, Microsoft will no longer provide free software updates from Windows Update, technical assistance, or security fixes for Windows 10. Your PC will still work, but we recommend moving to Windows 11.
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Turn on Bluetooth on both the Windows device and the hotspot device, and ensure the devices are paired via Bluetooth to each other. For more information, see Pair a Bluetooth device in Windows.
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On the hotspot device, activate the hotspot and set it to share over Bluetooth.
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On the Windows device, right-click on the Bluetooth Devices icon in the notification area of the taskbar. If the taskbar is at the bottom of the screen, the icon should be located just to the left of the time and date.
Tip: If the Bluetooth Devices icon isn't visible, select the chevron to the left of the icons. Additional icons are displayed including the Bluetooth Devices icon.
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In the menu that opens, select Join a Personal Area Network.
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In the Device and Printers window that opens, right-click on the hotspot device and then select Connect using > Access point.
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After selecting the Connect using > Access point, Windows will attempt to connect to the hotspot device. If it's successful, a Bluetooth Network Connection window displays briefly with the message Connection successful.
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To disconnect from the Bluetooth Personal Area Network, follow the same steps to connect to the hotspot device, but when right-clicking on the hotspot device in the Device and Printers window, select Disconnect from the device network instead of Connect using > Access point.
