Auto Hotspot: Car Tethering

Hotspot automation stopped working after the Android 16 or 17 update? AutoHotspot still does it — no root, no Shizuku, no PC required.

AutoHotspot automatically turns your phone's WiFi hotspot (tethering) on and off. As soon as you get in the car and your phone connects to your car's Bluetooth (car stereo / head unit), the mobile hotspot turns on, so your head unit, tablet or dash cam gets online right away. When you leave and Bluetooth disconnects, it can turn the tethering back off to save battery and data. No more digging into Settings every time.

[Why it still works on Android 16 and 17]

Starting with Android 16, tethering permissions are tighter: apps can no longer switch the hotspot on through the system API, which is why so many hotspot automation setups stopped working. AutoHotspot uses Android's Accessibility Service to pull down the quick-settings panel and tap the "Personal Hotspot" tile for you — exactly what you would do by hand. No root, no Shizuku, no ADB.

[Key features]

• Connect to your chosen car Bluetooth → WiFi hotspot turns on automatically

• Bluetooth disconnects (you leave) → automatic tethering turns off (optional)

• Works even on the lock screen, no unlocking needed

• Remembers where your hotspot tile is, so it keeps working trip after trip

• Customize which Bluetooth devices trigger it and the hotspot tile keywords — compatible with most brands and languages

• Built-in test and diagnostics pages show exactly which step succeeded or failed

• No root, no Shizuku, no scripting: hotspot automation that just works

[Getting started]

Run one test with the screen on; the app remembers the tile's position and can repeat it on the lock screen. Every phone toggles its hotspot differently, so run the built-in test during the free trial before you buy.

[More for your car: optional add-ons]

All run on your car's Bluetooth; add them in "My features".

• Parking spot — find your parked car: saves your parking location when you get out; one tap opens your maps app to where you parked. Add a photo or note.

• Mileage log — automatic mileage tracker: logs every trip with time, route and distance. Mark trips business or personal, set a mileage rate, export monthly CSV.

• Dashboard — GPS speedometer: speed, trip distance and drive time in big digits. Opens when you get in, even over the lock screen. Several looks and a HUD mirror.

• Open apps in car — car app launcher: starts your music, then opens your navigation app (Google Maps, Waze or any app you pick) when your car connects. Can set the car's volume and pause music when you leave.

[Permissions & privacy]

• Accessibility Service: used only to pull down the quick-settings panel and tap the "Personal Hotspot" tile. It never reads, collects or uploads screen content.

• Bluetooth: only to detect whether your car is connected.

• Location (add-ons only): Parking spot and Mileage log read it while your car's Bluetooth is connected (if auto-save or logging is on) or when you save a spot yourself, even when the app is closed; the Dashboard only while on screen. Stays on your phone, never sent to us, not used for ads.

• App list (Open apps in car only): read on your phone so you can pick apps. Never sent anywhere.

• Diagnostic logs stay on your device.

[Pricing]

7-day free trial. Then watch a short rewarded ad for more free days, or buy once to unlock it for life. Add-ons are unlocked separately, each paid one free for 3 days. The Dashboard is free; some looks are sold separately.

[Great for]

• Car navigation and music streaming over your head unit's WiFi

• Android Auto head units and aftermarket car stereos that need internet

• Sharing mobile data from a portable hotspot with a tablet, laptop or dash cam

• Anyone whose hotspot automation broke after upgrading to Android 16 or 17

• Finding your car in a big parking lot, logging mileage for work, or a speedometer on your phone

• Navigation and music ready the moment you get in

Let AutoHotspot handle the tethering.