A portable Wi-Fi hotspot on smartphones like Samsung, LG, Lenovo, and Apple devices is not only useful for sharing mobile internet—it can also be used as a direct way to transfer files between your phone and computer.
This method creates a private wireless connection between devices, meaning you don’t need a Wi-Fi router or USB cable. It works as a direct point-to-point transfer for photos, videos, music, documents, APK files, and more.
Why Use Wi-Fi Hotspot for File Transfer?
Using a hotspot connection offers several advantages:
- No USB cable required
- No internet connection needed (after setup)
- Faster than Bluetooth for large files
- Works between Android phones and PCs/Mac
- Supports batch file transfers
Step 1: Enable Wi-Fi Hotspot on Samsung Phone
First, you need to turn your Samsung phone into a wireless access point.
Steps:
- Open Settings on your Samsung phone
- Go to Connections or Tethering and Mobile Hotspot
- Tap Mobile Hotspot
- Turn it ON
- Note the Network Name (SSID) and Password
Once enabled, your phone will behave like a mini Wi-Fi router.
Step 2: Connect Your Computer to Samsung Hotspot
Now connect your PC or Mac to the hotspot network.
Steps:
- Open Wi-Fi settings on your computer
- Look for your Samsung hotspot name (SSID)
- Click to connect
- Enter the password shown on your phone
At this point, both devices are on the same private network.
Step 3: Transfer Files Between Samsung and Computer
Once connected, you can transfer files using file-sharing methods.
Option A: Use File Manager App (Android Side)
A popular method is using a file manager such as ES File Explorer or similar tools.
Steps:
- Open the file manager on your Samsung phone
- Enable FTP or LAN sharing mode (if available)
- Note the FTP address (e.g., ftp://192.168.x.x)
- On your computer, open File Explorer or FTP client
- Enter the FTP address
- Copy or move files between devices
Step 4: Transfer Files from Computer to Samsung
To send files to your phone:
- Open the FTP or shared folder on PC
- Drag and drop files into the phone directory
- Wait for transfer to complete
- Check files on your Samsung device
Step 5: Transfer Files from Samsung to Computer
To move files the other way:
- Open phone storage via FTP or file sharing
- Select files (photos, videos, documents, etc.)
- Copy and paste them to your PC
Alternative Method 1: Bluetooth Transfer
You can also use Bluetooth as a backup option:
- Turn on Bluetooth on both devices
- Pair Samsung phone with PC
- Select files and send
However, Bluetooth is slower than Wi-Fi hotspot transfer.
Alternative Method 2: FTP Transfer (Recommended for Large Files)
FTP is one of the fastest ways to transfer large files.
Benefits:
- High-speed transfer
- Easy batch file copying
- Works well for videos and photos
You can use any FTP client on PC or Mac to connect and manage files.
Common Issues and Fixes
1. Cannot connect to hotspot
Make sure hotspot is enabled and password is correct.
2. Transfer is slow
Keep devices close and avoid heavy network usage.
3. FTP connection fails
Double-check IP address and ensure both devices are on the same network.
Final Thoughts
Using a Wi-Fi hotspot from a Samsung phone is a powerful way to transfer files without cables or external internet. Combined with FTP tools or file managers, you can quickly move large amounts of data between your phone and computer.
Whether you’re using a device from Samsung, Lenovo, or other brands, this method provides a fast and flexible wireless solution for everyday file sharing.

