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Creating a Wifi hotspot on Linux, Ubuntu is different from sharing Wifi on Windows 10 for internet sharing. To create a Wifi hotspot on Linux, Ubuntu, start by finding the network icon in the control panel on your computer. Look for the Edit Connections or Wireless Settings section, or a similar option. The main purpose is to open network tools where the system allows users to edit network connections, ipv4/ipv6 settings, etc.
Note that most computer environments use Network Manager and NM applet to manage network connections, but the usage may vary in different environments. In this article, Mytour will guide you on how to create a Wifi hotspot on Linux, Ubuntu.
Note: To activate the Wifi hotspot, disconnect from the current wireless access point and use Ethernet to share Wifi. Set up access points in Network Manager on Linux to automatically share the network through access points.
Creating a Wifi Hotspot on Gnome 3.26+
While Gnome Shell uses the Network Manager tool designed to edit network connections, it is entirely different from other computer environments. This is especially true for version 3.26, which has completely redesigned the installation area, network connection area, Wifi settings, etc.
To create a Wifi hotspot on Gnome 3.26+, first, click on the right side of the Gnome panel to open the settings panel. Here, find and click on the wireless network icon to expand the settings. Find and click on Wifi Settings to open the Gnome network connection tool.
Navigate to the Wifi Gnome settings tool and locate the menu adjacent to the control window (symbolized by three dots in a straight line next to the slider). On the next window, select the option Connect to a Hidden Wi-Fi Network to connect to a concealed Wifi network.
This section is crucial, as it marks the beginning of creating a Wifi hotspot. Enter the network name you want to use in the Network name field, then click the Connect button. Next, press Alt + F2 and enter the following command:
nm-connection-editor
In the connection editing window, you will see the hidden network you were trying to connect to earlier. Select that hidden network and click the wrench icon to edit the settings. Locate and click the menu named Mode, then select Hotspot from the menu.
Here, choose Wifi and then select WPA & WPA2 Personal. Enter a secure password for the Wifi hotspot. After completing the settings, the Wifi hotspot will be available for nearby devices to connect.
Creating a Wifi Hotspot on KDE Plasma
Creating a Wifi hotspot on KDE Plasma is slightly different from creating one on Linux or Ubuntu environments. This is because KDE Plasma does not use GTK or anything related to Gnome.
Firstly, find and click the Wifi connection tool on the KDE Plasma dashboard to open the menu. In this menu, make sure you are not connected to any network (if connected, disconnect).
Click the Settings button on the right-hand side of the menu to open the KDE network configuration tool. In the tool window, find and click the icon with a + sign at the bottom left corner to create a new connection.
On the screen, several options will appear. All you need to do is find and select the Wifi (shared) option to create a Wifi hotspot.
Choose the Hotspot option to open the network connection creation tool. Here, you just need to modify the SSID and security settings.
Find the SSID and enter a name for the Wifi hotspot. Then select the Wifi Security tab, from the Security menu choose WPA/WPA2, then enter a password for the Wifi hotspot. After completion, click Save to save the changes. The Wifi hotspot will be available for other nearby Wifi-enabled devices.
Creating a Wifi Hotspot on Universal Network Manager Applet
Press Elt + F2, then enter the following command to open the Network Manager connection editor. Ensure that your computer is not currently connected to any wireless networks:
nm-connection-editor
Alternatively, another method is to find and right-click on the Wifi icon on the dashboard, then choose Edit connections.
In the connection editing window, find and click the icon with a + sign to create a new connection. A popup window named New Connection containing a menu will appear on the screen. Your task is to select Wifi from the menu to proceed.
At the top corner, locate the Connection name entry and enter the name of the Wifi hotspot. Note that this is not the name of the Wifi hotspot but the name within the Network Manager.
The next step is to provide a new SSID for the Wifi hotspot so that wireless devices can connect to it. Find the SSID in the connection editing tool, enter any name you want to set for the Wifi hotspot, such as Linux Hotspot.
Find the Mode entry, then click the adjacent menu and select hotspot to transform the connection into a Wifi hotspot.
Finally, click on the Wifi security tab to set up encryption for the Wifi hotspot. By default, the Network Manager tool sets it to None. Click the menu and choose WPA & WPA2 Personal, then enter a password for the Wifi hotspot.
After completion, click Save to save the changes. Your Wifi hotspot will be available for all Wifi-enabled devices.
Here, Mytour has just guided you through some ways to create a Wifi hotspot on Linux and Ubuntu. By creating a Wifi hotspot on Linux, Ubuntu, you can turn your Linux, Ubuntu computer into a Wifi hotspot for wireless devices with Wifi capability. Similarly, you can also create a Wifi hotspot on Mac here. Wish you all success.
