Your computer or phone is offline, and the fix depends on the connection type the device supports. Start with Wi-Fi, then move to Ethernet, cellular data, an eSIM, a SIM, or a phone hotspot when that fits the hardware and carrier plan. Use the matching device path below and connect from the menu labels on your screen.
1. Start with Wi-Fi on the device in front of you
On Windows 11, select the taskbar Network, Sound, or Battery icons, then choose Manage Wi-Fi connections, select your network, choose Connect, enter the password, and select Next.
On Windows 10, select the taskbar Network icon, choose the Wi-Fi network you want, select Connect, type the password, and select Next.
On Mac, select the menu bar Wi-Fi icon, choose the network, and enter the password when the lock icon appears.
On iPhone, open Settings > Wi-Fi, turn on Wi-Fi, and tap the network name.
On Android 12 and later, open Settings > Network & internet > Internet, tap the network name, and enter the password when requested; earlier Android versions and manufacturer skins put these controls in different menus.
2. Join faster with quick settings or QR codes
On Android, swipe down from the top, tap Internet, select the network, and enter the password when requested.
On Samsung Galaxy, swipe down, tap the Settings icon, open Connections > Wi-Fi, turn on Wi-Fi, select the network, and enter the password when requested.
On Chromebook, select the bottom-right time, choose Not Connected, turn on Wi-Fi, and choose the network.
For Windows, open Camera, select the barcode mode icon, scan the Wi-Fi QR code, select the link that appears, and confirm the connection in Settings.
For Samsung Galaxy, open Connections > Wi-Fi, tap the QR code icon, and scan the Wi-Fi QR code.
For Android, open Settings > Network & internet > Internet, select the connected Wi-Fi network, tap Share, and scan the QR code from the joining device.
3. Switch to cellular data when Wi-Fi is unavailable
This gets a cellular-ready phone, Chromebook, or Windows PC online without a Wi-Fi network.
On iPhone, open Settings > Cellular and turn on Cellular Data. With Dual SIM, tap Cellular Data and choose the line.
On Samsung Galaxy, open Settings > Connections > Data usage and turn on Mobile data.
On Windows 11 with a SIM, eSIM, or external cellular modem, select the taskbar Network icon, choose Manage Cellular connections, turn on Cellular, and enter the user name, password, and APN if Windows asks for them. On Windows 10, select the taskbar Network icon, then select the cellular network icon that appears in the list.
On Chromebook with mobile data hardware, select the bottom-right time, open Settings, check Network for Mobile data, and turn on Mobile data after activation.
4. Plug in Ethernet on a computer
On Windows, connect an Ethernet cable from the PC Ethernet port or USB Ethernet adapter to a router or modem LAN port; Windows connects automatically when the cable and network are working.
On Mac, plug the cable into the Ethernet port, USB Ethernet adapter, or Thunderbolt adapter, and if it does not connect, open Apple menu > System Settings > Network > Ethernet > Details > TCP/IP > Configure IPv4, then choose Using DHCP, Using DHCP with manual address, or Manually.
On Chromebook, connect the Ethernet cable or USB Ethernet adapter, then select the bottom-right time and confirm Connected to Ethernet.
5. Activate the SIM or eSIM path
On iPhone, open Settings > Cellular > Set Up Cellular or Add eSIM, then follow carrier activation or choose Use QR Code. Transfer From Nearby iPhone appears only when the carrier supports eSIM Quick Transfer and both iPhones run iOS 16 or later.
For iPhone travel eSIM options, open Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM > View Travel Options.
For an iPhone that has a SIM tray, eject the tray, place the nano-SIM in it, reinsert it, and enter the SIM PIN if prompted. Check the model first, because iPhone 17e, iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max sold in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Japan, and several other regions have no SIM tray and activate by eSIM only.
On Pixel and other supported Android phones, open Settings > Network & internet > SIMs > Add SIM > Set up an eSIM, then follow the onscreen instructions.
On Windows 11 eSIM-capable PCs, open Start > Settings > Network & internet > Cellular > eSIM profiles, choose the profile, select Use, then choose Yes. On Windows 10, the same list sits under Cellular > Manage eSIM profiles.
On Chromebook with eSIM or SIM, select the bottom-right time, open Settings, turn on Mobile data, choose Mobile data, then select the network under eSIM or SIM. If ChromeOS shows Activate, select it.
6. Share a phone hotspot with another device
On Android, swipe down and tap Hotspot; on the other device, open Wi-Fi options, select the phone hotspot name, enter the password, and choose Connect.
For Android Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or USB tethering on Android 14 and later, swipe down, touch and hold Hotspot, then turn on Wi-Fi hotspot, Bluetooth tethering, or USB tethering; earlier Android versions and manufacturer skins use different menus.
On Samsung Galaxy, open Settings > Connections > Mobile Hotspot and Tethering, then turn on Mobile Hotspot. Open Mobile Hotspot to review the information section or turn on Auto Hotspot.
On Mac, connect to an iPhone or iPad hotspot from the menu bar Wi-Fi status menu, choose the iPhone or iPad, and enter the hotspot password when required.
On Windows with Phone Link, open Phone Link > Settings > Features > Instant Hotspot > Setup Instant Hotspot > Send Notification, tap Allow on Android, then connect from the PC Wi-Fi menu. Microsoft limits this to Windows 11 version 22H2 build 22621 or later with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, Phone Link 1.22092.211.0 or later, a hotspot-capable plan, and a supported Samsung, HONOR, OPPO, OnePlus, Realme, or vivo phone.
On a supported Chromebook running ChromeOS 71 or later, paired with an Android 8.1 or later phone signed in to the same Google Account, open Settings > Connected devices, choose your phone, turn on Instant tethering, then open the network menu and select the phone under Your device hotspots.
Check the carrier plan before large hotspot sessions because the operator controls hotspot limits and charges.
7. Enter hidden and public Wi-Fi details
Hidden networks require the network name, security type, and password.
On iPhone, use Settings > Wi-Fi > Other, then enter the name, security type, and password.
On Android, use Settings > Network & internet > Internet > Add network > Advanced options > Hidden Network > Yes > Save.
On Chromebook, use time > Settings > Network > Add connection > Add Wi-Fi, enter the network information, and choose Connect; public networks that require sign-in open a browser sign-in prompt after connection.
8. Reset a saved network that refuses to connect
This clears stale passwords, bad saved settings, and synced network details that block reconnection.
On Android, open Settings > Network & internet > Internet, touch and hold the saved network, then choose Forget.
On Chromebook, open Settings > Network > Wi-Fi > Known networks, choose More, then select Forget.
On Windows, open Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi > Manage known networks, remove the saved network, then reconnect from the Wi-Fi list.
On iPhone or Mac, use the Info or details control for the Wi-Fi network, forget it, then join it again with the current password.
On laptops with a physical Wi-Fi switch or button, turn that hardware control on before reconnecting.
9. Configure work and school devices through management tools
For managed Apple devices, create a configuration profile in the MDM service, add the Wi-Fi payload identifier com.apple.wifi.managed, configure SSID, security, certificates, and proxy fields for the network, and deploy the profile to enrolled devices.
In Microsoft Intune, open Intune admin center > Devices > Manage devices > Configuration > Create > New policy, choose the Platform, choose Wi-Fi or Templates > Wi-Fi, then complete Basics, Configuration settings, Assignments, and Review + create.
In Google Admin, open Admin console > Menu > Devices > Networks, choose Create Wi-Fi network or Add Wi-Fi, choose the organizational unit, select Platform access, enter Name, SSID, security, and passphrase or certificate settings, set Automatically connect, and choose Save.
For ChromeOS enrollment Wi-Fi, open Admin console > Devices > Networks, select the organizational unit, choose Create Wi-Fi Network, set Platform access to Chromebooks by device, enter the Wi-Fi details, turn on Automatically connect, and choose Save.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does only one app fail on cellular data?
On iPhone, open Settings > Cellular and turn on cellular access for that app or service. On Samsung Galaxy, open Settings > Connections > Data usage > Allowed networks for apps, choose the app, and select Mobile data or Wi-Fi or Mobile data preferred.
How does Apple Wi-Fi password sharing work?
The sharing iPhone must be unlocked, connected to Wi-Fi, signed in to an Apple Account, and have the recipient in Contacts. The recipient selects the Wi-Fi network, then the sharing iPhone taps Share Password.
How do my Android devices share hotspot or Wi-Fi automatically?
Open Settings > Google > All services > Devices & sharing > Cross-device services > Internet sharing. Use Instant hotspot for hotspot sharing; on Samsung it needs a Galaxy S25 or newer, and older Galaxy phones use Auto Hotspot instead. Turn on Automatically share Wi-Fi for Wi-Fi sharing, which is not available on Samsung devices - those use Wi-Fi Auto Sharing instead.
How do I use an iPhone hotspot with a Mac over Bluetooth or USB?
For Bluetooth, open System Settings > Bluetooth on Mac, keep Settings > Bluetooth open on iPhone or iPad, then select the device on Mac. For USB, connect the cable, tap Trust on iPhone or iPad, and click Allow on Mac if prompted.