There is no single “connect” switch on Samsung devices. Which link you need depends on the job: Samsung Flow pairs the devices for clipboard sharing and screen mirroring, Call & text on other devices places calls and texts from the tablet, and Multi control shares one mouse and keyboard across supported devices. Choose the feature that matches your goal, then confirm the requirements below before you start.
Choose the feature by the task
Samsung uses different features for different jobs. The table below compares them by what you want to do and what each one requires. Menu names and placement vary by software version, model, and region, so treat the labels as a guide and check your own device’s settings if they differ.
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| Your goal | Feature to use | Main requirements | Extra hardware |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pair devices, copy and paste between them, mirror the phone screen | Samsung Flow | Samsung Flow running on both devices; connection by Bluetooth or Wi-Fi/LAN on the same network | Not required |
| Share a phone’s mobile hotspot with the tablet | Samsung Flow (hotspot option) | A tethering plan on the phone’s service account | Not required |
| Make calls and send or receive messages on the tablet using the phone number | Call & text on other devices | Same Samsung account on both devices; feature enabled on both; same country or region; compatible model and carrier | Not required |
| Control a second Galaxy device with one mouse and keyboard | Multi control | Supported Galaxy phones and tablets; Samsung’s Hong Kong page cites One UI 5.1 or later | Optional Bluetooth mouse and keyboard |
Samsung groups several of these options under Settings > Connected devices, which also holds Quick Share. If you cannot find a feature, start there.
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Pair the devices and share clipboard or screen with Samsung Flow
Samsung Flow is the starting point for most people who want the devices to work together. Samsung’s US feature page describes it this way: “It lets you copy and paste between devices, screen mirror your phone, and even share a mobile hotspot.” (Samsung US Support, “Use the main dashboard in Samsung Flow.”) Flow is not an account-based or cloud service. The app has to be running on both devices to connect and authenticate.
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Pairing steps
- Open Samsung Flow on the phone and on the tablet.
- On the tablet, select your phone from the list of nearby devices.
- Compare the passkey numbers shown on the two screens. Confirm only if they match.
- Keep the devices connected by Bluetooth, or by Wi-Fi/LAN on the same network. Samsung’s setup guidance for USB applies to Windows computer and tablet scenarios, not to a general phone-to-Galaxy-tablet link.
The pairing steps above follow Samsung’s Canada setup guidance. Confirm the exact labels on your device, since Samsung’s regional pages do not always match.
Clipboard and screen mirroring
Once paired, Flow’s dashboard lets you copy text on one device and paste it on the other. It also lets you mirror and control the phone screen from the tablet through Smart View. These uses need no tethering plan.
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Mobile hotspot sharing
The hotspot option is the one Flow feature that depends on your carrier. Samsung states that it requires a tethering plan on the service account. If your plan does not include tethering, you can still pair the devices and use clipboard sharing and mirroring. You do not need a hotspot to pair the phone and tablet.
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Call & text on other devices lets a tablet place and receive calls and send messages using your phone’s number. Before you start, check these prerequisites on both devices:
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- MEMORY AND STORAGE THAT KEEP UP: With up to 8GB of memory and 256GB⁶ of storage, Galaxy Tab A11+ gives your family the space and speed to multitask seamlessly and handle large files.
- BIG SCREEN. FAMILY-SIZED FUN: A bright, engaging 11" screen¹ with a refresh rate up to 90Hz delivers natural, fluid motion, making it easy for every family member to stream, play and do what they love.
- SURROUND YOURSELF WITH RICH AUDIO SOUND: Whether you're watching a movie or listening to your favorite playlist, immerse yourself in a cinema-like audio experience with quad speakers powered by Dolby Atmos on Galaxy Tab A11+
- Both devices are signed in to the same Samsung account.
- The Call & text on other devices feature is turned on for both.
- Both devices are in the same country or region. Samsung Singapore’s guidance notes this limit.
- Your model and carrier support the feature. Samsung Singapore’s guidance says some carrier models do not have it.
Samsung’s US page gives two routes to the setting. You can open Quick Settings and look for the feature there, or go to Settings > Connected devices > Call & text on other devices. Use whichever route your device displays.
If your phone sends texts through Google Messages, you may also need to turn on “Text on Galaxy devices” in the Google Messages settings. Without it, messages may not appear on the tablet.
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Use one mouse and keyboard across devices with Multi control
Multi control is a Samsung feature for compatible Galaxy devices. It is not a universal Android function. Samsung’s Hong Kong support page says it is available on Galaxy tablets and phones running One UI 5.1 or later. Because that page is specific to Hong Kong products, check the requirement against your own region and model.
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- Open Settings > Connected devices > Multi control on the device.
- Connect to the nearby phone or tablet and choose it from the list.
- Use a Bluetooth mouse and keyboard to copy and paste text and drag and drop images between the devices.
A Bluetooth mouse and keyboard make Multi control practical, but they are optional. You do not need them for Samsung Flow, calls and texts, or basic content sharing. Confirm that a keyboard or mouse works with your devices before you buy one.
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When the connection fails
Most failed links come from one of the requirements above not being met. Check these in order:
- Passkey mismatch: the numbers on the two screens must match. If they do not, cancel and start the pairing again.
- Wrong network: for Wi-Fi/LAN pairing, both devices must be on the same network. Bluetooth is an alternative to try if Wi-Fi fails.
- App not running: Samsung Flow must be open on both devices.
- Different Samsung accounts: Call & text on other devices requires the same account on both.
- Feature off on one device: enable Call & text on other devices on both, not just one.
- Different country or region: the feature may be limited by location.
- Carrier or model limits: some carrier models do not support Call & text on other devices.
- Software too old for Multi control: check that both devices run One UI 5.1 or later where that requirement applies.
- No tethering plan: hotspot sharing through Flow will not work without one.
Samsung notes that some functions may not work with certain models and apps, so if a feature works on one app but not another, test it with the app you need before relying on it.
Sources and currency
This guide draws on Samsung’s official support pages for the United States, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Canada. Some of those pages are older, and features, menus, and eligibility can change with the software update, model, and market. The One UI 5.1 requirement for Multi control comes from the Hong Kong page and should not be assumed for other regions. No independent device testing was performed for this guide, so check Samsung’s support page for your country before you rely on exact menus or eligibility.
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