Use the Chromebook’s system tray to reach these controls: select the time in the lower-right corner, choose Settings, open Connected devices, and select your paired Android phone. From that page, you can switch Phone Hub on or off, or control individual features such as notifications, recent photos, Chrome tabs and app streaming. If the phone is not connected yet, choose Set up beside Android phone and follow the pairing prompts.
Where Phone Hub settings are located
Phone Hub is managed from the Chromebook, not from a separate desktop application. The standard path is:
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- Select the time in the lower-right corner of the Chromebook screen.
- Select the Settings gear.
- In the left sidebar, open Connected devices.
- Select the Android phone shown under the connected-device section.
The phone page contains a master Phone Hub switch and separate switches for supported capabilities. Turning off the master switch disables Phone Hub as a whole. Turning off an individual switch leaves the rest of the hub available. You can also type terms such as “Phone Hub” or “Connected devices” into the Settings search bar if the menu layout on your ChromeOS release differs.
You can reach the same setup area from the phone-shaped icon near the system-tray clock. That shortcut is useful when you want to see the phone’s current connection status, while the full Settings page exposes every available control. If you do not see a phone icon, start in Settings and search for Android phone or Connected devices.
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Set up an Android phone before changing its options
Check the Phone Hub compatibility requirements
Google’s Phone Hub setup guidance lists a Chromebook running ChromeOS M89 or later and an Android phone running Android 5.1 or later. Those are the requirements for the Phone Hub feature flow itself.
A separate Google guide for the broader “connect an Android phone to a Chromebook” process lists ChromeOS 71 or later and Android 6 or later. These figures belong to that broader connection guide, so they should not be treated as a replacement for the Phone Hub requirements above. If a feature is missing, update both devices before assuming the hardware is incompatible.
Keeping these version pairs separate prevents a common troubleshooting mistake. A Chromebook may meet the older general connection requirement yet still need a newer ChromeOS release for the complete Phone Hub feature set. Conversely, an Android phone that can connect generally may not support every Phone Hub capability. Check the version shown in Chromebook Settings and the Android phone’s system-update screen, then install available updates.
Turn on the connections needed for pairing
- Turn on Bluetooth on the Chromebook and phone.
- Keep both devices close together during setup.
- Sign in to the same Google Account on the Chromebook and Android phone.
- Install available Android and Google Play Services updates if pairing fails.
To begin from the quick settings area, select the phone icon near the system-tray clock. You can also go directly to Settings > Connected devices and select Set up beside Android phone. Follow the on-screen confirmation steps on both devices. Once pairing completes, the phone appears as a selectable device in the Connected devices page.
Do not turn Bluetooth off immediately after setup. Bluetooth is part of the continuing relationship between the Chromebook and phone, so disabling it can make the phone appear unavailable even when the account and software versions are correct. If you are replacing a phone, complete the old-phone disconnect first rather than trying to add a second phone over the existing pairing.
Use the master Phone Hub switch
Turn Phone Hub off completely
Open Settings > Connected devices, select the paired phone, and switch Phone Hub off. This stops the hub’s Chromebook interface and its integrated phone features. It does not erase the phone from your Google Account or factory-reset either device.
A master-switch change is appropriate when you want a temporary pause, when the Chromebook is being used in a setting where phone information should not appear, or when you are diagnosing whether Phone Hub is causing a notification or connection problem. It is broader than disabling one capability, so review the individual switches first if you only need to hide one type of information.
Turn Phone Hub back on
Return to the same phone page and switch Phone Hub on. If the phone is nearby and still paired, the controls should return without repeating the entire setup. If the phone no longer appears, use the disconnect and setup procedure described below.
After re-enabling the hub, allow a moment for the phone status, tabs, notifications or other selected features to repopulate. A delayed feature does not necessarily mean pairing failed; check Bluetooth, phone proximity and the relevant individual switch before disconnecting the device.
Control individual Phone Hub features
The individual switches let you keep only the capabilities you want. Google describes Phone Hub as a way to use selected phone functions from the Chromebook screen, including the following:
| Phone Hub capability | What it provides on the Chromebook | Important condition |
|---|---|---|
| Phone status | View phone signal information and battery status. | The phone must remain paired and available to the Chromebook. |
| Quick commands | Commands such as turning on a hotspot, silencing the phone, or locating the phone. | Hotspot use depends on the phone’s carrier plan and battery level. |
| Chrome tabs | Access recent Chrome tabs from the Android phone. | Tabs are available through the connected-phone experience, not as a separate browser profile. |
| Notifications | See selected Android notifications on the Chromebook. | Notification access must be granted during setup and the feature must be enabled on the Chromebook. |
| Recent photos and screenshots | View recent pictures and screenshots from the phone. | Photos and media access must be approved on the Android phone. |
| App streaming | Stream supported phone apps in a Chromebook window. | Android permissions are required, and digital-rights-management policies can block some entertainment apps. |
To change one capability, stay on the paired phone’s Connected devices page and alter only that feature’s switch. For example, you can disable Chromebook notifications while leaving phone status, recent tabs and other options active. This is preferable to turning off the master Phone Hub switch when you need only a narrower change.
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Think of the controls as two levels. The Phone Hub switch is the overall permission for the hub. The feature switches are selective controls layered underneath it. If the master switch is off, enabling an individual feature cannot make that feature appear; turn the hub on first, then choose the capabilities you want.
Feature availability can vary with the phone, ChromeOS version and permissions. Seeing a switch does not guarantee that every phone app or every notification will be usable on the Chromebook. Treat each switch as permission to use the capability, then verify the phone-side permission and connection conditions for that capability.
Enable notifications, photos and app streaming
Grant access on the Android phone
App streaming and some of the content-sharing features require permissions on the phone. During setup, Android may ask for access to:
- Notifications, so alerts can be relayed to the Chromebook.
- Photos and media, so recent photos and screenshots can be shown.
- Apps, so the Chromebook can request and display supported streamed apps.
Approve only the permissions that match the features you intend to use. If you previously denied one, review the relevant Android permission controls for the Phone Hub connection and grant it again before retrying.
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Permission prompts can appear on the phone rather than the Chromebook. Keep the phone unlocked and watch for a request while completing setup. If you skip a prompt, the connection itself may succeed while the related feature remains unavailable. Granting notification access will not automatically grant photo or app access; each category can require its own approval.
Turn on the Chromebook-side switches
After the phone permissions are granted, return to Settings > Connected devices, select the phone, and enable Notifications and Apps if those switches are available. The labels can vary slightly by ChromeOS version, but they remain within the paired phone’s settings page.
For a controlled setup, enable one feature at a time. Turn on notifications and test an alert, then enable recent photos and check the phone’s latest pictures, and finally try app streaming. This sequence makes it easier to identify which permission or switch is responsible if one feature does not work.
Some entertainment applications use digital-rights-management restrictions that prevent streaming to another screen. In that situation, the connection can be working normally while the particular app refuses to display. Try a different supported app to distinguish a DRM restriction from a pairing failure. A DRM-related failure is an application limitation, not evidence that the Phone Hub pairing is broken.
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Remove the current pairing
- Open Settings > Connected devices.
- Select the currently paired Android phone.
- Choose Disconnect and confirm the action if prompted.
Disconnecting removes the Chromebook’s active relationship with that phone. It is the correct first step when you are handing the Chromebook to someone else, replacing the phone, or starting a clean setup after repeated connection errors.
Disconnect before lending or reassigned the Chromebook so the previous phone does not remain the active connected device. Disconnecting is also preferable to repeatedly toggling Bluetooth when you know the phone should no longer be associated with the Chromebook.
Connect a replacement Android phone
- Disconnect the old phone from the Connected devices page.
- Turn on Bluetooth on both devices.
- Turn on Wi-Fi when following the broader Android-phone connection flow.
- Make sure the replacement phone and Chromebook use the same Google Account.
- Return to Settings > Connected devices and choose Set up beside Android phone.
- Complete the confirmation prompts on the phone and Chromebook.
If the replacement phone does not appear, restart Bluetooth on both devices, install pending Android or Google Play Services updates, and repeat setup with the devices nearby.
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When switching phones, Wi-Fi is specifically part of the broader connection guidance even though Bluetooth is the visible pairing mechanism. Enable both before beginning that flow, and keep the devices close until the account confirmation and setup screens finish.
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Use Smart Lock from Connected devices
Smart Lock is a separate Connected devices setting, not the same control as Phone Hub. It can use a nearby Android phone to help unlock the Chromebook. Google lists these conditions:
- The phone must be nearby and unlocked.
- Bluetooth must be enabled on the phone.
- The phone must have a screen lock configured.
- The Chromebook and phone must be signed in to the same Google Account.
- The Chromebook must be connected to the internet.
Open Settings > Connected devices, select the phone, and look for the Smart Lock option if your ChromeOS version offers it. Because Smart Lock affects sign-in security, keep a strong screen lock on the phone and use the Chromebook’s normal password or PIN when the phone is unavailable.
Do not confuse a working Phone Hub connection with Smart Lock eligibility. Phone Hub can show status or notifications while Smart Lock remains unavailable if the phone is locked, out of range, missing a screen lock or the Chromebook is offline. Check each Smart Lock condition independently.
Troubleshoot a missing or non-working Phone Hub option
The phone is not listed
- Confirm that Bluetooth is on for both devices.
- Check that both devices use the same Google Account.
- Verify the Phone Hub minimum versions: ChromeOS M89 or later and Android 5.1 or later.
- Update Android and Google Play Services.
- Disconnect an old phone before attempting to add a replacement.
If the Chromebook is owned or managed by a school or employer, an administrator may block phone features. In that case, the Connected devices page may omit options or refuse to complete setup. Contact the administrator rather than trying to bypass the policy.
Use the Settings search bar if the sidebar does not show the expected entry. Searching for Phone Hub, Android phone or Connected devices can locate the page even when ChromeOS labels or navigation placement have changed.
Phone Hub appears, but one feature is missing
Phone Hub features are controlled separately. Open the paired phone’s page and check the switch for the capability you need. For notifications, confirm notification permission on Android and the Chromebook’s Notifications switch. For recent photos, confirm photos and media access. For app streaming, confirm Apps access and test an application that is not subject to a DRM restriction.
If the master Phone Hub switch is off, individual controls may not have any effect. Turn the master switch on, then review each feature switch. If a switch is absent rather than merely off, verify the ChromeOS and Android versions and check whether an administrator manages the Chromebook.
Pairing repeatedly fails
Keep Bluetooth enabled throughout setup and place the phone next to the Chromebook. Check for operating-system and Google Play Services updates, then verify the Google Account on each device. If you are changing phones, disconnect the previous phone first and enable both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi before starting the new pairing flow.
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Hotspot or Instant Tethering does not work
Phone Hub’s hotspot command uses the phone’s mobile-data connection. Some carriers limit hotspot use or charge an additional fee. Sharing mobile data can also consume the phone’s battery more quickly. Check the carrier plan and the phone’s battery before treating a failed hotspot command as a Chromebook problem.
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A hotspot command can therefore fail even when Phone Hub is paired correctly. Confirm that mobile data and hotspot service are available on the phone, review any carrier restrictions or extra charges, and keep the phone charged when sharing a connection for an extended period.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What works when the Chromebook is offline
Google says Phone Hub features can still be used while the Chromebook is offline. However, setup and some connected-phone actions have their own network requirements. Initial pairing, account verification, updates, Smart Lock’s internet condition and mobile-data sharing may require an active connection. If a feature stops responding offline, reconnect the Chromebook and phone to their required networks before changing settings again.
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Privacy and practical control choices
Use the master switch when you want no Phone Hub integration on the Chromebook. Use individual switches when you want a specific boundary—for example, keeping battery and signal status while preventing phone notifications from appearing in a shared workspace. App streaming and recent-photo access expose more phone content on the Chromebook than status information, so review Android permissions and disable those features when the Chromebook is used by other people.
Disconnect the phone before lending or reassigned the Chromebook. This prevents the old device from continuing to appear as the active connected phone and gives the next user a clean setup path.
A selective configuration is often the least disruptive choice. For example, leave status and locate-phone commands enabled for convenience, turn off notifications during meetings, and enable photos or apps only when you need them. Revisit the paired phone’s page whenever your privacy needs change; there is no need to remove the entire pairing just to hide one category.
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- Open time > Settings > Connected devices > paired phone.
- Use the Phone Hub master switch for an all-or-nothing change.
- Use individual switches for notifications, apps, tabs, photos and other capabilities.
- Grant notification, photos/media and apps permissions on Android when requested.
- Keep Bluetooth enabled during pairing; use the same Google Account on both devices.
- Disconnect the old phone before pairing a replacement.
- Check administrator restrictions on a managed Chromebook.
- Remember that carrier hotspot limits, battery use and DRM restrictions can affect individual features.
Frequently encountered version differences
ChromeOS labels and the exact arrangement of switches can change as Google updates Chromebook Settings. The navigation concept remains the same: open Connected devices, select the paired Android phone, and adjust the master or individual controls. For feature eligibility, keep the two documented version sets separate: Phone Hub guidance requires ChromeOS M89 or later with Android 5.1 or later, while the broader Android-phone connection guide lists ChromeOS 71 or later with Android 6 or later. Updating both devices is the safest way to obtain the current controls.
Frequently asked questions
Can I disable notifications without disabling Phone Hub?
Yes. Open the paired phone under Settings > Connected devices and turn off the notifications switch while leaving the Phone Hub master switch on. Other enabled capabilities can continue to work.
Why can I see Phone Hub but not app streaming?
App streaming requires Apps access on the Android phone and the Chromebook-side Apps switch. Confirm both permissions, update the devices, and test an app that is not blocked by digital-rights-management restrictions. A managed Chromebook may also have app features restricted.
Do I need Wi-Fi for every Phone Hub feature?
Google says Phone Hub features can still be used while the Chromebook is offline, but setup, account verification, updates, Smart Lock and some connected-phone actions have network requirements. Wi-Fi should be enabled when following the broader phone-connection flow or replacing a phone.
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What should I do before pairing a second phone?
Disconnect the current phone first. Then enable Bluetooth on both devices, enable Wi-Fi for the broader connection flow, confirm the same Google Account is used, and choose Set up beside Android phone.
Can a school or work Chromebook block Phone Hub?
Yes. Administrators can prevent phone features from being used on a managed Chromebook. If options are missing or setup is refused, contact the administrator rather than attempting to bypass the policy.
Why does hotspot use cost money or drain the phone?
Instant Tethering uses the phone’s mobile-data connection. Some carriers limit hotspot use or charge extra, and sharing data can use more battery. Check the carrier plan and phone battery before troubleshooting the Chromebook.
Is Smart Lock the same as Phone Hub?
No. Smart Lock is a separate Connected devices setting. It requires a nearby, unlocked phone with Bluetooth enabled and a screen lock, the same Google Account on both devices, and an internet-connected Chromebook.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the exact path to Phone Hub settings?
Select the time in the lower-right corner, choose Settings, open Connected devices, and select the paired Android phone.
How do I turn off just one Phone Hub feature?
Open the paired phone’s Connected devices page and switch off the individual capability, such as Notifications or Apps. Leave the Phone Hub master switch on.
What are the Phone Hub minimum versions?
Google’s Phone Hub guidance lists ChromeOS M89 or later and Android 5.1 or later. A separate broader phone-connection guide lists ChromeOS 71 or later and Android 6 or later for that flow.
Why is app streaming unavailable?
Grant Notifications, Photos and media, and Apps permissions on the Android phone as requested, enable Notifications and Apps on the Chromebook, and test an app that is not blocked by DRM.
How do I replace the connected phone?
Disconnect the current phone under Settings > Connected devices, then enable Bluetooth (and Wi-Fi for the broader connection flow), confirm the same Google Account, and choose Set up beside Android phone.
Can administrators disable Phone Hub?
Yes. School or workplace management policies can restrict phone features. Contact the administrator if options are missing or setup will not complete.
The Bottom Line
Use time > Settings > Connected devices > paired phone to manage Phone Hub. The master switch controls the entire hub; individual switches let you keep selected features such as status, tabs, notifications, photos or app streaming. Keep Bluetooth on, use the same Google Account, grant the requested Android permissions, and disconnect an old phone before pairing a replacement. Carrier hotspot limits, DRM restrictions, software versions and administrator policies can affect individual features.
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