Bridging mode: connect devices directly to your home network
Normally your hotspot gives devices their own private network behind your PC. With bridging mode in Hotspot MAX, they join your home network instead and get their addresses from your router.
MAX Bridging mode is part of Hotspot MAX.
Network access: Bridged
Home network
Devices join your home network and get addresses from your router, as if they were plugged into it.
How to turn on bridging mode
Share Wi-Fi or Ethernet
In Connectify Hotspot MAX, set up a Wi-Fi hotspot that shares your Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection.
Set Network access to Bridged
In the hotspot’s settings, change Network access from Routed to Bridged.
Start the hotspot
Press Start. Devices that join now appear on your home network.
Good to know: bridging mode works when you share a Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection. It isn’t available with Speedify, mobile broadband, or Automatic, and ad blocking is off while it’s on.
What is bridging mode good for?
Consoles that host and party chat MAX
Consoles on your home network are handled by your router directly, which helps with hosting games, matchmaking, and voice chat.
Printers, casting, and file sharing MAX
Devices on the hotspot can find printers, Chromecast and AirPlay devices, and shared folders on your home network.
Smart home devices MAX
Smart speakers, plugs, and cameras on the hotspot can talk to the hubs and apps on the rest of your network.
One network instead of two MAX
Everything lives on your home network, with addresses from your router, so there’s no separate hotspot network to manage.
Get bridging mode with Hotspot MAX
Hotspot MAX includes bridging mode and Wi-Fi repeater mode, plus everything in PRO. It’s a one-time purchase with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Questions
What’s the difference between routed and bridged?
Routed, the default, gives devices their own private network behind your PC. Bridged puts them on your home network, so they can reach and be reached by everything else on it.
Which edition has bridging mode?
Hotspot MAX. It also includes Wi-Fi repeater mode and everything in Hotspot PRO.
Why can’t I use bridging with Speedify?
Bridging mode needs to pass devices straight onto a Wi-Fi or Ethernet network. Speedify, mobile broadband, and Automatic use the routed hotspot instead.
Does ad blocking work in bridged mode?
No. Ad blocking works with the routed hotspot. Switch Network access back to Routed to use it.
Get Connectify Hotspot
PRO and MAX are one-time purchases, with a 30-day money-back guarantee.