Why do I need to download an app to tether/hotspot? It's already built into KitKat. Is this something sprint can block on their end?It wouldn't be a Nexus 5 issue unless the App you are using doesn't support Android 4.4 Kit Kat.
I haven't been with Sprint for a while but my Nexus S 4G had the built in tethering app but it wouldn't work. Sprint had the ability to block its use if you didn't have a tethering plan. The device would connect to the hotspot but there would be no internet connection.
I can confirm this works on Sprint N5, even without a hotspot plan. I'm using windows 7 but even then it wouldnt connect without setting up WP2 on my phone first.Found fix on xda-developers - View Single Post - Nexus 5 tethering block? at least for T-Mobile. Worked like a charm for me. Still can't get my laptop to connect to the network though...something to do with Windows 8 not connecting to ad hoc networks by default.