This document describes methods, devices, and systems for configuring a smartphone (102) for network connectivity via a charging station (120), in which the smartphone (102) detects a connection or a coupling to the charging station (120). In response to the detection of the connection or coupling to the charging station (120), the smartphone (102) configures a WLAN transceiver (228) as a WLAN access point and forms a mesh WLAN network with one or more other WLAN access points (114). In other aspects, the charging station (120) detects the presence of the smartphone (102) that is connected or coupled to the charging station (120). In response to sensing the presence of the smartphone (102), the charging station (120) configures power and charging circuitry (244) to charge a battery of the smartphone (102) and configures WLAN radio circuitry (232) to relay WLAN communications for the smartphone (102).