If you’re stuck in a situation where you need a Wi-Fi connection, but can’t get it anywhere else, chances are your smartphone can give you the boost you need. By setting up a hotspot through Wi-Fi or a USB cable, you can turn your phone into a source for internet that laptops, tablets, and other phones can use to get online.
It may sound complicated, but you can be connected with just a few taps. Most of the major carriers offer tethering services, though your ability to create a Wi-Fi hotspot depends on your service plan and data allowance.
One thing to keep in mind: tethering eats up battery life in addition to data. Investing in a portable charger is a good idea if you intend to use hotspot mode frequently. If you’re ready to tether, here’s how to turn your phone into a Wi-Fi hotspot.
Turn on Wi-Fi Hotspot With iOS Devices
To set up a personal hotspot on your iPhone or iPad (Wi-Fi + Cellular), go to Settings > Personal Hotspot > Allow Others to Join and toggle it to on (if you don’t see Personal Hotspot in Settings, tap Cellular > Personal Hotspot). Make note of the Wi-Fi password.
Open the Wi-Fi menu on the device you need to connect to the internet. Look for your iOS device (ex: PCMag’s iPhone), select it, then enter the password that appears on your iPhone’s Personal Hotspot screen.
iPhone and iPad also provide alternate ways to connect with your hotspot, including Bluetooth and direct USB connection. You may need to turn on Maximize Compatibility to make these connections work, but keep in mind that the quality of your connection may be impacted.
Once your secondary device is connected, you should now be able to surf the web (and consume mobile data). To disconnect, toggle Personal Hotspot to off on your iOS device.
Turn On Wi-Fi Hotspot With Android Devices
How you access hotspots on Android devices will depend on which phone you have and what version of Android you’re running. You can generally open the pull-down shade and turn on your mobile hotspot from there or find it buried in settings.
Where exactly and what it’s called will differ depending on your phone’s manufacturer. Samsung phones bury it in Connections > Mobile Hotspot and Tethering > Mobile Hotspot, while LG only asks you to tap Settings > Tethering. You can probably find it quicker on your specific device by searching for “hotspot” or “tether.”
Once the hotspot has been enabled, there should be a network name and password displayed in the settings screen that can be used to connect another device to the internet.
Other Ways to Get Internet
If you need a mobile hotspot but can’t use your phone, there are some alternatives to check out. You could instead turn your laptop into a Wi-Fi hotspot. If you’re a business traveler who needs to be connected all day, consider a dedicated Wi-Fi hotspot; we have a few favorites.
