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While it may seem as if Wi-Fi is available everywhere, sooner or later you may find that you need Wi-Fi but can’t find a connection. When you want to access the Internet on your computer or tablet, you may be stuck if you can’t find a Wi-Fi network to use.
But you may have a secret tool in your pocket you didn’t even realize you had: your cell phone. Many cell phones allow you to turn them into Wi-Fi hotspots so you can make your cellular connection to the Internet into a Wi-Fi connection for other devices.
Turning your phone into a Wi-Fi router is called creating a “hotspot”. Your cell phone will show as a Wi-Fi network that others can join.
Connecting a tablet or computer to that hotspot is called “tethering”.
Note => Not all phones nor carriers allow tethering. Be sure your phone and carrier allow tethering before you need to use it.
When to Use Your Phone as a Hotspot
Using your phone as Wi-Fi hotspot can come in very handy when you want to share your phone’s Internet connection with your computer or tablet. Or when you have a friend who is on a network without a cell phone signal in your area and needs to connect to the Internet.
Or perhaps you can connect to Wi-Fi but aren’t sure the connection is secure. Using your phone’s network will let you avoid unsecured Wi-Fi networks.
Check out => How Free Public Wi-Fi May Cost You Dearly
Family car trips could be more fun if you use your phone’s hotspot to connect a’ tablet to the Internet. You may be able to avoid paying a fee for your tablet’s cellular plan by tethering your tablet.
Maybe your home or office has a power outage and you need to use the Internet. Connect your laptop or tablet to the Wi-Fi hotspot on your phone.
You’ll be able to tether your tablet or computer to your phone whenever your phone has a signal.
How to Turn Your Phone into a Wi-Fi Hotspot
iPhone
To turn your iPhone into a hotspot, go to Settings => Personal Hotspot.
The next screen will allow you to set your password. Don’t skip this step (see below). The name of your network is the name you’ve given to your phone.
Slide the switch on and follow the instructions on the screen.
You can connect a device to your iPhone’s hotspot network using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or a USB cable.
Android
You can use your Android phone as a hotspot if it is running Android 2.2 (“Froyo”) or later and is a phone that allows tethering.
To turn your Android phone into a hotspot, go to Settings => Mobile Hotspot & Tethering. Check the box next to Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot. Tap on Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot settings and set your network name and password.
Connecting a Device to Your Wi-Fi Hotspot
You can connect a computer or tablet to your phone’s Wi-Fi hotspot just as you would connect to any other Wi-Fi network. Select the name of your phone’s network, enter the password and connect.
Some phones also allow you to tether using a USB cable and/or Bluetooth.
Also see => How to Turn Off the Hotspot Feature on Your Xfinity Router
Things to Know about Using Your Phone as a Hotspot
Before you start using your phone as a hotspot, there are some things you need to know.
Tethering uses the data allotment of your cell phone plan — When your phone is a hotspot, it is sharing your monthly data allotment with other devices. Tether only when you need it, so you can avoid running out of data before the end of the month.
Check out => Using Wi-Fi vs. Cellular Data (and Why You Should Care)
Require a password — You REALLY don’t want your phone to become an open Wi-Fi network, free to use for anyone, unless you want to use up your monthly data in a matter of minutes. Set a password and share it only with people you trust.
Don’t miss => How to Create a Strong Password and Why You Should Do This Now
Keep your phone plugged in — Acting as a hotspot is a lot of work for your phone so the battery can run down quickly. If you’re going to tether for a while, be sure to plug in your phone to charge while the hotspot is turned on.
Turn the hotspot off when you’re done using it — You’ll save battery power and data if you turn the hotspot off as soon as you’re finished tethering.
You need a cell phone signal to use the hotspot — If you’re in a remote location without a cell phone signal then your phone’s hotspot won’t connect to the Internet.
Test your hotspot before you need to use it — Make sure your phone and carrier both allow hotspot connections.
You may be able to have multiple devices connected to your hotspot — But remember, the more devices that are connected to your hotspot, the quicker your data allotment will be used up.
Your Thoughts
Have you ever used your phone as a hotspot? Did you know your phone had this hidden feature? When would you use a hotspot?
Share your thoughts in the Comments section below!
* iPhone image courtesy of blackzheep via Freedigitalphotos.net and Creative Commons
**Wi-Fi image courtesy of TymonOziemblewski via Pixaban and Creative Commons
Voice of America Learning English
Are you an English learner? Do you like tech? Check out my weekly personal technology column at Voice of America Learning English. This week’s article: How to Turn Your Phone into a Wi-Fi Hotspot
Hi Carolyn,
This is a timely post (imagine!) as we have widespread, longstanding power outages around here! Sharing this on FB for those logging in with their phones!
Thanks
Lori
Hi Lori, Yes, having your phone be a Wi-Fi hotspot is very handy. Ironically, we had a power outage just after I published this article. If it happened a few seconds earlier, I would have needed my phone’s hotspot to publish the article.
But note that in a power outage, you need to have a laptop computer with a charged battery to connect to the hotspot. A desktop computer that relies on a wall outlet won’t work in a power outage.
Hi Carolyn,
When my internet is down, I always use the hotspot from my mobile and continue my work.
It is really good post for the people didn’t know about this.
Thanks for sharing.
Hi Robin, Yes, I was talking to a friend about this, suggesting that she tether her phone, she said she didn’t know about it. An article idea was born!
Until recently, I had a plan that didn’t allow tethering so I have to remind myself that I can do it. Tethering sure comes in handy when I need it.
I’m glad you’ve been using tethering too, Robin.
I own LG G4 and I have been using this feature for long. It is really good but it does drains down our battery and our data a lot. The best thing about this option is we can certainly stay connected even on places where there is no connectivity.
Really informative for all novice users.
Thanks for the post.
Cheers
Hi Nicole, You’re right. Tethering should only be done when you really need it. You can wear down your cell phone’s battery and use up your data quickly when you tether.
But when you need it, it’s good to know that tethering is available.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Nicole!
I often use Wifi hotspot for my work. It’s pretty simple to use. My only concern is whenever I’m using this, my phone gets bit hot and battery drains a bit.
Thank Carolyn for sharing this helpful post:)
Hi Thomas, You’re right, tethering your phone puts a strain on it. Be sure to keep it plugged in when you’re using it as a hotspot.
Hello,
Well currently I’m using internet thru hotspot and I must say its very useful feature. I travel a lot so this feature is very handy whenever I go to other places like other cities.
The best part is internet plans are also affordable so I don’t have to worry much about the data usage.
Hi Vinod, Great point. Using your phone as a hotspot can be very useful when you travel and don’t have access to secure Wi-Fi networks. I’m glad you have an affordable data plan. Just be mindful that when you travel outside your home country you don’t want to use your phone as a hotspot unless you have an affordable international data plan.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us, Vinod.
Hi,
Well currently I’m using internet hotspot and I must say its very useful feature. this feature is very handy whenever I go to other places like other cities.
Thanks.
Hi Dhaval, Yes, using your phone as a hotspot can be very handy when you’re traveling. When you’re away from your home or office, you may not have access to a secure Wi-Fi network. Using your phone as a hotspot means you have a secure Wi-Fi network anywhere you have a cell phone signal!
Hi Carolyn
This is for sure a nice tip you are sharing here. Many people forget that they have a high speed router in their pocket when they are struggling getting online on their tablet or laptop. It is not that it is difficult to set up, I just don’t think that people are aware how easy it is to configure.
Thank you, Thomas. Yes, this article was inspired by a conversation with a friend of mine who is tech-savvy but didn’t know that her phone could function as a Wi-Fi hotspot. You’re right, people either forget about it or don’t know. Either way it’s good to know you have it when you need it.
When I turn my smartphone into a wifi hotspot, my battery drain very quickly. This is one of worst effect of usage of mobile data and wifi hotspot on smartphones. You need big battery and continuous charging for longer use of wifi hotspot on smartphones.
Hi Zahid, You’re right, using your phone as a hotspot can be a big drain on the battery. It’s best to keep your phone plugged in, but that isn’t always possible.
I have an iPhone 7 Plus and was able to use my phone as a hotspot recently for over an hour during a power outage. It wasn’t plugged in and I was able to publish an article even in the dark!