Sharing your mobile data connection by creating a Wi-Fi hotspot

What is a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot?

Any smartphone with an LTE, 4G, or 5G connection can be used to create a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot (a Wi-Fi network that other devices can connect to). Hotspots are secure, as you set your own network name and password.

Hotspots are secure, as you set your own network name and password. Note that devices that connect to your mobile Wi-Fi hotspot cannot access personal information stored on your phone.

What are the benefits of mobile data sharing?

There are several benefits to activating a Wi-Fi hotspot on your mobile. For example, you can:

• Connect to Wi-Fi where networks are not usually available
• Connect to the Internet in emergency situations, when there are no other ways to do so (e.g., power outage, network outage)
• Share your mobile data with someone who has less or is nearing their monthly limit, so they don’t incur data overage charges

Points to watch out for when sharing mobile data

When sharing a connection using a Wi-Fi hotspot, keep an eye on the following:

• Data usage: The devices connected to your phone’s Wi-Fi hotspot use data from your Mobile plan. Follow your usage closely to avoid exceeding your monthly limit.
   
• Battery level: When your phone is sharing its connection, it uses more power to give access to the connected devices. The battery runs out more quickly. Watch your battery level and keep your charger close by.
  
  In rare cases, the battery may overheat. If this happens, turn off the Wi-Fi hotspot for a moment to allow the device to cool down.

Activating mobile data sharing

iPhone

1. Go to Settings and select Personal Hotspot or Cellular, then Personal Hotspot.
2. Make sure the feature is enabled with the green switch in your phone’s hotspot settings.
3. Check the network information and change the password if necessary.
4. Wait for the other device to connect to the network you just activated.

If necessary, learn more about how to use a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot on an iPhone.

If Personal Hotspot isn’t working on your iPhone or iPad, check Apple’s troubleshooting guide.

Samsung

1. Go to Settings and select Connections.
2. Tap Mobile Hotspot and Tethering.
3. Tap the Mobile Hotspot switch to enable it.
4. Select Mobile Hotspot and then Configure to change network information (name and password).
5. Check that the device you want to connect can join the network you just activated.

If necessary, learn more about how to use a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot on a Samsung device.

Others (Android)

1. Go to Settings and select Network and Internet.
2. Tap Hotspot.
3. Select Wi-Fi Hotspot and drag the switch to ON. If necessary, tap OK to activate the Wi-Fi hotspot.
4. Tap Security to change network information (name and password).
5. Check that the device you want to connect can join the network you just activated.

If necessary, learn more about how to use a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot on an Android device.