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Turning Mobile Hotspot On
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Written by Matt Panton
Updated over a month ago

To use your phone as a WiFi internet provider, enable the Hotspot feature on your phone using the instructions below. Once the hotspot is enabled, look for the network on your station's WiFi settings and connect as usual. Remember to turn your phone's hotspot off when you are done using it.

Apple iOS

  • Find the Settings App

  • Choose Personal Hotspot.

  • Click Wi-Fi Password and setup a secure password

  • Click on the "Allow Others to Join" button to enable

  • Your hotspot is now active. Go to your computer or device and find the wifi network and connect to it using the password you set

Android
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Android phones have different methods of activating Hotspot mode. Here are instructions for some of the more recent popular phones.

For newer Android Versions:

  1. Swipe from the top to bottom of your screen

  2. Depending on version you'll see a Gear Icon either at the top or bottom of the screen

  3. The settings menu will pop up. Find one that says Network & Internet or something related to Network and click it.

  4. This will bring up Network settings. Now find the setting called Hotspot & Tethering

  5. Click the Wi-Fi hotspot toggle button to enable the hotspot

  6. Click Wi-Fi hotspot setting name and this will bring up some other options such as naming or setting the password. Make sure hide my device is unchecked. Now you'll should be able to see the hotspot network on your other devices.

Google Nexus 5 (Android 5.0)

  • Go into Settings in the application drawer.

  • Under Wireless & Networks, tap More.

  • Tap Tethering & Portable Hotspot.

  • Tap Set Up Wi-Fi Hotspot to set your password. Tap Save.

  • Tap the slider next to Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot to enter Hotspot mode.

HTC One M9

  • Drag the notification pane down by dragging from the top of the screen.

  • The hotspot will be in the bottom row of quick settings. Set it up with a password.

  • Drag the notifications pane down again. Tap on Wi-Fi Hotspot Active.

  • Make sure the switch next to Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot is On.

LG G3

  • Drag the notifications pane down.

  • Drag the quick settings bar at the top to the right. It will expose Mobile HotSpot just after Rotation.

  • Tap Mobile Hotspot. This will walk you through the setup process.

  • In the future, to turn the hotspot on or off, use the Mobile HotSpot button in the notifications pane.

Motorola Droid or X

  • Go into Settings in the application drawer.

  • Under Wireless & Networks, tap More.

  • Tap Tethering & Mobile Hotspot.

  • Tap Mobile Hotspot to turn the hotspot on.

  • Tap Mobile Hotspot Settings, then Configure Mobile Hotspot to set your password.

Samsung Galaxy S5
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  • Go into Settings.

  • Tap Connections.

  • Tap Tethering and Wi-Fi Hotspot.

  • Tap Mobile Hotspot.

  • Tap Off (switching it to On).

Samsung Galaxy S6

  • Go into Settings.

  • Tap Connections.

  • Tap Mobile Hotspot and Tethering.

  • Tap Mobile Hotspot.

  • Tap Off (switching it to On).

Sony Xperia Z3

  • Drag the notifications pane down.

  • Tap on Quick Settings at the top of the screen.

  • Tap on Mobile Hotspot.

  • Step through the instructions.

Windows Phone 8.1

  • Swipe down to get the notifications bar.

  • Choose All Settings.

  • Scroll down to Internet Sharing.

  • Make a note of the Wi-Fi network name and password.

  • Tap the slider next to Off to turn sharing on.

Google Pixel

  • From a Home screen, swipe up to display all apps.

  • Navigate: Settings > Network & internet > Hotspot & tethering .

  • Tap Wi-Fi hotspot to turn on or off.

  • If presented with the 'Warning' screen, tap OK

Samsung Note 10

  • From a Home screen, swipe up from the center of the display to access the apps screen.

  • Navigate: Settings

    Settings icon

    > Connections

    Connections icon

    > Mobile Hotspot and Tethering.

  • Tap Mobile Hotspot.

  • Tap the Mobile Hotspot switch to turn on or off

  • If prompted, review the info then tap OK to confirm.
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