Activate Your Samsung Galaxy Note Portable Wi Fi Hotspot

Like most modern smartphones, the Samsung Galaxy Note line can enable wireless hotspots, which allow other devices to connect to the Note to share its internet connection. Your ability to turn on this feature is dictated by your cellular plan; not all carriers allow this feature unless you pay extra for it. If mobile hotspot functionality is included in your plan, you can turn it on with just a few taps.

Steps

Using Hotspots With Your Cellular Plan

  1. Open the Settings app on your Note. You can access this from the App Drawer or by opening the Notification Bar and tapping the Settings button.
  2. Tap "Tethering and portable hotspot" in the "Network connections" section. You may have to tap "More..." or "More settings..." to see this option.
  3. Toggle the "Mobile Hotspot" switch ON. This will enable the wireless hotspot functionality on the Note.
    • In order to use this feature, your cellular plan must support tethering and hotspots. Not all cellular plans support this. If your plan does not support mobile hotspots, you will receive a message informing you how to add the feature to your mobile plan. If you need to share your internet with another device but your plan doesn't support it, Activate-Your-Samsung-Galaxy-Note-Portable-Wi-Fi-Hotspot.
    • You will also need to have a cellular data signal, which is indicated by the "3G" or "4G" icon in your Notification Bar. Your Note will be disconnected from any wireless networks when acting as a hotspot.
  4. Tap "Configure" to change your hotspot's name and password. This will open a new window that allows you to change the name that is displayed when people see your hotspot, as well as the password required.
    • Don't include any personal information in the name (SSID).
    • Make sure that the password is strong so that unauthorized users cannot access the hotspot.
  5. Connect to the hotspot with other devices. Now that your Note is broadcasting a wireless signal, you can connect your other devices to it.[1]
    • Open the wireless network list on the device that you want to connect to the hotspot.
    • Select the name you set for the wireless network and enter the password.
    • After a moment, the device will be connected to the internet.
  6. Keep tabs on how much data is being used. When you have multiple devices connected to the hotspot, they can eat through your data quite quickly. This is especially a concern when laptops are connected that are visiting the desktop versions of websites, which aren't optimized to conserve data.[2]
    • Open the "Data Usage" section of the Settings menu.
    • Use the slider to set a limit on how much data can be used.

Tethering Without a Supporting Plan

  1. Download a third-party tethering app. If your plan does not support tethering or mobile hotspots, there are some alternative options available on the Google Play Store.
    • One of the most popular tethering apps is Klink. This only supports USB tethering, meaning you connect your Note to a laptop or desktop via USB to share the internet.
    • FoxFi is a popular Wi-Fi hotspot app that works without needing root access for your Note. Since FoxFi is not supported by carriers, there's a good chance that it won't work properly, but if it does it can save you a lot of money on your monthly phone bill.
  2. Configure the app. Once you start your hotspot app, you'll be able to configure it much like you would an official hotspot. This includes setting up a network name (SSID) as well as creating a password.
    • Don't include any personal information in the name (SSID).
    • Make sure that the password is strong so that unauthorized users cannot access the hotspot.
    • If you're using Klink, there's no configuration necessary. Simply connect your Note to your computer using a USB cable and tap "Start".
  3. Activate the hotspot. After configuring your network, turn the hotspot on from the app. This will allow your Note to start broadcasting a wireless signal that other devices can connect to.
  4. Connect to the hotspot with other devices. Now that your Note is broadcasting a wireless signal, you can connect your other devices to it.
    • Open the wireless network list on the device that you want to connect to the hotspot.
    • Select the name you set for the wireless network and enter the password.
    • After a moment, the device will be connected to the internet.
  5. Keep tabs on how much data is being used. When you have multiple devices connected to the hotspot, they can eat through your data quite quickly. This is especially a concern when laptops are connected that are visiting the desktop versions of websites, which aren't optimized to conserve data.
    • Open the "Data Usage" section of the Settings menu.
    • Use the slider to set a limit on how much data can be used.

Tips

  • Your battery will drain significantly faster when your Note is acting as a hotspot. It is recommended that you keep the Note plugged in while sharing the data connection.

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Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.samsung.com/us/support/faq/FAQ00056747/73401/SM-N900AZKEATT
  2. ↑ http://www.gottabemobile.com/2014/02/14/how-to-use-the-galaxy-note-3-as-a-personal-hotspot/
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