Turn Your Android Phone Into a Wi‐Fi Hotspot
Do you need to connect your laptop to the internet, but can't find a public Wi-Fi hotspot? If your plan allows it, you can use your Android phone to create a mobile hotspot that will allow other devices to use your phone's mobile data to connect to the internet. If your carrier doesn't allow this, you may still be able to get around it by using third-party apps.
Contents
Steps
Setting up a Hotspot With a Service Plan
- Check with your carrier. While some services include free mobile hotspot usage on all plans, not all wireless services allow the use of mobile hotspots without paying an extra fee. If your plan does not support mobile hotspots, you will not be able to enable your hotspot.
- Open the Settings menu. You can access this from the Settings app on your Home screen or App Drawer, or by pressing your phone's Menu button and selecting "Settings".
- Tap "More" in the "Wireless & networks" section.
- Tap the "Tethering and portable hotspot" menu. This is typically located in the Wireless & Networks section of the Settings menu. You may need to tap "More..." to find it.
- Tap the "Set up Wi-Fi hotspot" option to change your settings. Adjust your hotspot settings. Before activating your mobile hotspot, you should ensure that it is properly secured and that the SSID (network name) does not contain any personal information.
- Network SSID - This is the name of the network that will be broadcast. Anyone nearby will be able to see this name, so make sure that there is nothing that can identify you in the name.
- Security - Unless you're trying to connect old devices that don't support newer security protocols, you should always have this set to WPA2 PSK.
- Hotspot frequency band - By default this is set to 2.4 GHz. You can usually keep this setting, but you may want to change it to 5 GHz in crowded areas. 5 GHz will lower the range.
- Password - You should always have a password set, without exception. Make sure that it is strong, but memorable, as you will need to enter it on the devices that you are connecting to the hotspot with.
- Check the "Portable Wi-Fi hotspot" box to enable the hotspot. Your service plan will be checked to see if you are allowed to create one.
- If you receive an error, you will need to contact your carrier and inquire about setting up a mobile hotspot on your plan. You may not have access to it unless you spend more money.
- Connect to the hotspot on another device. Open the "Connect to network" menu on the device that you want to connect to the hotspot. You should see your new hotspot in the list of available networks. Select it and enter in the password you created. Your device will now connect to the hotspot.
- See this guide for detailed instructions for a variety of different devices.
- Tap the "Data usage" option in the Wireless & Networks section of the Settings menu to monitor your data usage. Using a hotspot will typically burn through your allotted data much quicker than simply using your phone to browse the internet. Be prepared to see your usage increase when using your hotspot.
Using Third-Party Apps
- Download FoxFi if your carrier has locked you out of creating hotspots. If your carrier doesn't allow tethering on your plan, you can try to use a third-party app instead. These apps are less reliable than using the built-in hotspot software, and may incur charges from your carrier if they find out.
- FoxFi is one of the most popular hotspot apps available.
- You can get more reliability if your phone is rooted.
- Some carriers block apps like FoxFi from their versions of the app store, as they can be used to circumvent carrier policy. To install these apps, you will need to download the APK file using your phone's browser and tap it in the Notification bar to install it.
- You will need to allow third-party apps if you want to download the APK from a website. To do this, open the Settings menu, open the Security section, and then check the "Unknown sources" box. This will allow you to install apps downloaded from outside the Play Store.
- Configure your hotspot. When you run the app, you will be able to set your hotspot settings before enabling the hotspot. Make sure these options are set before enabling the hotspot.
- Network Name - This is the name of the network that will be visible to anyone in range of the hotspot. Make sure there is no personal information in the network name.
- Password - Every wireless network should have a password at all times. This option will let you choose your security type as well, which should generally be always set to WPA2.
- Check the "Activate WiFi Hotspot" box to turn on your hotspot. Once it is broadcasting it can be connected to by any device with the correct password.
- Connect to the hotspot from another device. Open the "Connect to network" menu on the device that you want to connect to the hotspot. You should see your new hotspot in the list of available networks. Select it and enter in the password you created. Your device will now connect to the hotspot.
- See this guide for detailed instructions for a variety of different devices.
- Monitor your data usage. Using a hotspot will typically burn through your allotted data much quicker than simply using your phone to browse the internet. Be prepared to see your usage increase when using your hotspot.
- You can check your data usage by tapping the "Data usage" option in the Wireless & Networks section of the Settings menu. The figures provided are not exact.
Warnings
- Using third-party apps to create a hotspot violates most carriers' Terms of Service. If you are caught, you may face additional fees or could even have your account terminated. Use at your own risk.
