It takes just a few taps to activate and connect to your phone's mobile hotspot and get all of your devices online, no matter where you are. Though it differs slightly by device, you can generally turn on your mobile hotspot by:
- Going into your phone's Settings app.
- Finding your Network or Internet menu.
- Selecting the Hotspot option.
- Ensuring your network password is set up.
- Toggling your hotspot to "on."
We'll walk you through how to find and turn on your mobile hotspot internet connection for an iPhone or Android device, plus show you some of the best phone plans to make the most of your mobile Wi-Fi hotspot.
How to turn on an iPhone hotspot
It only takes a couple of taps to turn on your iPhone mobile hotspot. Here's how to do it.
- Open your Settings app and look for the "Personal Hotspot" menu. Tap to open it up.
- In your Personal Hotspot options, you'll see an option to allow others to join your network, along with the default password. You can either keep the Apple default password or create your own.
- Toggle on the switch for "Allow Others to Join." Instructions will appear for different connection options depending on the device you wish to tether.
How to turn on an Android hotspot
For Android devices, there may be variations in how to turn on your hotspot depending on your specific model (for example, a Samsung Galaxy S20 has a different user interface than a Google Pixel 7).
That said, your device's menus and labels should be relatively close to the instructions outlined below, since all Android-powered phones are set up to use the same operating system. Here's a general run-down.
- Open your phone's Settings app and open the "Network and Internet" menu.
- In your Network menu, choose "Hotspot and Tethering."
- Tap on "Wi-Fi hotspot."
- Review your network name and password before toggling your hotspot to "On."
- Once your hotspot is configured, you can use a shortcut to turn on your mobile Wi-Fi in the future: Swipe down from the top of your phone's display and tap the "Hotspot" icon. That's it—your WiFi hotspot is turned on!
What Is a mobile hotspot?
A mobile hotspot is a way for you to turn your cell phone into its own wireless network, thereby connecting—or "tethering"—other devices to your phone's data plan. Just like you'd connect your laptop to your local coffee shop's Wi-Fi network, you can connect it to your phone's Wi-Fi signal.
Turning your phone into a Wi-Fi hotspot can be incredibly useful in a number of scenarios. You may be working remotely on an unprotected public Wi-Fi network without a VPN. Or you may want to share your phone's internet connection with a friend that has poor cell service where you are. Plus, pushing your phone's wireless data to a tablet or other connected device is much cheaper than forking over cash for a separate data plan for that device. Check out our easy guide to mobile hotspots to learn more about hotspots work and get tips on how a hotspot can be seriously useful.
Mobile hotspots vs. portable hotspots
While "mobile" and "portable" are usually synonymous, in the world of wireless phones, they refer to two different methods (and devices!) for connecting to a data-powered Wi-Fi signal. A "mobile" hotspot is hosted on your cell phone and uses the data that comes from the phone plan already associated with it. A "portable" hotspot, on the other hand, is a completely separate handheld device that is powered by its own dedicated data plan—though it still uses a cellular network to produce a Wi-Fi signal. Depending on your plan and your household's online habits, you could potentially forego a traditional internet connection and instead use a portable hotspot to provide Wi-Fi for your entire home.
You can find portable hotspots directly through phone carriers or at any number of online and big-box retailers, including Amazon and Best Buy.
Mobile hotspot tips
Before you turn on your phone's Wi-Fi hotspot, there are a few items to keep in mind.
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Make sure you set a password.
- This prevents any uninvited characters from logging on and using your phone's data—or worse, stealing your information. One of the biggest reasons for using a mobile hotspot is to avoid utilizing unprotected Wi-Fi networks, so make sure yours doesn't fall under that umbrella!
-
Watch your battery levels.
- Tethering another device to your phone's internet connection means double the power draw, which can wreak havoc on your battery levels. It's smart to keep your phone plugged in and charging while you use your mobile hotspot.
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Pay attention to your data use.
- The internet that your tethered device is using comes directly from your wireless data plan. Most unlimited data plans provide a specific allotment of high-speed data for your hotspot, after which you'll still be able to access data but at much-reduced speeds. If you're on a phone plan with a hard data cap, though, you may find your hotspot data usage putting you in danger of overage charges if you're not careful. hotspot plans.
Best mobile hotspot plans
The best mobile hotspot plans provide a generous allowance of 5G and 4G LTE data to power your hotspot and ensure you still have plenty of data left over for the month.
Our favorite unlimited mobile hotspot plans include Rogers' Infinite Essential plan, which offers 120GB of full-speed 5G data, along with Freedom Mobile's 5G Unlimited 60GB CA-US plan. Other contenders include Public Mobile's Unlimited Canada-US Talk + Text + 50GB plan, a budget plan operating on Telus' nationwide network.
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Rogers
Infinite Extra Plan
$70/mth
|
Check out our top picks for the best unlimited hotspot plans and the best general hotspot plans, and browse some of the most popular plans that include unlimited data below.
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#1
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Rogers
Infinite Extra Plan
$80/mth
|
|
#2
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Rogers
Infinite Extra Plan
$80/mth
|
|
#3
|
Freedom Mobile
$60 5G Unlimited 100GB CA-US plan
$55/mth
+ $45 Upfront
|
|
#4
|
SaskTel
totalSHARE Nationwide
$70/mth
+ $50 Upfront
|
|
#5
|
SaskTel
totalSHARE Nationwide
$90/mth
+ $50 Upfront
|
Mobile hotspot FAQs
How do hotspots work?
Hotspots work by using your phone's cellular data plan to create and broadcast a protected Wi-Fi signal. This allows other devices to securely connect and use your phone's data to get online.
How do I change my hotspot's name?
Changing your phone's hotspot name varies slightly depending on what operating system you have.
To change your iPhone's hotspot name, you have to change your iPhone's name:
- Go to your iPhone's Settings menu.
- Go to General > About.
- Tap Name, then change the name of your iPhone to what you'd like your hotspot name to show.
- Hit Done.
To change your hotspot on an Android phone:
- Go to your phone's Settings menu.
- Go to Wi-Fi & Network > Hotspot & Tethering.
- Under Wi-Fi Hotspot, tap Hotspot name.
- Change your hotspot name to what you wish, then tap OK.
How much data does a hotspot use?
A hotspot uses anywhere from 60MB/hour to 810MB/hour, depending on what tasks and activities your connected devices are doing. Visit our guide to hotspot data usage for details.
How do I turn off my hotspot?
To turn off your hotspot, go back to the same hotspot menu in your phone's Settings that you visited to turn your hotspot on, then toggle it off.
What is a portable hotspot device?
A portable hotspot is a separate device that uses its own unique data plan to broadcast a Wi-Fi signal for other devices to connect to. It does not live within your cell phone like a mobile hotspot does.
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