No Wi-Fi No Problem: How To Use Your Phone as a Mobile Hotspot

A mobile hotspot is a portable access point that can share a phone's cellular signal with compatible devices, allowing them to connect to the internet via tethering. With a quick visit to your phone's settings or a swipe and tap, you can transform most Android or iPhone devices into personalized local Wi-Fi connections.

Learn how to break dependence on existing Wi-Fi networks and enjoy the freedom and convenience of using your cellphone as a mobile hotspot to stay connected on the go. We also recommend the best VPN apps to encrypt your internet traffic while connected to public Wi-Fi. 

What is a mobile hotspot?

A mobile hotspot is a wireless connection that can move with a device, such as a cellphone or a dedicated mobile hotspot device. Wi-Fi hotspot devices offer advantages such as faster connection speeds and longer battery life than cellphones, but they can cost $95 to $799 for the device alone, which doesn’t necessarily include a service plan or data.

Cell phone hotspots can offer a simpler, more affordable option, as they are built into a phone's hardware. Cellphone hotspots are wireless access points that relay a phone's cellular data signal to other devices, such as laptops, tablets, or smart TVs. 

Customers with hotspot data plans can enjoy the convenience and safety of their phone's connection signal on compatible devices anywhere they have coverage.

Wireless hotspots can come in handy when:

• You’re traveling either overseas or domestically.
• You need quick internet access in a remote area where other Wi-Fi connections aren't available.
• You want to avoid the security risks of public Wi-Fi and use your phone provider's safer internet connection.
• You need a larger, better-equipped device for a specific task, but want to continue using your phone's cellular connection signal.

How to use your cellphone as a hotspot

Today, most Android and iPhone devices offer plans that let you share your mobile hotspot via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or USB.

Some Android carriers limit or charge extra for using a mobile hotspot, so check with your provider regarding its hotspot data policy before proceeding.

iPhone or iPad

If you want to use your Apple device as a hotspot, please follow the steps below to enable your device's mobile hotspot.

1. To turn on your iOS device's hotspot, go to Settings > Personal Hotspot. Tap the slider to Allow Others to Join. If no personal hotspot option appears, check with your carrier to see if your plan includes a personal hotspot.

2. After the personal hotspot activates, be ready to verify the Wi-Fi password and model of phone.

3. On the compatible device you want to connect, go to settings or internet access options (usually located in the upper right corner of the taskbar) and find your phone's name on the list of Wi-Fi options. Select your phone's connection option and be prepared to enter a password if required.

Android

Android phone owners can choose from Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or USB connections to create a hotspot and tether compatible devices. Remember that the steps for activating and connecting a hotspot may vary slightly depending on your device's make and model. 

Using a VPN on your Android has its own perks, including protecting your online privacy and allowing you to access geo-restricted services. 

NordVPN is our top recommended VPN for Android. It's a bit more expensive than the other services we listed, but it provides fast connections, doesn't leak your data, and can easily unblock geo-restrictions. Surfshark is our other top rec, thanks to its unique Android-specific features, like GPS spoofing.

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Android version 9+

Below is a list of general steps for turning on your newer Android (version 9 and up) hotspot:

1. Swipe down from the top of your phone's screen.
2. Tap Hotspot to engage, and if the Hotspot option isn't visible, tap Edit at the bottom left and drag Hotspot into quick settings.
   

Android version 8 and older

Below is a list of general steps (these may differ slightly for different models) for locating and activating an older Android's hotspot:

1. Go to Settings and then Network & Internet.

2. Proceed to Mobile Hotspot & tethering, then select the Mobile Hotspot option.

3. Tap the Mobile Hotspot setting to activate (and hit OK on some models).

See the steps below for setting up and using a hotspot on Samsung, Google Pixel, Motorola, LG, and Huawei models.

Samsung

1. Go to Settings, then select Connections.
2. Choose the Mobile hotspot/ tethering option.
3. Turn on the Mobile hotspot option.
4. Find your phone's name in the list of Wi-Fi networks, then select it to connect.
5. Be ready to enter a network password if necessary.

Google Pixel

1. Go to Settings, then tap Network/internet> HS/tethering.
2. Select the Wi-Fi hotspot option, then activate it using a password if necessary.
3. Find your phone on the Wi-Fi connections list and select it.
4. Click to connect and enter a password if necessary.

Motorola

1. Turn off Wi-Fi by going to Settings, Wireless networks, and switching Wi-Fi to off
2. Go to Settings, then select More.
3. Choose the Tethering and portable hotspot option, then select Portable Wi-Fi hotspot and turn it on.
4. Find your phone on the Wi-Fi connections list and select it.
5. Click to connect and enter a password if necessary.

LG

1. Go to Settings, then select Network/Internet.
2. Choose the Tethering option and tap Mobile hotspot to turn on your hotspot.
3. Find your phone on the Wi-Fi connections list and select it.
4. Click to connect and enter a password if necessary.

Huawei

1. Go to Settings and select Mobile network.
2. Choose the Personal hotspot option and turn it on.
3. Find your phone on the Wi-Fi connections list and select it.
4. Click to connect and enter a password if necessary.

What phone plan is best for Wi-Fi hotspots?

To use your cellphone as a hotspot, you’ll need to select a phone provider plan that includes or allows hotspot data. Many carrier plans include sufficient data that is both hotspot-friendly and capable of delivering an acceptable work-from-home internet speed for today’s remote workforce.

Plan prices vary, as do the number of gigabytes of data each package includes. Here’s a list of some options:

5 cell phone plans with hotspot data

Bottom line

The freedom to safely connect anywhere cellular coverage exists is as simple as finding and activating your phone's mobile hotspot, then selecting your device's name from a list of available Wi-Fi networks.

For customers of most major cell carriers, having enough monthly data for moderate mobile hotspot usage isn't a concern. However, if you just want to protect your smartphone while using public Wi-Fi, we recommend NordVPN or Surfshark.

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AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.

2026 Editors’ Choice

Best Overall VPN

VPN

NordVPN

• #1 rated VPN with 9,000+ servers in 165+ countries
• Reliably unblock popular streaming services like Netflix with a single click
• All-in-one security product with antivirus, ad blocker, password manager, and more

Learn More

Get Deal

Learn more in our guides:

• Best VPNs for Android
• Best VPNs for iPhone

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Best Value VPN

VPN

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PROMOTION: From $1.99/mo. + 3 mo. EXTRA

• Unlimited simultaneous connections for all your devices (Rare perk)
• Block YouTube ads and malware when connected
• 4,500+ servers worldwide that are fast and reliable

Author Details

Mark Knowles

About the Author

Mark Knowles is a tech content writer specializing in cybersecurity. His expertise includes DevSecOps, cyber risk management, and Zero Trust model security. Mark has completed numerous case studies, blog articles, and e-books for leading technology companies over the last eight years, with a focus on the cybersecurity vertical over the last five years. When not interviewing experts in the field or creating fresh cybersecurity content for organizations, Mark enjoys pushing the limits of fitness and personal growth while planning his next traveling adventure.