How to use an Android phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot
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| SETTING UP WI-FI HOTSPOT |
Just as you can use the iPhone as a Wi-Fi hotspot, many Android smartphones and tablets can be used as mobile hotspots (a.k.a., portable Wi-Fi hotspots), letting you share your internet connection on your Android device wirelessly with up to 5 other devices, including other cell phones, tablets, and computers. The Wi-Fi data sharing feature is built into Android devices. Here;s how to use it
This is more convenient than traditional tethering where you would share a data connection with a single computer using a USB cable or bluetooth, possibly with the help of software like PdaNet. Using the portable Wi-Fi hotspot feature, you don't need to have the app installed on your laptop or other devices and you get simultaneous Wi-Fi internet access for several devices. The downside, however, is that your carrier may charge a fee for the Wi-Fi hotspot feature (but most are charging extra for tethering too, so they're really the same thing).
Using your phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot is pretty simple; you just need to turn the feature on in your phone, and then the Wi-Fi signal will appear just like a regular wireless access point that your other devices can connect to.
- Go to the Settings screen on your Android phone. You can get there by pressing the menu button on your device when you're on the home screen, then tapping "Settings".
- At the Settings screen, tap the "Wireless & networks" option.
- You
should see an option for "Portable Wi-Fi hotspot". Click the check mark
beside it to turn on the hotspot and your phone will start acting like a
wireless access point. (You should see a message in the notification
bar when it's activated.)
- To adjust and check the settings for the hotspot, tap the aptly named "Portable Wi-Fi hotspot settings" option. You'll need to do this if you don't know the default password that will be created for your hotspot so you can make a note of it for connecting your other devices.
- You can change the default password, security level, router name (SSID), and also manage users connected wirelessly to your phone in the Wi-Fi hotspot settings.
Find and Connect to the New Wi-Fi Hotspot Created
- From each of the other devices you want to share Internet access with, find the Wi-Fi hotspot; this will probably be done automatically for you. (Your computer, tablet, and/or other smartphones most likely will notify you that there are new wireless networks to connect to. If not, on another Android phone, you'll find the wireless networks under Settings > Wireless & networks > Wi-Fi settings. See general Wi-Fi connection instructions for most computers.
- Finally, establish the connection by entering in the password you noted above.
Tips and Considerations
- Make sure you turn off the Wi-Fi hotspot feature when you no longer need shared Internet access from the other devices, since this can drain your cell phone's battery significantly.
- By default, the portable Wi-Fi hotspot will most likely be set up with WPA2 security and a generic password. If you're using this feature in a public place or concerned about hackers trying to intercept your data, it's best to change the password to something else before broadcasting your signal.
- Keep in mind again that your cell phone company might charge extra for this feature and/or have data restrictions on its usage, so make sure you check your plan or with your carrier for more information.
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