How to Turn on Your Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspot

Lauren Hannula Managing Editor

Updated 03 April 2025

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Turn on an iPhone Hotspot
Turn on an Android Hotspot
What Is a Mobile Hotspot?
Mobile Hotspot Tips
Best Mobile Hotspot Plans
Mobile Hotspot FAQs

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!

Is Your Hotspot Still Not Connecting?

If you're unable to turn your hotspot on, there may be underlying issues. Being connected to a VPN, having airplane mode on, or losing cell reception can cause your hotspot connection to fail. Learn how to troubleshoot when your hotspot is not working so you aren't left without a connection.

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 who 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 how hotspots work and get tips on how a hotspot can be seriously useful. Check out the best hotspots for gaming, from plans to devices, so you can stay in the game wherever you've got a cell signal.

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.

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.
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 usage putting you in danger of overage charges if you're not careful. If you plan to use your hotspot frequently, check out our guide to the best unlimited hotspot plans.
Make sure you know your phone plan's hotspot setup.
- Not all hotspot-enabled phone plans are structured the same. Some provide a specific amount of high-speed data at full 5G and 4G LTE hotspot speeds; all of the major carriers (Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T) and many prepaid carriers do this. Others, like Verizon-backed Visible, reduce all mobile hotspot data to 3G or slower, which can affect how well you connect and work on your other devices. You may have a specific allowance of high-speed mobile hotspot, then unlimited thereafter; or your plan may cut off your hotspot once you've used up your data allotment. Understand how to best use your hotspot before turning it on.

Best Mobile Hotspot Plans

The best mobile hotspot plans provide a generous allowance of dedicated 5G and 4G LTE hotspot data, and then unlimited (but slower) hotspot data thereafter. This way, you have plenty of high-speed data to complete your tasks, but you won't be left in the lurch once you use up that monthly allotment.

Our favorite unlimited mobile hotspot plans include US Mobile's Unlimited Premium, which offers 50GB of 5G and 4G LTE hotspot data, along with T-Mobile's Experience Beyond plan with unlimited high-speed mobile hotspot data. Other contenders include Visible's $35 Visible+ plan, which provides unlimited hotspot access but at reduced 10Mbps speeds.

#1	Visible	Visible $35 Visible+ Plan Unlimited 5G Ultra Wideband and 4G LTE/ 5G speeds Verizon 5G Network in select areas with compatible devices Unlimited mobile hotspot data $35.00/mo Taxes & Fees included View Plan	$35.00/mo Taxes & Fees included	View Plan
#2	US Mobile	US Mobile Unlimited Premium Plan Unlimited 4G LTE/5G data Available on 3 Major 5G Nationwide networks in select areas and compatible devices 50GB mobile hotspot data Deal: Get this monthly plan for only $39 for 6 months of service using promo code ONLY39 OR $5 off per month for 6 months OR 30 Days FREE Trial $39.00/mo View Plan	$39.00/mo	View Plan
#3	T-Mobile	T-Mobile Experience Beyond Unlimited Unlimited 5G & 4G LTE with Unlimited Premium Data T-Mobile 5G Network in select areas with compatible devices Unlimited mobile hotspot data $100.00/mo with Auto-Pay + Taxes and fees View Plan	$100.00/mo with Auto-Pay + Taxes and fees	View Plan

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 mobile hotspot data below.

#1	Visible	Visible Unlimited Data No Contract $25/mo	100%	View Plan
#2	Mint Mobile	Mint Mobile Unlimited Data No Contract $25/mo Deal: Get this plan for just $25/mo. when you switch to Mint Mobile using promo code 15OFF at checkout. Upfront payment required	72%	View Plan
#3	T-Mobile	T-Mobile Unlimited Data No Contract $60/mo Deal: Get up to $800 via virtual prepaid MasterCard when you bring an eligible phone, activate a new line on select plans and port-in your number and switch from select carriers	63%	View Plan
#4	XFINITY Mobile	XFINITY Mobile Unlimited Data No Contract $0/mo Deal: Get a FREE 1 year of Xfinity Mobile Select Plan with Xfinity Internet required	62%	View Plan
#5	Visible	Visible Unlimited Data No Contract $35/mo	44%	View Plan
#6	US Mobile	US Mobile Unlimited Data No Contract $25/mo whistleOut Exclusive: Get this plan for only $45 for 3 months ($15/mo.) with new number activation OR $5 off per month for 6 mo. (up to 3 lines) OR 30 Days FREE Trial	44%	View Plan
#7	Verizon	Verizon Unlimited Data No Contract $85/mo $40 Upfront Deal: Get $10 off per line for 1 line via monthly promo credits over 36 months. For new customers only	31%	View Plan
#8	US Mobile	US Mobile 2GB Data No Contract $10/mo Deal: Get 30 Days FREE Trial when you switch to US Mobile.	27%	View Plan
#9	T-Mobile	T-Mobile Unlimited Data No Contract $85/mo	27%	View Plan
#10	US Mobile	US Mobile Unlimited Data No Contract $25/mo whistleOut Exclusive: Get this plan for only $45 for 3 months ($15/mo.) with new number activation OR $5 off per month for 6 mo. (up to 3 lines) OR 30 Days FREE Trial	26%	View Plan

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.

Lauren Hannula

Managing Editor

Lauren is WhistleOut's Managing Editor. With over 14 years of digital writing and publishing experience, she's developed a passion for breaking down overly complex topics to offer easy, affordable solutions that help make the most of the tech you already have in your pocket. Her work has appeared in industry stalwarts such as CNET, Yahoo! News, and Forbes.

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