What is a mobile hotspot?

Ever been stuck somewhere without a Wi-Fi connection? Well, that’s where your smartphone comes to the rescue, using the mobile hotspot feature. But what exactly is a hotspot and how does it work? Read on to know more.

What is a mobile hotspot and what are its advantages?

All smartphones today, come with a built-in hotspot option (Often referred to as mobile hotspot or tethering). In essence, this feature allows you to share your phone’s cellular data with other devices around it, whether laptops, tablets, or other smartphones.

ALSO READ: How to set up a personal hotspot on your mobile phone

A mobile hotspot converts 4G and 5G signals to Wi-Fi signals. The Wi-Fi network it creates can support anywhere up to 10 connected devices at once. What’s cool is, with the feature, a user can even set limits on the amount of data connected devices can use, and also create and change passwords to access the network in real time, such that there are no unwanted connections.

Another advantage with mobile hotspots is also the fact that they are essentially private networks. This means they can provide you with much more secure connections than public Wi-Fi, as the latter poses the risk of getting your devices hacked, or being attacked with malware.

How to set up a mobile hotspot on your smartphone?

Depending on whether you use an iPhone or an Android smartphone, the following is how you can create a mobile hotspot using your smartphone.

On Android

On your Android device, head to the Settings app, and tap on ‘Connections and sharing.’ It is important to note though – depending on the make and model of your smartphone, the sub-menu may also be listed under a different name. Next tap on the ‘Mobile hotspot’ or ‘Personal hotspot’ menu and tap the toggle to turn it on.

On iOS

On iPhones, head to the ‘Cellular’ menu in the Settings app, and toggle the ‘Personal hotspot’ slider on. Now, tap on the slider next to ‘Allow others to join’ to toggle it on, and you’re all set!

ALSO READ: How to create a hotspot on your laptop

Your hotspot should now show up for the other devices, as they search for an internet connection via Wi-Fi. Using your mobile hotspot is one of the most secure and pocket-friendly means to stay connected and get your work done on the go, no matter where you may be.