Difference between revisions of "Turn Your Android Phone Into a Wi‐Fi Hotspot"
(importing article from wikihow) |
m (Text replacement - "[[Category: A" to "[[Category:A") |
||
| (8 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
Do you need to connect your laptop to the internet, but can't find a public Wi-Fi hotspot? If your plan allows it, you can use your Android phone to create a mobile hotspot that will allow other devices to use your phone's mobile data to connect to the internet. If your carrier doesn't allow this, you may still be able to get around it by using third-party apps. | Do you need to connect your laptop to the internet, but can't find a public Wi-Fi hotspot? If your plan allows it, you can use your Android phone to create a mobile hotspot that will allow other devices to use your phone's mobile data to connect to the internet. If your carrier doesn't allow this, you may still be able to get around it by using third-party apps. | ||
| − | [[Category:Wi-Fi]] | + | [[Category: Wi-Fi]] |
[[Category:Android]] | [[Category:Android]] | ||
== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
| Line 16: | Line 16: | ||
#*If you receive an error, you will need to contact your carrier and inquire about setting up a mobile hotspot on your plan. You may not have access to it unless you spend more money. | #*If you receive an error, you will need to contact your carrier and inquire about setting up a mobile hotspot on your plan. You may not have access to it unless you spend more money. | ||
#Connect to the hotspot on another device. Open the "Connect to network" menu on the device that you want to connect to the hotspot. You should see your new hotspot in the list of available networks. Select it and enter in the password you created. Your device will now connect to the hotspot. | #Connect to the hotspot on another device. Open the "Connect to network" menu on the device that you want to connect to the hotspot. You should see your new hotspot in the list of available networks. Select it and enter in the password you created. Your device will now connect to the hotspot. | ||
| − | #*See [[Connect | + | #*See [[Connect to a Wireless Internet Connection|this guide]] for detailed instructions for a variety of different devices. |
#Tap the "Data usage" option in the Wireless & Networks section of the Settings menu to monitor your data usage. Using a hotspot will typically burn through your allotted data much quicker than simply using your phone to browse the internet. Be prepared to see your usage increase when using your hotspot. | #Tap the "Data usage" option in the Wireless & Networks section of the Settings menu to monitor your data usage. Using a hotspot will typically burn through your allotted data much quicker than simply using your phone to browse the internet. Be prepared to see your usage increase when using your hotspot. | ||
===Using Third-Party Apps=== | ===Using Third-Party Apps=== | ||
#Download FoxFi if your carrier has locked you out of creating hotspots. If your carrier doesn't allow tethering on your plan, you can try to use a third-party app instead. These apps are less reliable than using the built-in hotspot software, and may incur charges from your carrier if they find out. | #Download FoxFi if your carrier has locked you out of creating hotspots. If your carrier doesn't allow tethering on your plan, you can try to use a third-party app instead. These apps are less reliable than using the built-in hotspot software, and may incur charges from your carrier if they find out. | ||
#*FoxFi is one of the most popular hotspot apps available. | #*FoxFi is one of the most popular hotspot apps available. | ||
| − | #*You can get more reliability if your [[Root | + | #*You can get more reliability if your [[Root an Android Phone with UnlockRoot Software|phone is rooted]]. |
#*Some carriers block apps like FoxFi from their versions of the app store, as they can be used to circumvent carrier policy. To install these apps, you will need to download the APK file using your phone's browser and tap it in the Notification bar to install it. | #*Some carriers block apps like FoxFi from their versions of the app store, as they can be used to circumvent carrier policy. To install these apps, you will need to download the APK file using your phone's browser and tap it in the Notification bar to install it. | ||
#*You will need to allow third-party apps if you want to download the APK from a website. To do this, open the Settings menu, open the Security section, and then check the "Unknown sources" box. This will allow you to install apps downloaded from outside the Play Store. | #*You will need to allow third-party apps if you want to download the APK from a website. To do this, open the Settings menu, open the Security section, and then check the "Unknown sources" box. This will allow you to install apps downloaded from outside the Play Store. | ||
| Line 29: | Line 29: | ||
#Check the "Activate WiFi Hotspot" box to turn on your hotspot. Once it is broadcasting it can be connected to by any device with the correct password. | #Check the "Activate WiFi Hotspot" box to turn on your hotspot. Once it is broadcasting it can be connected to by any device with the correct password. | ||
#Connect to the hotspot from another device. Open the "Connect to network" menu on the device that you want to connect to the hotspot. You should see your new hotspot in the list of available networks. Select it and enter in the password you created. Your device will now connect to the hotspot. | #Connect to the hotspot from another device. Open the "Connect to network" menu on the device that you want to connect to the hotspot. You should see your new hotspot in the list of available networks. Select it and enter in the password you created. Your device will now connect to the hotspot. | ||
| − | #*See [[Connect | + | #*See [[Connect to a Wireless Internet Connection|this guide]] for detailed instructions for a variety of different devices. |
#Monitor your data usage. Using a hotspot will typically burn through your allotted data much quicker than simply using your phone to browse the internet. Be prepared to see your usage increase when using your hotspot. | #Monitor your data usage. Using a hotspot will typically burn through your allotted data much quicker than simply using your phone to browse the internet. Be prepared to see your usage increase when using your hotspot. | ||
#*You can check your data usage by tapping the "Data usage" option in the Wireless & Networks section of the Settings menu. The figures provided are not exact. | #*You can check your data usage by tapping the "Data usage" option in the Wireless & Networks section of the Settings menu. The figures provided are not exact. | ||
