Key takeaways
- A mobile hotspot (also called a personal hotspot) lets your phone share its mobile data as WiFi, so your laptop, tablet or anything else can get online.
- It's not the same as home or public WiFi. A hotspot uses your data allowance and your phone signal. WiFi uses a broadband connection.
- On SMARTY, you can use a hotspot on any plan, with your full data allowance.
You're on a train. Your laptop needs an internet connection, but the WiFi on offer needs a password you'll never remember. Your phone is right there, with plenty of data and a strong signal.
That's where a mobile hotspot comes in. Here's what it is, how it works, how it differs from WiFi, and what to watch out for.
What is a mobile hotspot?
A mobile hotspot (or personal hotspot) lets your phone share its mobile data with other devices over WiFi. Your laptop or tablet connects to it like any other WiFi network and gets online using your phone's data.
Some phones call it a mobile hotspot. Some Android menus call it tethering. Same thing.
How does a mobile hotspot work?
Your phone already uses the mobile network (4G or 5G) to get online. Turning on a hotspot tells it to share that connection.
- Your phone connects to the internet over the mobile network.
- It creates a small, secure WiFi network with a name and a password.
- Your other devices connect to that network, just like they'd join any WiFi network.
Everything those devices do online passes through your phone and uses your mobile data. If your phone has a weak signal, your hotspot will be slow too. It can only share what it receives.
Hotspot vs WiFi: what's the difference?
| Mobile hotspot | Home or public WiFi | |
|---|---|---|
| Where the internet comes from | Your phone's mobile signal (4G or 5G) | A broadband line or router |
| What it uses | Your mobile data allowance | Your broadband connection |
| Speed depends on | Your phone signal | Your broadband and router |
| Best for | Travelling, quick jobs, a backup when WiFi drops | Everyday use at home, big downloads, lots of devices |
| Effect on your phone | Drains the battery faster | None |
Phone hotspot or a separate hotspot device?
You can also buy a small gadget, often called a portable WiFi or pocket WiFi. It uses its own data only SIM and does the same job without using your phone.
- Your phone's hotspot: nothing to buy, nothing extra to carry. It does drain your phone's battery.
- A separate device: keeps your phone free and can hold more connected devices. But it's another thing to buy, charge and remember to pack.
For most people, the phone you already own does the job. Want something closer to home broadband? Our guide to mobile broadband explains how it works and who it suits. Have a tablet? A SIM for your tablet keeps it off your phone's data plan altogether.
Does a hotspot use a lot of data?
It uses the same data as anything else you do online. The catch is that laptops can be greedy. They download software updates and back up files in the background, often without telling you.
A few sensible habits help:
- Video is the big one. Streaming and video calls use the most data, and our guide to how much data YouTube, Netflix and Spotify use has the numbers.
- Pause automatic updates and cloud backups while you're on a hotspot.
- Check how much data you have left in your account before a long session.
After a short test session, check your phone's data usage to see what your laptop actually used. Here's how to check data usage on an iPhone. And if hotspotting is making you wonder about your plan, our guide to how much data you need can help you work it out.
Is a mobile hotspot safe?
Generally, yes, if you set it up sensibly. Your hotspot is protected by a password, and only those who know it can connect. A few simple checks:
- Use a strong password that isn't your name or phone number.
- Don't share it with anyone you don't know.
- Turn the hotspot off when you've finished. It also saves battery.
Compared with public WiFi, where you don't know who else is on the network, it's usually the safer option.
How to turn on a hotspot
On an iPhone
- Open Settings and tap Personal Hotspot.
- Turn on Allow Others to Join.
- To change the password, tap WiFi Password. It needs at least 8 characters.
On an Android phone
- Open Settings, then Network & internet, then Hotspot & tethering.
- Tap WiFi hotspot to set the network name, security type and password.
- Turn on Use WiFi hotspot.
Then, on your laptop or tablet, pick your phone's name from the list of WiFi networks and enter the password.
Using a hotspot with SMARTY
Some networks limit or charge extra for hotspots. The good news for SMARTY customers is that you can use your phone as a hotspot on any plan, with your full data allowance. The only catch is a fair-use limit of 12GB per month when you're using it for EU roaming.
If you share for hours at a time, our Unlimited plan means you're not watching the data counter. If it's a tablet or laptop that needs its own connection, a data only SIM gives it one. And if you'd rather skip the wait for a SIM in the post, you can join with an eSIM, as long as your phone supports it.
FAQs
What is a mobile hotspot, and is it the same as a personal hotspot?
Yes, on a phone they're the same thing. iPhones call it "Personal Hotspot", and Android phones usually call it "mobile hotspot" or "WiFi hotspot". A "mobile hotspot" can also refer to a small standalone gadget with its own SIM that does the same job.
Does using a hotspot cost extra or use my data?
A hotspot uses your normal mobile data, so it comes out of your allowance. Whether it costs extra depends on your network, as some networks limit or charge for it. With SMARTY, you can use it on any plan, and it simply comes out of your normal allowance.
Can a mobile hotspot replace my home WiFi?
For light use, like emails and browsing, it can work. For a whole household that streams, games and works from home, it usually can't, because your data would run out quickly and your speed depends on your signal. Treat it as a very handy backup rather than a swap.
