While it may seem as if Wi-Fi is available everywhere, sooner or later you will go somewhere Wi-Fi is not. You still need to get on the Internet. What are you to do?

Well, you may have a solution right in your pocket: a cell phone. Many cell phones let you turn your cellular connection to the Internet into a Wi-Fi connection for other devices.

This is called creating a "hotspot." Your cell phone will show as a Wi-Fi network that others can join.

Connecting a tablet or computer to that hotspot is called "tethering."

When to Use Your Phone as a Hotspot

Using your phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot can help when you want to share your phone's Internet connection with your computer or tablet or someone else's.

Or perhaps there is an available Wi-Fi network but you are not sure the connection is secure. Using your phone as a hotspot will let you avoid unsecured Wi-Fi networks.

Family car trips could be more fun if you use your phone's hotspot to connect a tablet to the Internet. You may be able to avoid paying a fee for your tablet's cellular plan by tethering your tablet.

Maybe your home or office has a power outage and you need to use the Internet. Connect your laptop or tablet to the Wi-Fi hotspot on your phone.

How to Turn Your Phone into a Wi-Fi Hotspot

iPhone

To turn your iPhone into a hotspot, go to Settings, then Personal Hotspot.

iPhone Settings Hotspot

The next screen will let you set a password. Do not skip this step (see below). The name of your network is the name you have given to your phone.

iPhone Settings Hotspot Network

Slide the switch to on and follow the directions that appear.

Android

You can use your Android phone as a hotspot if it is running Android 2.2, or later operating systems. Your phone and carrier must also permit tethering.

To turn your Android phone into a hotspot, go to Settings, then Mobile Hotspot & Tethering.

Android Hotspot

Tap on Mobile Hotspot to turn it on, set the name of your network and set a password.

Connecting a Device to Your Wi-Fi Hotspot

You connect a computer or tablet to your phone's Wi-Fi hotspot just as you would connect to any other Wi-Fi network. Select the name of your phone's network, enter the password and connect.

Tethering

Some phones also permit you to tether using a cable and/or Bluetooth.

Things to Know about Using Your Phone as a Hotspot

Before you start using your phone as a hotspot, there are some things you need to know.

Tethering uses the data allotment of your cell phone plan...

When your phone is a hotspot, it is sharing your monthly data allotment with other devices. Tether only when you need it, so you can avoid running out of data before the end of the month.

Password is important...

You also do not want your phone to become an open Wi-Fi network, free for anyone to use. Your data allotment could be used up in minutes! For that reason, you want to select a strong password and share it only with people you trust.

Keep your phone plugged in when tethering...

Hotspots use a lot of power so your phone's battery can run down quickly. If you are going to tether for a while, be sure to plug in your phone to charge while the hotspot is turned on.

Turn the hotspot off when you are done using it...

You will save battery power and data if you turn the hotspot off as soon as you are finished tethering.

You need a cell phone signal to use the hotspot...

If you are in a place without a cell phone signal then your phone's hotspot will not connect a device to the Internet.

Test your hotspot before you need to use it...

Make sure your phone and carrier both permit hotspot connections.

You may be able to have multiple devices connected to your hotspot...

And, remember, the more devices that are connected to your hotspot, the faster your data allotment will go.

Carolyn Nicander Mohr wrote this report for VOA Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor.

Have you ever used your phone as a hotspot? Does your phone have this ability? When would you use a hotspot? Share your thoughts in the Comments Section below or on 51VOA.COM.

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Words in This Story

cellular - adj. relating to a system that uses radio waves instead of wires to send data and telephone signals

hotspot - n. a place providing Internet connection to devices such as computers and tablets

tethering - v. connecting one device to another, usually for sharing an Internet connection

skip - v. to not do (something that is usual or expected)

outage - n. a period of time when there is no electricity in a building or area

allotment - n. an amount of something given to someone to use or have