They're typically offered by businesses like restaurants, hotels, airports, and malls, though you can also find hotspots in places like libraries and government buildings. While many hotspots are free, some might charge a fee to access them. Restaurants often reserve them for paying customers.
Depending on your cellular plan, you may also be able to turn your phone into a portable hotspot to connect other devices — like tablets and laptops — to the internet using your cellular data.
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How to connect to a public hotspot
You connect to a hotspot in the same way you'd connect to any Wi-Fi network.
Many public hotspots are password-protected, so make sure you know both the name of the network and the password, which you can generally find posted somewhere at the hotspot location. You might also need to ask someone, like an employee or attendant, for the password.
1. If you're using an iPhone, open the Settings app and then tap "Wi-Fi." If you have an Android phone, open Settings, then tap "Connections" followed by "Wi-Fi."
2. In the list of Wi-Fi networks, tap the hotspot you're trying to connect to and then enter the password. In some cases, the hotspot might open a web page with terms of service you'll need to agree to, or a field to enter the password.
That's it – you're now connected. If this hotspot requires a subscription, you might also need to enter payment information, but paid hotspots have become pretty rare.
How to set up a personal hotspot on your iPhone
If you don't have access to Wi-Fi but need to connect a device like a tablet or laptop, you can use your iPhone as a hotspot. Just note that you'll need to have a strong cell signal, and your cell carrier needs to support hotspot use. If you don't know whether your carrier supports it, contact them to ask.
1. Open the Settings app and then tap "Cellular." Depending on your version of iOS, "Personal Hotspot" may be listed on the main Settings page, not within the Cellular page — if so, tap "Personal Hotspot."
2. On the Cellular page, tap "Personal Hotspot." If your current cellular plan doesn't allow hotspots, there may be an option to "Set Up Personal Hotspot" which will give you a phone number to call or website to visit to upgrade your cell plan.
3. Turn on the hotspot by swiping the button beside "Allow Others to Join" to the right.
4. If you want to customize the password for your hotspot, tap "Wi-Fi Password" and enter a password that you'll need to use on other devices.
5. Stay on this page – don't switch to another app or turn the iPhone's screen off.
6. On the other device, open the Wi-Fi settings and choose the hotspot for your iPhone. Enter the password and you should connect normally. Now you can close the Settings page on your iPhone and use the phone any way you like. As long as you stay in range of the other device, it'll function as a hotspot.
7. To stop using your iPhone as a hotspot, disconnect from the phone's Wi-Fi network on the connected device or go back to the Personal Hotspot settings on your phone and turn off "Allow Others to Join."
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How to set up a personal hotspot on your Android
You can share internet access to other devices using your Android phone's hotspot settings. Again, not all cell carriers support this, so contact your carrier to check their policies.
1. Open the Settings app and then tap "Connections."
2. Tap "Mobile Hotspots and Tethering."
3. Tap "Mobile Hotspot."
4. On the Mobile Hotspot details page, you can set the network's name and password, then turn it on by swiping the button to the right.
5. Without leaving this page, join the Wi-Fi network on your other device.
6. To stop this hotspot, disconnect from the phone's Wi-Fi network on the connected device or go back to the Mobile Hotspot settings on your phone and turn the hotspot off.
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Related coverage fromTech Reference:
How to change the name of your iPhone's personal hotspot to make it easier to connect your computer
Why won't my hotspot work? How to troubleshoot your phone's mobile hotspot and provide an internet connection for other devices
How to turn on your iPhone's Personal Hotspot feature, and use it as a portable internet hub for your other devices
How to use public Wi-Fi networks safely, and protect your data and information
How to find free Wi-Fi hotspots near you while working away from home
Freelance Writer
Dave Johnson is a technology journalist who writes about consumer tech and how the industry is transforming the speculative world of science fiction into modern-day real life. Dave grew up in New Jersey before entering the Air Force to operate satellites, teach space operations, and do space launch planning. He then spent eight years as a content lead on the Windows team at Microsoft. As a photographer, Dave has photographed wolves in their natural environment; he's also a scuba instructor and co-host of several podcasts. Dave is the author of more than two dozen books and has contributed to many sites and publications including CNET, Forbes, PC World, How To Geek, and Insider.
