Use your smartphone to create a Wi-Fi hotspot


Need to connect multiple devices with internet, but have only one device with internet connection, don't worry! you can use your smartphone or laptop/PC to run internet on multiple devices. Following simple procedure above will turn your smartphone into a Wi-Fi hotspot.

But before you go ahead and actually create a hot-spot, please refer to your cellular data service provider (for smartphones), if there are any extra charges for it. Not all service providers allows this for free.




So, here is how you can do it, for iPhone, Android and Windows smartphones.

Android

1) go to Settings > More > Wireless & networks > Tethering & portable hotspot. The exact menu names can vary slightly on some phones, but if you can get to the wireless settings section, that's generally where you need to be.

On Android go to Tethering & portable hotspot

Next, you'll see a few different tethering options. Also the capability of giving your hotspot strong encryption in case you're in a public location. The Network SSID will default to AndroidAP but you can change that and a password to something that is secure but also easy to remember.

Set up a Wi-Fi hotspot on Android

This method may require a tethering plan with your carrier – and it most definitely will if you live in the US. There are also lots of third-party apps in Google Play that will let you bypass a tethering plan, but you'll want to remember that they likely violate your wireless agreement with your carrier.

iPhone

On your iPhone go to Settings > Cellular and then tap to turn Personal Hotspot on. After a while it will automatically turn off if no devices are connected to it. But you can easily turn it back on in the same section. On iOS 7 you'll also be able to monitor how much data has been used.

Setting up a Wi-Fi hotspot on iPhone

This will also require a tethering plan if you live in the US. The App Store doesn't have any plan-bypassing hotspot apps, but if you jailbreak your iPhone you'll find a similar selection to what you'll find on Android.

Windows Phone

For this I am using Windows Phone 8.1, but the process is virtually identical with Windows Phone 8 and even 7.5. The difference between 7.5 and 8 is the amount of devices you can connect. Windows Phone 8.x allows you to connect up to 8 devices.
To set it up on your phone go to Settings > internet sharing and flip Sharing to On. Then on the next screen you can keep the default login credentials or change them to something easier to remember.

Turn on Internet Sharing on Windows Phone

Connecting your laptop or tablet to the hotspot

Connecting your laptop or other device to the phone's hotspot connection is straightforward too. Connect to it as you would any other Wi-Fi connection. Find the handset that is broadcasting and select it. Then enter in the the password you configured for it.

Find the broadcasting handset to connect to

Or you can connect your tablet or other device the same way. In the example below I am broadcasting the data connection from Windows Phone to a Nexus 7.

Connect from a tablet to smartphone's Wi-Fi hotspot

Again, just remember that your results will vary, as not all service providers allow you to create a hotspot for free. Often you'll be charged extra, so you'll definitely want to check with your carrier to make sure the feature is supported.
If you're on a limited data plan, it will be wise to use this option sparingly or when you're in a pinch. Also note that with this ad hoc Wi-Fi connection, you may experience slower speeds. It will depend on how good of a data connection you have, as well as the number of devices that are connected at the same time.
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Manoj Chaudhary

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