When you tether your phone to another device, you share its data connection to create a hotspot, allowing any device with a wireless connection to connect to the internet through your smartphone's data.
You can connect your smartphone to the device you'd like to access the internet on through a Wi-Fi connection, a USB cable, or Bluetooth.
iOS (iPhone & iPad)
First ensure your device's Hotspot APN field is configured correctly as this is separate from on device data.
- Settings
- Cellular
- Cellular Data Options
- Cellular Data Network
- In the APN field (under Personal Hotspot) enter the word alpha
Once the steps above are completed, the Personal Hotspot option should show up under Settings and you can follow the instruction below to turn it on.
- Insert the SIM into your smartphone.
- Select Settings.
- Select Personal Hotspot.
- Make sure the slider is set to On. If you have Bluetooth disabled, you will see a popup notification asking if you would like to enable Bluetooth tethering or use Wi-Fi and USB only. Choose your desired method.
- Tap to turn on Wi-Fi and/or Bluetooth.
- Tap Wi-Fi Password and enter a password (this can be any password you choose, it's simply a security measure set by you so that your personal network is only yours to use).
To connect through Wi-Fi:
- You will be discoverable as a Wi-Fi network called [Your iPhone]. Choose this network from the Wi-Fi settings on your computer or other device, and enter the password you created when prompted.
To connect using Bluetooth:
- In Settings, select Bluetooth.
- Make sure the slider is set to On.
- You will be discoverable as [Your iPhone]. Pair your iPhone with your computer or other device.
- On your iPhone, tap Pair or enter the code displayed on the other device.
To connect using USB:
- Connect your iPhone to your other device using a USB cord.
- Enter Settings or System Preferences on the device you'd like to tether.
- Under Network, choose [Your iPhone] under the list of available network options.
Android
Exact instructions may vary based on your phone model.
- Insert the SIM into your smartphone.
- Select Settings.
- Select More.
- Under Wireless & networks, select Tethering & portable hotspot.
- Check the box next to Portable Wi-Fi hotspot.
- Select Portable Wi-Fi hotspot settings - here you can edit the network name and password.
- On your computer or other device, select your new network from the list of networks and enter the password when prompted.
Note: If you are having issues with connecting your hotspot, please try entering "DUN" (without the quotations) as the APN type in your network settings.
For more information on APN settings click here.
Windows phone
- Insert the SIM into your smartphone.
- Select Settings.
- Under System, select internet sharing. Internet sharing will be turned off then you first open this screen. Turn it on and click setup.
- Enter a network name and password in the fields that appear.
- On your computer or other device, select your new network from the list of networks and enter the password when prompted.
BlackBerry 10
- Insert the SIM into your smartphone.
- Select Settings.
- Select Network Connections.
- Select Mobile Hotspot and continue through the prompts.
- Create a hotspot password when prompted and click Next.
- On your computer or other device, select your new network from the list of networks and enter the password when prompted.