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What is a hotspot, and how does it work?
All hotspots create a WiFi network you can use to access the internet, but they differ in type and the qualities they offer.
A hotspot can be any place or device that provides wireless internet access. But with it being a pretty broad term, it can be split into different kinds of hotspots, which can also have different levels of security and convenience. Let’s take a closer look at everything you might want to know about hotspots.
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What is a hotspot?
A hotspot is a general term for any WiFi network that provides an internet connection to your mobile device. This includes a variety of networks, including free WiFi at hotels, cafes, or restaurants, password-protected networks at schools or libraries, and mobile hotspots that share internet from other devices.
Most hotspots are free, though you may encounter occasional paid hotspots.
How do hotspots work?
All hotspots require a wireless access point (WAP) in order to work. It’s a physical piece of hardware that creates the WiFi signal. Your device can use this signal to connect to the WiFi network, creating a wireless connection that provides internet access.
For most hotspots, a WiFi router works as a WAP, while dedicated mobile hotspots allow you to use your mobile phone or tablet as a WAP.
Types of hotspots
As we’ve already established, there are several different types of hotspots, each with its own distinguishing features. Let’s take a look at some of the most common ones.
- Public hotspot — also often referred to as “Free WiFi”, public hotspots can be found in most restaurants, cafes, hotels, or malls. They offer easy internet access on the go, but typically offer a slow internet connection and questionable security.
- Password-protected hotspot — you’ll often encounter hotspots that can only be accessed with a password. These are mostly used in universities, schools, or libraries. It allows the hotspot owner to better control who connects to the network and makes it more secure than an unprotected public hotspot.
- Mobile hotspot — also called a personal hotspot, or simply a hotspot, a mobile hotspot uses a mobile phone, tablet, or other mobile device to turn cellular data into a WiFi network. It’s super convenient and creates a secure, reasonably fast connection, though it can also quickly ramp up your mobile data usage.
- Pocket WiFi hotspot — similarly to a mobile hotspot, pocket WiFi typically uses data from a cellular network and turns it into a WiFi network. The main difference is that it requires a wireless, battery-powered pocket router to work, whereas you can simply use your phone to create a regular mobile hotspot.
The benefits of using a hotspot
In certain situations, using a hotspot can be beneficial, even if you could use your mobile data instead. The reasons for doing so can range from convenience to security. Here are some of the main benefits of using a hotspot.
- Connecting multiple devices — while some hotspots have a limit of how many devices can be connected at once, all of them allow multiple simultaneous connections. This means that you can enjoy an internet connection on all of your devices with a single network.
- Preserving mobile data — connecting to hotspots doesn’t drain away the data limit on your cellular plan, making it a great option when you use data-heavy apps or simply want to preserve data. This doesn’t apply if you’re using a mobile hotspot from your own device.
- Creating a secure wireless network — while public hotspots are known as potential security risks, you can create a really secure hotspot yourself. Use a reliable Virtual Private Network (VPN) on your phone and turn it into a mobile hotspot. Doing so will share the security of the VPN to all devices connected to the hotspot.
How to connect to a hotspot
As long as there’s a hotspot within reach of your device, connecting to one is really simple:
- Make sure the WiFi on your device is turned on, if it isn’t, turn it on.
- Open your WiFi settings, where you’ll find a list of available networks.
- Tap on the network you want to connect to and, if required, enter the WiFi password.
- Wait a few seconds for your device to connect to the WiFi network and enjoy the internet access.
How to use your phone as a mobile hotspot
If there are no WiFi networks available nearby but you need to use the internet on multiple devices, you can turn your own phone into a mobile hotspot. Here’s how you can do it depending on the device you have:
Creating a mobile hotspot on an iPhone
You can turn on the hotspot feature on your iPhone and start sharing your data connection by following these simple steps:
- Go to Settings.
- Open the Personal Hotspot settings menu.
- Toggle the Allow Others to Join option to the on position.
- Enter the WiFi password displayed on your screen when trying to connect to the network from another device.
To stop sharing your connection, simply toggle the Allow Others to Join option to the off position.
Creating a mobile hotspot on Android
The process of creating a hotspot on Android devices is fairly similar:
- Go to Settings.
- Open the Networks and Internet settings menus.
- Tap on Hotspot, then Tethering.
- Choose WiFi Tethering and turn on the hotspot. Your network name and password should be displayed on the same page.
To stop sharing hotspot data, simply turn the hotspot off. The exact steps can differ slightly depending on the make and model of your Android phone and the version of your operating system.
Not all phones can be used as mobile hotspot devices, but most modern smartphones can. So, unless you’re one of the people who cling to their old flip phone, you always have a smartphone hotspot in your pocket.
Share your data freely with Holafly
Now that you know how a mobile hotspot works, you might just want to use it more frequently. Holafly eSIMs give you the perfect platform to do so. All Holafly plans include unlimited data and up to 1 GB of phone hotspot sharing daily, which is more than enough to supply multiple connected devices with basic internet needs.
If you want to share more data, Holafly Connect is the way to go. It’s a monthly eSIM subscription service that allows you to access the internet in 170+ destinations worldwide.
The best part about it? The unlimited plan, priced at $64.90/month, includes unlimited hotspot sharing, so you’ll never have to worry about looking for WiFi access again. It’s perfect for digital nomads or frequent travelers that regularly need to keep multiple devices connected.
Enjoy unlimited portable hotspot capabilities, stay online for as long as you need, and stop the subscription whenever you need. No contracts or commitments needed.
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A senior SEO writer from Lithuania, combining my passion for writing and travel at Holafly. With years of experience in technical fields, I'm here to answer all of your questions about staying connected. I specialize in turning even the most complicated topics into something everyone can understand.
