What Is a Hotspot? How to Use a Hotspot Securely

The meaning of the term "hotspot" is simply a place or device that lets you get on the internet wirelessly.

A hotspot can be a Wi-Fi network in a stationary location — like a coffee shop or hotel — or it can be a mobile device like a smartphone that uses a cellular network to create and share a Wi-Fi connection.  

You can connect a laptop, tablet, phone or other device to the internet wirelessly via a hotspot — then work, browse, stream entertainment, etc. when away from home or even at home if you don't have home internet.

How do hotspots work?

Hotspots connect to the internet to get a cell signal, then broadcast it a Wi-Fi signal so nearby devices can connect.

You can use a public Wi-Fi hotspot if it's available. Or you can create a hotspot using your smartphone or mobile hotspot device — if your phone plan or tablet data plan supports it. For example, you might use your smartphone’s hotspot feature to connect your laptop so you can work from anywhere. 

If you're just getting your own phone plan for the first time and don't have a reliable Wi-Fi connection in locations you frequent, this is a feature you should definitely consider when shopping.

What is hotspot data?

When you use your phone or other device to create a hotspot, it's using data from your cell phone plan. Some plans give you a specific amount of mobile hotspot data each billing period, others just give an overall data amount to be used for any purpose including hotspot. And some plans don't allow hotspot data usage at all.

When selecting a phone plan, make sure you consider whether you'll want to use your phone as a hotspot and then check out how much hotspot data various plans allow.

Types of hotspots 

Cell phone hotspot (personal hotspot): Most smartphones have a feature that lets them use cellular data to create a Wi-Fi connection so other devices can connect to the internet through them.

Public Wi-Fi hotspot: A Wi-Fi network in a set location that’s available for wide public use or to a targeted group of people, like customers. 

Mobile hotspot device: You can buy a separate dedicated mobile hotspot device that works similarly to a phone hotspot but creates a better connection or lets more devices connect.  

Here’s what to know about using the different types of hotspots securely. 

Personal hotspot on your cell phone

Your smartphone may have a personal hotspot feature that lets you use your phone’s mobile data to connect other phones, laptops or tablets to the internet. Connecting another device through your phone is called tethering.  

How do I use my phone as a hotspot? 

Make sure your phone plan includes personal hotspot data and verify how much. Plans typically cap usage of high-speed data to a set amount of gigabytes. There will also be a limit on how many devices you can connect at once. 

When you use your cell phone as a hotspot it typically will require a password from connecting devices, unless they're on the same account or part of a family sharing group.

Note: Hotspots are often one of the perks included in family plans, and if you're considering leaving your parents' plan, it would be worthwhile to find an alternative plan that will also include mobile hotspot.

Turn on personal hotspot on your phone: 

Android:  

1. Swipe down from the top -> tap Hotspot. (You may have to tap the Edit pencil icon and drag Hotspot into your Quick Settings if you don’t find it there.) Turn on Wi-Fi Hotspot. 
2. Tap on the Hotspot Name and the Password fields to see or change them. (Changing the password disconnects any devices that are on your hotspot.) 

IPhone:  

1. Go to Settings -> tap Personal Hotspot -> toggle on Allow Others to Join. 
2. Tap on Wi-Fi Password to view or change the password. (Changing it will bump off any users who are connected.) Find the name of your device in the text below the password field.  
3. Keep that screen open on your phone while the other device connects. 
4. You can use Family Sharing to let family members join without entering the password. Turn on Family Sharing in the Personal Hotspot screen and select which members can join automatically and which must get your approval to join.  

Connect other devices to your phone: 

Android:  

1. On the device that’s connecting, open Wi-Fi, then enter the hotspot name and password. 
2. Or connect with Bluetooth. Pair the devices, then turn on Bluetooth Tethering by touching and holding Hotspot on your device. 
3. Or connect with a USB cable. Once your phone is connected to the other device, touch and hold Hotspot, then choose USB Tethering. 

IPhone:  

1. On the other device, go to Settings -> Wi-Fi and then tap your hotspot name and enter the password. (Devices on the same Apple account will connect automatically, without needing to enter the password.) 
2. To connect via Bluetooth, go to Settings -> Bluetooth and stay on that screen. On the other device, find Bluetooth in Settings. 
3. To use a USB, connect your phone to a Mac using a USB cable. Tap Trust if you get a prompt saying “Trust this computer?”  

Security tips for phone hotspots

• Set a password for your phone's hotspot connection or change the default one it came with. As with all passwords, make it complex and not easily guessable, and update it often.
• Share your hotspot only with devices or users you know. Check for connected devices and disconnect anyone you don't know or haven't allowed.
• Don't leave your hotspot on all the time, turn it on only when needed.
• Check the encryption level you're using. Android users should check under Settings -> Hotspot & Tethering (or Network) -> Wi-Fi Hotspot. From there, tap on Security and switch from WPA2 up to WPA3 if it's available. On iPhones, as long as you're using iOS 15 or newer you automatically use WPA3 encryption.
• Use a VPN on your device (and have one on your phone if you're using someone else's hotspot connection).

You may also want to change the name of your phone's personal hotspot (its SSID). For example, iPhones default to showing your phone's name, such as "Anna's iPhone." You may want to be more anonymous in public. Here's how to change your SSID name:

On iPhone: Go to Settings -> General -> About -> Name and enter a new name.

On Android: Go to Settings -> Network & Internet (or Connections) -> Hotspot & Tethering -> Wi-Fi Hotspot (or Mobile Hotspot). That opens up the hotspot settings, where you'll see the current name or SSID and can change it.

How much should I pay for using hotspot data?  

You’ll need a phone data plan that supports personal hotspot use. Check your plan’s details — you might already have hotspot data included. If not, you will have to upgrade to another plan. Think about how often you'll use your phone as a hotspot, and how much data you tend to use, so you can pick a plan that covers you without overspending.  

Which carriers and phone plans offer mobile hotspot data? 

All three major carriers — AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon — offer hotspot data on some of their postpaid or prepaid phone plans. Check the plan details to see how much mobile hotspot data you’ll get for your money and at what data speeds.  

In addition, several but not all MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) offer mobile hotspot data on some or all plans. As always, read the plan details to understand whether hotspot data is included, how much and at what speeds. 

How to monitor your hotspot data use 

If your phone plan has a limit on data or you’ve chosen a prepaid plan, you’ll want to keep an eye on how much you’ve used during the billing cycle.  

Android:  

• Go to Settings -> Network & Internet and tap Internet (or, on a Pixel, tap SIMs).  

• Tap on the Settings icon for your carrier to see total data. 

IPhone:  

• Go to Settings -> Cellular and scroll down to the Cellular Data display. 

Be sure to turn off your hotspot when it’s no longer needed. 

Pros and cons of personal phone hotspots 

Public Wi-Fi hotspots  

Businesses and public facilities often offer a public Wi-Fi hotspot — think restaurants, hotels, libraries, community centers, etc. They may be open to anyone or available only to paying customers, and you might need a password to sign in.  

How do you connect to a public hotspot? 

Open Settings and go to Wi-Fi, then click on the hotspot offered by a business or other public location. Verify the exact name and be sure it’s spelled correctly — hackers sometimes set up look-alike sites to get access to people's sensitive data in a type of phishing scam. 

You may or may not need to enter a password for a public hotspot.

Security tips for using public Wi-Fi

Even if public Wi-Fi is password-protected, it's still not fully safe. Follow these safety tips:

• Don’t do sensitive tasks like banking or share key information such as entering your Social Security number in a form.   
• Look for indications the websites you’re visiting are secure: a URL starting in “https” and a padlock symbol. 
• Consider using a VPN, or virtual private network. These services encrypt your web usage to make it more secure and private.   

Pros and cons of public Wi-Fi hotspots

How to get free hotspot 

If you’re in a spot that typically offers free Wi-Fi as a perk, check for a sign with the name of the network, and password if needed, or ask the staff. You can also open your phone’s setting and go to Wi-Fi to see what networks show up nearby. 

You could also download an app that maps out free Wi-Fi spots and provides info like the connection speed. Go to the Apple App Store or Google Play to see what’s available.  

Dedicated mobile hotspots 

You can buy a separate device to create a hotspot if you don’t want to use your phone. These small devices create a secure Wi-Fi connection using cellular data, and they tend to be faster and more reliable than a cell phone hotspot connection.  

However, you need a separate SIM card or an eSIM, and a hotspot data plan covering the device.  

Pros and cons of dedicated mobile hotspots  

How much should I pay for a dedicated mobile hotspot?  

Maybe you use your phone hotspot a lot — say you really love working in coffee shops — and are routinely draining your battery or exceeding your phone plan’s data limit. Consider buying a dedicated device to provide a mobile hotspot if it fits in your budget. Expect to pay around $200 or higher, and factor in that the device needs data and a SIM card. Search your carrier’s website to see if it offers deals on hotspot devices and compare to prices elsewhere, such as big-box stores.  

Security tips for using your dedicated mobile hotspot

Treat it like you would your phone's hotspot:

• Set a password or change the default one it came with. Update the password often.
• Share access only with devices or users you know. Check what devices are connected and kick off any you don't know or haven't allowed.
• Turn it on only when needed.
• Make sure you have encryption on and set to the highest possible (WPA-3 is better than WPA-2).
• Use a VPN.
• Change the default name (SSID).

FAQs about hotspots