This wikiHow teaches you how to use the cellular data connection on your iPhone or Android to connect your computer to the internet. This process is known as tethering. However, not all cellular service providers support this process. If the cellular service provider you are using supports tethering, keep in mind that this process can increase your monthly cellular data quota usage so that your quota limit can run out faster.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Tethering on iPhone Over WiFi
Step 1. Open the iPhone settings menu (“Settings”)
This menu is indicated by a gray gear icon on the home screen.
Step 2. Touch Personal Hotspot
It's at the top of the settings page, just below the “ Cellular " (or " Mobile Data ”).
Step 3. Slide the Personal Hotspot switch to the on position (right direction)
When shifted to the right, the switch label will change from " Off " to " On ". Now, your iPhone's wireless hotspot is active.
Touch the option " Wi-Fi Password ” to change your iPhone hotspot password.
Step 4. Click the WiFi icon on the computer
This icon is a curved line that appears in the lower-right corner of the screen (for Windows) or the upper-right corner of the screen (for Mac).
On Windows, you may need to click the “ ^ ” in the lower right corner of the screen first to see the WiFi icon.
Step 5. Click the name of your iPhone
In the WiFi pop-up window, you can see the name of the iPhone.
On a Windows computer, click the “ Connect ” in the lower-right corner of the WiFi pop-up window to continue.
Step 6. Enter iPhone hotspot password
You'll see the password next to the "Wi-Fi Password" menu heading in the middle of the "Personal Hotspot" page on iPhone.
Step 7. Click Next (Windows) or Join (Mac).
As long as the correct password is entered, the computer will be prompted to connect to the iPhone hotspot.
Method 2 of 4: Tethering on iPhone Via USB
Step 1. Connect iPhone to computer
Use the USB charging cable that came with the device purchase to do this.
Step 2. Open the iPhone settings menu (“Settings”)
This menu is indicated by the gray gear icon usually found on the home screen.
Step 3. Touch Personal Hotspot
It's at the top of the settings page, just below the “ Cellular " (or " Mobile Data ”).
Step 4. Slide the Personal Hotspot switch to the on position (right direction)
The switch label will change from " Off " to " On ". After a few moments, your computer will recognize the connected iPhone as a wired internet network.
Method 3 of 4: Tethering on Android Over WiFi
Step 1. Open the Android settings menu (“Settings”)
This menu is indicated by the gear icon which is usually displayed on the application page (App Drawer).
Step 2. Touch More
It's under the "Wireless & networks" section, at the top of the settings page.
On Samsung devices, select “ Connections ”.
Step 3. Tap on Tethering & portable hotspot option
It's in the middle of the screen.
On Samsung devices, touch the option “ Mobile HotSpot and Tethering ”.
Step 4. Touch Set up mobile hotspot
It's at the top of the page.
On Samsung devices, select “ Mobile Hotspot, then touch the option “ ⋮ ” in the upper-right corner of the screen. After that, select " Configure Mobile HotSpot ”.
Step 5. Set up the hotspot of your Android device
To set it, enter the following information:
- “ Network name ” – The name of this hotspot or network will be displayed in your computer's wireless network manager.
- “ Security " - Choose " WPA2 ” from the displayed menu.
- “ Password ” – Enter the login password you want to use.
Step 6. Touch Save option
It's in the lower-right corner of the WiFi hotspot window.
Step 7. Slide the switch next to the “OFF” label to the right (on position)
It's at the top of the screen. After that, the Android device hotspot will be activated.
Step 8. Click the WiFi icon on the computer
This icon is a curved line that appears in the lower-right corner of the screen (for Windows) or the upper-right corner of the screen (for Mac).
On Windows, you may need to click the “ ^ ” in the lower right corner of the screen first to see the WiFi icon.
Step 9. Click the network name of your phone
This name is the network name you entered earlier.
Step 10. Enter the hotspot password
The password entered is the password you previously set.
Step 11. Click Next (Windows) or Join (Mac).
As long as the correct password is entered, the computer will be prompted to connect to the device's hotspot.
Method 4 of 4: Tethering on Android Via USB
Step 1. Connect your Android device to the computer
You can connect it using the device's charging cable.
Step 2. Open the Android settings menu (“Settings”)
This menu is indicated by the gear icon which is usually displayed on the application page (App Drawer).
Step 3. Touch More
This option is under the "Wireless & networks" settings section.
On Samsung devices, select “ Connections ”.
Step 4. Touch Tethering & portable hotspot
It's at the top of the page.
On Samsung devices, select “ Tethering and Mobile HotSpot ”.
Step 5. Slide the USB tethering switch to the on position (right direction)
After that, you should see a USB triple icon appear in the top left corner of the screen. Your computer will also recognize the phone as a wired internet network.
Tips
- When tethering wirelessly, make sure the phone is within about 3 meters of the computer.
- If you don't have the option of tethering your phone's settings, try contacting your cellular or cell phone service provider about activating the tethering feature. There is a possibility that these features need to be given permission first by the cellular service provider before you can access them.
