22-Aug-2024
What is Mobile Hotspot & Tethering? Difference, eSIM Hotspot Setup
When you're far from a Wi-Fi network, You will be advised to enter hotspot and tethering which are two powerful features that turn your smartphone into a personal internet connection. A mobile hotspot creates a portable Wi-Fi network that multiple devices can connect to, while tethering is sharing your phone’s internet connection through Wi-Fi, USB, or Bluetooth. Whether you're working remotely, traveling, or simply need to connect a laptop to the internet, these features come up there as a solution. Now you’ll be confused between these terms as if what could be the right solution upon your requirements that time, don’t worry our guide is clarifying each and every aspect along its side.
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What is a mobile hotspot ?
Mobile hotspot is a type of feature present in most modern smartphones, from which you can share your mobile data connection with other devices such as smartwatches, tablets or laptops. When you enable the mobile hotspot, your phone creates a small Wi-Fi network that other devices can connect to, just like they would connect to a standard Wi-Fi network. By enabling the mobile hotspot your phone creates a small WiFi network that other devices can connect to just like a standard WiFi network.
What is tethering?
Tethering is basically connecting one device to another, which is done by the WiFi, USB or Bluetooth. Tethering does provide smooth and strong internet connection or access. Tethering is limited to one or two devices connected for internet access.
Bluetooth tethering:
Bluetooth tethering is eventually less battery consumer than the mobile hotspot, but it is slower and have short range to work properly. Here's how to do Bluetooth tethering:
Pair your phone with the other device.
- Set up the other device to get its network connection by Bluetooth.
- Go to phone's Settings app
- Tap Network & internet
- Click on Hotspot & tethering.
- Tap Bluetooth tethering
USB tethering :
Connecting two devices via a USB cable in between the connection which it does offer. USB tethering could be more flexible and will have a stronger connection than mobile hotspot because it does not require WiFi connection.
- First connect your phone to the other device using a USB cable.
- Go to your phone’s Settings app
- Tap Network & internet
- Select Hotspot & tethering
- Turn on USB tethering option there
What is WiFi tethering?
For Wi-Fi tethering you have to turn your phone into a portable WiFi hotspot and connect to another device for sharing your smartphone's mobile data connection. When you enable Wi-Fi tethering on your phone, it creates a small, local Wi-Fi network that other Wi-Fi-enabled devices like laptops, tablets, or other smartphones can connect to. Given are the steps to Set Up Wi-Fi Tethering:
For Android:
Settings > Network & Internet or Connections > Hotspot & tethering > WiFi Hotspot(toggle it on) > put in the device’s password and SSID to configure Hotspot
You may connect other devices by the same process.
For iPhone:
Go to Settings > Cellular > Personal Hotspot > Allow others to join > Set or check WiFi password .
Mobile Hotspot Vs Tethering: What’s the difference
Wifi tethering and mobile hotspot are the terms differ at many a spaces further and it may causes further extinction with it:
Connectivity
WiFi hotspot shows a direct combination of the multiple devices connected to each other while tethering is the direct connection of the devices for the sake of data connection .WiFi tethering is limited to one or fewer devices while my mobile hotspot can connect multiple devices to it.
Battery Usage
Mobile hotspot consumes more battery because it telecasts the direct WIFi signal continuously than tethering. The slower connection and limited range might not be best for all situations and all cases.
Convenience
Mobile hotspot is highly convenient for sharing your connections with multiple devices wirelessly. It is done only in your mobile phone’s settings.
Speed and Stability
Depending on your mobile network's strength, tethering offers better speed than mobile hotspot. Since tethering uses Wi-Fi, the connection is wireless and can support high-speed data transfer. It offers a more stable connection and can give more strength to it.
Security
WiFi hotspot and tethering both may have security risks but we can differentiate them as tethering is a direct USB or bluetooth connection to the other device while Wifi hotspot can make unauthorized access to our device if the password is weak.
How to Setup an eSIM Hotspot on iPhone & Android?
The process of setting up an eSIM hotspot on iPhone or android is simple and straightforward. Following are the steps for both android and iPhone.
On iPhone:
- Go to Settings
- Tap on Cellular and then on Cellular Data network
- In Cellular data section, tap APN and enter APN details you are provided from your carrier and under personal hotspot put APN details there
- Go to settings then personal hotspot and toggle the switch on. After entering provided password share your data plan then .
On Android:
- Open Settings on your phone
- Go to Network & Internet and then Mobile Network
- Tap on APN and put APN details you are provided by your carrier
- Go to Settings then Network & Internet
- Tap Hotspot and tethering and toggle the switch on
Are Mobile Hotspot and WiFi tethering similar terms?
Yes, Wifi tethering and Mobile Hotspot refers to the process of sharing your smartphone's mobile data connection with other devices by creating a Wi-Fi network.When you turn on your mobile hotspot, your phone becomes a portable Wi-Fi router. While WiFi tethering is the broader term that describes the method of sharing your phone’s internet connection with other devices via Wi-Fi. In simple terms enabling a mobile hotspot means you're using Wi-Fi tethering to share your connection.
