Connecting to a Mobile Hotspot

This article is to walk through the steps needed to connect to a mobile hotspot on both a Mac and a PC using both Android and Apple phones. 

This is a secondary option if local wifi internet is down or having connection issues. The mobile hotspot connection allows you to use your phone's network to reach the internet from your computer. It is recommended to have a large data plan or unlimited data plan if you choose to use this system on a regular basis to connect to the internet.

Streaming like zoom calls can take a lot of data so having a large data plan is a must. Zoom can take up to 2.4gb/hr on full 1080p video. On average, you would be looking at 1.35gb/hr for 720p multiple user zoom calls. If you would need to run many zoom calls a month from your hotspot, please reach out to your phone service provider to confirm you have a large enough data plan to prevent additional and unexpected charges. 

Connecting to an Apple Hotspot from a Mac

First you will need to turn on the hotspot on your phone. To do so, proceed to settings.

Once you have entered settings, select "personal Hotspot"

Once you have entered the "Personal Hotspot" menu, Enter a password and select "Allow Others to Join." 

Now that the hotspot is turned on, we will connect our computer to the hotspot (you will need to have your phone unlocked with the screen on during these steps)

1. Select your WiFi drop down in the top right corner of the screen

2. You should now see you phone show up under the available WiFi networks as shown in the picture

You will be prompted for your hotspot password

Once you enter your password, you will be connected to your phone's hotspot connection.

Once you are done using this connection, you can turn off the hotspot following the instructions at the top of this list.

Connecting to an Apple Hotspot from a PC

First you will need to turn on the hotspot on your phone. To do so, proceed to settings.

Once you have entered settings, select "personal Hotspot"

Once you have entered the "Personal Hotspot" menu, Enter a password and select "Allow Others to Join." 

Now that the hotspot is turned on, we will connect our computer to the hotspot (you will need to have your phone unlocked with the screen on during these steps)

1. In the bottom tray area, select your WiFi connection

2. Disconnect from your current WiFi network

3. Select your Hotspot network and click connect

4. Enter your Hotspot password

5. If you are on your home network, you can select yes.

Once you are done using your hotspot, disconnect and turn off the hotspot on your phone

Connecting to an Android Hotspot from a Mac

Follow this link for instructions on how to turn on your android hotspot

-https://www.androidauthority.com/mobile-hotspot-setup-631280/

Once your hotspot is on, follow the following directions on your computer

1. Select your WiFi drop down in the top right corner of the screen

2. You should now see you phone show up under the available WiFi networks as shown in the picture

You will be prompted for your hotspot password

Once you enter your password, you will be connected to your phone's hotspot connection.

Once you are done using this connection, you can turn off the hotspot following the instructions at the top of this list.

Connecting to an Android Hotspot from a PC

Follow this link for instructions on how to turn on your android hotspot

-https://www.androidauthority.com/mobile-hotspot-setup-631280/

Once your hotspot is on, follow the following directions on your computer

1. In the bottom tray area, select your WiFi connection

2. Disconnect from your current WiFi network

3. Select your Hotspot network and click connect

4. Enter your Hotspot password

5. If you are on your home network, you can select yes.

Once you are done using your hotspot, disconnect and turn off the hotspot on your phone