Turn your Samsung Galaxy Note II, s3 or s4 into a wifi hotspot to share internet with your laptop wirelessly Marshmallow vs Lollipop vs Connect to a Mobile Hotspot with a Laptop (Windows) ... and 1 more

Unlike some phones, your Samsung is ready to share internet right out of the box.

Your Galaxy Note2, S3, or S4 can share the internet through a process known as 'Tethering,' using either a wired connection or a WiFi connection. The wired option is easiest, but you need to connect your phone to the other device with your charging cable, or another USB cable. For the purpose of the article, we'll be dealing with a wireless mobile hotspot.

You can connect anything to your Samsung Hotspot, from iPhones and iPads to Desktops, Laptops, and even PlayStation, Wii, and Xbox gaming consoles.

This guide explains in detail how to use your Samsung Galaxy Phone or Tablet to create a Mobile WiFi Hotspot, and use it with other devices to connect to the internet.

*Please Read* Not all cell phone carriers allow their users to use mobile hotspots. If you follow the steps below for your operating system and notice the Tethering/Mobile Hotspot option isn't available, your carrier may not offer with your plan. Contact your customer support branch for further inquiries.

Please remember to monitor your data usage carefully when you share your phone's connection.

Before setting up a Mobile Hotspot, you need to turn your data on.

1. 1
   On the home screen, tap the "Apps" shortcut.

   

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2. 2
   On the Apps screen, tap the "Settings" gear.

   

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3. 3
   On Settings, scroll down and tap "Data usage".

   

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4. 4
   On the Data usage screen, make sure the little box has a checkmark inside it.

   

   Once data is turned on, tap the white arrow in the upper left corner and head back to Settings.

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5. 5
   Back on Settings, scroll and tap, "Tethering and Mobile Hotspot".

   

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6. 6
   On the Tethering and Mobile Hotspot screen, tap "Mobile hotspot", then tap "OK" when prompted with the pop-up.

   

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7. 7
   With Mobile hotspot enabled, you can use the default network name and password (located halfway down the screen) or, you can set a custom name/password

   .

   If you use the default credentials, skip to Connect to a Mobile Hotspot with a Laptop.

   

   If you wish to customize your Mobile Hotspot, continue to the next step.

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8. 8
   To edit the network name and password, tap the three-dot menu in the upper right corner, then tap "Configure hotspot".

   

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9. 9
   Now you can configure your Mobile Hotspot further

   .

   Change the name and choose a new password, or change "Security" to "Open" if you want to bypass a password altogether.

   

   You also have the option to hide your device/hotspot which makes your connection invisible to other devices within range. With enabled, you'll have to search for it specifically on your laptop/tablet to connect.

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10. 10
    You can also customize your Hotspot to allow only certain devices to connect

    .

    On the Mobile Hotspot screen, tap the three-dot menu in the upper right corner, followed by "Allowed devices".

    

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11. 11
    On the Allowed devices screen, tap the "+" symbol in the upper right corner

    .

    Type in the name and mac address of the device (laptop/tablet).

    

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12. 12
    You can also adjust your Hotspot's Timeout settings

    .

    Tap the three-dot menu in the upper right corner, then "Timeout settings".

    

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13. 13
    Here is where you set how long the device waits before disabling your Mobile Hotspot

    .

    The timeout timer begins counting down when no devices are connected.

    

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Before creating a Mobile Hotspot, we'll make sure that your data is enabled.

Please be very careful with your data while sharing your connection via a hotspot. Bandwidth adds up quickly.

1. 1
   From your home screen, tap the "Apps" icon.

   

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2. 2
   While on Apps, tap the "Settings".

   

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3. 3
   On Settings, tap the "Connection" tab, then tap "Data usage".

   

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4. 4
   On the Data usage screen, make sure "Mobile data" has a checkmark next to it.

   

   When your data is enabled, head back to Settings by tapping the white arrow in the top left corner.

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5. 5
   Back in Settings, tap "More networks".

   

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6. 6
   On the More networks screen, tap "Tethering and Mobile hotspot".

   

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7. 7
   Inside Tethering and Mobile hotspot, toggle the switch in the top right corner.

   

   When you see the pop-up, tap "OK" to enable a Mobile hotspot.

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8. 8
   Now that Mobile hotspot is enabled, you can make your own network name and password, or stick with the default

   .

   Tap "Mobile hotspot" at the top to get the default password or to configure your Hotspot further.

   

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9. 9
   If you choose the default network name and password, skip to Connect to a Mobile Hotspot with a Laptop

   .

   If you want to use a custom password, continue to the next step.

   

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10. 10
    Inside Mobile hotspot, tap the soft menu button below the screen, then tap "Configure".

    

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11. 11
    Here you have the option to add a custom network name and password, or have no password and switch Security to "Open".

    

    You can also make your hotspot invisible to other devices that are in range

    .

    To use it you'll have to manually search for it from your laptop, desktop or tablet.

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12. 12
    To allow only selected devices to connect to your hotspot, tap the menu button below the screen, then "Allow devices".

    

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13. 13
    Add a device to your Allowed list by tapping the "+" sign in the upper right corner

    .

    Enter the name and mac address of the device and tap "OK".

    

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14. 14
    You can also edit your Hotspots Timeout settings

    .

    On Mobile hotspot, tap the soft menu button below the screen, then tap "Timeout settings".

    

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15. 15
    When nothing is connected to your Mobile hotspot, it will disable after the interval of time you selected here

    .

    If you never want your device to disable Mobile hotspot, select "Never time-out" from the list.

    

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1. 1
   With your Mobile Hotspot enabled, click the Internet Access icon on your taskbar

   .

   When the list of available connections appears, find your network and click "Connect".

   

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2. 2
   When asked for the Security key, enter the password (the default or the custom one you just created) for your Mobile Hotspot and click "OK".

   

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3. 3
   Once your laptop is connected, the network name will be displayed that the top of the list.

   

   By default, Windows will make a profile for your new network connection, allowing you to connect quickly in the future without entering any passwords.

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To quickly get help with your Samsung or Android WiFi Hotspot connection, simply select the item you need help with from the list below. This guide starts with how to activate WiFi Hotspot on your Samsung or Android Device, followed by how to connect another device to your Samsung or Android WiFi Hotspot, and ends with steps on how to fix common problems with your WiFi Hotspot. As ever, if you require additional help or assistance, just let us know, and we'll update this guide.

1. 1
   How do I turn on WiFi Hotspot with my Samsung Note2

   ?

   This section explains how to activate your Note II Wi-Fi Hotspot.

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2. 2
   How do I turn on WiFi-Hotspot with my Samsung Galaxy S3

   ?

   This section explains how to activate your Galaxy S III Wi-Fi Hotspot.

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3. 3
   How do I turn on WiFi-Hotspot with my Samsung Galaxy S4

   ?

   This section explains how to activate your Galaxy S4 Wi-Fi Hotspot.

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4. 4
   How do I Activate my Android or Samsung WiFi Hotspot on a Custom Build

   ?

   Here, you can learn how to activate your Hotspot with a custom Samsung or Android build.

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5. 5
   How do I Connect to my Samsung or Android WiFi Hotspot

   ?

   This section explains how to connect to your Droid or Samsung Wi-Fi Hotspot.

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6. 6
   How do I Get Help With a Technical Problem

   ?

   If you are having problems, visit our section on how to fix common connectivity problems with Wi-Fi Hotspots for additional information and solutions.

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Quickly and easily turn on WiFi Hotspot for your Samsung Note2.

Below you'll find screenshots and steps to activate WiFi Hotspot on your Note II.

1. 1
   From the 'Home' screen of your Note II, tap the 'Menu' button

   .

   You can find this button on the bottom left of your device.

   

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2. 2
   This will bring up a menu, which will show 'Settings' at the bottom

   .

   Tap 'Settings'.

   

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3. 3
   After tapping 'Settings', the 'Connections' menu will come up

   .

   Just under 'WiFi', 'Bluetooth', and 'Data usage' you'll see 'More networks'. Tap 'More networks'.

   

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4. 4
   On the 'More networks' Menu, you'll see four options under 'Network connections'

   .

   The fourth option is 'Tethering and portable hotspot'. Tap 'Tethering and portable hotspot'.

   

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5. 5
   This will bring up the 'Tethering and portable hotspot' Menu

   .

   You will see an ON / OFF slider next to the 'Mobile Hotspot' option. tap the switch to turn it 'ON'.

   

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6. 6
   When you tap the 'ON' switch, a pop-up window will appear, informing you that 'Turning on portable WiFi hotspot will turn off WiFi.' Tap 'OK' to continue setting up your WiFi Hotspot.

   

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7. 7
   Now you will be taken back to the 'Tethering and portable hotspot' Menu, where you'll see that the 'Mobile hotspot' has been turned on

   .

   While you're here, go ahead and tap 'USB tethering', which will let you connect through a USB cable as well.

   

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8. 8
   Once you've done that, you're done

   .

   Your WiFi Hotspot is now active. Connect and enjoy.

   

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9. 9
   If you experience problems connecting, please reference the technical section of this guide for troubleshooting tips.

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This section will help you enable WiFi Hotspot on the Samsung GS3.

The steps below will take you through each part of the process necessary to activate WiFi Hotspot on your Galaxy.

1. 1
   On the home screen, tap the 'Apps' icon.

   

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2. 2
   Inside 'Apps' you'll see the 'Mobile Hotspot' icon in the top right of your screen, tap it.

   

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3. 3
   This will take you to the 'Mobile Hotspot' Menu, where you'll see an ON / OFF slider

   .

   Go ahead and tap it one time to turn it 'ON'.

   

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4. 4
   Now you'll see that the menu changes, as your WiFi Hotspot is turned on, but it's not set up, and no devices are connected

   .

   To set it up, click the 'Configure' bottom, on the bottom left of this screen, as shown below.

   

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5. 5
   This will open the 'Configure Mobile Hotspot' Menu

   .

   From here you can change or update your device SSID (the name of it), and the password used to connect to it. Once you've input the settings you plan to use, go ahead and click 'Save'.

   

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6. 6
   That's it, you're done

   .

   Now your WiFi Hotspot should be broadcasting information, and you should be ready to connect other devices to it.

   

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7. 7
   If you experience problems connecting, please reference the technical section of this guide for troubleshooting tips.

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Turning on WiFi Hotspot is easy with the Galaxy S4.

Follow these simple steps to get WiFi Hotspot turned on with your Samsung GS4.

1. 1
   From the 'Home' screen of your device, tap the 'Menu' button

   .

   This button can be found on the bottom left of your device, as shown below.

   

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2. 2
   This will bring up a new menu

   .

   Near the bottom of this menu, you'll see 'Settings'. Go ahead and tap 'Settings'.

   

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3. 3
   Once you've tapped 'Settings', the 'Connections' Menu will come up

   .

   The fourth icon under the 'Network connections' list should be a blue icon with the words 'More networks' next to it. Tap on 'More networks' to continue.

   

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4. 4
   Once the 'More networks' Menu has opened, you'll see four options

   .

   The third option is 'Tethering and portable hotspot'. Go ahead and tap on 'Tethering and portable hotspot.'

   

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5. 5
   This will open the 'Tethering and portable hotspot' Menu

   .

   The first option in the list should be 'Mobile Hotspot', next to an ON / OFF slider. Now tap the 'Mobile Hotspot' option.

   

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6. 6
   Now you should see the 'Mobile Hotspot' Menu, and an explanation of the service

   .

   Go ahead and tap the ON / OFF slider to change it from 'OFF' to 'ON'.

   

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7. 7
   This will bring up a menu informing you that 'Turning on portable WiFi hotspot will turn off WiFi'

   .

   Go ahead and click 'OK'.

   

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8. 8
   Your WiFi Hotspot is now activated, and yo can begin connecting devices to it

   .

   If you would like to change or customize your device settings, simply click the 'Configure' button on the bottom right of this menu.

   

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9. 9
   If you experience problems connecting, please reference the technical section of this guide for troubleshooting tips.

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Connecting to your WiFi hotspot can be difficult for a first time user.

There are many variables in a wireless connection setup. Of course, if you're connecting multiple devices, or providing internet for a group of people in a meeting, there's no substitute for a wireless Hotspot. The instructions below are for Android and Samsung, though some of the menu names may differ slightly. If you've used the earlier parts of our guide, but still need some extra help to connect your Laptop, then this section is for you.

1. 1
   Click your 'Home' button and swipe

   .

   This should unlock your phone.

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2. 2
   Swipe from down from the very top of your screen

   .

   This will open the 'Notifications' screen.

   

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3. 3
   You will see a gear shaped 'Settings' icon in the top right corner

   .

   Tap it to open the 'Settings' menu.

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4. 4
   Look for the 'Connections Tab'

   .

   Tap it to open the 'Connections' menu.

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5. 5
   Now tap the 'More Networks' option, located under the Network connections section

   .

   This will open the 'Wireless and networks' sub-menu.

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6. 6
   Select the 'Tethering and portable Hotspot' option

   .

   Alternatively, if you don't have this, go to the 'Switches' tab, and tap on 'WiFi hotspot'.

   

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7. 7
   You should now see an option called 'Portable WiFi Hotspot'

   .

   It will have an ON / OFF slider, which you will tap to turn 'ON'.

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8. 8
   Now, in the lower right corner, you should see the 'Configure', or 'Set up WiFi Hotspot' button

   .

   Some versions of Android call it different things, but it's always the lower right corner button, so tap it.

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9. 9
   This up the sub-menu 'Configure portable WiFi hotspot'

   .

   

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10. 10
    Once here, tap on the 'Network SSID' area

    .

    Now, enter in a Hotspot name that you can easily identify as belonging to you, or to your device.

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11. 11
    Next, click on the 'Password' field and enter in a password that's easy to remember

    .

    This is the password you will use to connect to your Hotspot.

    

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12. 12
    When finished, tap 'Save.

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13. 13
    Next, tap the on/off slider at the top of the screen to activate your new Hotspot

    .

    

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14. 14
    At this point, you should be able to connect any other WiFi enabled device to your Hotspot

    .

    

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15. 15
    When connecting, the 'How to connect...' tip will show

    .

    Make sure you've always got the 'Allow all devices to connect' option at the top turned on, otherwise, you might not be able to connect.

    

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16. 16
    Note that sometimes you may need to wait for up to two minutes for certain laptops and other devices to connect and have the internet be usable

    .

    Usually, they connect right away, but the internet can take a minute or two to star actually working. You'll know this because your Laptop will likely inform you that it has 'no internet access' at first.  

    1. As a rule, if your phone has internet, then your Hotspot is working. If you get the 'no internet access' message, wait two or three minutes for it to go away before trying other troubleshooting steps.
    2. Sometimes the first connection attempt has to timeout before the system connects. In some cases, you may need to restart your Laptop, and or your phone.

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17. 17
    If you experience problems connecting, please reference the technical section of this guide for troubleshooting tips.

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Connecting your Samsung or Android to the internet by USB is a great way to get online.

One of the best things about connecting to the internet through your USB cable is that it will also charge your phone at the same time. That means that you can connect for longer because you won't be just draining your phone battery like you would if using it as a W-Fi Hotspot instead. The steps below will show you how to connect to the internet with your USB cable.

1. 1
   Open your phone and look for the gear shaped 'Settings' icon

   .

   It 's in the top right corner of your phone.

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2. 2
   Tap it

   .

   This will open the 'Settings' menu.

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3. 3
   Tap 'More settings'

   .

   This will open the 'Wireless and networks' sub-menu.

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4. 4
   The third option in this list is 'Tethering and portable hotspot'

   .

   Tap this option.

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5. 5
   Use your USB cable (also your power cable) to connect your phone to your Laptop.

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6. 6
   If it doesn't connect right away, give it a minute

   .

   Sometimes it takes a minute or two for your Laptop to auto install the drivers, so that it can use your phone to connect to the internet.

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7. 7
   When it does connect, you'll know, as the 'USB tethering' option will no longer be grayed out

   .

   Now tap to turn 'ON' the 'USB Tethering' option.

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8. 8
   At this point, you should have the internet on your Laptop

   .

    

   1. This process will create a 'new connection' on your Laptop. This is normal, and it's OK to trust this connection as a Home network.

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9. 9
   If you experience problems connecting, please reference the technical section of this guide for troubleshooting tips.

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• One of our contributors also made two sets of video instructions for connecting and turning on your Samsung WiFi Hotspot and Tethering it to your Laptop. Just please keep in mind that this article is always being updated, so the instructions here may be more up to date than the video guide.
  • Connecting and Turning on Your Samsung Hotspot
  • Tethering a Laptop to your Samsung

Connecting to your Android or Samsung WiFi Hotspot is quick and easy.

If you are trying to connect to a WiFi Hotspot signal from your Samsung or Android device, these steps will help you to get connected. Just find the device you're trying to connect in the list below and click it for instructions on how to get connected to your WiFi Hotspot.

Remember that your WiFi Hotspot should function just like any other wireless network, so it won't matter what kind of device you're trying to connect to it. Just make sure you have the right information, and you'll be able to connect in no time.

1. 1
   How do I connect an iPad to my Hotspot

   ?

   Read this section on how to connect your iPad to a Samsung Wi-Fi Hotspot if you need help connecting.

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2. 2
   How do I connect an iPhone to my Hotspot

   ?

   If you need help connecting your iPhone to a Hotspot, read this section.

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3. 3
   How do I connect a Nintendo Wii to my Hotspot

   ?

   This section will show you how to connect your Wii to a Hotspot.

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4. 4
   How do I connect a PlayStation to my Hotspot

   ?

   Here are the steps to get your Playstation connected to a Hotspot.

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5. 5
   How do I connect a Mac to my Hotspot

   ?

   For information on connecting your Mac to a Hotspot, please visit this section.

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6. 6
   How do I connect a Windows 8 Tab my Hotspot

   ?

   Please visit the section on connecting your Windows 8 Tab to a Hotspot for information.

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7. 7
   How do I connect an Xbox to my Hotspot

   ?

   Follow these steps to connect your Xbox to a Wi-Fi Hotspot.

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Easily connect your iPad.

If you've followed the steps in this guide, then your Android or Samsung phone is already set up and broadcasting a WiFi signal. Setting that connection up was the hard part. Now you just need to connect your iPad, and of course, make sure your data plan is active, so you have a constant internet connection.

1. 1
   On your iPad, locate the 'Settings' icon

   .

   Tap it.

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2. 2
   The second option down is a blue 'WiFi' icon

   .

   Tap this icon.

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3. 3
   You'll see a list of available wireless networks and Hotspots

   .

   Select your hotspot.

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4. 4
   If you did not set up a Hotspot password, then your device will automatically connect

   .

   Just wait from 10 to 30 seconds, and you should be able open Safari and test your internet connection.

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5. 5
   If you set up a password for your Hotspot, then the 'Enter Password' window will appear

   .

   Enter your password.

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6. 6
   On the bottom right side of your keypad, look for 'Join'

   .

   Press 'Join'.

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7. 7
   Wait 10 to 30 seconds, and your Hotspot connection should be active

   .

   Open your web browser to confirm that you have connectivity, and you're done. Good work.

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8. 8
   If you experience problems connecting, please reference the technical section of this guide for troubleshooting tips.

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Effortlessly connect your iPhone to your Hotspot.

Once you've got your Hotspot working with the steps provided earlier in this guide, it's a simple matter to connect your iPhone to the internet. You just need to make sure you're close enough to the WiFi signal from your Samsung phone to establish the connection. The steps provided below will help you connect your device.

1. 1
   Look for the 'Settings' icon on your iPhone screen

   .

   Tap it.

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2. 2
   Tap the blue 'WiFi' icon

   .

   This should be the second one down.

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3. 3
   Find your Hotspot in the list of wireless networks

   .

   Select it.

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4. 4
   If you followed the steps we gave earlier, you wouldn't have a password on your Hotspot, so you'll automatically connect to the network

   .

   To test, just open a web browser after waiting 10 to 30 seconds for the connection to be established.

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5. 5
   If you chose to set up a password, then you'll see the 'Enter Password' screen

   .

   Just type in your password.

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6. 6
   Now look for the 'Join' button on the lower right of your keyboard

   .

   Tap it to 'Join' the network.

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7. 7
   In about 10 seconds, but not more than 30, you should connect to the Hotspot

   .

   To test this, just open a web browser and make sure you can see web pages.

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8. 8
   If you experience problems connecting, please reference the technical section of this guide for troubleshooting tips.

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To connect to any network on the Mac OSX system, you simply click the wireless network signal icon at the top of the screen and follow a few simple steps. Here are the steps, with screenshots:

1. 1
   First, click on the wireless network signal icon in the upper right of your desktop screen

   .

   This will bring up a list of available networks.

   

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2. 2
   Select the wireless Hotspot you would like to connect to

   .

   In this case, we're going to use our AndroidAP connection again.

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3. 3
   Once you select the AndroidAp connection, you'll be asked for a password

   .

   Just type in the password you set up for your Samsung or Android Hotspot. Make sure to check 'Remember this network' so you won't have to repeat this step. If you're not sure about the characters you're typing for your password, go ahead and check 'Show password' to make sure you're typing in the right one. When you're done, click 'Join'.

   

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4. 4
   Now you'll see a check mark beside the Hotspot name

   .

   This indicates that you are connected, and the internet is ready for use.

   

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5. 5
   If you experience problems connecting, please reference the technical section of this guide for troubleshooting tips.

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Go online with any WiFi-enabled Nintendo Wii.

If your Nintendo Wii can connect to a WiFi signal, such as a wireless router, then you can also use your Samsung Hotspot to connect to it. Just keep in mind that you're going to want an unlimited bandwidth plan, as this will consume quite a bit of bandwidth.

You can play online with any PlayStation that supports WiFi connectivity.

The PS3 has built-in WiFi connectivity and so can connect to your Galaxy Hotspot. However, such connections can result is massive data charges - up to gigabytes at a time if you're downloading updates for a bandwidth intensive game like Call of Duty. Because of this, you'll want to make sure your system is already up to date before trying this, or that the data plan on your phone is unlimited.

This article is a stub and needs help from a contributor like you. What are you waiting for?

This section will explain the steps needed to connect a Windows 8 Tab to your Samsung or Droid Hotspot.

Your Windows 8 Tab functions just like a portable Windows computer, and connecting to a WiFi Hotspot is quick and easy. These are the steps you'll need to follow:

1. 1
   To start, swipe across the screen of your device from the top to bring up the 'Charms Bar', then tap 'Settings'.

   

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2. 2
   This will bring up the 'Quick Settings' options

   .

   Tap on the 'Wireless' symbol as shown.

   

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3. 3
   You will now be presented with a list of available wireless networks.

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4. 4
   Select the name of your wireless Hotspot, check the 'Connect Automatically' box, and tap 'Connect'

   .

   In this example, you'll see that we're connecting to AndroidAP, as shown below, in Step 5.

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5. 5
   You will now be prompted to enter the security information you set up when activating your Android or Samsung Hotspot

   .

   Type it in, and you will be able to connect.

   

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6. 6
   Now you'll see that the device is connected

   .

   From here you can browse the web, check email, or use any of the other 'connected' features on your Windows 8 Tab.

   

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7. 7
   If you experience problems connecting, please reference the technical section of this guide for troubleshooting tips.

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If your Xbox supports WiFi connectivity, you can go online with your Hotspot.

Playing your Xbox can be a lot of fun, but if you visit a friend or relative who doesn't have a good internet connection, or any, in the case of some relatives, it's still possible to go online with your Xbox. You just need to make sure your Samsung's data plan can support high usage, and of course that wherever you're going also has a strong enough signal. Then you can connect your Xbox WiFi to your Hotspot, and play online from anywhere you have a data connection.

If you're having trouble, we're here to help.

Sometimes things don't work the way they should. If you're experiencing problems trying to get your Samsung or Android WiFi Hotspot set up, or having difficulty connecting to it with another device, we can help. This section is filled with answers, tips, suggestions, and tricks you can use to fix or work around any problems you might be having. Just pick your problem from the list below, and click it for details.

1. 1
   What is the name of my WiFi Hotspot

   ?

   Here is how to find the name of your Wi-Fi Hotspot, and change or add a password if you would like to.

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2. 2
   Where can I find my MAC address

   ?

   If you need to, here is how you can find your MAC Address on a Samsung Galaxy or other Android device.

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3. 3
   What if WiFi won't work on my Samsung Galaxy S3

   ?

   If you are having problems with this, read our tips on how to get Wi-Fi to work on your Galaxy S3.

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It can be difficult to figure out which Hotspot is yours, especially in a crowded place.

When there are many Hotspot connections around, such as in a popular cafe, an office, or university campus, it can be very difficult to figure out which one is yours. This is especially true if you use the default settings, as we've suggested earlier. The reason for this is that the default name given to all WiFi networks is usually the model name of the device. When you're just setting things up, it's best not to change things around, but once you know what you're doing, you'll likely want to change it.

Here's how to see your Hotspot name, and change it if you would like to:

1. 1
   From the Home screen, tap 'Apps' or 'Applications'.

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2. 2
   Choose 'Settings'.

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3. 3
   Tap 'More'.

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4. 4
   Look for 'Tethering and portable hotspot', and then tap it.

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5. 5
   Tap 'Configure portable WiFi hotspot'.

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6. 6
   Now you'll see a text box under the 'Network SSID' field

   .

   That is the name of your WiFi network or Hotspot.

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7. 7
   Tap on that name and change it to anything you like

   .

   This will be the new name of your Mobile Hotspot or WiFi network.

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8. 8
   If you would like to set up a password now too, just tap in the password field, and put in any password that you like (and more importantly, that you'll remember).

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9. 9
   Tap 'Save' to save your settings.

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10. 10
    Now you can easily find your WiFi Hotspot.

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• These steps apply to the Samsung Galaxy Note2, Samsung Galaxy S3, and Samsung Galaxy S4.

You will probably never need your MAC Address to set up a WiFi Hotspot, but just in case...

1. 1
   1. 2
      From your Home screen, tap your 'App' menu icon to open the 'App' window.

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   2. 3
      Tap the 'Settings' icon.

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   3. 4
      Scroll down, and tap 'About Phone'.

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   4. 5
      Tap 'Status'.

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   5. 6
      You can see your MAC Address here.

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2. How to Find Your MAC Address Using a Different Method
   1. 1
      From the Home screen, tap the 'App' menu icon.

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   2. 2
      Tap 'WiFi'.

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   3. 3
      Scroll to the bottom of the menu, and tap on the 'Advanced Settings' option.

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   4. 4
      You'll be able to see your MAC address here.

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If you have followed the steps outlined earlier in this guide, and your Galaxy S3 still has no WiFi, here are some things you can try.

These procedures should be attempted one at a time. They are listed in the order of easiest, to most difficult. If the first one does not work, try the next one. One of these there procedures should work for you. These three procedures are:

• Clearing the system cache partition;
• Changing to a new IP address;
• Performing a factory data reset (last resort - back up all data first!)

Here are each of the procedures, and the steps necessary to perform each:

• The fastest way to share the internet from the Note II, S3, and S4 to your Laptop is by using a USB cable. **The USB connection method is the one least prone to error, assuming you have a working USB cable. It also provides the greatest length of time to be connected, because you'll be charging your phone while using the internet.
  • The WiFi method requires you to assign a password, get the password right, and understand basic WiFi concepts. While this sounds simple, it can present significant challenges to new users. If you are a new user, and just want a simple way to connect a single device, we strongly recommend trying the USB method first. It's also a better way to protect your data.
• Make sure to turn off automatic software updates on your connected computer, or you might get a nasty surprise in bandwidth charges from your mobile phone provider.
  • For example, if you fall asleep working at your Laptop while using your Samsung Hotspot, and your phone was plugged in, so it did not run out of power, you could stay connected all night. If Windows decided to run an especially large update during the night, you could wake up to huge charges on your bill.
  • Remember that cell companies around the world will burn you on your data bill if you go over your limit. Don't forget to turn off auto updates or MAKE SURE to disconnect your Hotspot when you're finished.
• If you share via WiFi, your phone is actively using its radio, which will reduce your battery life significantly.
• Using your Samsung Galaxy Note2 as a hotspot does not disable any feature that you have on the phone, except connecting to a WiFi network. This means that calls and SMS messages will still get through.
  • There is, however, a catch. When you receive a call, the WiFi hotspot will be cut off, temporarily disconnecting all of the connected devices for the duration of your call.
• Enabling WiFi hotspot will turn off your WiFi.
  
• Enabling WiFi hotspot will turn off your "Driving mode".
  
• You can allow up to 10 other devices to connect to your WiFi Hotspot.
  

Will using the phone as hotspot increase your data bill?

Devices have a technological limit to the amount of data they can accept and distribute to tethered devices. While connecting multiple devices to the hotspot will not immediately increase your data bill, it can lead to overage charges. Viewing web pages on a Laptop or desktop is much more data intensive than with a mobile device. Ads, images, videos, and extensive code are accessed frequently when a browser accesses web servers. Multiple devices accessing full web services will push the data usage over your monthly limit easily, so you should check with your device provider if you are unsure of your limits, and proceed with caution when it comes to using the hotspot.

My phone requires a MAC address for me to add my iPad. Where do I find that?

First of all, you should not have to enter the MAC address of your IP into your phone. Normally after turning on your hotspot, when you go into the WiFi section of you iPad settings, your Samsung Galaxy hotspot should show up. Then you just select it to connect and use the internet on your iPad through your Samsung Galaxy phone. However, just in case you need it, for this or other functions, here is how you get your iPad MAC address:

• Go into "Settings".
• Choose "General".
• Now choose "About".
• Scroll down until you find "WiFi Address". This is your iPad's Mac address.

Will I receive calls during the time my Note2 is being used as hotspot?

Simultaneous voice and data on your Samsung Galaxy Note2 is possible if you are under LTE. SVD or simultaneous voice and data is a network restriction. You can receive calls on your Note2 if you are under 3G, but will drop the data connection. This is the usual case with 3G and GSM Networks. Check with your network provider to see if it allows simultaneous voice and data transmissions.

My Note2 doesn't show the settings icon in the upper right corner or anywhere. What can I do next?

If you do not see the Settings option from your notifications bar, you can look for it from the list of applications on your phone or the app drawer. Look for an icon that looks like a gear icon; some devices display a logo that looks like an equalizer in dark blue color. Once you find that application, tap it, and you can configure some additional settings on your Samsung Galaxy S2.

Try to double check the applications on your phone. You should be able to see that in the list of applications as it is a core feature of a mobile device. Just double check

Video Tutorial

For your convenience, we have recorded these instructions in a video. You can watch this video to help clarify the instructions in this wiki. Please keep in mind this article is always being updated so that the instructions may be more up to date than the video. -- The VisiHow Team

[Wifi Hotspot Instructions]

[USB Tethering Instructions]

I cannot see the "Configure" button?

The "Configure" button is located on the lower part of your screen. It will come out once you open the Portable WiFi hotspot option on Settings > Connection Tab > More Networks > Tethering and portable hotspot > Portable WiFi Hotspot. The button can be seen as illustrated below:

To access the WiFi hotspot's configure options screen, go to settings>wireless and networks>tethering the portable hotspot. On the tethering screen, you can move the button to ON, but you will need to tap on it to access the portable hotspot screen. The configure button is on the bottom right. Check screenshots here:

http://screencast.com/t/GB1sHOYNtZ8

I have a Sprint Samsung Galaxy 3, once I get to more networks the directions don't match what I have available on my as options to select?

There is not an option for hotspot and tether on my Sprint Samsung Galaxy S3

Yes, after completing the update on your Samsung Galaxy S3 you can, in fact, locate the hotspot option in your settings>>under the connections tab>>tap on the hotspot.

See more questions like this: I need to "Port forward" #5198 & #5199 in order to run EchoLink, an Amateur Radio VoIP application. I'm running WIN XP SP3 & outward packet tests are successful, but inward tests fail. Internet access is through smartphone Samsung Galaxy S-III (Android

If you have problems with any of the steps in this article, please ask a question for more help, or post in the comments section below.

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