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How to share the internet on mobile devices

Here you will find instructions to share the internet connection from your mobile device whether with the Android, iPadOS, or iOS operating system.

Sharing the internet connection can also be known as "tethering" in English or creating a "Hotspot" or connection point so that one or more devices like computers, tablets, or mobile phones can connect and use the mobile data connection of a SIM card.

If you have a data plan with sufficient gigabytes, you can share them with other devices via Wi-Fi, USB cable, or Bluetooth.

Use the search engine or browse through the most searched devices by users; you will find information on how to share the internet by creating a Wi-Fi network or network tethering for your specific model step by step with images, as well as user questions and answers about the problems they usually encounter when sharing data with other devices.

What is tethering and how does it work?

Tethering is a feature that allows sharing an Internet connection from a mobile device with other devices, such as laptops, tablets, or other phones. In other words, your mobile acts as a portable router, using the mobile data from your plan to provide Internet access to other equipment.

Types of tethering

There are three main ways to share the Internet through tethering:

• Wi-Fi tethering: this is the most common option. The mobile creates a Wi-Fi network that other devices can connect to by entering a password. It is ideal for connecting multiple devices wirelessly.
• USB tethering: allows sharing the Internet by connecting the mobile to a computer via a USB cable. It is more stable and faster than Wi-Fi, and also charges the mobile at the same time.
• Bluetooth tethering: consumes less battery than Wi-Fi, but usually offers a lower speed. Useful for occasional connections or when you don't want to use cables.

Requirements to use tethering

• Have an active data plan with coverage.
• That the mobile operator allows the use of tethering (some plans limit it).
• A compatible device (most current mobiles are).
• In the case of USB or Bluetooth tethering, that the operating system of the other device allows it.

How much Internet is consumed by sharing data?

Sharing mobile data from your device, whether by Wi-Fi, USB, or Bluetooth, does not consume more data by itself, but the connected devices can generate much higher usage than you would expect if you were just browsing from the mobile.

Factors affecting data consumption

• Type of content being used:
  • Basic web browsing: between 150 and 250 MB per hour.
  • Music streaming: about 100 MB per hour in standard quality.
  • Video streaming:
    • 480p (SD quality): ~700 MB per hour.
    • 720p (HD): ~1 GB per hour.
    • 1080p (Full HD): ~1.5 to 3 GB per hour.
• Video calls: between 500 MB and 1.5 GB per hour, depending on the app and quality.
• Downloads and updates: can consume several GB in a few minutes.
• Operating system of the connected device: many computers and tablets update apps, sync files, or download data in the background without the user noticing.
• Number of devices connected: the more devices share the connection, the higher the total consumption will be.

How to avoid excessive data consumption when sharing Internet

Sharing Internet from your mobile can be very useful, but it can also quickly deplete your data plan if you don't take precautions. Below, we show you several ways to avoid excessive data consumption when using tethering or hotspot.

• Control which devices connect
  Avoid unnecessary devices connecting. If you share your Wi-Fi network, protect access with a password and disable the hotspot when you're not using it. On some Android devices, it is possible to see connected users and block them.
• Disable automatic updates
  On computers or tablets connected to the mobile, disable automatic updates of the operating system, programs, and applications:
  • Windows/macOS: Pause updates in the system settings.
  • Android/iOS (on connected devices): Use the "data saver" mode.
• Use mobile or light versions of websites
  When browsing the Internet from a computer, try accessing mobile versions or using browsers like Opera or Brave, which compress data and block ads.
• Avoid streaming in high quality
  Watching videos on YouTube, Netflix, or TikTok in HD or Full HD can consume several GB per hour. Always set the quality to low or medium when using shared data.
• Monitor real-time consumption
  From the mobile settings, you can see how much data has been consumed and set alerts or limits. On Android, go to Settings > Network and Internet > Data usage. On iOS, go to Settings > Mobile data.
• Activate data saver mode
  Both Android and iOS, macOS, and Windows offer a data saver mode that reduces consumption by limiting background processes. Activate it on the device receiving the connection while sharing Internet.
• Close background apps
  On computers, close applications like Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, or cloud services that may automatically sync files and consume a lot of data without you noticing.

Why does the Wi-Fi disconnect when you activate the hotspot?

When you activate the hotspot or Wi-Fi access point on your mobile, it is normal for the device to automatically disconnect its Wi-Fi connection. This happens because it cannot use Wi-Fi to connect to a network and at the same time broadcast a new Wi-Fi network for other devices.

The mobile's hardware has a unique Wi-Fi module that cannot function as a client (to receive a signal) and as a transmitter (to share a signal) simultaneously.

When you activate the hotspot, the mobile uses the mobile data network as a connection source and broadcasts a Wi-Fi signal for other devices to connect to it.

However, there is an exception: some newer Android phones or those with modified system versions (such as Samsung or Xiaomi with MIUI) can share a Wi-Fi connection through a feature called “repeater” or “share Wi-Fi,” but it is not the same as a normal hotspot. In this case, the mobile acts as a bridge between a Wi-Fi network and another device, but this feature is not available on all models.

How to share data across brands:

If you prefer, you can find instructions for sharing data from your device by searching for the brand. You will also find solutions to the most common problems that users have when sharing the Internet by creating a Wi-Fi network or via USB. Click on the brand of your device to see step by step how to do it.

Questions and problems from users about "How to share the internet on mobile devices"