Your laptop is open and ready as you need to answer some emails or complete a work assignment, but there’s no Wi-Fi. A frustrating situation can finally be resolved with a simple solution to get you back online.
All you need is a device, either Apple or Android, with a cellular connection. Connections vary slightly depending on the device you are using.
First you need to set up your Personal Hotspot. Apple and Android mobile devices can share their data connections in the same way as Wi-Fi hotspots. This means you can get your laptop online and enjoy working with a full keyboard instead of tapping with your thumb. Your Personal Hotspot feature can also come in handy when you don’t want to use your computer on an unknown or unsecured Wi-Fi network.
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You can connect your computer to your Internet connection in three different ways, a process known as “tethering.” Let’s take a look at all three possibilities: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or USB, and how to choose which method to use.
Wifi
For most people, Wi-Fi tethering is the easiest way. It is simple and provides a fast connection.
While Wi-Fi tethering works very well and should be your first choice, if you’re concerned about battery drain you may want to consider Bluetooth instead. The trade-off is that you may experience a slow connection, so reserve this option for times when your battery is running low and there’s no outlet available.
Personal Hotspot supports Bluetooth connection with Mac, PC, and other third-party devices. To connect another iOS device, use Wi-Fi.
While just hooking up a cable can be convenient, there can be a speed trade-off with using USB tethering. You may prefer to stick with the Wi-Fi connection unless you have a technical issue that prevents you from using Wi-Fi.
Some carriers will throttle mobile hotspot data after a certain amount of usage. If you’re not sure what your plan allows, check your contract or talk to your carrier. With occasional light use, you probably won’t have to worry, but if you’re using it to stream a lot of high-quality video, or for other data-intensive purposes, you’re likely to have problems. May be.
Think of tethering as your Internet pinch hitter. It’s there when you need to make a call on it, but it doesn’t make sense as a daily way to get your computer online.
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