Use Your Phone as a Hotspot During a Power or Internet Outage

If your home internet or power goes out but your phone still has a cell signal, you can usually get your laptop back online within a minute using your phone as a hotspot. This guide covers how to turn it on, on both iPhone and Android.

Use your phone as a hotspot, step by step

A few tips

• Keep the default password, or set a strong one — Don’t leave a hotspot wide open to strangers nearby
• Keep your phone charged or plugged in — Running a hotspot uses extra battery
• Treat it as a bridge, not a fix — Great for getting through an outage, not a replacement for home internet

Recap: phone as a hotspot

• iPhone: Settings, Personal Hotspot, turn on Allow Others to Join
• Android: Settings, Network & internet, Hotspot & tethering
• Join using the name and password shown on your phone
• Keep it plugged in, and watch your data usage
• Need help staying connected? Call Naples Computers

Printable quick guide

• Phone as a Hotspot (1-page quick guide PDF)

Frequently asked questions

Does a phone hotspot use my home internet?

No. A phone hotspot uses your phone’s cellular data plan, not your home internet connection, which is exactly why it still works when your home internet or power is out.

Where do I find Personal Hotspot on an iPhone?

Open Settings, then Personal Hotspot. Turn on Allow Others to Join, then join from your laptop using the Wi-Fi password shown.

Where do I find the hotspot setting on Android?

Settings, then Network and internet, then Hotspot and tethering, then Wi-Fi hotspot. Turn it on, then join from your laptop using the hotspot name and password shown.

Will using a hotspot drain my phone’s battery?

Yes, running a hotspot uses more battery than normal, so keep the phone plugged in if you’ll be using it for a while.

Related guides

• How to connect an iPhone or Android phone to Wi-Fi
• What to do when the internet isn’t working
• Back Up Your Important Files

Source: Use Personal Hotspot on your iPhone (Apple Support)