If you're stuck in a situation where you need a Wi-Fi connection, but can't get it anywhere else, chances are your smartphone can give you the boost you need. . By setting up a hotspot via Wi-Fi or a USB cable, you can turn your phone into a source of the Internet that laptops, tablets, and other phones can use to connect.

It may sound complicated, but you can be connected with just a few clicks. Most major carriers offer tethering services, but your ability to create a Wi-Fi hotspot depends on your plan and data allowance.

One thing to keep in mind: tethering consumes battery power in addition to data. Investing in a portable charger is a good idea if you intend to use hotspot mode frequently. If you're ready to get online, here's how to turn your phone into a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Enable Wi-Fi hotspot with iOS devices

To set up a personal hotspot on your iPhone or iPad (Wi-Fi + Cellular), go to Settings > Personal Hotspot > Allow others to join and turn it on (if you don't see Personal Hotspot in Settings, tap Cellular > Personal Hotspot). Write down the Wi-Fi password.

Open the Wi-Fi menu of the device on which you need to connect to the Internet. Find your iOS device (ex: PCMag's iPhone), select it, then enter the password that appears on your iPhone's Personal Hotspot screen.

The iPhone and iPad also offer other ways to connect to your hotspot, including Bluetooth and direct USB connection. You may need to enable Maximize Compatibility for these connections to work, but keep in mind that your connection quality may be affected.

Once your secondary device is connected, you should now be able to surf the web (and consume mobile data). To sign out, turn off Personal Hotspot on your iOS device.

Enable Wi-Fi hotspot with Android devices

(Mobile hotspot on a Samsung phone running Android 10.)

How you access hotspots on Android devices depends on the phone you have and the version of Android you are running. You can usually open the drop-down shading and activate your mobile hotspot from there or find it buried in the settings.

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The exact location and name of this feature varies depending on your phone manufacturer. Samsung phones hide it in Connections > Mobile Hotspot and Tethering > Mobile Hotspot, while LG only asks you to tap Settings > Tethering. You can probably find it faster on your specific device by searching for "hotspot" or "tether".

Once the hotspot is enabled, there should be a network name and password displayed in the settings screen which can be used to connect another device to the internet.

Other Ways to Access the Internet

If you need a mobile hotspot but can't use your phone, there are a few alternatives to check out. For example, you can turn your laptop into a Wi-Fi hotspot. If you're a business traveler who needs to be connected all day, consider a dedicated Wi-Fi hotspot.