[NFBCS] question about wifi hotspots

Wed Aug 18 19:12:30 UTC 2021

hello.
in my case, orange is pretty cool when it comes to mobile data, but i have an actual technical question. i'm using a mac, and some hand off features require me to be connected on the same wi-fi network. how do i do that with my iphone so i can answer calls on my mac if i'm using it as a mobile hotspot?
thank you.

> On 18 Aug 2021, at 4:27 PM, Elizabeth Campbell via NFBCS <nfbcs at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Charles, thank you for this information, I really appreciate it. I also
> have an unlimited data plan from AT&T, but it doesn't include the hotspot.
> 
> On Tue, Aug 17, 2021 at 10:21 PM Charles Vanek via NFBCS <nfbcs at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfbcs at nfbnet.org>>
> wrote:
> 
>> All the advice is good, I’ll just add that I use AT&T with an unlimited
>> data plan.  I didn’t know when I switched to unlimited data that the
>> hotspot tethering then didn’t automatically come with the plan.  It is an
>> additional $5/mo per phone but even on our 4 phone plan you can activate on
>> just one phone.  This then provides unlimited data to the phone but 30GB/mo
>> to whatever uses the hotspot.
>> 
>> AT&T does allow me to add/drop the tethering with no extra charge.  So if
>> I know I’m not going to use it I can drop it and pick up later. Most often
>> I use it when hotels have paid internet or they have free internet but at
>> darn near dial up modem speeds.
>> 
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> 
>>> On Aug 17, 2021, at 4:31 PM, Joseph C. Lininger via NFBCS <
>> nfbcs at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Greetings Liz,
>>> I've done it both ways. Originally, I had a MyFi hotspot. The initial
>> setup required a little assistance, but just enough to get someone to tell
>> me how to access the web interface. The device can be configured via a web
>> interface just like regular WiFi routers. The on-device interface is not
>> accessible, but I never needed to use it other than to bring up the screen
>> that told me the initial admin password which I promptly changed. This was
>> back in 2014, so I couldn't say for sure what the deal would be now.
>>> 
>>> I think pretty much all of these devices still come with a web
>> interface, so honestly accessibility is probably not your primary concern.
>> What you'll want to consider is two things. First, do you want a dedicated
>> device for your mobile hotspot or are you ok with your phone playing double
>> duty? Second, do you want to pay for a second line for the mobile hotspot?
>> Your carrier will probably make you pay for a separate data line for the
>> separate device if you go that route. They'll probably also want you to buy
>> the device itself.
>>> 
>>> Personally, I just use my phone for this when I need it. It does have
>> the disadvantage of draining the phone battery more quickly sometimes, and
>> depending on your setup and your carrier an incoming call might disrupt
>> your data connection. For me, those disadvantages are outweighed by the
>> convenience of just having to carry my phone, keep my phone updated, etc.
>> rather than having to mess with a separate device that I don't use all that
>> often anyway. It also saved money every month.
>>> 
>>> I have a Samsung Galaxy device, and it offers three ways I can use it to
>> connect my laptop to the Internet. First, I can turn the phone into a
>> mobile WiFi hotspot which I can connect to with my laptop. Second, I can
>> use USB to tether the phone to my laptop, and the laptop will see it as a
>> network interface. Third, I can tether using Bluetooth. I know the iPhone
>> offers the WiFi option; I've set it up for others. Not sure if it offers
>> the other two. WiFi is the one I use most often anyway, though I will
>> sometimes do USB tethering in some situations (like if I don't want my
>> phone acting as a hotspot for some reason, or if I'm using the laptop to
>> charge my phone's battery anyway so I'm already connected to it via USB.)
>>> 
>>> Most individuals these days choose the phone option over the separate
>> device option; the separate routers are usually used in situations where
>> mobile WiFi needs to be provided for several people on an ongoing bases.
>> With that in mind, I will offer a couple of suggestions assuming you're
>> going to use your phone as the hotspot. If you choose the other route,
>> these suggestions will be applicable but will require some modification.
>>> 
>>> * When activating hotspot, make sure you know how your carrier is going
>> to  bill it. Some have a separate pool of data for hotspot as an example.
>>> * Change the SSID of the hotspot. The default one advertises that it's a
>> phone acting as a mobile hotspot; better for security reasons not to do
>> that. (Yes I know a hacker can find that information anyway with a little
>> digging, but don't advertise it.) Choose an SSID that will make it easy for
>> you to recognize your device when looking to connect to it.
>>> * Set the WiFi passphrase to something secure, just like you'd do with a
>> normal WiFi router. The passphrase will probably default to your phone
>> number; you'll want to change that.
>>> * Turn off the mobile hotspot function when you're not actively using
>> it. This way you aren't walking around advertising a mobile hotspot. It
>> also saves battery.
>>> 
>>> Hope this helps.
>>> Joe
>>> 
>>>> On 8/17/2021 9:21 AM, Elizabeth Campbell via NFBCS wrote:
>>>> Good morning all,
>>>> 
>>>> I always get great advice when I ask a question on this list. So, here
>> goes.
>>>> My current cell phone plan doesn't include an option for using my
>> iPhone as
>>>> a hotspot, but I'm looking at upgrading my data plan. Is it best to do
>>>> that, or purchase one of those small hotspot devices? I've looked at a
>>>> couple, and I don't think that they are accessible.
>>>> I'm looking for recommendations and advice.
>>>> 
>>>> Thanks in advance.
>>>> 
>>>> Liz
>>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
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> 
> 
> -- 
> Elizabeth Campbell
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