Need to connect your laptop or tablet on the go? You don't always need a pocket Wi-Fi device — your smartphone can act as a Wi-Fi router using a feature called tethering.
What is tethering?
Tethering shares your smartphone's mobile data with other devices. It appears as "Personal Hotspot" (iPhone) or "Mobile Hotspot" (Android). There are three main types: Wi-Fi tethering (most common, password-protected), Bluetooth tethering (less battery, slower), and USB tethering (very stable, needs a cable).
Enable tethering on iPhone
- Open Settings.
- Tap Personal Hotspot (or Cellular → Personal Hotspot).
- Turn on "Allow Others to Join".
- Use the displayed Wi-Fi password to connect your laptop or tablet.
Enable tethering on Android
- Open Settings.
- Go to Network & Internet → Hotspot & Tethering.
- Turn on Wi-Fi Hotspot.
- Check the network name (SSID) and password, then connect from your other device.
Using tethering on tablets
- Wi-Fi-only tablets: connect through your smartphone's hotspot.
- LTE/5G tablets: some can act as a hotspot themselves.
- iPad (cellular): Settings → Personal Hotspot to share, just like iPhone.
Things to keep in mind
- Data usage is high — streaming or large downloads drain a plan fast.
- Battery drains faster — carry a power bank for long sessions.
- Most phones allow 5–10 connected devices max.
Traveling? Put the hotspot on an eSIM
If you're sharing a connection abroad, put a travel eSIM on the phone that hosts the hotspot — then everyone's devices stay online without touching your home data or paying roaming fees: Get a Movia eSIM for your trip → — 140+ countries, online in about 5 minutes.
Tethering is great for emergencies, but for travel and longer sessions a dedicated international eSIM is more reliable. With Movia, scan a QR code, install, and get online instantly — no roaming surprises.