How to Connect Internet On Laptop Through Cell Phone

This guide teaches you how to use your iPhone or Android’s cellular data to connect your laptop to the internet, a process known as “tethering.” Note that not all service providers support tethering, and if they do, it counts toward your monthly cellular data limit.

Method 1: iPhone Wi-Fi Tethering

1. Open Settings
   • Find the Settings app on your iPhone’s home screen, represented by a grey icon with gears.
2. Tap Personal Hotspot
   • It’s located near the top of the Settings page, just below the Cellular (or Mobile Data) option.
3. Enable Personal Hotspot
   • Slide the switch right to turn on the Personal Hotspot. This switch will change from “Off” to “On.” Your iPhone’s wireless hotspot is now active.
   • Optionally, tap Wi-Fi Password to change the password for your hotspot.
4. Connect Your Laptop to the Hotspot
   • On your laptop, click the Wi-Fi icon (curved lines) located in the bottom-right of the screen (Windows) or the top-right (Mac).
   • On Windows, you may need to click the ^ icon first to view the Wi-Fi icon.
5. Select Your iPhone’s Network
   • Click your iPhone’s name in the Wi-Fi pop-up window.
   • On Windows, click Connect to continue.
6. Enter the Hotspot Password
   • This password is listed next to the “Wi-Fi Password” heading on the Personal Hotspot page of your iPhone.
   • Click Next (Windows) or Join (Mac). Your laptop should now connect to your iPhone’s hotspot.

Method 2: iPhone USB Tethering

1. Connect Your iPhone to Your Computer
   • Use the USB charger cable that came with your iPhone.
2. Open Settings
   • Find the Settings app on your iPhone’s home screen, represented by a grey icon with gears.
3. Tap Personal Hotspot
   • It’s near the top of the Settings page, just below the Cellular (or Mobile Data) option.
4. Enable Personal Hotspot
   • Slide the switch to turn on the Personal Hotspot. Your computer will recognize your iPhone as a wired internet connection shortly.

Method 3: Android Wi-Fi Tethering

1. Open Settings
   • Find the Settings app, a gear-shaped icon in the App Drawer.
2. Tap More
   • Located below the “Wireless & networks” heading near the top of the Settings page.
   • On Samsung devices, tap Connections instead.
3. Tap Tethering & Portable Hotspot
   • It’s near the middle of the screen.
   • On Samsung devices, tap Mobile HotSpot and Tethering.
4. Set Up Mobile Hotspot
   • Tap Set up mobile hotspot.
   • On Samsung, tap Mobile Hotspot, then tap ⋮ in the top-right corner, and select Configure Mobile HotSpot.
5. Configure Your Hotspot
   • Enter the following information:
     • Network name: The name your hotspot will display in your computer’s wireless manager.
     • Security: Select a WPA2 option.
     • Password: The login password you’ll use.
6. Save the Settings
   • Tap Save.
7. Enable the Hotspot
   • Slide the switch next to OFF right to turn on the hotspot.
8. Connect Your Laptop to the Hotspot
   • Click the Wi-Fi icon on your laptop.
   • Select your phone’s network name.
   • Enter the hotspot password.
   • Click Next (Windows) or Join (Mac). Your laptop should now connect to your Android hotspot.

Method 4: Android USB Tethering

1. Connect Your Android to Your Computer
   • Use your Android’s charger cable.
2. Open Settings
   • Find the Settings app, a gear-shaped icon in the App Drawer.
3. Tap More
   • Located below the “Wireless & networks” heading.
   • On Samsung devices, tap Connections.
4. Tap Tethering & Portable Hotspot
   • Near the top of the page.
   • On Samsung devices, tap Tethering and Mobile HotSpot.
5. Enable USB Tethering
   • Slide the USB tethering switch to ON. Your computer will recognize your phone as a wired internet connection.

Q&A for Connecting to the Internet via Your Cell Phone

• Does your phone need an internet connection for this to work?
  • Yes, if your computer lacks internet access and you’re using your phone to provide it, your phone needs an active internet connection.
• How can I share mobile data from my phone to my laptop?
  • Use a USB charging cable to connect your phone to your laptop. On a Windows laptop, open My Computer and then select your phone.
• How can I connect to the internet without Wi-Fi?
  • Use an ethernet cable to connect your laptop directly to your router. Look up specific instructions for your router if needed.
• What’s the network security key?
  • The network security key is the password required to use your network. It’s typically found on a sticker on your router.
• How do I connect a router to my laptop through my mobile?
  • Use Bluetooth to connect your phone to the router, then connect to the internet.
• How can I connect my phone’s personal Wi-Fi hotspot to my laptop?
  • Enable the hotspot on your phone and make it visible to others. On your laptop, find your phone’s network and connect to it.