Using smartphone as a wifi-hotspot for tablet?

[Bini]

How do I turn my smartphone into a wifi-hotspot and connect my tablet? Got lost trying to follow the How To instructions online.

[MorningStar]

I could tell you how to program a VCR to record. Does that help?

[Bini]

I could tell you how to program a VCR to record. Does that help?

What's a VCR???

[jerome1232]

What OS does the smartphone run? Likely you need to either purchase a tethering data plan or *cough* root your phone to use it as a wireless tether.

Android?

iOS?

Windows?

... something else?

Edited July 19, 2012 by jerome1232

[Anddenex]

I wish now I was listening more closely to my father-in-law who does this all the time.

I only remember him saying, first you must have your blue-tooth or wi-fi on and connected, then you connect your tablet by way of the blue-tooth or via a network connection.

He showed me last Sunday, however I obviously wasn't paying attention all that well.

[Guest]

If you have an iPhone, you can turn Personal Hotspot on. Yes, you need your cell provider to provide that service for you - you get to pay extra.

[Bini]

I do have an iPhone but these two devices are Droids. And there's a way without having to get a tablet data plan.

[jerome1232]

I do have an iPhone but these two devices are Droids. And there's a way without having to get a tablet data plan.

Yes but it involves enabling the root user on your Android OS which is a security risk, root is kin to running in god mode all the time and it would allow any application ran by the root user to do *anything* on your phone. If your not tech savvy, I just wouldn't really recommend it.

Also there isn't a one size fits all method to rooting every android device out there, it will vary by device and what versions of Android OS you are running.

Edited July 19, 2012 by jerome1232

[Bini]

Yes but it involves enabling the root user on your Android OS which is a security risk, root is kin to running in god mode all the time and it would allow any application ran by the root user to do *anything* on your phone. If your not tech savvy, I just wouldn't really recommend it.

Also there isn't a one size fits all method to rooting every android device out there, it will vary by device and what versions of Android OS you are running.

Bummer. I'm not tech savvy. Not enough to attempt this. I suppose I could have an expert do it but.. I assume any and all tampering voids warranties. Oh well. I heard that it was doable, and I wish it wasn't so complicated to do so, as I'd go for it since I already have a data plan just not for my tablet.

[Bini]

PS. I guess I'll just have to use it at home where I get wifi or ask for the passcodes while out and about with my tablet LOL But yeh, I'm mostly at home, so I opted out to get a data plan for it.

[jerome1232]

It's not so much that it's overly complicated (it will vary by phone) it's more the potential risk you put your data at.

What was your specific phone model? The best I can do is link you a guide really, what guide were you trying to follow?

[Guest]

PS. I guess I'll just have to use it at home where I get wifi or ask for the passcodes while out and about with my tablet LOL But yeh, I'm mostly at home, so I opted out to get a data plan for it.

Bini, it's not complicated to do tethering to an Android smartphone if you go through the proper channels and pay for the personal hotspot. It's just a matter of going to your cell carrier and then loading the personal hotspot with it. Yes. You have to pay for it.

It only gets complicated if you don't want to pay for the hotspot because then you'll have to McGyver your phone to do so.

[Bini]

It's not so much that it's overly complicated (it will vary by phone) it's more the potential risk you put your data at.

What was your specific phone model? The best I can do is link you a guide really, what guide were you trying to follow?

The phone is a Samsung Galaxy Note and the tablet is an Asus Transformer Prime. The guide that I attempted to follow (some months ago) was linked from About.com, I think..

[Bini]

Bini, it's not complicated to do tethering to an Android smartphone if you go through the proper channels and pay for the personal hotspot. It's just a matter of going to your cell carrier and then loading the personal hotspot with it. Yes. You have to pay for it.

It only gets complicated if you don't want to pay for the hotspot because then you'll have to McGyver your phone to do so.

Yeh I don't really want to pay for a data plan, since I'm not out and about enough with my tablet to warrant one. That's why it would have been nice to be able to figure this one out but looks like I'll just do what I've been doing.

[Hala401]

How do I turn my smartphone into a wifi-hotspot and connect my tablet? Got lost trying to follow the How To instructions online.

I have T-mobile, Samsung Galaxy s2 and it is very easy. So, I just go to settings (the little button on the bottom left that is dark unless you touch it will open it), then Wireless and Network, then scroll down and go to Tethering and hotspot and then go to Portable Wi-Fi and hotspot settings, then go one more click and you are in the menu.

I must warn you that this sucks battery A LOT! So, when I use it, I have the phone plugged in to the car or the wall outlet.