What to Know

• First, turn on the mobile hotspot on your smartphone, usually throughSettings>Mobile Hotspotor a similar option.
• Then, connect to the hotspotWi-Fi network on your laptop like you would any other network.
• For devices without Wi-Fi support, you can also tether to your phone via USB and Bluetooth.

This guide will explain how to connect your laptop to a smartphone Wi-Fi hotspot.

How Do I Connect My Mobile Hotspot to My Laptop?

Before connecting your laptop to a mobile hotspot, you first need to start a mobile hotspot.The process for doing so is slightly different depending on your device and whether it's an Android [Set Up Android Hotspot] or iOS [Set Up iPhone Hotspot] handset.

Once your hotspot is ready to go, follow these steps to connect your laptop to its Wi-Fi network.

1. Start up your laptop and login if necessary, then, if it isn't already, enable Wi-Fi.

2. If you're on Windows 10 or 11, select the Wi-Fi icon in the taskbar to access the list of available Wi-Fi networks. Locate your mobile hotspot in the list and select it (if you're unsure what its SSID is, check your phone's hotspot menu). Then selectConnect.

   The Zenfone 8_2500 network is the mobile hotspot for a Zenfone 8 smartphone.

   In macOS, the Wi-Fi symbol is in the top-right status bar. You should see a list of available Wi-Fi networks, with your iPhone listed at the top underPersonal Hotspot. Select it.

   If you don't see the Wi-Fi symbol in the macOS status bar, navigate toApple Menu>System Preferences>Networkthen select Wi-Fiin the sidebar, and selectShow Wi-Fi status in menu bar.

   

   Apple

3. In both Windows and macOS, you will then be prompted for the network password. You'll be able to see this password on your Android or iOS smartphone, so check it there, and then type it into your laptop.

   

As long as the password was input correctly, you should then be automatically connected to the hot spot Wi-Fi network and can browse the internet or perform any other connected tasks as if you were using your phone.

Why Is My Laptop Not Connecting to My Mobile Hotspot?

If you can see your phone's mobile hotspot, but it doesn't connect when you try the password, it may be that you're getting the password wrong