Motorola DROID Turbo can act as a personal hotspot, a portable internet connection that can be shared with the millions of iPads, Nexus 7s and laptops we use. Allowing them to connect to the internet wherever there is a cell phone signal. Here we explain how to use Turbo as a personal WiFi hotspot.
Whether you call it a personal hotspot, portable hotspot, Mobile hotspot or just tethering – we’re talking about using the Moto DROID Turbo to connect. other devices to the internet. Our smartphones’ signal and internet connection for data can be shared, giving your laptop or tablet faster speeds than many home networks, wherever you are.
This is a feature that many users, even some tech-savvy users still don’t understand, but below we’ll explain how easy it is to use your DROID Turbo (or any Android phone really) as a personal hotspot and internet connection. This is a useful feature you’ll want to take advantage of if your carrier plan allows it.
The most common and preferred method is to use WiFi tethering. Basically share your phones data connection with any of your devices over WiFi. Share with tablets, whether it’s your laptop or for your kids in the car. It’s similar to the way you connect to Starbucks WiFi, it just uses your phone connection, not Starbucks or a hotel. Alternatively, there’s also a wired USB connection so your DROID Turbo can charge while sharing that connection with your Macbook, Nexus 9, or laptop of choice.
The easiest way to do this requires users to have an account through their carrier that supports hotspot functionality, which will unfortunately usually cost an extra $15-20 per month unless you are using some of the recent high-limit data plans. Most mobile family sharing plans have hotspot enabled, luckily make sure you don’t use all of them and exceed the limit. This is the easiest way, but it will cost you if you use all your data.
Below we will explain where to go in the settings to activate the personal hotspot, how to change the name and add a password so that others cannot use it, then how to connect your laptop or tablet to your computer. DROID Turbo link.
Instructions
To enable a wireless hotspot, you will start by going to settings by tapping the gear-shaped settings icon or by scrolling down and hitting settings in the notification popup bar. From here you will see Airplane mode, WiFi and more, and the sixth option is “more” and you will want to tap it.
Hit it further and you’ll be in the right wireless and network settings menu. Our Turbo is on Android 4.4 KitKat and that may change a bit when Android 5.1 arrives. From here tap on Tethering & mobile hotspot as shown below.
Next up are all the tethering and WiFi hotspot options and controls. When you open it, a popup warns you about battery life and data usage. Next you will want to go to “Mobile hotspot settings” and change the name and more importantly make sure a password is enabled. This causes others to be unable to use your connection. Change the name to something you will recognize and a secure password and hit the save button.
The connection option will reboot with your new settings and that’s it. Alternatively, you can manage which devices are allowed to connect for added security and connectivity control. Let the kids tablet connect on the go or with whomever you want.
Your iPad or laptop can now search for a WiFi connection like you always do, find Turbo with the name you created, enter the password and you’re ready. You are now using the internet connection on another device. Again, be careful if you don’t have an unlimited data plan because you can quickly use up your entire monthly limit and get stuck with huge overusage charges.
USB tethering
In the same Tethering and hotspot menu in settings, you’ll notice there’s also a “USB tethering” option next to the WiFi hotspot on/off switch. Instead of sharing the connection over WiFi where anyone can connect, USB tethering uses the micro USB cable that came with your DROID Turbo. Plug this into your laptop and Turbo and you can share the internet connection via USB. This is faster, safer and generally more stable. Not to mention that it will also charge your phone.
Our preferred method of connecting and using a hotspot function is to use USB, not to mention it simultaneously charges your device to keep you full of battery for a day’s work.
If your carrier is someone who is willing to charge $10 or $20 for hotspot functionality, or if it doesn’t come free with your carrier plan, there are a few other options. In Google Play Store you can find “root without tether” apps which once installed will enable USB tethering to share internet connection absolutely free. our favorite clinksince it’s a simple wired connection, but Easy Tether Pro and other options are also available for those interested.
Some third-party options require root access (Jailbreak version of Android) and some do not. If you are not an advanced user, tether without root options is your best bet.
Finally, it’s a good idea to add a data usage reminder or alert so you don’t spend the entire 2 or 5GB data plan. Go to settings > connections > data usage and set the slider to an appropriate limit to keep things under control.
