Using Galaxy Note 3 as Personal Hotspot 1

Using Galaxy Note 3 as Personal Hotspot

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 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.

Whether you call it personal hotspot, portable hotspot, Mobile hotspot or just tethering – we’re talking about using the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 to connect other devices to the internet. The signal of our smartphones and the internet connection for data can be shared, giving your laptop or tablet faster speeds than many home networks wherever you are.

It’s a concept and feature that many users still don’t understand, but below we’ll explain how easy it is to use your Galaxy Note 3 (or any Android phone) as a personal hotspot and internet connection.

The most common and preferred method is to use WiFi tethering. Basically share your phone 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 how you connect to Starbucks WiFi on an iPad, only using your phone connection. Alternatively, there’s also a wired USB connection so your Galaxy Note 3 can charge while sharing this connection with your Macbook 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. But most mobile sharing plans have hotspot enabled, just make sure you don’t use all of them and go over the limit. It’s the easiest way around, but it will cost you.

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. Galaxy Note 3 hotspot.

Instructions

To enable a wireless hotspot, you’ll start by going to settings by tapping the gear-shaped settings icon or by scrolling down and hitting settings in the notification pop-up bar. The first tab on the Note 3 is links and one of the first options.

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Select Settings > Tethering & hotspot > and slide the toggle to turn it on.

Note3-hot

This will enable tethering with all default settings, so you’ll want to change them and add a password if you’re public so that others can’t use it either. Next, you will tap “configure hotspot” and change the name to something more personal than Note 3 and make sure to add a password. WPA2 is the most secure, enter the password and hit save.

Note3-information

Now when you go back to the original settings hotspot page, it will show the name and all connected devices. 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 the Note 3 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 that there’s also a “USB tethering” option below 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 Note 3. Plug this into your laptop and Note 3 and you can share the internet connection via USB. This is faster, safer, generally more stable, and will even charge the Galaxy Note 3 at the same time.

note3-usb

Using USB is our preferred method of connecting and using a hotspot function, not to mention charging your device at the same time 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 the Google Play Store you can find “Tether without root” apps that, 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.

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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 5GB data plan. Go to settings > connections > data usage and set the slider to an appropriate limit.

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