We’re working at home more than ever before. That’s fine until your Wi-Fi starts playing up, and your computer loses connection.
Luckily, there’s a quick fix. You can simply use your phone to keep your laptop or PC connected. There are two options for doing this – USB tethering, or creating a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot. Here’s how to do each one.
USB tethering
With USB tethering, you connect your phone to your laptop with the charging cable. It’s the quickest way to get a fast and stable connection because the internet connection is only used by your laptop. You won’t be slowed down by other devices joining the network.
How to USB tether on Android
Plug your charging cable into your phone, and the USB side into your laptop.
Then go into your phone settings and turn on ‘USB tethering’. It’ll be under ‘Connection & sharing’ or something similar (the exact name differs between phone brands).
Now wait around 30 seconds and refresh your laptop browser. You should be back online.
How to USB tether on iPhone
You’ll need iTunes on your computer for it to detect your iPhone. If it’s not on your Windows laptop, go ahead and download iTunes for Windows.
Now open iTunes on your computer, then go into your iPhone Settings > Mobile Data > Personal Hotspot or Settings > Personal Hotspot.
Turn it on, then plug your USB cable into your iPhone and laptop.
Head to ‘Network settings’ on your laptop, and it should recognise your iPhone as a wired connection. Join this and you’re good to go.
Mobile Wi-Fi hotspots
The second option is to turn your smartphone into a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot. This is a good choice if you want to connect more than one device. In fact, your whole family can connect their laptops, phones and tablets to your phone in tethering mode.
How to turn your Android into a hotspot
Go into your phone settings and turn on ‘Personal hotspot’. It’ll be under ‘Connection & sharing’ or something similar. Like we said above, the exact name depends on your type of Android phone.
From there, go to ‘Hotspot settings’ and change your network name to something that’s easy to remember.
Now head to ‘Network settings’ on your laptop, and you’ll see the name of your hotspot. Turn it on, and your back online.
How to turn your iPhone into a hotspot
Go to Settings > Mobile Data > Personal Hotspot or Settings > Personal Hotspot. Turn it on, then check that your hotspot name is easy to remember. Now go into ‘Network settings’ on your laptop, and turn your iPhone hotspot on.
Top tip: the positioning of your phone while it’s tethering can affect your internet speed. So put it near a window, or wherever you get the strongest 4G or 5G signal.
FAQs
Why isn’t my PC detecting my phone when I try USB tethering?
Check your USB cable. Some of them only charge and don’t transfer any data. Try a different cable and make sure USB tethering is turned on in your phone’s settings. Also, restart both devices – it’s an old trick, but usually helps!
Do I need special software to tether my phone to a PC?
Usually, no. Most modern phones and PCs support tethering straight out of the box. But if you’re using an iPhone with a Windows PC, you’ll need iTunes installed for it to work properly.
Can I tether using Bluetooth instead of USB or Wi-Fi?
Yes, but it’s slower and can be tricky to set up. It’s best for short tasks or when USB and Wi-Fi aren’t an option.
Will tethering use up my mobile data?
Yes, it uses your phone’s data plan. If you’re doing things like streaming or downloading chunky files, it can eat up data fast. So, keep an eye on your data usage.
Why does my tethered connection keep dropping?
It could be a weak mobile signal, a dodgy USB port or interference from other devices. Try moving your phone to a spot with better signal or switching USB ports.
Can I tether my phone to more than one device at a time?
Only if you’re using a mobile hotspot. USB tethering works with one device at a time, but Wi-Fi hotspots can connect multiple devices.
Is tethering safe to use on public Wi-Fi?
Tethering uses your mobile data, not public Wi-Fi, so it’s actually safer. But if you’re sharing your hotspot, make sure it’s password protected.
Will tethering slow down my phone or PC?
It could do, especially if your mobile signal is weak or you’re doing heavy tasks. USB tethering is usually faster and more stable than Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
Can I tether while roaming abroad?
That depends on your mobile plan. Some networks charge extra for tethering abroad or block it entirely. It’s worth checking with your provider before you jet off on your summer holiday.
What’s the difference between tethering and a mobile hotspot?
They’re actually very similar. Tethering is the general term for sharing your phone’s internet. A mobile hotspot is just one way to do it, using Wi-Fi to connect to other devices.
Need more help?
If you’re looking for a new laptop, our laptop buying guide is a good place to start. If you’ve got a question on anything mobile or tech related, give our experts a call on ShopLive.
