How to Use a Verizon Hotspot

You can use hotspot data on your Verizon phone to broadcast a Wi-Fi signal wherever you can get service. It’s like having a Wi-Fi modem in your pocket whenever you need it. You can use hotspot data to connect your laptop, Nintendo Switch, tablet, or any other Wi-Fi compatible device to the internet.

Lucky for you, Verizon offers the best coverage in the country, so you really can create a Wi-Fi hotspot just about anywhere.

Let’s walk through all the steps of how to use a Verizon hotspot.

If you have a data plan with a major provider, like AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon, you should have hotspot capabilities with your wireless plans. If you have a non-unlimited data plan, your hotspot data will come from your monthly data allotment. Hotspots, by the way, are real data drains, so be careful about using your own data to create Wi-Fi hotspots.

If you have an unlimited plan, then you’ll get a certain amount of designated hotspot data for the month. After you use all of your high-speed hotspot data, you can still create a Wi-Fi hotspot, but your data speeds will be way slower.

For example, let’s say your Verizon plan has a 15 GB hotspot allotment for every month. You use up that 15 GB of hotspot data (and enjoy nice speeds while doing so), but you still need to create a Wi-Fi hotspot to do some work on the go. You can still cast a Wi-Fi signal from your phone, but your speeds will be so slow that you can’t really do much besides browse the internet and send emails (as long as you’re patient).

For those of you who have unlimited Verizon plans, here’s how the hotspot data breaks down:

Wireless service is the not-so-secret sauce to making a Verizon hotspot. You can’t create a Wi-Fi hotspot without having service on your phone to begin with. You’ll want to check the bars on the top right corner of your screen and make sure you see at least one, but preferably you’ll want more than that.

If you’ve got a signal, friend, then you should be able to cast a Wi-Fi hotspot from your phone.

Depending upon whether you use an Apple iPhone or Android device, the way you turn on your Wi-Fi hotspot will be a different process.

Now that you’ve got your hotspot casting, you can connect your device to Wi-Fi. Follow the steps you would normally follow to connect your device to the internet.

Are you having any problems creating your Verizon Wi-Fi hotspot? You might want to consider upgrading your cell phone plan for more high-speed hotspot data or checking the coverage in your area.