Tethering your IPhone to your computer.

Category: Cell Phone Talk

Post 1 by Juliet (move over school!) on Sunday, 19-Jul-2015 19:18:02

I'm wanting to be able to simply use my IPhone as a modem, sense I have a
plan that has unlimited data plan with Sprint, and am kind of confused on
whether or not this can be done, sense mobile hotspot seems to be something
you have to pay extra fore, which makes no sense to me, considering the fact
that from what I've looked up seem as straight forward as changing some
settings on your phone/computer, hooking it up and there you go. If I have a
plan that has unlimited data, shouldn't that pick up automatically, or am I
missing something here?

Post 2 by forereel (Just posting.) on Sunday, 19-Jul-2015 21:06:43

It is unlimited data, but cellular data, so restricted to things that happen from the phone directly.
Ask Sprint how much for Wi Fi data, or unlocking the use of the hotspot.
If unlocked, as mine is, you can connect any device to your phone, and the phone is the wireless, or wired modem.
I use mine when I don't want to use Wi Fi at a place, or when I have no access to internet.

Post 3 by Juliet (move over school!) on Sunday, 19-Jul-2015 21:48:29

Do they charge you to do that?

Post 4 by Remy (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Monday, 20-Jul-2015 14:03:44

I'm with Bell here in Canada and I've never been charged to use my personal hotspot. I've got 12 gb of data each month so it's a worthy alternative to wi-fi. It's pretty easy to set up. You basically open your iphone's settings and there should be an option right on the front page for your hot spot. Just need to enable it, then either hook your phone to your computer via the usb or turn on its wi-fi/bluetooth. Keep in mind if you are using it wirelessly though it tends to drain your battery. I should point out I'm using IOS version 7. something. If you're using 8 it might be different.

Post 5 by forereel (Just posting.) on Monday, 20-Jul-2015 16:10:51

Nope, same.
It does drain battery, so if you are going to use it for a lengthy time, connect it to the computer with your cable instead.
Verizon doesn't charge extra for the Hotspot, but Sprint does, or use to.
I have Verizon.

Post 6 by forereel (Just posting.) on Monday, 20-Jul-2015 16:13:43

I forgot to say, change the password to one you like.
That way, if you ever need to add a device, it is easier to do so.
The phone is just like your modem at home, and can support several devices at once, or other phones too.

Post 7 by Juliet (move over school!) on Monday, 20-Jul-2015 21:24:20

ok, have no idea how much data they give for that, or would it be unlimited
same as my plan? I was planning on using that in place of my wifi, sense I'm
technically not the one paying for the wifi, and Mom says she doesn't use it
much, but can't afford to take over paying for it myself at this point, so thought
it was going to be easier than it sounded to just hook my phone up to my
computer and use it as a modem, like it apparently was back in the day, but
that wasn't accessible to us back then, and was slow as ever, so never tried it
then lol.

Post 8 by forereel (Just posting.) on Monday, 20-Jul-2015 22:28:30

It uses data, but as to how much you are allowed, you'll have to talk to Sprint about that.
On Verizon, cellular data, or Wi Fi data is all the same.
Example, if your plan has 6 GB of data, anything you do that uses data counts on the 6GB.
If Sprint allows your Hotspot, you should be able to use all the data allowed.
But, I know in the past Sprint has charged extra for using the Hotspot, but not mobile data.
You also know their is a issue going on now, where the FCC is suing cellular providers for limiting, or slowing down data that is suppose to be unlimited.
But, all that aside, it works just perfectly.
I get 4G speeds with mine if I'm in an area that has 4G service, and it works well.
Even 3G isn't bad.

Post 9 by Thom3of5 (Do the Doo.) on Monday, 20-Jul-2015 22:44:40

Verizon does not let you use the hot spot feature for free with an unlimited data plan. They charge $20 a month for it.

Post 10 by forereel (Just posting.) on Monday, 20-Jul-2015 23:01:41

Verizon doesn't offer the unlimited data plan anymore, so I can use mine.
But even at $20 per month, that's way cheaper then say a mobile Hotspot if you can use as much data as you wish for the $20.