Turning on your AT&T mobile hotspot lets you share your phone’s cellular data with a laptop, tablet, or another device. To get personal hotspot working, you need an eligible data plan and a compatible smartphone within AT&T’s coverage area.
What you need for an AT&T mobile hotspot
An eligible AT&T data plan is required. Current unlimited plans that include hotspot data are AT&T Elite 2.0 (250GB), AT&T Premium 2.0 (100GB), AT&T Extra 2.0 (50GB), and AT&T Value 2.0 (3GB). AT&T 4GB and AT&T Mobile Share plans are also hotspot-capable, along with several retired unlimited plans. For AT&T Prepaid, you need a prepaid plan that includes mobile hotspot data, a hotspot-capable smartphone, and to be within the AT&T coverage area. Your smartphone must support the hotspot feature; most modern iPhones and Android phones do.
How to turn on your AT&T hotspot on iPhone
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap Personal Hotspot.
- Turn on Allow Others to Join.
On some iPhones, you can also open Control Center by swiping down from the upper-right corner, tap the Cellular icon, and select Personal Hotspot. To change the Wi-Fi password, go to Settings > Personal Hotspot and select Wi‑Fi Password. Note that on iPhone 11 models, Wi‑Fi must be turned off before Personal Hotspot can be enabled. AT&T’s device-support pages explicitly document hotspot setup for Apple iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro / iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone 14, and iPhone 16.
How to turn on your AT&T hotspot on Android
- Open Settings.
- Tap Connections or Network & Internet.
- Select Mobile Hotspot and Tethering.
- Tap Mobile Hotspot and turn the switch On.
To configure the network, tap Set up Wi‑Fi hotspot. Adjust the Network name, Security type, and Password, then tap Save. On some Android devices, the path is Notification bar > Settings icon > More > Tethering > toggle Portable Wi‑Fi hotspot. AT&T’s Calypso Android page says to tap Mobile Hotspot and turn the Mobile Hotspot switch On.
How to connect your devices to the hotspot
Turn on Wi‑Fi on the device you want to connect. From the list of available networks, select the hotspot name you configured. Enter the password you set, and the device will connect. The phone can share data with any Wi‑Fi-capable device, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, netbooks, and MP3 players.
Troubleshooting and tips for your AT&T hotspot
- Check data usage: Monitor your data consumption through your phone’s settings or the AT&T app to avoid exceeding your plan’s hotspot data cap.
- Position the phone for best signal: Place your phone in a central location, away from walls or large objects, to improve hotspot signal strength.
- Restart devices: If you have trouble connecting, restart both the phone acting as the hotspot and the device trying to connect.
- Limit connected devices: Connecting too many devices can slow down the speed. Disconnect any devices you are not using.
- Contact AT&T support: If problems persist, reach out to AT&T customer support for assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I connect multiple devices to my AT&T mobile hotspot?
Yes, you can connect several Wi‑Fi-capable devices at once. The exact number depends on your plan and phone model, but connecting too many may reduce speed for everyone.
How do I manage the devices connected to my hotspot?
On your phone, go to the hotspot settings where you can see a list of connected devices. From there, you can disconnect specific devices or check their data usage.
Can I use my AT&T mobile hotspot while traveling abroad?
Using your hotspot internationally depends on your plan. Check with AT&T before traveling, as roaming data rates or restrictions may apply.
How secure is an AT&T mobile hotspot?
Your hotspot is secured by the password you set. For extra protection, avoid sensitive transactions on the hotspot network and consider using a VPN.
