Mobile Hotspot feature and app FAQs

A Mobile Hotspot lets you share your Verizon network connection with other devices so they can access the internet. Devices connect to your Mobile Hotspot using Wi-Fi. While devices are connected, you're charged for any data they use according to your monthly data plan.

Many smartphones and tablets have a built-in Mobile Hotspot feature that you can access in your device's Settings or the App menu. The feature may have a different name on your device (e.g., Personal Hotspot [iOS], Internet Sharing [Windows®] or Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot [Google™ Nexus devices]), but they do the same thing.

You can also buy devices that are strictly mobile hotspots. Visit our Mobile hotspot shopping page or go to our Mobile hotspot device FAQs to learn more.

Many of our monthly phone plans and certain prepaid plans let you use 5G Ultra Wideband, 5G Nationwide and 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot on capable devices for no additional monthly charge.

When a device is connected to your phone’s Mobile Hotspot feature or app, data usage is applied to your data plan's monthly allowance.

After exceeding your plan's monthly high-speed allowance, you can still use Hotspot at lower speeds for the rest of the month.

Our current Unlimited plans give more Mobile Hotspot:

• 5G Get More – 50 GB/month premium Mobile Hotspot data TT, then unlimited lower-speed data.
• One Unlimited for iPhone, 5G Do More and 5G Play More – 25 GB/month premium Mobile Hotspot data TT, then unlimited lower-speed data.
• 5G Start – 5 GB/month 5G Nationwide/4G LTE mobile hotspot data, then unlimited lower-speed data. TT

These plans also let you use 5G Nationwide / 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot on capable devices for no additional monthly charge:

• Shared Data Plan – 5GB*
• Shared Data Plan – 10GB*
• Above Unlimited*, Beyond Unlimited*, Go Unlimited*
• The Verizon Plan shared data plans (e.g. S, M, L)*
• The Verizon Plan*
• The MORE Everything® Plan*
• Certain prepaid plans

Learn about Mobile Hotspot and 5G Ultra Wideband access.

*No longer available to add to your account.

All of our currently available smartphones and basic phones are compatible with Mobile Hotspot features or apps. If you have an older device, refer to the User Guide on your Device Support page to be sure Mobile Hotspot is compatible.

To get Mobile Hotspot access to the 5G Ultra Wideband TT network, you need:

• A 5G Ultra Wideband-capable phone
• To be in a 5G Ultra Wideband coverage area
• A plan with 5G Ultra Wideband access:
  
  • One Unlimited for iPhone
  • 5G Get More, 5G Do More, 5G Play More, 5G Start, Play More Unlimited*, Do More Unlimited*, Get More Unlimited*, Beyond Unlimited*, Above Unlimited*
  • Go Unlimited*: Add to your plan for $10/month
  • $75 Prepaid Unlimited Plus

*No longer available to add to your account.

No, Mobile Hotspot comes preinstalled on compatible devices. Depending on your device, it may be in your device's App menu or Settings. It may also be named something different, like Personal Hotspot (iOS), Internet Sharing (Windows) or Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot (Google Nexus devices).

For instructions specific to your device, go to your Device Support page.

Mobile Hotspot usage is included in many plans, so you don't need to add it to your account.

Learn about adding Mobile Hotspot data to a Prepaid Unlimited plan.

Some devices with a Mobile Hotspot feature or app allow up to 10 devices to connect at a time, while others allow a maximum of 5.

Refer to the User Guide at the top of your Device Support page to see how many devices can be connected to your specific device.

Mobile Hotspot service is available anywhere you have 4G LTE / 5G Ultra Wideband, TT 5G Nationwide TT or 3G service. Visit our coverage map for network coverage information.

Yes, you can use Mobile Hotspot while traveling outside the US if you have a connection to our 4G LTE network. (5G Ultra Wideband TT and 5G NationwideTT are only available inside the U.S.*)

Data charges apply according to your international travel plan or roaming rates.

*Devices manufactured before 2020 are not 5G Nationwide compatible.

On most devices, you can turn on your Mobile Hotspot in your Settings.

For instructions, visit the Mobile Hotspot section of the Device Support page for your device or refer to:

• iOS - Share your internet connection with Personal Hotspot article on Apple's website.
• Android™ - Android help for hotspot connection details.

Note: On Windows devices, Mobile Hotspot is named Internet Sharing.

You connect to Mobile Hotspot on your phone or tablet the same way you'd connect to any Wi-Fi network:

1. Open your Wi-Fi settings on the device you want to connect to Mobile Hotspot, and scan for available networks. Your Mobile Hotspot name (SSID) should appear in the list.
2. In the list of available Wi-Fi networks, select the name of the Mobile Hotspot.
3. If requested, enter the Mobile Hotspot password.
4. Tap Join or Connect.

You've successfully connected a device to your Mobile Hotspot.

Yes, you can set Mobile Hotspot to turn off automatically for some devices:

• Android - Power Mode
• BlackBerry® - Auto Shutoff Timer
• iOS - Automatically shuts off when the hotspot is inactive

Note: Some devices may never stay inactive long enough for this feature to work because apps, updates and more are often running in the background.

The SSID is the unique name of your Mobile Hotspot feature or app that people see when scanning for available Wi-Fi networks. When you turn on the Hide SSID option, your Mobile Hotspot can't be seen by nearby Wi-Fi devices.

Our Troubleshooting Assistant may be able to help you:

1. Go to the Troubleshooting Assistant.
2. Select your device.
3. Sign in with your My Verizon credentials or click Get Started.
4. Hover over Data Internet and Connectivity.
5. Select the issue you need help with.
6. Follow the steps to resolve your Mobile Hotspot issue.