No matter what phone you use, you need data. You need a cellular data plan to get that data when you’re not home. AT&T is one ofthe best carriers. With some AT&T plans, you may use your smartphone, whether it’s abudget phoneor one of the best, to share data with your other devices using a hotspot. This guide helps you identify if you have an AT&T plan capable of creating a hotspot and how to use it.

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Do I have an AT&T plan and a smartphone capable of a hotspot?

Not all plans are created equal. Only certain AT&T plans are eligible to create a hotspot. These plans include both current and grandfathered options:

Some AT&T plans are also eligible for add-on hotspot data. These plans are:

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Even if your plan is capable of creating a hotspot, you need to ensure your phone is capable. Checking if your phone is capable is different depending on whether you have an Android phone or an iPhone.

Now that you know your AT&T plan and smartphone are capable of a hotspot, it’s time to set one up. The instructions are different, depending on whether you have an Android phone or iPhone.

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How to set up a hotspot on an Android phone

To get your hotspot set up, start in the Settings app.

Hotspot settings allow you to change the name, password, and other properties of the Wi-Fi network you create.

Selecting the Network & internet section on a Google Pixel phone.

How to set up a hotspot on an iPhone

Setting up a hotspot on an iPhone is easier than on an Android phone.

On the Personal Hotspot page, you’ll see the settings for your hotspot, which you can change.

Selecting the Hotspot & tethering section on a Google Pixel phone.

Get connected

Having access to a hotspot is great because it means you can share your cellular connection with all your devices. You need the right data plan, a smartphone, and the know-how to make it happen. Not all plans come with unlimited hotspot data, so it’s good tokeep track of your mobile data usage.

Enabling the Wi-Fi hotspot feature on a Google Pixel phone.