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W07VH5
Picture of mark123
posted
Does anyone have experience using their iPhone as a mobile hotspot? I'll have to upgrade my service plan to allow this to work so I'd like to know if it's reliable enough for working in the field or is it an exercise in futility? Should I get a dedicated hotspot instead?

The increase to allow my iPhone to be a hotspot is $10 + tax per month. The cost of a hotspot is $15 + tax per month plus the cost of the device.

There will be one computer attached to it in the truck. Data coverage is pretty good except in a couple of spots in town.
 
Posts: 45629 | Location: Pennsyltucky | Registered: December 05, 2001Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Yes, I use my iPhone XS as a hotspot, also previously used my iPhone 7 as a hot spot. It works fine, is fast and 4G speeds. Plenty of speed to stream a Netflix movie on an IPAD (connected to the phone via wifi). Seems to work better if the phone is 5' away from the ipad or a little more....I usually stick the phone on a window sill, but works fine nonetheless. I'm on Verizon. I also do it a lot in the Bahamas, since I pay the travelpass ($10/day) for my phone only, works good there too, as good as the crappy Batelco (Bahamas telecom) will allow it.
 
Posts: 21421 | Registered: June 12, 2005Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Go ahead punk, make my day
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Works great, I use my iPhone for this all the time when traveling in airports, when the hotel has crappy service, or when mobile on site & stuck in a vehicle.

Advantages are its cheaper and you don't have to keep track of / charge another device.
 
Posts: 45798 | Registered: July 12, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
W07VH5
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Thanks, friends. I think I'm going to just give it a go.
 
Posts: 45629 | Location: Pennsyltucky | Registered: December 05, 2001Reply With QuoteReport This Post
A day late, and
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Picture of Warhorse
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Been using my IPhone 7+ as a hot spot for a while now, works great.


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Posts: 13727 | Location: Michigan | Registered: July 10, 2004Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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IMHO, it works the same as a hotspot.I've used both.
 
Posts: 17293 | Location: Lexington, KY | Registered: October 15, 2006Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Leatherneck
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I’ve been using my iPhone as a hotspot for 8 or so years. I’ve never had any real troubles. I even sometimes use it to connect my PS4 so I can play online with friends when I travel. It’s fast enough to play first person shooters on with no noticeable lag.




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Posts: 15284 | Location: Florida | Registered: May 07, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Just for the
hell of it
Picture of comet24
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I don't do it often but when I do it works fine.


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Posts: 16475 | Registered: March 27, 2004Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Baroque Bloke
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My iPhone HotSpot is the sole Internet connection for my laptop. Works great.

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Posts: 9600 | Location: San Diego | Registered: July 26, 2014Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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never had any issues technically, but performance has always been way less than a dedicated hot spot. This on verizon network, apple iphone 6 or/10, compared to verizon jetpack mifi (various models, but latest was 8800L)


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Posts: 11219 | Registered: October 14, 2004Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Nullus Anxietas
Picture of ensigmatic
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I've done it several times over the years, both with my iPhone 6S and, before that, my Moto G (Android). Had always worked great. Carrier's been TMO.



"America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system,,,, but too early to shoot the bastards." -- Claire Wolfe
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Posts: 26009 | Location: S.E. Michigan | Registered: January 06, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
I Am The Walrus
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Yes, I did with my iPhone SE and now my iPhone 7.

Beware it will drain your battery quicker than normal, though.

I'm on the AT&T network and reception is pretty good for most places I've been except for rural Mississippi but the guys with Verizon had pretty good reception there.


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Posts: 13344 | Registered: March 12, 2005Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Works great when you have a good signal. Laptop, Ipad, and even as a hotspot for Chromecast. If you have a spotty signal, it can be real slow. As mentioned above, it will increase your battery drain.
 
Posts: 1289 | Location: Athens, GA | Registered: February 01, 2005Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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When the hotel wifi is shit, my hotspot fills-in just fine.
 
Posts: 15137 | Location: Wine Country | Registered: September 20, 2000Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Oriental Redneck
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Do it all the time. No problems.


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Posts: 27946 | Location: TEXAS | Registered: September 04, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Savor the limelight
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I've done it for 2 months every summer for the last 9 years with both my wife's iPhones and my android phones. Two things I've noticed:

One, connecting the phone to the computer with a USB cord and tethering is more reliable and faster than just using the phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Two, most unlimited data plans limit how much data you can use while tethering or using your phone as a hotspot. You don't want to update Windows or other software while tethering or using your phone as a hotspot.
 
Posts: 11813 | Location: SWFL | Registered: October 10, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Not One of
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Picture of enidpd804
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I went to buy a new hot spot for the motorhome trips last summer. Getting a new phone was cheaper and actually works a lot better. Plus, we have an extra line if needed.
 
Posts: 3911 | Location: OK | Registered: August 15, 2009Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Been doing it for years... best to have unlimited data on your phone though....


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Posts: 4441 | Location: Greenville, SC | Registered: January 30, 2017Reply With QuoteReport This Post
W07VH5
Picture of mark123
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quote:
Originally posted by Blume9mm:
Been doing it for years... best to have unlimited data on your phone though....
Apparently they treat phone data separately from hotspot data. Phone data is unlimited, hotspot is 10GB/month.
 
Posts: 45629 | Location: Pennsyltucky | Registered: December 05, 2001Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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quote:
Originally posted by mark123:
quote:
Originally posted by Blume9mm:
Been doing it for years... best to have unlimited data on your phone though....
Apparently they treat phone data separately from hotspot data. Phone data is unlimited, hotspot is 10GB/month.


I think it just gets slowed down when you hit 10 GB, I don't think you get charged if you go over that.
 
Posts: 21421 | Registered: June 12, 2005Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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