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.

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.

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.

Thanks, friends. I think I'm going to just give it a go.

Been using my IPhone 7+ as a hot spot for a while now, works great.

IMHO, it works the same as a hotspot.I've used both.

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.

I don't do it often but when I do it works fine.

My iPhone HotSpot is the sole Internet connection for my laptop. Works great.

https://sigforum.com/eve/forums...0601935/m/5580019764

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)

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.

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.

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.

When the hotel wifi is shit, my hotspot fills-in just fine.

Do it all the time. No problems.

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.

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.

Been doing it for years... best to have unlimited data on your phone though....

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.

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.