Are you tired of sluggish hotspot speeds? You’re not alone in this digital dilemma, as many people rely on mobile hotspots for their internet needs. Ben recently reached out with this frustrating situation:
I don’t have hardwired Wi-Fi in my house. I use my phone’s hotspot when I need to use my laptop. The whole Wi-Fi process is always very slow. I have even changed laptops twice, and the process is always slow. I have even changed phone carriers (not for this reason), and it’s the same thing. Do you have any suggestions?
Ben, I feel your pain. Slow internet is incredibly frustrating, especially when you’re relying on a hotspot for all your online needs. Let’s break down some solutions to get your hotspot humming along.
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The cell signal struggle is real
First things first, your hotspot is only as good as your cell signal. Since hotspots rely on cellular data, a weak signal means slow speeds. Here are some quick fixes:
Find the sweet spot: Move to an area with better reception, ideally near a window or upstairs.
Elevate your phone: Get it off the ground and away from obstructions.
Consider a signal booster: These devices can amplify your cellular signal, giving your hotspot a much-needed boost.
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Tech tweaks for faster speeds
Now, let’s look at some settings and optimizations:
1) Use the 5G frequency band
If your phone supports it, use the 5G frequency band for zippier connections.
For iPhone
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap Cellular.
- Choose Cellular Data Options.
- Tap Voice & Data.
- Select 5G On for faster speeds or 5G Auto for a balance between speed and battery life.
For Android:
Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap Connections.
- Select Mobile networks.
- Tap Network mode (or Preferred network type, depending on your device).
- Choose 5G or a similar option that includes 5G.
If you don’t see the exact options listed, your device might have slightly different terminology or menu structures.
2) Turn Off battery-saving mode
If you have turned it on, turn off the battery-saving mode because it intentionally lowers your phone’s performance, including Hotspot performance.
For iPhone:
- Open the Settings app.
- Scroll down and tap Battery.
- Toggle off Low Power Mode.
For Android:
Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer
- Open the Settings app.
- Click Battery and Device Care.
- Tap Battery.
- Toggle off Battery Saver or Power Saving Mode.
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3) Stay close to the hotspot
Keep your laptop near your phone when using the hotspot to ensure a strong connection. Your Hotspot isn’t a long-distance runner, so stay within about five feet for the best connection.
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4) Update your phone and devices
Keeping your devices up-to-date can improve their performance.
For iPhone:
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap General.
- Select Software Update.
- Your phone will check for updates.
- If an update is available, click Update Now or Update Tonight
- Enter your passcode if you have one set
For Android:
Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer
- Open the Settings app.
- Scroll down and tap System or Software update
- Select System Update or Download and install, depending on your device
5. Restart your phone and devices
Sometimes, a simple restart of both devices can work wonders in improving your hotspot speeds.
For iPhone:
- Press and hold the Side button and either Volume button until the slider appears.
- Drag the slider to turn off your iPhone.
- After the device turns off, press and hold the Side button again until you see the Apple logo.
For Android:
- Press and hold the Power button.
- Tap Restart or Reboot.
Clear the digital clutter
Your phone might be working overtime on other tasks, slowing down your Hotspot. To clear digital clutter on your iPhone and Android device, follow these steps:
Close background apps while using your hotspot
iPhone:
- Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause in the middle
- Swipe left or right to find the app you want to close
- Swipe up on the app’s preview to close it
Android:
Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer
- Tap the Recent Apps button (usually the square icon)
- Swipe left or right to find the app you want to close
- Swipe up on the app to close it
Temporarily disable automatic app updates while using your hotspot
iPhone:
- Go to Settings
- Click App Store
- Toggle off “App Updates” under Automatic Downloads
Android:
Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer
- Open the Google Play Store
- Tap your profile icon
- Click Settings
- Tap Network preferences
- Select “Auto-update apps” and choose “Don’t auto-update apps”
Disable app refreshes while using your hotspot
iPhone:
- Go to Settings
- Click General
- Tap Background App Refresh
- Toggle off Background App Refresh entirely, or selectively for specific apps
Android:
Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer
- Go to Settings
- Click Apps & notifications
- Tap See all apps
- Select the app you want to restrict
- Tap “Mobile data & Wi-Fi” or “Data usage”
- Toggle off “Background data” or “Allow background data usage”
By following these steps, you can reduce the digital clutter on your device and potentially improve your hotspot’s performance
Managing data on iPhone and Android
Check your data situation to make sure you haven’t hit your data cap, which can lead to throttled speeds, and while it saves data, ditch data-saving mode as it can also slow down your hotspot. To address data dilemmas on both iPhone and Android devices, follow these steps:
1) Check data usage
iPhone
- Go to Settings
- Click Cellular and scroll down to view your Cellular data usage for the current period.
Android
Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer
- Open Settings
- Click Network & internet
- Tap Mobile network
- Click App data usage to review your data usage and see if you are nearing your limit.
2) Disable data-saving mode
iPhone
- Navigate to Settings
- Click Cellular
- Tap Cellular Data Options
- Click Data Mode and ensure Low Data Mode is not checked
- Click Allow More Data on 5G to avoid throttling your Totspot speed.
Android
Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer
- Go to Settings
- Click Network & internet
- Tap Data Saver
- Turn off Data Saver to ensure unrestricted access to data
Choosing your connection: Phone hotspot vs. mobile hotspot
When it comes to staying connected on the go, you have options: activating a hotspot on your phone or investing in a separate mobile hotspot device. While many phone plans allow you to use your phone as a hotspot, this depends on your carrier and plan specifics. A dedicated mobile hotspot device can offer better connectivity, support more devices, and preserve your phone’s battery life. This can be particularly beneficial for those who travel frequently, work remotely, or need a reliable internet connection in areas with spotty Wi-Fi. Check out our top mobile hotspots to find the best in speed, security, and convenience for your needs.
Kurt’s key takeaways
I hope these tips help you squeeze every last bit of speed out of your hotspot. While these tips should help improve your speeds, it’s worth noting that a mobile hotspot might never quite match the consistency and speed of a hardwired connection. If these solutions don’t cut it, you might want to explore other internet options available in your area. Some cellular providers offer dedicated home internet services that could provide a more stable connection than a phone hotspot.
What are your go-to solutions for staying connected and efficient while traveling or working remotely? Let us know in the comments below.
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