How To Connect Your Smart TV To A Hotspot

Smart TVs are at their prime, and with their convenience comes numerous options in functionality. Smart TVs come equipped with an internet connectivity feature. But can I connect a smart TV to a hotspot? Let’s find out. 

Here’s how to connect your Smart TV to a hotspot:

1. Switch on your mobile hotspot
2. Go to your internet or WiFi settings on your smart TV
3. Click on the SSID (commonly known as the WiFi name)
4. Click connect
5. Input your hotspot password

Connecting your mobile hotspot to your smart TV is similar to connecting your hotspot to your computer, PC, or laptop. Thanks to technology, it’s one click away from happening, and you don’t need any fancy tech to do it. 

If you’re interested in learning more about alternative internet connections for your smart TV, keep reading for more information. 

Can I Connect A Smart TV To A Hotspot?

As shared earlier, yes, you can connect your smart TV to a mobile hotspot. It’s one of the most straightforward processes out there, and all you need is your smartphone and your smart TV. 

Thanks to advancements in technology, smartphones are no longer devices to pick and receive calls. Now, you can play games, listen to music, and, most importantly, turn your phone into a mini-router for your other devices. 

These features are some of the more common things that smartphones do now; ten or fifteen years ago, you couldn’t say the same. Either way, here’s how you can get started on turning your phone into a mini-router.

How To Setup Your Mobile Hotspot

The process of setting up your mobile hotspot is pretty simple. The only tool you need is, well, your smartphone. If you have an android phone, here’s how you can set it up on the latest Android version. Fortunately, there are two ways to do this:

Mobile Hotspot Setup Method 1

1. Switch on your Mobile Data
2. Go to Settings
3. Go to Network and Internet 
4. Click on Hotspot and Tethering
5. Click on WiFi Hotspot

Mobile Hotspot Setup Method 2

1. With a swipe-down gesture, pull down your notification bar
2. Switch on your Mobile Data
3. Go to the Hotspot icon
4. Click on the Hotspot icon

The second method is the fastest, but the first method gives you more insight into the settings and how they work. The result is the same, so you have nothing to worry about regardless of your chosen method.

 Quick Tip: If you pull down the notification bar on an android phone and head to the icons on the screen, on the bottom right is a settings icon. It’s one of the easiest ways to access the Settings app without going a long way. 

How do you connect to a hotspot on an Apple OS?

1. Switch on your Mobile Data
2. Go to the Settings app.
3. Click on the Personal Hotspot or settings.
4. Click on Personal Hotspot
5. Switch on your mobile hotspot

The process is pretty simple, and you should be good to go from this point onwards. But there’s also the question of setting up a password; even better, how do you find the mobile hotspot password in the first place?

How To Access Your Mobile Hotspot Password For The First Time

Here’s how you can access the hotspot password feature on an android device. You can choose to keep the default password, or you can change it. 

1. Go to the Settings app.
2. Click on Hotspot and Tethering
3. Click on WiFi hotspot
4. Click Hotspot password

From this point on, a small window should appear, showing you the hotspot password. You can also change the password if you so wish. 

With the Android device out of the way, here’s how you can access the hotspot password feature on an iPhone. 

1. Go to the Settings app.
2. Click on Personal Hotspot
3. Click on the WiFi password option.

Again, it should be smooth sailing at this point, and you can easily navigate from this point on.

 Did you also notice your hotspot name? After getting into your hotspot settings, you should notice a Hotspot name option. It would be in your best interest to change it to something you know and are comfortable with; you could choose something more familiar. The default hotspot name is typically the model of your phone. 

Customizing it makes it easier to access in public places like airports, and you can have fun with it.

Do You Need To Set Up Your Smart TV?

Now that you know how to set up your mobile hotspot, you can answer the question of whether you need to set up your smart TV. No, you don’t need any flashy process to set up your smart TV. 

All you need to do is plug it, let it switch on, and connect your smart TV to your mobile hotspot. Manufacturers do not make smart TVs complicated. They aren’t like PCs, laptops, or even smartphones.

They are their league, and they thrive with the features given to them. 

Please note that there are particular types of smart TVs, like those that come with cameras and motion sensors. So there exists a realm of smart TVs with extra features loaded into their kit. 

Regardless, it doesn’t matter when you’re connecting your hotspot to the smart TV. The process will remain the same. 

How To Connect Your Smart TV To A Mobile Hotspot

This process is pretty straightforward, and anyone can do it. Heck, even a five-year-old is capable of completing this process. So don’t be wary, take a couple of breaths, and grab your remote and smartphone; it’s time to get connecting. 

1. Switch on your mobile hotspot
2. Ensure that your mobile data is on so that you have access to the internet.
3. Go to your smart TV.
4. Go to the Settings app.
5. Click on Network and Internet
6. Click on the WiFi option.
7. Let your smart TV show the available SSID. Your mobile hotspot should be one of them. SSID is long for Service Set Identifier, and it’s a unique name used to identify WiFi networks. 
8. Click on your mobile hotspot SSID
9. Input the password
10. Let your smart TV connect to the mobile hotspot.

After completing these steps, you should get a notification connected to your mobile hotspot on your smart TV. Not only that, but you can also access streaming apps like Netflix and get your daily YouTube dose. 

Does The OS Matter When Connecting Your Smart TV To A Hotspot?

Most smart TVs support Android and iOS, so your smartphone operating systems pose zero hindrance to your mobile hotspot. There isn’t anything to be wary of, and if you follow the steps above, you should be able to use your phone as a mini-router. 

So you can stay assured that whether you’re using an iPhone or an Android device, you can still use your smartphone as a hotspot for your smart TV. 

What If Your Smart TV Won’t Connect To Your Mobile Hotspot

As shared earlier, a mobile hotspot is like a mini-router; it won’t perform as efficiently as a standard router. So, if your smart TV won’t connect to your mobile hotspot, you need to check if you have other connections.

A typical mobile hotspot can connect between five to ten devices at a time.

If you notice that your smart TV won’t connect to your mobile hotspot, here’s what you can do:

• If you have multiple connections, be sure to reduce the number of devices connected to your mobile hotspot.
• Switch off your mobile hotspot and try connecting it again.
• Unplug your smart TV from its power source for three to five minutes and then plug it again. Please switch it on and try connecting your smart TV to the hotspot once more.

These three methods should yield some favorable results, but if it’s still not working, discard all the connections and only keep your smart TV connected to be sure. 

But what if none of these methods work? You’ll have to do some testing to see if the issue lies with your smartphone or the smart TV. How can you do this?

1. Use a different smartphone and try to connect your smart TV.
2. Try your mobile hotspot on another device.
3. Try hot-spotting the third device and a secondary smart TV (maybe the issue lies with both devices)

If the TV connects to another smartphone, there might be an issue with your smartphone. On the other hand, if the TV doesn’t connect to another smartphone, you’re looking at an issue with the smart TV.

What can you do? Here are some helpful solutions to this problem:

1. Restart your router; sometimes, slow WiFi is the main perpetrator of this crime. 
2. Conduct a WiFi speed test to confirm that your ISP is providing adequate speed levels. 
3. Check for system updates (maybe your smart TV network drivers require an update)
4. Check for the Android (if it is an Android TV) version; it might be an issue.

Can You Use Your Mobile Hotspot To Watch Content From Streaming Apps On Your Smart TV?

Yes, it is possible to use your mobile hotspot to access streaming apps on your smart TV. The real question, though, is whether it’s efficient. Unfortunately, it’s not an efficient method. It will consume too much bandwidth. 

Whether you want to access Amazon Prime, Disney+, or Netflix, here are better alternatives to accessing your favorite streaming platforms:

• Streaming platforms have mobile app versions that are accessible anywhere. All you have to do is download and install them on your phone. Not only that, but they consume less bandwidth. 
• Use mobile app versions of the streaming platform and cast the content onto your smart TV. This method isn’t better than the first method, but it makes watching your favorite content easier and at the click of a button. This method is more convenient than the former. 

What Is The Learning Curve Here?

Creating and Using a mobile hotspot is a straightforward process with all the tools at your disposal. All you need is a smartphone and a smart TV; the rest is history. If you follow the instructions carefully, you’ll have a fully functional smart TV.

Experts recommend investing in unlimited WiFi; it unlocks the potential of your smart TV and allows users to access more features without being cautious of their usage. It is pricier, but it’s a worthy investment.

 Mobile hotspots may seem like the key to the future, but they have their shortcomings. Each mobile hotspot has a limited number of devices they can have connected. 

If you notice that your smart TV does not connect to the mobile hotspot, you might want to reconsider the number of devices connected to your hotspot or other methods shared earlier in this article. 

Lastly, you can connect your smart TV to your mobile hotspot. You treat it like connecting a standard WiFi connection.

Again, it is a straightforward process, and if you need a refresher, you can always counter-check with this article for all the required steps and processes. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do You Pair Your Smart Phone To Your Smart TV?

You can pair your smartphone to your smart TV with the help of Bluetooth technology. Smart TVs come equipped with Bluetooth, and the same goes for smartphones.
But you can also use your mobile hotspot as a pairing channel. You can use both of these methods to play music, movies, YouTube videos, etc. Nonetheless, Bluetooth is still an amazing option.

Can You Use Your Smart TV As A Hotspot?

Unfortunately, no, you cannot use a smart TV as a hotspot. A smart TV is similar to a smartphone, except it doesn’t have specific features. One such feature is a hotspot feature. Smart TVs can connect to a hotspot, but they can’t become one.

Can You Watch Netflix Off Hotspot?

Yes, you can watch Netflix using a mobile hotspot, but it’s not the most efficient of methods. Experts recommend downloading the Netflix app. 

Sources

1. James Williams, Smart TVs & Mobile Hotspots: 14 Answers (For Beginners), Tech Penny, https://techpenny.com/smart-tvs-hotspots/ Accessed October 29th, 2021.
2. Apple, How to set up a Personal Hotspot on your iPhone or iPad, Apple, https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204023 Accessed October 29th, 2021.
3. David M, Can You Connect A Smart TV To A Mobile Hotspot? Tech Devised, https://techdevised.com/connect-a-smart-tv-to-a-mobile-hotspot Accessed October 29th, 2021. 

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