How to Use an Xfinity Hotspot

Xfinity Mobile is a unique cell phone company. Its plans are only available to existing Comcast customers, but it’s a great deal if you do qualify. One of the ways that Xfinity Mobile keeps its prices down is by using existing Wi-Fi hotspots to boost data speeds.

But what if you want to make your own hotspot with your Xfinity Mobile phone? It’s totally possible and can take less than a minute to set up. We’ll walk you through the steps in this article.

First, let’s go over the plan and equipment you’ll need to set up your Xfinity Mobile hotspot.

Mobile hotspots are different from the public Wi-Fi hotspots that you might use as a perk with your Xfinity internet plan. A mobile hotspot turns your personal phone into a mini Wi-Fi router using your phone’s network, which you use to connect other devices to the internet.

Only devices that have your unique password can connect to your mobile hotspot, so you don’t have to worry about your others invading your privacy or your bandwidth.

Speaking of bandwidth, your hotspot may not be as fast as your home internet connection. In fact, Xfinity Mobile throttles all mobile hotspots at download speeds of 600 Kbps, which is just about enough to stream video in standard definition (learn more about data speeds with our handy guide).¹

Xfinity Mobile allows you to use your phone as a hotspot with any of its data plans. This includes the unlimited data plan.

If you’re on a limited data plan then using your mobile hotspot will count towards your overall data allotment (Xfinity Mobile has temporarily upgraded many customers to an unlimited data plan due to the COVID-19 crisis).

If you’re not happy with these Xfinity Mobile’s hotspot data plans, check out these plans from other carriers.

Is your Xfinity Mobile phone hotspot capable?

If you’ve got a phone that was made in the last few years then it’s almost certainly hotspot capable. But if you’re still stuck with a second generation iPhone or a retro flip phone then you’ll need to upgrade.

Here’s a look at some of the most popular phones that Xfinity Mobile sells.

You can set up an Xfinity Mobile hotspot on your apple device in just a few easy steps.

1. Go to the Settings section (the icon with the gears).
2. Select the Cellular Data option at the top.
3. Then select the Personal Hotspot option.
4. Switch to the on position (the bar will be green).

Once your hotspot is enabled, you’ll be able to see your private password for tethering other devices. Here’s a screenshot of what that will look like.

Now you should be able to find your hotspot network with other devices (usually it will be “[your name]’s iPhone”). Enter your private password and you should be connected.

A blue bar should appear at the top of your iPhone’s screen to let you know that the hotspot is active. Congratulations, you’ve set up a hotspot!

If you’re an Android user, setting up your wireless hotspot is simple. Just follow these steps:*

1. Go to the Settings app.
2. Click on the Network & internet option.
3. Click on the Hotspot and tethering option.
4. Turn the Wi-Fi Hotspot toggle switch to on.

*There are many different types of Android phones, and sometimes phone manufacturers will create custom settings for their devices. Still, the process for setting up a mobile hotspot should be similar to the one described here.

You can use your phone’s settings page to change the security and password preferences for your hotspot.

Now that your hotspot is enabled, you’ll need to actually turn it on. You can do this in the regular settings menu or in Quick Settings (click the Wi-Fi hotspot icon).

Now you’re good to go! You can connect your other devices at stream, browse, and post to your heart’s content.

Sources:

Opensignal, “Mobile Network Experience Report January 2020”