How to Turn Your Android Into a Mobile WiFi Hotspot

21.11.11 The Reporter 4 Comments

Just a quick note, as compiling the complete lineup of Cherry Mobile Android offerings is taking our Android Alliance crew member a bit of forever to complete.

We came across this thread on Cherry Mobile earlier, and user Ralph Gerard Uy was asking how to turn the Cherry Mobile Magnum HD into a WiFi hotspot.





It doesn't really matter which model you use: Cherry Mobile Nova, Cherry Mobile Cosmo, Cherry Mobile Magnum, even Samsung, LG, Huawei or ZTE. If your Droid is on Froyo and up, and with 3G functionality, this is going to work:

Part 1. Put your phone on a Data Connection.

1. Sign up for a data connection with either Globe Tattoo, Sun Broadband Wireless, or Smart Bro, either Prepaid or Postpaid.
2. If you're on Prepaid, just load your SIM and put it on Unlimited use.

Globe Tattoo:

1 Day -- SUPERSURF50 send to 8888
5 Days -- SUPERSURF220 send to 8888

Sun Broadband Wireless:

Regular SIM:

3 Hours, good for 24 Hours -- i25 send to 247
1 Day -- i50 send to 247
3 Days -- i100 send to 247
7 Days -- i250 send to 247
30 Days -- i999 send to 247


Sun Broadband Wireless SIM:

LOAD [Card+PIN Numbers, no spaces] send to 2225
Then text any of the codes above to 247

You may also load the specific Sun Broadband Wireless (SBW) Cards that already have the durations specified on them.

Smart Bro:

1 Day -- UNLISURF 50 to 2200
2 Days -- UNLISURF 100 to 2200
5 Days -- UNLISURF 200 to 2200

Take note that Smart Bro has a space between the keyword and the denomination, while Globe Tattoo doesn't have spaces between the keyword and the denomination.

Part 2. Configure your phone's data connection and WiFi Hotspot Tethering.

1. Go to Settings > Wireless & Networks
2. Look for Mobile Networks
3. Check both: "Data enabled" and "Always connect to mobile" options
4. Go back to Settings > Wireless & Networks
5. Look for Tethering & portable hotspot
6. Check "Portable Wi-Fi hotspot

That's it, your phone is already a mobile WiFi hotspot!


Here is a visual illustration of those instructions (Click the photo or this link to get to the Slideshow):



You may also configure your hotspot's connection security settings by going to "Portable Wi-Fi hotspot settings," setting an SSID name (the label that will show on the guest devices' WiFi search functions) and the WPA2 PSK (passkey). This way, you'll ensure that only you and the people who know your passkey will be able to use your data connection.

Setting up a your Droid to be a portable WiFi hotspot is so easy, it's unbelievable. Hope you learned something new from us at Android Alliance Ph today!

Edit: And oh. We almost forgot. We had upgraded our Cherry Mobile Nova from Eclair to Froyo. The how-to and experience can be read here.

Edit 2: If you're experiencing problems with your mobile connection, especially on Sun Broadband Wireless, go to Wireless & Networks > Mobile Networks > Network Mode, and tweak the settings there. Here are the following settings per network:

• Globe Tattoo: GSM/WCDMA auto
• Sun Broadband Wireless: WCDMA only
• Smart Bro: GSM/WCDMA auto

If you're in an area where 3G signal is not strong, and you're fine with a slower connection, as long as you can go online, you can choose "GSM only," which will connect you via GPRS. Remember, for Sun Broadband Wireless, the best connection type to choose is WCDMA.