How to Use the Galaxy Note 9 as a Mobile Hotspot

This guide will show you how to set up and use the Galaxy Note 9 as a mobile hotspot. This shares your phones internet connection with other devices like a laptop, tablet or portable gaming system. Basically turning the Note 9 into a WiFi network for the rest of your devices.

Mobile hotspots are a great way to stay connected while you’re traveling without paying for expensive hotel WiFi or dealing with Starbucks connections.

Read: How to Delete Your Note 9 Browser History

This feature is often called a mobile hotspot, portable hotspot, or tethering, but they’re all the same thing. Our video below shows you how this works, then we’ll share step-by-step instructions and explain how to use the USB Type-C cable for a more secure shared internet connection.

Before we begin, keep in mind that some carriers charge an extra fee for the hotspot feature. And unlimited plans likely don’t offer it at all. Additionally, be very careful using your hotspot as it’s easy to use an entire 5GB monthly data plan in one day.

How to Use Your Galaxy Note 9 as a Mobile Hotspot

• Head to Settings from the app on your home screen, app tray, or by pulling down the notification bar and tapping the gear-shaped settings button
• Tap Connections
• Scroll down and select Mobile Hotspot and Tethering
• Select Mobile Hotspot

Before using the hotspot make sure you change the name to something you’ll recognize, and create your own password.

• You can use the included name and password, or create your own as shown below
• Now tap or swipe the switch to turn on your hotspot

• Next, it will verify your mobile plan has the hotspot feature, and begin sharing a WiFi connection
• Follow the on-screen instructions to connect your other devices to the Note 9

It’s all pretty simple once you set it up for the first time. Create a name, change the password to something that’s easy for you to remember, and you’re all set. Once you’ve enabled the hotspot just connect to the newly created WiFi network with your tablet, laptop, computer, Nintendo Switch or other WiFi-enabled devices.

Also, we recommend hitting the three dots in the top corner of the screen and select Timeout settings. Then choose how long your Galaxy Note 9 keeps the hotspot enabled when it is not in use. This way after 10 minutes of no one connecting, it turns off. This will save your data connection and battery life.

Quick Toggle On/Off Your Galaxy Note 9 WiFi Hotspot

Once everything is ready to go, you’ll want to add the hotspot feature to your notification bar quick settings. These are the little icons when you pull down the notification shade. You can reorder these buttons and put the hotspot near the front.

Swipe down from the top of the screen twice to see an expanded few of all the quick-setting icons. Typically there are options for WiFi, Bluetooth, Sound, Flashlight and other useful settings. Find the Mobile Hotspot quick-setting tile, and tap it once as shown above. This instantly turns the hotspot feature on and off.

How to Use Galaxy Note 9 Tethering (USB Type-C)

Similar to the WiFi hotspot, the Galaxy Note 9 can also share its internet and data connection through the USB port on the bottom. Basically using a wired connection instead of WiFi for internet and better security. This is in the same settings menu as above, under USB Tethering.

• Head to Settings from the app on your home screen, app tray, or by pulling down the notification bar and tapping the gear-shaped settings button
• Tap Connections
• Scroll down and select Mobile Hotspot and Tethering
• Select USB Tethering (grayed out until you connect the USB Type-C cable)

This works the same way as the mobile hotspot. Turn it on and connect your USB Type-C cable to your computer and the Galaxy Note 9. On a Mac, you will need to go to Network Preferences and set up USB tethering as a network option. On Windows, a small pop-up should prompt you to connect to a new network and your device may need to download and install some drivers first. Then, just connect to the Note 9 and use it for your source of internet access.

Last-minute Tips

After you use your Galaxy Note 9 as a mobile hotspot we recommend checking your data usage. Or at least keeping an eye on it. Those with unlimited data plans don’t need to worry, but for everyone else, a hotspot can easily eat through your monthly data limit in just a few hours. If you don’t pay attention, you could get a huge bill at the end of the month. Be careful.

We recommend heading into Settings > Connections > Data Usage and watch it closely so you don’t go over your allotment.

While you’re here, take a look at how to get rid of all those pre-installed apps on your Galaxy Note 9. Or, choose from one of our 19 Best Galaxy Note 9 cases.