How to get xfinity hotspot on my phone

The Xfinity WiFi Hotspots app for Android is available exclusively for Xfinity Internet customers and contains WiFi security features to improve your safety and privacy while using certain Xfinity WiFi hotspots around town. The app enables your device to automatically connect you to Xfinity WiFi hotspots when in range. It makes it easy to find Xfinity WiFi hotspots with enhanced search tools and directions. This app is included with your Xfinity Internet service.

Features:
• Automatically connect to Xfinity WiFi around town, including secure hotspots where available
• "Near Me" locates all nearby Xfinity WiFi hotspots
• View maps and lists of hotspots, with walking and driving directions
• Create and save your favorite hotspots for easy reference later
• View the business category of hotspot locations
• Find hotspots when not connected, using offline data sets
• Support for Google Street view, if Google Maps is installed

Requirements:
• A WiFi enabled device running Android 4.4 and up
• Xfinity Internet service (Performance tier and above)
• Xfinity ID

Xfinity Internet customers:
Look up your existing Xfinity ID (email, mobile phone, or username): xfinity.com/id
Reset your Xfinity password: xfinity.com/password

Comcast Business Internet customers:
Don’t know your username? https://login.comcast.net/myaccount/bc/lookup
Forgot your password? https://login.comcast.net/myaccount/bc/reset

Xfinity WiFi Hotspots
Xfinity WiFi is the largest, fastest WiFi network in the nation, so there is always a hotspot where you need it most. Xfinity WiFi is included with Xfinity Internet service (Performance tier and above) for no additional charge. Stream what you love around town. Save on your mobile data plan.

Learn more about ‘Do Not Sell My Personal Information’ options at https://www.xfinity.com/privacy/manage-preference

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!

Setting up an Xfinity hotspot on Android devices

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.

Can I pay for Xfinity hotspot only?

When you sign up for Xfinity Mobile or select  Xfinity internet plans, you’ll get access to all of Xfinity’s hotspots. Many of these hotspots are also free to the public.

Xfinity customers on non-qualifying internet plans (like prepaid plans) can buy hourly, daily, weekly, or monthly Xfinity WiFi On Demand Passes.

Can I sign into xfinity hotspot with a prepaid plan?

Customers who are on Xfinity’s Performance Starter, Internet Essentials, and Prepaid Instant TV plans will get 40 hours of free access to the carrier’s Wi-Fi hotspots each month. This will not count against monthly data usage for these customers.

As stated above, other customers can get standalone Xfinity WiFi On Demand Passes.

Sources:

Opensignal, “Mobile Network Experience Report January 2020”

Written by

Easton Smith

Easton has worked as a freelance writer and researcher for several years, reviewing health, lifestyle, and technology products. He has probably read more Terms of Use contracts than any human alive. When he’s not sitting in front of a computer, Easton spends his time camping, climbing, and volunteering with humanitarian aid organizations.

Here we’ll look at how to use WiFi hotspots and smartphone tethering to make sure that wherever you go, whichever device you want to use, you can always stay connected.

Enjoy WiFi access on the go with millions of free Xfinity WiFi hotspots nationwide - Learn About Xfinity WiFi Hotspots

What is a WiFi hotspot?

A WiFi hotspot is a way to connect to the Internet wirelessly when you are away from your home or office network. These public hotspots are generally in a fixed, physical location such as a hotel, airport, or coffee shop, and require a password or permission from the owner to get online. Once connected, you need to remain in the immediate area to stay online. WiFi hotspots are often free, but in some cases, the owner will charge a fee. You can also connect your phone to WiFi hotspots to save your cellular data.

There are two types of WiFi hotspots: secured and unsecured. While public WiFi is inherently insecure, an unsecured public WiFi hotspot is not as ideal. If you can, opt for the network name with a small padlock next to it that requires a password for access.

Xfinity offers its customers free access to its network of WiFi hotspots. There are three types: Xfinity is a secure public network indicated by the padlock. “XFINITYwifi” and “cablewifi” are public, unsecure networks, similar to public WiFi connections offered at a coffee shop.

How to connect to public WiFi

To connect to a public WiFi hotspot, simply select the name of the network from the list of available networks on your device, and enter the password given to you by the establishment. Alternatively, you may be routed to a sign in page where you’ll have to answer some questions and agree to Terms of Service.

To access an Xfinity hotspot, just enter your Comcast email and password. The Xfinity WiFi app - available for download on both iOS and Android devices - can help you locate these hotspots.

What is tethering?

With tethering, you can turn your phone into a mobile WiFi hotspot, so your devices can use your phone’s data connection. This creates a more secure, convenient network. It allows you to use your cellphone’s data plan instead of a public network, and it allows you to move around and still stay connected. It’s known as a mobile hotspot.

A mobile hotspot is more secure than a public hotspot because it uses your data stream. It’s often faster, as it isn’t affected by any network traffic. Lots of people could be using a public hotspot at the same time, which will cause it to slow down.

A few common uses of tethering include:

• Driving in the car: Your passengers can tether their tablets and laptops to your phone’s data plan.
• Working on your laptop in a public place: Use it for sensitive work, such as banking, so you’re not sending passwords over a public network.
• Connecting in a place that has a weak signal: If you can’t get a good signal from the available public WiFi networks, tethering to your phone can provide a stronger, more reliable connection (as long as you have a good cellular signal).

How do I connect via tethering?

To start tethering, just turn on your cellphone’s hotspot feature. For iPhone users, go into “Settings” and toggle Personal Hotspot to “on.” A password will appear, and you use this to connect your other devices to the new network your phone has created, normally called “[Your Name]’s iPhone.”

Here is an easy-to-use guide for turning on other common devices’ hotspots.

Things to know about mobile hotspots

Does connecting to a WiFi hotspot use data? Yes, tethering uses your cellphone plan data, so if you pay per GB, you’ll want to use it sparingly. If you have unlimited data, tethering is very useful.

Does it cost more? While most cellular carriers have stopped charging extra fees to turn on hotspots (it’s now a feature built into the hardware of all iPhones and Android phones), you may need to be on a higher plan to get a good speed or to get a “data bonus” for your hotspotting activities. Xfinity Mobile doesn’t charge additional fees for using your phone as a hotspot, and you can activate it on either of its plans.

Will a mobile hotspot work without a cellular signal? No, tethering uses your cellphone’s data plan, which needs a connection to a cellular tower to work. If you have no signal, you’ll need to look for a WiFi hotspot.

How many devices can I tether? Most carriers will limit you to five tethered devices at a time, but the more devices you have tethered, the slower the connection will be for all those connected.

Will a mobile hotspot alter my phone’s performance? Turning on your phone’s mobile hotspot will drain its battery fast, so it’s a good idea to have it plugged in. A portable charger can help. If you can’t charge it, only turn the hotspot on when you really need it.

Both hotspots and tethering are excellent ways to stay connected easily and seamlessly wherever you are. Just be aware of the security risks of using an unsecured network, and be sure to opt for a secure network or tethering to protect your personal information.

How do I log into Xfinity Mobile hotspot?

Can you connect to Xfinity hotspot for free?

Is hotspot free with unlimited data XFINITY?