There are many reasons why you might want to use
a mobile hotspot with an Android device. Maybe
you're using a tablet without a mobile data
connection of its own. Perhaps you're traveling
overseas and hoping to avoid data roaming
charges. Either way, Android 4.1 comes with well-
hidden option that lets you properly mark mobile
access points -- we're talking something other
than your home router or the AP in Starbucks -- as
mobile hotspots, allowing you to better control your
use of mobile data.
Take a look after the break.
Before we begin, it's worth noting that if you're
tethering one Jelly Bean (Android 4.1+) device to
another, the connecting device will already know
that it's hooked up to a hotspot versus a more
robust access point. Provided both devices are
running 4.1 or higher, Android handles all that
stuff behind the scenes, meaning there's no need
to manually add Wifi names.
But if you're connecting to a Mifi or a non-Android
phone, you'll need to tell Android that you're
connected to a mobile hotspot. This option is
tucked away under Settings > Data usage. From
there, hit the three dots in the top right corner (or
the menu key, if you have one), and press "Mobile
Hotspots." Next you'll be presented with a list of
saved wireless networks, and you can check the
ones which are mobile hotspots.
Once you've done this, Android will know it should
limit data usage on these mobile networks in
certain ways. For example: music streaming apps
might not download so much in the background,
and any mobile data restrictions you've set for
certain apps will apply when you're on the tethered
connection too.
It's a small step, but one that's not too obvious, and
one that can help you avoid burning through a
Mifi or tethered phone's data allowance.
