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How to Connect Hotspot to PS5

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Connecting your mobile hotspot to your PS5 allows you to access the internet on your gaming console when you don’t have access to Wi-Fi. This can be useful when traveling or if your home internet is down. The process of connecting a hotspot to a PS5 is relatively straightforward, though the steps differ slightly across mobile carriers and devices. In this guide, we’ll walk through the main steps for connecting your phone’s mobile hotspot to your PS5.

Why Connect a Hotspot to Your PS5?

There are a few key reasons you may want to connect your phone’s mobile hotspot to your PS5 console:

  • No WiFi Access: If you don’t have access to a WiFi network, using your phone’s mobile data as a hotspot lets you get your PS5 online. This is great for gaming on the go.
  • Slow/Unreliable Home Internet: If your home WiFi is slow or unreliable, tethering your phone’s 4G or 5G connection can provide a faster, more consistent connection for gaming and downloads.
  • PlayStation Network Access: Connecting to a hotspot lets your PS5 access PlayStation Network features like online multiplayer, notifications, the PlayStation Store and more while away from home.

How to Turn On Mobile Hotspot on Android & iOS

Before connecting your phone to your PS5, you first need to enable the mobile hotspot feature on your smartphone. Here’s how to turn on mobile hotspots on Android and iOS devices:

Enable Hotspot on Android

  1. Open your Android device’s Settings app.
  2. Tap on Network & internet > Hotspot & tethering.
  3. Toggle on the Wi-Fi hotspot or Mobile Hotspot switch.
  4. You can customize the hotspot’s SSID and password if desired.
  5. Tap Save when finished. Your hotspot is now active.

Turn On Personal Hotspot on iPhone

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap on Personal Hotspot.
  3. Turn on the toggle for Personal Hotspot.
  4. You can customize the name, password and security for your iPhone’s hotspot connection.
  5. Tap Wi-Fi Password to view or change the password.
  6. Your iPhone’s hotspot is now enabled. The hotspot SSID and password will display on the Personal Hotspot screen.

With your mobile hotspot now active, you can proceed to connecting your PS5.

Connecting Your Hotspot to a PS5 Step-by-Step

Follow these instructions to connect your mobile hotspot to your PS5 console:

  1. First, activate your phone’s mobile hotspot as shown above. Make note of the hotspot’s SSID and password.
  2. On your PS5, go to Settings > Network > Set Up Internet Connection.
  3. Select Use Wi-Fi. The PS5 will scan and display available WiFi networks.
  4. In the list of networks, select the SSID of your phone’s mobile hotspot.
  5. Enter the hotspot password when prompted.
  6. The PS5 will connect to your phone’s hotspot. Make sure to keep your phone nearby while using the hotspot.
  7. Test the connection by launching a game or app on your PS5. You should now have internet access via your phone’s mobile data connection.
  8. When finished, go back to your phone and disable the hotspot to stop sharing your data connection.

And that’s it! As long as your mobile device remains within range, your PS5 can now utilize your phone’s internet via the hotspot connection. Keep in mind mobile hotspots do consume your phone’s battery and mobile data faster than normal usage. But in a pinch it’s an easy way to get internet access on your console anywhere.

Tips for Getting the Best Hotspot Connection for Gaming

Here are some tips to ensure your mobile hotspot provides a strong, reliable connection for online gaming on PS5:

  • Position your phone closer to the PS5 to get the best WiFi signal strength. Keep the phone in the same room if possible.
  • Disable background apps and features on your phone to devote more bandwidth to the hotspot.
  • Put your phone in airplane mode then re-enable just the mobile hotspot to prevent interference.
  • Limit connections to your hotspot to just your PS5. Extra connections can reduce bandwidth.
  • If using an unlimited data plan, set hotspot to 5G instead of 4G for faster speeds.
  • Adjust hotspot frequency band in your phone’s settings for optimal performance if needed.
  • Test different locations and angles to find the ideal spot that provides strongest WiFi signal to your console.

Following these tips will help you get lower latency and less lag while gaming online using your phone’s mobile hotspot connection.

Summary of Connecting Hotspot to PS5 Steps

To recap, here is a quick overview of the main steps covered in this guide for connecting your mobile phone’s hotspot to your PS5 gaming console:

  • Activate mobile hotspot on your phone (Android or iPhone)
  • On PS5, go to Settings > Network > Set Up Internet Connection
  • Select “Use Wi-Fi” and choose your phone’s hotspot SSID
  • Enter the hotspot password when prompted on PS5
  • Keep phone nearby PS5 to maintain connection
  • Disable hotspot on phone when finished

That covers the basics of setting up and connecting your mobile hotspot to a PlayStation 5! With this handy tethered connection, you can access PlayStation Network features, play online games, and download new titles wherever you go.

Troubleshooting Hotspot Connections on PS5

Sometimes you may encounter issues getting your phone’s hotspot to connect properly to your PS5 or experience disconnections while playing games online. Here are some troubleshooting tips if you’re having problems.

also see: How to Connect Logitech Keyboard to Mac

PS5 Not Finding Mobile Hotspot

If your PS5 can’t find or won’t connect to your phone’s WiFi hotspot, try these steps:

  • On your phone, disable the hotspot and re-enable it. This resets the connection which can fix issues.
  • Forget the WiFi network on your PS5 by going to Settings > Network > Set Up Internet Connection > Wi-Fi > Forget Network. Then reconnect to the hotspot again.
  • Check that your hotspot SSID isn’t hidden. The PS5 needs the SSID broadcast to find and connect to the network.
  • Make sure mobile data is enabled on your phone if using a mobile hotspot and not just a WiFi tether.
  • Restart or reset network settings on both the PS5 and your phone to refresh the connections.

Connected But No Internet Access on PS5

If your PS5 connects to the hotspot but shows no internet access:

  • Check the hotspot is providing internet to other devices like laptops or tablets as expected. If it’s not, restart your phone.
  • Ensure your phone has a 4G or 5G cellular data connection in addition to the WiFi hotspot enabled.
  • Try manually entering the IP and DNS settings instead of automatically on the PS5 network settings page.
  • Some cell providers block tethering data on cheaper plans. You may need to upgrade your cell plan.
  • Restart your phone and PS5 and reconnect your hotspot to refresh the connection.

Poor Hotspot Connection Speed or Quality

There are a few steps you can take to boost your hotspot speeds for gaming:

  • Get your phone as close as possible to your PS5 console to maximize signal strength.
  • Close background apps on your phone to dedicate bandwidth to the hotspot.
  • In your phone settings, reduce the maximum number of devices allowed to connect to just 1 or 2 devices.
  • Disable automatic app updates on your phone during gameplay sessions.
  • Adjust Quality of Service (QoS) settings to prioritize gaming devices if available.
  • Try forcing your phone to use 5G instead of 4G if possible for faster speeds.
  • Consider upgrading to an unlimited data plan so you can use 5G hotspot without slowdowns.
  • If speeds are consistently slow, contact your cell provider and check you don’t have data throttling enabled on your account.

Hotspot Disconnects During Online Games

If your PS5 keeps losing connection to your hotspot during gameplay, here are some tips:

  • Check your phone didn’t put the hotspot to sleep. Disable sleep settings.
  • Your phone may be switching between cell towers and temporarily losing connectivity.
  • Enable developer options on Android and turn off “Avoid poor connections” which can cause disconnects.
  • Overheating can cause hotspot problems. Ensure your phone has good ventilation.
  • Keep your phone static instead of moving around while gaming to maintain a consistent connection.
  • Check your cell signal bars. If only 1 or 2 bars, the connection will be less stable. Move to a better signal area if possible.

Following troubleshooting steps like these should help resolve most mobile hotspot issues on your PS5. But if problems persist, contacting your cell provider and confirming your account does not restrict hotspot usage may be needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some common questions about using a mobile hotspot with a PS5 console:

Does connecting my hotspot to PS5 use a lot of data?

Yes, gaming and downloading games can use data quickly. Streaming video and music will use even more data. An unlimited data plan is recommended. Monitor your usage.

Is a hotspot connection fast enough for online multiplayer gaming?

In most cases yes, but depends on your mobile carrier network coverage and speeds. 5G hotspot will provide the best gaming experience.

What’s the best hotspot device for PS5?

Your smartphone will likely be the most convenient option. Tablets, laptops and standalone hotspot devices can also work well if properly configured.

Do I have to keep my phone next to my PS5 when using its hotspot?

Keeping your phone in the same room as the PS5 is recommended for best connectivity. Long distances will weaken the signal and cause lag.

Can I connect my PS5 to a public WiFi hotspot?

Yes, as long as the public hotspot doesn’t have login requirements or other restrictions. Performance will vary based on the hotspot’s internet connection speed.

What’s the maximum range for connecting my phone’s hotspot to PS5?

Hotspot range varies by device, but plan for about 30 feet indoors under ideal conditions. Longer distances will result in weaker connections.

Final Tips for Connecting Mobile Hotspots to PS5

  • When finished using your hotspot, don’t forget to disable it on your phone to stop consuming data.
  • Keep your phone charged or plugged in while using its hotspot to prevent battery drain.
  • Disable auto updates, auto plays, and background processes on your phone while using the hotspot.
  • If hotspot speeds are consistently slow, contact your cell provider to check account status and coverage.
  • Using a wireless charger can help keep your phone powered up conveniently while acting as a hotspot.
  • Monitor your hotspot data usage in your phone’s settings to avoid surprise overage charges.

That wraps up this full guide on setting up and troubleshooting connections between mobile hotspots and the PlayStation 5! With the ability to wirelessly connect your phone’s internet to your PS5, you can enjoy online multiplayer, remote play and more even when traveling or other Wi-Fi networks are unavailable. Enjoy the convenience and freedom of mobile hotspot gaming on PS5!