After setting up an eSIM for your trip, it's common to think, "I'd like to use this data on my laptop or tablet too." That's where tethering (also called a personal hotspot or internet sharing) comes in. The catch is that the setting lives in a different place depending on your device, and sometimes it's hard to find right when you need it — which can leave travelers puzzled before departure or just after arrival.
- On iPhone you turn it on from "Personal Hotspot"; on Android, from "Hotspot & tethering"
- Before you rely on it, check that your plan allows tethering and that data is switched on
- Because the plan is data-only, only data can be shared
- Phone-number calls and SMS aren't supported, but app-based calls (such as WhatsApp) work fine
- When something's off, check in this order: phone alone → hotspot on → the connecting device
In short: Tethering lets your phone share its mobile data with other devices, much like a temporary Wi-Fi network. On iPhone, turn it on via "Settings → Personal Hotspot"; on Android, via "Settings → Network & internet → Hotspot & tethering." Before you use it on your trip, it's reassuring to confirm two things in advance: whether your eSIM plan supports tethering, and whether mobile data is switched on. Bloomy plans are generally data-only, so what you share through tethering is data (as of June 2026).
What tethering (personal hotspot) is
Tethering is a way for your phone to share the mobile data it's receiving with another device — a laptop, tablet, game console, and so on. Think of your phone acting as a small Wi-Fi router: in many cases you can connect several devices to the internet from a single eSIM, without renting a separate pocket Wi-Fi device at your destination.
There are three main ways to connect. It helps to pick the one that suits your situation.
| Method | Characteristics | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi | Easy to connect several devices at once. Common and straightforward | When you want to use a laptop and tablet together |
| Bluetooth | Uses relatively little power. Speeds are modest | When you want to make your battery last |
| USB cable | A wired link tends to be stable, and your phone charges at the same time | When working on a laptop for long stretches |
What to check before tethering on your trip
Confirming the following beforehand can save you from scrambling on the day.
- Whether your plan supports tethering: Tethering availability and conditions can differ from one eSIM to another. Please check the plan details before you buy and before you use it.
- Whether mobile data is switched on: Once you arrive, turn on the eSIM line and first confirm that your phone alone can get online.
- That it's data-only: Bloomy plans are generally data-only. What you share through tethering is data — it doesn't share a phone number, SMS, or voice calls. If you need a number or SMS, please look into a separate option as well.
- The number of devices and how much data they'll use: Connecting a laptop and tablet at the same time uses that much more data. Keep in mind that video and software updates can consume a lot.
How to set up tethering on iPhone
On iPhone, this feature is called "Personal Hotspot."
- Open "Settings" and confirm that mobile data is turned on for your eSIM line.
- Go to "Settings" → "Personal Hotspot."
- Turn on "Allow Others to Join."
- Check the "Wi-Fi Password" shown there (you can change it if needed).
- On your laptop or tablet, pick your iPhone's name from the Wi-Fi list and enter the password to connect.
If you can't find "Personal Hotspot," double-check that the eSIM line is selected and that mobile data is on.
How to set up tethering on Android
Wording varies a little by manufacturer on Android, but the basic flow is the same.
- Open "Settings" → "Network & internet."
- Choose "Hotspot & tethering" (sometimes shown as "Tethering").
- Turn on "Wi-Fi hotspot" (Wi-Fi access point).
- Check the network name and password (you can change them).
- On the device you want to connect, select that network name and enter the password.
If you can't locate the option, typing "tethering" into the search box within Settings often finds it quickly.
Getting your laptop online
When you want to work on a laptop while traveling, just turn on tethering on your phone using the steps above, then select your phone's network from the laptop's Wi-Fi settings. For long work sessions or online meetings where you want to prioritize stability, a USB cable connection is also worth considering. For more on what to watch out for during laptop work and video streaming, and how tethering pairs with unlimited plans, see Need an unlimited eSIM for tethering? What to watch for with laptop work and video streaming. Reading it alongside this article makes it easier to gauge how much data you'll need.
What to do when tethering won't connect or feels slow
When things won't connect, working through the checks in this order makes it easier to pin down the cause.
- Can the phone get online by itself? First check whether a website opens on the phone. If it doesn't, the line itself — not tethering — is the place to look first.
- Is tethering actually on? Check that airplane mode or a battery-saver setting hasn't switched it back off.
- Toggle Wi-Fi on the other device: Turn Wi-Fi off on the laptop or tablet, then reconnect.
- A mistyped password: Check uppercase, lowercase, and symbols.
- Keep them close: Placing your phone and the connecting device near each other tends to make the link more stable.
- Congestion and coverage: Connection speed depends on the local network, the coverage in your area, and how busy the network is at that time of day. Changing your location or the time can sometimes help.
If you get stuck activating the line or installing the eSIM, please also see Troubleshooting connection issues and the Setup guide.
Tips for making data and battery last
Tethering uses a fair amount of your phone's battery and data. These habits can ease the load.
- Turn tethering off whenever you're not using it.
- Lower video quality, and run app auto-updates on a stable Wi-Fi connection.
- For long sessions, keep your phone charging while you use it.
- If you're unsure about your allowance, choose a plan that matches how many days you'll travel and how you'll use it.
Finding a plan with Bloomy
If you're planning to tether, it's reassuring to choose a plan with a bit of headroom in both data and number of days. If you'd like to find a plan that fits your destination and usage, the eSIM comparison page lets you compare by country, data amount, and number of days. Note that the available plans and usage conditions can differ by country and region, so please check the latest details before purchasing (as of June 2026).
If unlimited plans interest you, take a look at the unlimited eSIM category as well. Even on unlimited plans, a fair-use policy, speed management, or tethering conditions may apply, so it's worth checking the terms in advance.
Wrap-up
You can switch tethering on in just a few steps — "Personal Hotspot" on iPhone, "Hotspot & tethering" on Android. Before using it on your trip, the key is to confirm that your plan supports it and that mobile data is switched on. When it won't connect, working through it in order — phone alone gets online → tethering is on → reconnect the other device — helps you handle it calmly. For choosing the right data amount and tips on video streaming, do read the related article too. Connection quality varies with the local network, your device, and the area.
