Using a smartphone as a mobile router is one of the most popular functions in the modern world, where the Internet is constantly needed. Owners of brand devices Honorworking on an operating system Android with a shell MagicOS or EMUIare often faced with the need to share mobile traffic with a friend or connect a tablet to the network. The process of creating an access point is intuitive, but has a number of technical nuances that affect the connection speed and battery life of the device.
Internet distribution is carried out through a built-in module Wi-Fi Hotspotwhich turns your phone into a full-fledged router. It is important to understand that when this function is activated, the smartphone begins to consume significantly more energy and also heat up due to the high load on the radio module. Correctly setting security parameters and frequency range will help avoid problems with connecting third-party gadgets and ensure stable data transfer speeds.
In this article, we will analyze in detail the algorithm of actions for activating the modem mode, consider the differences between the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies, and also answer frequently asked questions that users have when setting up a network. You'll learn how to limit the number of connected devices and protect your traffic from unauthorized access with strong encryption.
Preparing the device and checking the tariff plan
Before you start setting up an access point, you need to make sure that your tariff plan from your mobile operator supports the Internet distribution function. Many modern tariffs have restrictions on the amount of traffic that can be transferred to other devices, or completely block this opportunity without additional payment. Checking the terms of your contract will save time and prevent unexpected charges from your account.
Make sure your Honor mobile data is turned on. Without an active connection to the cellular operator's network, Wi-Fi distribution will not be possible, even if the access point slider is activated. It is also recommended to check the signal level: if the reception is weak, the quality of the Internet on the connected devices will be low, and the donor phone’s battery will drain much faster due to the module’s constant attempts to maintain the connection.
⚠️ Attention: Some telecom operators determine the distribution of traffic by the TTL (Time To Live) value. If you encounter a lock, you may need to change this parameter in the engineering menu, but this action may violate the software warranty.
Particular attention should be paid to battery charge. Access point mode is one of the most energy-consuming scenarios for using a smartphone. If the charge level is below 20-30%, it is advisable to connect the device to a power source before activating the function to avoid sudden shutdown at the most inopportune moment.
☑️ Ready for Wi-Fi distribution
Activating the access point through system settings
The main way to enable modem mode on smartphones Honor located in the system settings menu. The interface may vary slightly depending on the shell version MagicOS, but the logic of action remains the same for all current models. You need to go to the section responsible for wireless connections, where all network parameters are concentrated.
Find the item Mobile network or Wireless networksin the main menu. Inside this section, select the option Wi-Fi hotspot. In some firmware versions this item may be called Personal hotspot. By clicking on the switch, you activate network broadcasting, but before that it is critical to configure the network name and password.
By By default, the system often offers a standard device name that includes the phone model. To make it easier to find the network on the receiving device, it is better to set a clear name, for example Honor_Home or My_Internet. The password must contain at least 8 characters, including letters and numbers, to meet protocol security standards WPA2-PSK.
Use complex passwords that contain a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters and numbers. This will protect your network from automatic selection of keys by neighboring devices.
After entering all the data, click the save button. Now, if you pull down the notification shade, you will see the hotspot icon become active. On the receiving phone, just select the created network from the list of available ones and enter the set password to gain access to the global network.
Setting the frequency range and security standards
One of the key settings that affects compatibility and speed is the choice of frequency range. The access point menu on Honor usually offers a choice between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. Understanding the difference between them will help optimize network performance for specific tasks and connected devices.
The 2.4 GHz band is more universal and compatible with older models of phones, tablets and laptops. It provides better signal penetration through walls and obstacles, but its throughput is lower, and the airwaves are often overloaded with signals from neighboring routers and household appliances. If you distribute the Internet to an outdated device, choose this option.
| Parameter | 2.4 GHz band | 5 GHz band |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission speed | Medium (up to 150 Mbit/s) | High (up to 800+ Mbit/s) |
| Range | Large, better around obstacles | Smaller, sensitive to walls |
| On-air congestion | High (lots of noise) | Low (clear channel) |
| Compatibility | Supports all devices | Only modern gadgets |
The 5 GHz band provides significantly higher data transfer speeds and connection stability, which is ideal for watching high-definition videos or online games. However, the signal at this frequency fades faster as it moves away from the donor phone. If the receiving device supports the standard 802.11ac or later, this range should be preferred.
What is the WPA3 encryption standard?
WPA3 is the latest security protocol that replaces WPA2. It provides stronger protection against brute-force attacks and encrypts data even on open networks. If your Honor and the connected device support WPA3, it is recommended to select it in the security settings of the access point.
In the security section you can also select the encryption type. It is recommended to leave the value WPA2 PSK or WPA3, if available. Using an obsolete standard WEP or an open network without a password is highly undesirable, as this makes your traffic vulnerable to interception by attackers.
Managing connected devices and limits
Shell functionality MagicOS allows you not only to create a network, but also to control those who connect to it. The access point menu has a section Connected devices, which displays a list of all gadgets using your Internet at the moment. You can see MAC addresses and device names, which helps identify unauthorized users.
To prevent excessive traffic consumption, it is recommended to set a limit on the number of connections. By default, the system can allow the connection of up to 8-10 devices, which creates a high load on the processor and radio module of the phone. The optimal value for personal distribution is 2-3 devices.
Setting is carried out through the item Maximum number of connections. Select the desired value from the drop-down list. This action will automatically reject connection attempts from fourth and subsequent devices, even if they know the correct password. This measure also helps preserve battery power.
⚠️ Attention: The settings interface may change with system updates. If you do not find the item limiting the number of devices, check the relevance of the information in the official user manual for your specific Honor model.
Another useful feature is the ability to block specific devices by MAC address. If you notice an unknown gadget in the connected list, you can click on it and select the block option. After this, this device will no longer be able to connect to your access point, even if you enter the correct password, until you remove the ban.
Alternative ways to distribute the Internet
In addition to the classic setup through the menu, there is a faster way to activate the access point - through the quick settings panel. To do this, you need to move your fingers from top to bottom of the screen to open the notification curtain completely. Among the switch icons, find the icon Access point or Hotspot.
A long press on this icon will immediately redirect you to the settings menu, where you can quickly change the password or network name. A short press instantly turns the dispensing mode on or off. This method is especially convenient when you need to quickly share the Internet without diving deeply into the settings menu.
Another option is to distribute the Internet via Bluetooth or USB cable. Bluetooth tethering is slower but consumes less power, which can be useful in emergency situations. A USB modem allows you not only to transfer the Internet to a computer or a supporting smartphone, but also to simultaneously charge the donor device, which solves the problem of rapid battery drain.
To activate the USB modem, connect the phone with a cable to the receiving device, then turn on the switch in the access point settings USB modem. Please note that when using a cable, the phone can be detected as a network card, and drivers on the receiving device (for example, on a Windows PC) will be installed automatically.
USB modem is the most stable and energy-efficient way to distribute the Internet to a computer, eliminating loss of speed over the radio channel.
Possible problems and methods for eliminating them
Despite the ease of setup, users may encounter situations where devices do not see the network or cannot connect to it. One common reason is incompatibility of frequency ranges. If you distribute a 5 GHz network, and the receiving phone is an old model, it simply will not detect the access point in the list of available networks.
In this case, you need to return to the access point settings on Honor and force the range to be switched to 2.4 GHz. It is also worth checking whether the donor phone has a power saving mode enabled, which may limit the operation of background services and the radio module to save battery. Disabling the power saving mode often solves the problem of an unstable connection.
Sometimes a simple restart of the communication modules helps. Try turning it on and off Airplane mode on both devices. This action reboots network adapters and clears temporary connection errors. If the problem persists, check to see if the receiving device is set to a static IP address that conflicts with the hotspot's address range.
⚠️ Warning: If your connection drops frequently, make sure your phone doesn't have aggressive battery optimization settings enabled for system processes that might force the hotspot service to close.
If none of the methods help, the last resort is to reset the network settings. This action will delete all saved Wi-Fi passwords, Bluetooth and mobile network settings, but will return the radio configuration to the factory state. You can perform a reset in the section System and updates -> Reset -> Resetting network settings.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why does the phone quickly discharge during distribution Wi-Fi?
Access point mode forces the radio module to operate in constant signal transmission mode at high power, which consumes a lot of energy. In addition, the processor is responsible for routing traffic. To prolong the work, it is recommended to lower the screen brightness, disable unnecessary applications and, if possible, connect the phone to a charger.
Is it possible to distribute Wi-Fi if the phone does not have a SIM card?
No, to distribute mobile data you need an active SIM card with a tariff plan that supports data transfer. However, if your Honor is connected to another Wi-Fi network, some versions of Android allow you to rebroadcast this signal (Wi-Fi repeater function), but this depends on the specific model and firmware version.
How to hide the name of your network from strangers?
In the settings of the access point on Honor, you can enable the option Hidden network. In this case, the network name (SSID) will not be broadcast. To connect, other users will need to manually enter the network name and password in the Wi-Fi settings of their device by selecting "Add a network manually."
Does Wi-Fi distribution affect the speed of mobile data on the phone itself?
Yes, the channel bandwidth is divided between all connected devices. If several gadgets are actively downloading files or watching videos, the speed on the donor phone itself will also decrease, since the module processes incoming and outgoing traffic sequentially or with a limited channel width.
What to do if the connected device says “Connected, without access to the Internet”?
This means that the connection between the phones is established, but Honor does not transmit data from the mobile network. Check if there is internet on the phone itself (open your browser). Make sure that the traffic limit is not exhausted, and try disabling and enabling mobile data.