You can connect your TCL TV to a mobile hotspot if you do not have access to a home Wi-Fi network. A mobile hotspot uses your phone’s cellular data connection to create a temporary Wi-Fi network for your TV.
Before you begin, make sure your phone has a strong cellular signal and that your mobile plan supports hotspot data.
Before You Start
You will need:
- A smartphone with mobile hotspot enabled
- The hotspot network name and password
- A TCL TV with Wi-Fi capability
- Enough hotspot data available on your mobile plan
Note: Streaming video can use a large amount of data. If your mobile plan has a hotspot data limit, your video quality may be reduced or streaming may stop once the limit is reached.
Step 1: Turn On the Mobile Hotspot on Your Phone
On iPhone
- Open Settings.
- Select Personal Hotspot.
- Turn on Allow Others to Join.
- Make note of the Wi-Fi Password.
On Android
- Open Settings.
- Select Network & Internet, Connections, or Mobile Hotspot and Tethering.
The exact wording may vary by phone. - Turn on Mobile Hotspot.
- Make note of the hotspot network name and password.
Step 2: Connect Your TCL TV to the Hotspot
TCL Google TV
- Press the Settings button on your remote.
- Go to Network & Internet.
- Turn Wi-Fi on.
- Select your phone’s hotspot name.
- Enter the hotspot password.
- Select Connect.
TCL Roku TV
- Press the Home button on your remote.
- Go to Settings.
- Select Network.
- Select Set up connection.
- Select Wireless.
- Choose your phone’s hotspot name.
- Enter the hotspot password.
- Select Connect.
TCL Fire TV
- Press the Home button on your remote.
- Go to Settings.
- Select Network.
- Choose your phone’s hotspot name.
- Enter the hotspot password.
- Select Connect.
TCL Android TV
- Press the Home button on your remote.
- Go to Settings.
- Select Network & Internet.
- Turn Wi-Fi on.
- Select your phone’s hotspot name.
- Enter the hotspot password.
- Select Connect.
Step 3: Test the Connection
After the TV connects, open a streaming app or try launching the app store on your TV.
If the app opens and loads content, your TV is connected to the mobile hotspot.
Troubleshooting
The hotspot does not appear on the TV
Try the following:
- Move your phone closer to the TV.
- Make sure the hotspot is turned on.
- Restart the TV.
- Turn the hotspot off and back on.
- Check that your phone allows other devices to connect.
- Make sure the hotspot is not hidden or limited to only approved devices.
The TV says the password is incorrect
- Re-enter the password carefully.
- Passwords are case-sensitive.
- Check for spaces before or after the password.
- Change the hotspot password on your phone and try again.
The TV connects but apps do not load
- Check that your phone has a strong cellular signal.
- Make sure mobile data is turned on.
- Confirm your mobile plan still has hotspot data available.
- Restart both the TV and the phone.
- Try connecting another device, such as a tablet or laptop, to the hotspot to confirm the hotspot is working.
Streaming is slow or buffering
Mobile hotspot performance depends on your cellular signal and your carrier’s hotspot speed.
To improve performance:
- Move the phone to an area with better signal.
- Keep the phone close to the TV.
- Close unused apps on the phone.
- Reduce streaming quality in the app settings, if available.
- Avoid using other devices on the same hotspot while streaming.
Important Notes
- Mobile hotspots may not be as stable as a home Wi-Fi network.
- Streaming apps may use a large amount of data.
- Some mobile carriers reduce hotspot speed after a certain amount of usage.
- Your TV may disconnect if the phone goes to sleep, loses signal, overheats, or runs out of battery.
- For best results, keep your phone plugged in while using it as a hotspot.
Still Having Trouble?
If your TCL TV can connect to other Wi-Fi networks but not your mobile hotspot, check your phone’s hotspot settings or contact your mobile carrier.
If your TCL TV cannot connect to any Wi-Fi network, restart the TV and your router or hotspot, then try connecting again.