Can WiFi Work Without Internet? (Find Out)

Can WiFi work without internet? Of course it can! You want to be able to get on the internet, but you don’t have an internet provider. Is there a way to access Wi-Fi without an internet provider that you can make use of?

Well, there might be a few tricks that you can make use of that will allow you to use Wi-Fi or something similar. Take a look at the information below so that you can learn how to use the internet on your devices even if you don’t have an internet provider.

How To Get WiFi Without Internet Provider

Use Your Smartphone’s Wireless Hotspot

One of the most practical things that you can do in this situation is use your smartphone’s wireless hotspot. Assuming you have a modern smartphone, it’s going to be possible to use it to give internet access to nearby Wi-Fi-enabled devices. You just need to go into your phone settings and turn your wireless hotspot on to make this possible.

Typically, you’ll have to enter your phone number or some other type of password to gain access to the wireless hotspot on your desired device. This will allow you to use the internet on your device just like you would if you were paying for Wi-Fi from an internet provider. However, there are some caveats that you need to be aware of.

First, most people don’t have an unlimited data plan through their phone companies. If you do have unlimited data on your current smartphone plan, then you might not have to worry about using your wireless hotspot. If you have a limit on your data, then using your wireless hotspot is likely going to tear through your data limits faster than you would like. Even a few hours of watching streaming videos or playing games online can burn through several gigabytes of data.

Knowing this, it may or may not be practical for you to use your wireless hotspot as a Wi-Fi alternative. Take the time to determine how much data you have to work with before you decide to do this. Otherwise, you could wind up going over your limit and this could lead to a higher phone bill in some cases. It’s always best to be mindful of what is going on before moving forward.

Cable Tethering to a Mobile Device

You actually don’t have to use your mobile hotspot if you want to connect your laptop to the internet. It’s possible to use a cable to tether your mobile device to your laptop computer or another type of device. This will allow you to use the internet and do whatever it is that you need to do. A simple USB cable can connect your smartphone to pretty much any device that you would want to use online in modern times.

There are actually some slight advantages to doing things this way instead of using your mobile hotspot, too. The biggest one is that no one can potentially hack into your network when you’re using the cable. People are often able to enjoy faster connection speeds when they use cable tethering as well. For many people, this is the best thing to do when you need to use the internet but there is no Wi-Fi connection available.

Buy a Portable Cellular Router

Certain phone companies sell things known as portable cellular routers. You can get a SIM card for these devices and they will allow you to use the internet just like how you would use a standard Wi-Fi connection. However, there are usually still going to be data restrictions to keep in mind. You might have a 50 GB data limit for the month or it could be a lower amount than that depending on what your phone provider is able to offer you.

This might be a practical choice for some people, but it definitely isn’t better than having standard Wi-Fi from an internet provider. The cost of doing this is similar to just paying to have a normal Wi-Fi connection and you have to deal with restrictions. If you live in an area that doesn’t have an internet provider, then this might be ideal. Otherwise, this is likely an option that you can ignore.

Logging Into Another Wi-Fi Connection

You might not have Wi-Fi from an internet provider, but that doesn’t mean that your neighbors don’t. They might be willing to share their Wi-Fi with you if you’re friends with them. Some people also fail to secure their wireless networks with passwords and this allows you to log into those networks without any hassle. This might not be wise to do, though.

Logging into unfamiliar networks could be potentially harmful to you in many ways. For instance, it’s possible that someone could try to gain access to your device when you’re logged onto their network. People could attempt to steal data and this could be a very problematic thing to have happen. It’s not unusual for neighbors to share their Wi-Fi, but you might want to be sure that you trust someone before you go this route.

It’s also possible to protect yourself using a virtual private network (VPN). VPNs allow you to browse anonymously and they provide an extra layer of protection online. If you’re going to be using Wi-Fi connections that aren’t your own, then it’s advisable to use a VPN for protection. It doesn’t take a lot of effort to use a VPN and you should be able to have a much better experience overall.

Use Public Wi-Fi

Public Wi-Fi could also be a good alternative to use if you don’t have your own internet connection. Many people live near restaurants and other businesses that offer Wi-Fi. You could go down to the local coffee shop whenever you need to do something important online. Other options for public Wi-Fi include fast-food restaurants, the public library, and universities.

The same advice about using a VPN will apply to using this type of Wi-Fi, too. With so many people using the same Wi-Fi connection, it’s going to be dangerous to use networks like this without some type of protection. Be mindful of what you’re doing and take the necessary precautions. Data theft is a real issue in modern times and no one wants to have to deal with something as dramatic as identity theft.

Avatar of David
About David

Hey there, I'm David. I recently joined the Spacehop team from Tech Devised, and love writing about all things TECH! When I'm not writing, you can find me enjoying the great outdoors with my golden retriever Lucy or enjoying a pint at my local Irish pub.

Leave a Comment

Previous

Can You Use Google Home Mini Without WiFi?

Can You Go To Jail For Looking At A Website?

Next