How to Create a Wi-Fi Hotspot on Mac Using a Wi-Fi Adaptor

Have you ever needed to share your Mac's Wi-Fi connection with other devices? While it may seem odd, Macs don't have a built-in feature to create a Wi-Fi hotspot from a Wi-Fi connection. Fortunately, there is a workaround using a Wi-Fi adaptor. In this article, we'll show you how to create a Wi-Fi hotspot on Mac using a Wi-Fi adaptor. Let's get started.

Before we begin

Macs differ from Windows and Android devices in that they can't share a single Wi-Fi adapter. In other words, the Wi-Fi adapter on a Mac can only be connected to a Wi-Fi network or create its own Wi-Fi hotspot, but not both simultaneously.

To overcome this limitation, you'll need a Wi-Fi adaptor. We recommend using the TP-Link Nano USB Wifi Dongle, which can be purchased for around $13 on Amazon. This adaptor provides all the necessary tools to share your Mac's Wi-Fi connection.

Creating and sharing a Wi-Fi hotspot on a Mac

  1. Begin by plugging the Wi-Fi adaptor into your Mac. If it's not automatically detected, you'll need to install the appropriate drivers from the manufacturer's website.

  2. Once you have the drivers and application installed, open the application and connect to your home Wi-Fi network using the Wi-Fi adaptor. Some applications may appear in the Menubar for easy access.

  3. Now, the TP-Link wireless adaptor will act as a Wireless Network Interface Card (WNIC). We can use it to access the internet and share the internet connection using your Macbook's Wi-Fi.

  4. Open “System Preferences” on your Mac and select “Sharing.”

  5. Under “Internet Sharing,” select “802.11 NIC” from the drop-down menu next to “Share your connection from.” You will see “Wi-Fi” appear in the box below. Check the box next to “Wi-Fi” under “To computers using.”

  6. Click on “Wi-Fi Options” to customize the name, password, and security settings for your Wi-Fi hotspot. After making the changes, click “OK.”

  7. Make sure to enable the Internet Sharing option by checking the box. This will activate Wi-Fi sharing and create a hotspot with an active internet connection.

Congratulations! You have successfully created a Wi-Fi hotspot on your Mac using a Wi-Fi adaptor. This method offers an affordable solution, but we will continue to explore alternatives that don't require additional hardware. If you encounter any issues, feel free to reach out for assistance.

Remember, sharing your Wi-Fi connection can be a convenient way to connect multiple devices to the internet, especially in situations where a wired connection is not available.