How to Share Hotel Wi-Fi With Multiple Devices

Have you ever been frustrated by a hotel that only provides one Wi-Fi credential per room and charges extra for additional devices? Fortunately, there are simple ways to share the hotel's Wi-Fi connection without cracking the password. Whether you're using Windows, Mac, or an Android smartphone, you can easily connect multiple devices to the hotel's Wi-Fi network. Let's explore how.

Windows

If you're using a Windows 10 laptop, sharing the Wi-Fi connection is a breeze. Simply connect your laptop to the hotel's Wi-Fi, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile Hotspot > Share Connection from Wi-Fi > Share Connection over Wi-Fi, and turn it on. By default, your laptop will create an SSID with a random alphanumeric number, but you can customize it by clicking on the Edit button. Once connected, you can enjoy the Wi-Fi on all your devices.

If you're using an older version of Windows, such as 8.1, 8, or 7, you can use popular Wi-Fi sharing software like Connectify.me, Maryfi, or My Public Wi-Fi.

Mac

While you can't create a Wi-Fi hotspot and connect to Wi-Fi simultaneously on a Mac, there are other simple solutions. If you want to share your Mac's internet connection with your iPhone, you can either connect them using a lightning cable or share the internet via Bluetooth. To do this, go to System Preferences > Sharing > Internet Sharing > Share your connection from: Wi-Fi > To Computers using: Bluetooth and iPhone USB.

If you don't have an iPhone or want to share the internet connection with multiple devices, consider investing in a cheap Wi-Fi Adapter for your future trips. You can find one on Amazon for as low as $8. Connect your Wi-Fi Adapter to the hotel's Wi-Fi, go to System Preferences > Sharing > Internet Sharing, and share your connection from the Wi-Fi Adapter to computers using Wi-Fi. Customize the hotspot name and password, and you're good to go.

Android

If you have a flagship Android device like Google Pixel or Samsung Galaxy Note 9, you can share the hotel's Wi-Fi natively. Simply go to Settings > Wireless > Mobile Hotspot > Setup and turn on the mobile hotspot. Connect all your devices to your mobile hotspot, and you're ready to enjoy the Wi-Fi.

If your phone doesn't have this option, you can use third-party apps like Netshare No Root Tethering. However, make sure your smartphone has a dual-band Wi-Fi Adapter. You can easily check if your phone is supported by doing a quick Google search. Once you've confirmed compatibility, download and run the app to share the internet connection.

Carry a Wireless Repeater

If you frequently travel and don't want to use your existing devices as Wi-Fi repeaters, consider investing in a cheap Wireless Repeater. Most repeaters have three modes: Ethernet, WPS, and password-protected network. If any of these options are available in the hotel you visit, you can buy a repeater and extend the Wi-Fi coverage. However, keep in mind that repeaters won't work with open Wi-Fi networks or captive logins.

In conclusion, there are several ways to share a single Wi-Fi connection at a hotel. Plan ahead and choose the method that suits your needs. If the hotel is uncooperative, you may consider switching hotels or using data tethering if you have a decent data plan. Let me know in the comments below which method you prefer!