Topic: Switch + Mobile Hotspot = AWESOME

I remember trying to do this with my 3DS a while back and getting error code every time. Perhaps it's just Att or the Switch is just much more improved.

@wiggleronacid
Well, 3DS is a little dated. I'd try with Switch and see how you fare.

For those who have mobile hotspot it's a godsend. It's almost even worth exploring new phone options for those who will likely play online on the go if they could. If that's the price of online gaming anywhere...

Alls I can say, with certainty, right now, is that it works with the Samsung Galaxy S7 via Verizon Wireless. Hopefully more members here can chime in and confirm what they're using and if it works.

This is going to be so fun to use once a Smash Bros. game and Splatoon 2 release on Switch.

I've been using this for the Switch since I got it and it works like a charm. I'm using a prepaid plan at that. Add to the fact that we will be able to sync with other Switch systems in the future and be able to download game updates without internet(aka not necessarily need to burn through precious data) and it really does seem like the Switch is made for this type of thing.

@wiggleronacid I have connected my 3DS connected to my mobile hotspot for a while, so maybe you haven't quite set it up right, or it could be another issue.

@BraveSonic I used my mobile hotspot to play a number of Smash Bros matches on my 3DS, so, yeah, it definitely is viable. :3

@Lalivero
Very nice. And what phone/service provider do you use?

I'm still holding onto my Nexus 6P, and I've been with NET10 for like 4+ years. I do believe my tethering is initially blocked(based on the towers it runs through), but I always root my phones so I just disable the block, haha.

So I am having NAT issues whenever i try to play online using my phone as a hotspot. I have a samsung galaxy s4 with ATT. i can use the eshop and download games and update them. But i can not play online. I was unable to do the splatfest at all and cant play arms at work. Is it an issue with my phone being too old?

@dracoshroob
Ya, people through AT&T have the same issues. Seems Verizon is who you want for Switch hotspot.

I have heard some people taking their phone to like a RadioShack or somewhere where people know about phones, and can possibly change an internal setting m? Idk.

I think we've learned AT&T is pretty much a no-go for mobile gaming. Which sucks. Depending how important it is to you, can always consider going with Verizon for next phone. I use Galaxy S7

@JaxonH So its more an issue with ATT then the phone itself? I have been planning to get an all unlimited plan through walmart as its 40$ for data, talk, and text. all unlimited. But it uses ATT towers which is what im concerned about. as for a phone ive been considering getting a Blu on amazon as they are like 60$ if you have amazon prime. Im just wondering if i buy the phone through verizon but stay with att will it be able to work.

It may be a bit hard to find a Radio shack in this day and age. as all the ones with 100 mile radius are closed around me.
But i do work at a tech support call center, so I am going to ask around work tomorrow to see if any of them know about this or how to change it.
Ill post back if I find out anything. It does seem a weird thing for ATT to restrict

@dracoshroob
I don't know. All I know is everyone who uses AT&T has issues, while everyone who uses Verizon foes not, regardless of phone. BUT I've heard that perhaps in some cases a Smart Internet feature in the internal settings was causing the issue and having a tech change it solved the problem?

The only true solution I know of that's 100% Is to switch to Verizon.

What you can do is order the phone online, and put in a zip code for an area where Verizon is the only one with towers, and they will hook you up with a Verizon service instead of AT&T or whoever else. I did that before back when I was doing prepaid. They will ALWAYS give you AT&T or Sprint before Verizon because the minute bundles they purchase are less expensive. But if you type in a zip code where only Verizon offers service, they're forced to give you Verizon.

AT&T is infamously no-go. I might try Sprint out (it worked about a year ago, but not sure if it does now.) T-Mobile worked for me until Saturday...now...no. But with them it seems kind of random. It seems some SIMS get stuck behind the second NAT and some don't, and it's not even tower specific. So with them, it might work for months, and then suddenly it'll never work again (or maybe in a year it will, who knows.)

@JaxonH, from what I've seen even Verizon's not a guarantee. It might be more likely to work, but it's not always going to work in all locations either. Like with my TMO, buy & try but never assume even if it works today it will work tomorrow. Online gaming with hotspots is, for now, going to be a very "works for you but not for me and now not for you either, but next week might for me" kind of risky gamble. Verizon MAY have the best chance, but don't assume it's forever.

The real issue is area congestion of devices. As the area gets more devices, and they run out of virtual IPs, they'll just chunk off a subnet and NAT it a second, third, time, so it will always be in flux at least until IPV6 is standardized....which even even Verizon rolled out their network BEFORE the IPV6 standard, thus doesn't support it (maybe the towers with Advanced now do which is why it's working on newer IPV6 capable devices.)

And do keep in mind with VZW, their pricing. Phone hotspotting for 10GB (and you can't buy more for ANY amount of money) on that unlimited plan is one thing. But for people interested in real hotspots with more data, they are astronomical on a factor of several times more expensive than everyone else. We're talking $400+/mo kind of expensive for data blocks other companies sell for $100-200. I think they rely on corporate budget level spending...they're kind of the US version of docomo.

I wish hotspot play on Switch were more of a thing...but the carriers at least in the US are really just not going to let that dream be reality at least for some time...

@NEStalgia
Idk, I have yet to meet a person with Verizon who had issues.

Maybe one day it'll change, but I refuse to live life in fear of maybes. Right now, if a person wants to game with hotspot, Verizon is the answer. 10gb is more than enough for 99% of users

@JaxonH I haven't met one personally or on this forum (the only place I've actually had discussions about it ) but searching online I saw plenty of people on cell forums and VZWs own forums with the exact same situation (a few referencing Switch specifically, most talking about other consoles.) So it's definitely a thing. It's likely by site,j so if your tower or sector has enough IPs they won't touch it. If it starts congesting they do. If VZW is utilizing IPV6 it may be less of an issue as their newer devices aren't bottlenecking the IPv4 ranges. Not saying to live in fear (I do now though! ), but just pointing that out when you recommend it to people it should have a giant asterisk saying *Not applicable in all locations but more likely than the other carriers.

10GB sounds like a lot..depends how much you use it mobile. For me I'm using almost EXCLUSIVELY mobile for a few months...that said, exclusive use of Arms for a month barely ate 7 of my 22GB. it would still fit in the 10. But add in a patch or two for some games and it starts depleting faster.

FWIW I think VZW prepaid also has a 10gb hotspot plan, but not unlimited + hotspot, it's either 10gb with hotspot or unlimited without hotspot. Post-paid has the unlimited+10GB hotspot which, given my data use on my TMO phone is generally under 750MB/mo....I think the hotspot is all that matters for me

Like you, I'm just now looking into this as well.

So if I understand correctly... "Mobile hotspot" is connecting to WiFi, and is usually a supplemental thing added to a plan (like sprint you buy 10GB's or whatever).

BUT... if you "tether" it uses your actual phones data, not the hotspot data. Is this correct?
If so, I have unlimited data with Sprint. Is there a way to TETHER the Switch to a hotspot, instead of using a hotspot that I have to pay extra for?

@GlockGuy If you have unlimited data on your phone then you should be able to use that as a hotspot.

I think people just buy mobile hotspots if they want to use a separate sim card when they're abroad or when they don't want to run down their phone's battery. Using your phone should be fine though if you have a good data plan. Just keep it charged!

@Kimyonaakuma Thanks for the response.

The problem is, I went to hit "personal hotspot" in my phone settings and it said I needed to call or go to the website. I went to the website and it was just the general Sprint homepage.

Do you know if I just plug my iPhone data cable into my phone, then the USB end to the Switch dock... will that be "tethering"? Or is there something else I have to do?

@GlockGuy I don't have an iPhone so mine might be different but when I switch it on in my settings it just acts like a normal WiFi router.
I just set the password and then connect whatever I'm using to it just like you would normally use WiFi, it works most of the time.

Maybe it's worth emailing or calling Sprint if it suggests contacting them, I'm not sure why it would say that though

You could try using a cable for the dock but I'm not sure if that would work. Switch does support wired internet connections but I dont know if a phone would work.

Sorry that I couldn't help more but I don't have an iPhone or a data plan with Sprint...

I’m not sure that would work. You probably can only detect the phone over WiFi using it as a hotspot.

I’m surprised this isn’t getting closed down over @Octane being selective in enforcing forum rules. Sometimes a thread has to be over six months old regardless of when the last post was or not. Sometimes he does t like the thread or content and gets his feelings hurt and closes it. So who knows.

@Kimyonaakuma Ok. Yea I should probably just call them... was just curious if I could get around buying Hotspot data and just use the unlimited cell data I have. Thanks for the help

@DTMOF84 ok, thanks for the info.
And yea I didn't look at how old the post was. I just googled "how to tether Switch to iphone" and this is what I found. I assumed it was somewhat recent because it's about the Switch, and the Switch has only been out 8 or so months.

I've read several things from people "tethering" the laptops to their phones, and it gives their laptop internet and they say it doesn't use "hotspot" data, it only uses the cell phone data, which would be ideal. I was hoping IF that worked, I could just bring teh dock with me, since the Switch itself doesn't have a USB port. Oh well, I'll just probably have to figure it out through trial and error.

I just know I want to be able to play Rocket League on my lunch breaks here in a couple weeks lol

@DTMOF84 No need for those passive aggressive remarks. If you're referring to this thread, the user hasn't been active since he made that thread. He never left a comment on any other thread/article, creating that thread was all he ever did. I see no reason to keep it alive when the OP itself clearly doesn't care. It's just a bit of common sense.