eSIM
Does Hotspot Use More Data?
Short answer: No, using your hotspot doesn’t magically double your data usage.
A hotspot doesn’t add extra data consumption — it simply shares your phone’s mobile data connection with other devices. The amount of data used depends entirely on what those connected devices are doing.
For example, streaming a movie on your laptop via hotspot will use the same amount of data as it would on your phone. However, when multiple devices connect and start browsing, streaming, or downloading, your data allowance will deplete more quickly as total usage increases.
Whether you’re on a road trip, working remotely, or just sharing your internet with friends, hotspots are a quick and convenient way to stay connected. Still, it’s good to know how data usage works when tethering — especially if you’re watching your data limits while travelling.
(Also tracking your eSIM data? Here’s a quick guide on how to check eSIM data usage.)
Understanding Hotspot Data Usage
When you use your smartphone as a hotspot, it essentially functions as a portable Wi-Fi router. The data consumed by the devices connected to your hotspot comes directly from your mobile data plan. This means that if you stream a movie on your laptop via a hotspot, the data used will be deducted from your smartphone's data allowance.
Does Hotspot Use More Data?
Using a hotspot itself doesn't cause extra data usage — it’s the activities on the connected devices that matter. When you tether a laptop, tablet, or another phone to your hotspot, the data they use simply counts against your mobile plan, just like it would if you were using your phone directly.
However, if you have had prior experiences using hotspot and felt that it resulted in higher data usage than normal, there could be a few reasons for that:
Device Type and Usage
When you connect a laptop, tablet, or other large device to your hotspot, you might notice your data draining faster. That’s not because of the hotspot itself — it’s because these devices typically consume more data by default.
Larger screens and higher resolutions: Laptops and tablets often load higher-resolution content compared to mobile phones, especially for websites, streaming platforms, and media files. Bigger screens = bigger data demands.
Background data usage: Once connected to a hotspot, your laptop or tablet may behave like it's on a home Wi-Fi network. That can trigger automatic system updates, app downloads, cloud syncs, and other background processes without you even realising it.
Desktop apps are more data-hungry: Apps like Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive might auto-sync large files in the background. Browsers and social media platforms often auto-play videos, open multiple tabs, and load higher-quality images — all of which quietly increase your data consumption.
Multiple Devices
The more devices connected to your hotspot, the faster your data will be used. For example, two people streaming HD videos will double your data consumption — not because of the hotspot itself, but because of the activities happening on each device.
Different Use Cases
Activities like HD video streaming, online gaming, or large downloads will naturally use more data than light browsing or social media — regardless of whether you're using mobile data directly or through a hotspot.
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Hidden background tasks
When tethered to a hotspot, laptops and tablets may treat the connection like unrestricted Wi-Fi — triggering automatic system updates, antivirus scans, cloud syncs (like iCloud or OneDrive), and other background processes. These can quietly eat into your data.
How to reduce background usage:
- Pause updates: Disable automatic software updates while hotspotting.
- Limit syncs: Pause cloud backup services like Google Drive or Dropbox.
- Enable metered connection: Set your hotspot as a metered connection to restrict background tasks on Windows or macOS.
How Much Data Does Hotspot Use?
Using a hotspot does not increase your data usage by itself — but the activities done through it can burn through your data quickly. Here's how much common tasks typically consume:
Source: Telstra AU
To stay within your data limit, keep these numbers in mind when hotspotting — especially on high-consumption tasks like video streaming or gaming.
Read more in our guides on how much data YouTube uses and how much data Netflix uses.
How to Manage Data Usage on a Hotspot
If you're concerned about data consumption while using a hotspot, here are some strategies to help you manage it effectively:
1. Monitor Your Data: Use your phone’s built-in tools to monitor hotspot data and set usage alerts. 2. Limit Background Data: Turn off automatic updates, cloud backups, and sync settings before connecting other devices. 3. Adjust Streaming Quality: Stick to SD instead of HD or 4K when watching videos — it can save gigabytes. 4. Connect Fewer Devices: The more devices you tether, the faster your data disappears. 5. Use Data-Saving Modes: Many apps and phones offer settings that help reduce usage in real-time.
Bonus: Managing Battery While Using Hotspot
Using your phone as a hotspot can quickly drain its battery. To stay powered longer:
- Keep your phone plugged in while tethering, especially during extended use.
- Lower screen brightness and close non-essential apps to conserve energy.
- Enable battery saver mode if available to minimise background processes.
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