How does the hotspot work?
A hotspot is a portable internet connection. It broadcasts a signal that your computer, tablet or smartphone can connect to, in order to access the internet. Once your computer, tablet or smartphone is connected to that (WiFi) signal, you will be able to use that computer, tablet or smartphone, to browse the web, watch videos, check email, and more.
Everything you do on your computer, tablet, or smartphone, while its connected to your FreedomPop hotspot, will use data. That data will be deducted from your FreedomPop data plan.
Want to know how much data you’ll use when you access your Facebook page? How about when you watch a Netflix movie or check your email? Click this link for data usage estimates.
Need more data for all the things you want to do? Click here to learn about the different data plans we offer.
Before we jump into connection instructions, please make sure you have properly set your hotspot up. If you purchased it from a third party company, like groupOn, NewEgg, or eBay, you’ll first have to activate it at freedompop.com/activate. To learn how to activate your hotspot, click here.
If you purchased your hotspot directly from FreedomPop.com (or by calling the FreedomPop sales line) you do not need to activate it. Simply power your device on and you can use it to connect.
This article will show you how to connect your Apple tablet, Android tablet, Mac or Windows computer to the WiFi signal that your hotspot sends out. What kind of device do you have?
Windows Instructions
After you have setup the hotspot device, you will need to connect to the WiFi network, to use it.
Step 1) Reboot the hotspot. Start by turning the hotspot device on. Then, once the home screen lights up, hold the power button until the device begins to reset.
Step 2) Locate the WiFi network list on your desktop. It's typically a small computer icon, or it may look like columns of green bars.
Step 3) Click the icon to open up the list of available WiFi networks that are in the area.
Step 4) Select the network broadcast by your FreedomPop hotspot
Step 5) Enter the password that is on the screen of your FreedomPop hotspot. If you're not sure, enter the default password "freedompop".
Step 6) Use your computer!
Mac Instructions
After you have set up the hotspot device, you will need to connect to the WiFi network, to use it.
Step 1) Reboot the hotspot. Start by turning the hotspot device on. Then, once the home screen lights up, hold the power button until the device begins to reset.
Step 2) Locate the WiFi network list on your desktop.
Step 3) Click the WiFi icon to open up the list of WiFi networks in your area.
Step 4) Select the network that is broadcast by your FreedomPop hotspot
Step 5) Enter the password that is on the screen of your FreedomPop hotspot. If you are not sure, enter the default password "freedompop".
Step 6) Use your computer!
iPad instructions
Step 1: To get started, power both the iPad and the hotspot device on. If your hotspot has a screen, you will be able to see the WiFi password (or Network Key) on the screen of your device. If not, the default password for all of our hotspot devices is "freedompop".
Step 2: On your iPad, click on the Settings icon. If you cannot find it, use your finger to swipe down from top to bottom on your iPad. When the search bar comes up, type in “Settings”. The settings icon looks like this:
Step 3: Once you open Settings, tap on WiFi. Look to your left, the WiFi option is listed under “Airplane Mode”. Tap on it.
Step 4: Next, if your WiFi hotspot is on and broadcasting its signal, you should see its network name show up in your list of available networks. Look under the section that says “Choose a network”.
If you just turned your hotspot or your tablet on, please give both devices a minute or two for the WiFi network name to show up.
Step 5: Once you have located the WiFi network name, tap on it. You will be asked to enter the password (or Network Key) for that network. This is where you should enter the password that shows up on the screen of your hotspot device. If it does not - or if your hotspot does not have a screen - enter "freedompop".
If you have any trouble connecting to your hotspot - or getting an internet connection after you connect to your hotspot - please read through our troubleshooting article here.
Android Instructions
Step 1: To get started, power both the Android tablet and the hotspot device on. If your hotspot has a screen, you will be able to see the WiFi password (or Network Key) on the screen of your device. If not, the default password for all of our hotspot devices is "freedompop".
Step 2: On your tablet, swipe down from the top of the screen to pull down the Quick Settings Menu. Tap on the WiFi symbol to open up the WiFi Settings menu. If this does not work for your Android tablet, you will need to go to the Settings application instead and click on WiFi.
Step 3: Next, if your WiFi hotspot is on and broadcasting its signal, you should see its network name show up in your list of available networks.
Step 4: If you just turned your hotspot or your tablet on, please give both devices a minute or two for the WiFi network name to show up.
Step 5: Once you have located the WiFi network name, tap on it. You will be asked to enter the password (or Network Key). This is where you should enter the password that shows up on the screen of your hotspot device. If it does not show up - or if your hotspot does not have a screen - enter "freedompop".
If you have any trouble connecting to your hotspot - or getting an internet connection after you connect to your hotspot - please read through our troubleshooting article here.
If you have any additional questions, please click here to learn how to get in touch with a FreedomPop representative.