Editing Wi-Fi hotspot (section)

===Software hotspots===
{{Main|SoftAP}}
Many Wi-Fi adapters built into or easily added to consumer computers and mobile devices include the functionality to operate as private or mobile hotspots, sometimes referred to as "mi-fi".<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.sprint.com/mifi|title=Mi-Fi|website=Sprint PCS}}</ref> The use of a private hotspot to enable other personal devices to access the [[Wide area network|WAN]] (usually but not always the [[Internet]]) is a form of [[bridging (networking)|bridging]], and known as tethering. Manufacturers and [[custom rom|firmware]] creators can enable this functionality in Wi-Fi devices on many Wi-Fi devices, depending upon the capabilities of the hardware, and most modern consumer operating systems, including [[Android (operating system)|Android]], [[Apple OS X]] 10.6 and later,<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MN81gC_jRRYC&q=10.6+share+internet&pg=PA476|title=Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard: Visual QuickStart Guide |date=2010 |isbn=9780321658999 |access-date=29 June 2016|last=Langer |first=Maria |publisher=Peachpit Press}}</ref> [[Windows]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.techrepublic.com/article/how-to-set-up-a-mobile-hotspot-with-windows-10/|title=How to set up a mobile hotspot with Windows 10 |work=[[Greg Shultz]] |date=February 1, 2018 |access-date=29 June 2019}}</ref> and [[Linux]]{{Citation needed|date=February 2020}} include features to support this. Additionally wireless chipset manufacturers such as [[Atheros]], [[Broadcom]], [[Intel]] and others, may add the capability for certain Wi-Fi [[Network interface controller|NICs]], usually used in a client role, to also be used for hotspot purposes. However, some service providers, such as AT&T,<ref>{{cite web|website=AT&T Shop| title=Mobile Hotspots| url=http://www.att.com/shop/wireless/devices/hotspots.html}}</ref> Sprint,<ref>{{cite web| website=Sprint Community: Plans| url=https://community.sprint.com/baw/community/buzzaboutwireless/plans/blog/2012/05/16/new-mobile-hotspot-plans-and-usage-notification-options| date=May 16, 2012| title=New Mobile Hotspot Plans and Usage Notification Options| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129042605/https://community.sprint.com/baw/community/buzzaboutwireless/plans/blog/2012/05/16/new-mobile-hotspot-plans-and-usage-notification-options| archive-date=November 29, 2014}}</ref> and T-Mobile<ref>{{cite web| website = Tethering FAQ| url = http://offers.t-mobile.com/tethering/admin/faq.jsp| title = Smartphone Mobile Hotspot| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141129093527/http://offers.t-mobile.com/tethering/admin/faq.jsp| archive-date = 2014-11-29}}</ref> charge users for this service or prohibit and disconnect user connections if tethering is detected.{{Citation needed|date=October 2019}}

Third-party software vendors offer applications to allow users to operate their own hotspot, whether to access the Internet when on the go, share an existing connection, or extend the range of another hotspot.