Can You Use the Blackberry’s Internet as a Wi-Fi Connection for the IPad?
BlackBerry Mobile Hotspot can connect up to five devices to the Internet.
Matt Cardy/Getty Pics News/Getty Photos
Related Articles
- 1 [Internet] | How to Share the Internet on a BlackBerry
- Two [BlackBerry Wirelessly] | Linking a BlackBerry Wirelessly to an iPad
- Three [Blackberry Curve] | How to Tether a Blackberry Curve to a Laptop Computer
- Four [iPad] | How to Turn Your iPad Into a Wi-Fi Hotspot
If you have a BlackBerry data plan that permits tethering, you can use the cellular Internet connection to provide a Wi-Fi connection for your iPad. This permits you to get online from a Wi-Fi-only iPad while out of the office, or avoid running up data charges on your cellular-capable iPad’s data plan. RIM added the Mobile Hotspot feature in BlackBerry OS 7.1, so phones running older operating systems cannot use this feature.
How Tethering Works
Tethering extends your phone’s existing data connection to other devices. The BlackBerry offers a few types of tethering, including the capability to connect a laptop to the Internet via USB. For an iPad, you need to use the Mobile Hotspot feature. This type of tethering turns your BlackBerry into a Wi-Fi hot spot accessible to your iPad and other mobile devices. Many carriers require a special monthly fee in order to use tethering. Keep in mind that devices such as the iPad can quickly use up your data plan, so monitor your usage to avoid extra charges.
BlackBerry OS Ten
To enable Mobile Hotspot on OS Ten, open the Settings app and tap "Network Connections" and then "Mobile Hotspot." Read each information screen explaining the service, pressing "Next" to stir from page to page. On the password page, tap the blank password box and create a password for the Wi-Fi connection. Press "Next," then thrust "Configure" and tap the "Name" box. Type in any name to use for the hot spot. Press "Save" to activate the service. If you previously set up Mobile Hotspot but deactivated it, you only need to open the settings and switch the "Mobile Hotspot" slider to "On."
BlackBerry OS 7.1
To commence your hot spot on OS 7.1, tap the top of the screen to open the Manage Connections screen. Enable "Wi-Fi" if it isn’t turned on already, then turn on "Mobile Hotspot." Create a password for the connection and press "OK." A window will emerge explaining the service. Scroll to the bottom and press "OK." If you have not previously enabled tethering on your account, the phone will prompt you to activate it through your carrier’s website. To switch other settings, such as the hot spot name, open "Networks and Connections" and then "Mobile Hotspot Connections."
Connecting With Your IPad
Open the Settings app on your iPad and tap "Wi-Fi." If you have Wi-Fi disabled, switch the slider to "On" and wait while the iPad finds local networks. Pick your BlackBerry’s hot spot name from the network list, inject the password you created and tap "Join." Once the Wi-Fi icon emerges in the status bar, you can begin using the Internet.
References (Three)
About the Author
Aaron Parson has been writing about electronics, software and games since 2006, contributing to several technology websites and working with NewsHour Productions. Parson holds a Bachelor of Arts from The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Wash.