How I Keep My Devices Online During an Internet Outage

Key Takeaways

• If you have a mobile data plan, you can share your internet connection using your smartphone’s hotspot feature or the USB tethering option.
• Alternatively, you can use public Wi-Fi, buy a dedicated mobile hotspot device, or visit a nearby co-working space.
• If your neighbor uses a different ISP, you can connect to their Wi-Fi or consider using satellite internet if a friend has access to it.

Experiencing an internet outage is incredibly frustrating, which is why it’s important to have a backup solution to stay online. I live in a part of the world where internet outages happen way more than I’d like, so I’ve come up with several ways to keep my devices connected when the internet goes down.

1 Using a Smartphone Hotspot or Tethering

The most convenient way I stay online during an internet outage is by using cellular data via my smartphone’s hotspot feature. To use this method, you’ll need a smartphone with a mobile data plan, and your computer must either support wireless connections or have a wireless adapter that lets you connect to a Wi-Fi network.

When you enable the hotspot feature on your phone, it broadcasts a Wi-Fi signal that other devices, such as your laptop, tablet, or other phones, can connect to, just like any other Wi-Fi network. These connected devices use your phone’s mobile data to access the internet, with data usage deducted from your data plan.

While the above method works on my laptop and other devices, I can’t use it for my PC as it doesn’t support a Wi-Fi connection, and I don’t have a Wi-Fi adapter. So, to keep my PC connected during an outage, I tether my phone directly to my PC using a USB cable. For this to work, you need a USB cable to connect your phone to your PC and a mobile data plan.

Connect your phone via USB, enable USB tethering on your phone, and grant permission for your PC to use your phone’s data connection. Then, your PC will automatically recognize your phone’s connection as a network connection. For detailed instructions, refer to guides on how to tether an Android device to a Windows PC or an iPhone to a macOS device.

A tethering connection is more stable compared to a wireless hotspot connection, can charge your phone’s battery simultaneously, and is relatively more secure.

2 Find Nearby Public Wi-Fi

If I’ve run out of mobile data and the internet outage is temporary, I head to a nearby coffee shop offering customers free Wi-Fi to keep my devices online. You can also access free Wi-Fi in cafes, restaurants, shopping centers, libraries, and many other places. In some cities, there is free municipal Wi-Fi, so if your city provides free public Wi-Fi in areas like parks, you can use that.

However, public Wi-Fi networks are typically unprotected and insecure, and it’s best to avoid using them unless necessary. Hackers can target these networks and gain access to your confidential information or compromise your device while connected to them.

To stay safe, use a VPN when connecting to these networks, keep your firewall and antivirus active, and don’t perform any sensitive activities while connected.

3 Use a Dedicated Mobile Hotspot Device

Dedicated mobile hotspot devices are an excellent backup for when your primary internet connection goes down. They connect to a cellular network and share that connection via Wi-Fi. They use a SIM card to tap into 3G, 4G, or 5G networks, converting that signal into a Wi-Fi hotspot that other devices can connect to, just like a standard Wi-Fi network.

To use one, you need a hotspot device, a data plan from a mobile carrier, and a charged battery or power source. Its limitations include data caps, slower speeds compared to home broadband, and reliance on cellular coverage, which might be spotty in rural areas. Also, you will have to bear the upfront cost for both the mobile hotspot device and the data plan.

4 Use a Neighbor’s Wi-Fi

Fortunately, my neighbor and I use different internet service providers. When one of our connections goes down, we share our Wi-Fi passwords. It’s a reliable backup solution for us since it’s rare for both of our connections to fail simultaneously, although it does happen occasionally.

However, this may not work for you if you don’t have a friendly relationship with your neighbors or if you both use the same provider. However, because my friend’s router is far from my home, I don’t get a decent speed when using the internet and occasionally experience disconnections.

5 Visit a Co-Working Space

Co-working spaces usually have fast internet connections, but they don’t allow just anyone to use their facilities. I had a friend who ran a co-working space within walking distance of my home, and I could use the internet there without any extra charges. However, since he closed his business, this option is no longer available to me. But it was a reliable backup solution.

If you have a co-working space near your home, you could build a friendly relationship with the owners or pay a small fee on an hourly basis to use their internet when your connection goes down. It can be a convenient backup solution without the hassle of keeping and paying for a backup internet plan you might rarely use.

6 Use Satellite Internet at a Friend’s Place

When I’m in my hometown, where I don’t have access to public Wi-Fi, I head over to my friend’s place, who has a satellite internet connection. Satellite internet works by using satellites orbiting Earth. An ISP sends signals to these satellites, which are then received by a dish at your location. This dish connects to a modem to provide internet access.

I realize this is a niche option, as it won’t be useful unless one of your friends has a satellite internet connection. It’s also not an affordable backup solution, as it requires hardware costs, installation fees, and a recurring monthly subscription. Also, satellite internet typically isn’t as fast as cable or fiber internet and often comes with data caps. So, keep this in mind.