Smartphones of the series Honor 20 They remain popular thanks to their powerful hardware and the flexibility of the Magic UI interface, which allows them to be used effectively not only for communication, but also as a full-fledged router. Mobile Internet Wi-Fi is widely available today, and situations often arise when you urgently need to connect a laptop or tablet to the network, but you don't have a fixed Wi-Fi router at hand. In such cases, Honor 20 becomes the ideal solution, turning into a reliable Internet source for other gadgets.
The process of activating modem mode on Huawei and Honor devices has been simplified as much as possible by developers, but many users are still unaware of the hidden frequency and security settings. Wi-Fi distribution Wireless access points can operate in different frequency bands, which directly impacts data transfer speed and signal range. Understanding these nuances will allow you to not only enable your hotspot but also optimize its performance for specific tasks, whether it's online gaming on a tablet or downloading large files on a laptop.
In this article, we'll walk you through every setup step, from basic setup to advanced security settings. You'll learn how to protect your traffic from unauthorized access and extend your smartphone's battery life in router mode. The 5GHz band provides faster speeds but has less coverage than 2.4GHz. This knowledge will help you choose the optimal settings depending on where the devices you are connecting are located.
Basic access point setup via menu
The easiest way to activate the internet tethering feature is to use the standard system settings menu. To do this, you need to unlock the screen of your Honor 20 and find the "Settings" icon, which usually looks like a gear. Inside the menu, look for a section that might be called "Wireless Networks" or simply have a corresponding icon with a signal wave. This is where all the main network connection management tools are located.
After entering the Wireless Networks section, you'll need to find the "Tethering" or "Access Point" option. Tapping it will take you to a submenu containing the main Wi-Fi hotspot switch. Toggle this switch to create a local network that other devices can connect to. The system will automatically generate a network name (SSID) and password, which can be viewed directly below the switch or in the hotspot settings section.
It is important to note that when you first turn on the system, you may be asked for confirmation or prompted to configure security settings. Encryption protocol By default, it's usually set to WPA2 PSK, which is a reliable data security standard. Leaving the access point open (without a password) is not recommended, as this allows anyone within range to connect to your traffic and potentially intercept your data.
☑️ Check before switching on
Advanced Options: Frequency and Security
For users who want to get the most out of their Honor 20Advanced access point settings are available. In the configuration menu, you can change the default network name to something more recognizable and set a complex password that's difficult to brute-force. Pay special attention to the frequency range, as this determines compatibility with older devices and the maximum transfer rate.
By default, your smartphone can operate in the 2.4 GHz band, which provides good coverage and wall penetration, but has limited speed. If your connected devices support the standard, 802.11ac or newer, it makes sense to switch to the 5 GHz band. This will significantly increase channel throughput, which is critical for watching high-definition video or making lag-free video calls.
⚠️ Note: When switching to the 5 GHz frequency, older laptops and phones manufactured more than 7-8 years ago may no longer detect your network. If you're unsure whether guest devices support this frequency, it's best to stick with the standard 2.4 GHz.
You can also set up an automatic hotspot shutdown timer in this section. This feature is useful for saving battery power: if no one connects to the network for a specified period of time (for example, 5 or 10 minutes), Honor 20 Automatically disables the Wi-Fi module. This prevents unnecessary energy consumption when you forget to turn off the Wi-Fi hotspot after use.
Why is 5GHz faster?
The 5 GHz band has more clear channels and is less susceptible to interference from household appliances such as microwaves and Bluetooth headsets, resulting in a stable ping.
Using the quick menu to activate
For those who require instant access to the seeding function, the developers Honor We've added the ability to display the toggle in the notification shade. This eliminates the need to delve into the depths of system settings each time. To add this button, swipe down from the top of the screen to open the Control Center and tap the edit icon (usually a pencil or the "Edit" button). In the list of available widgets that appears, find "Access Point" and drag it to the active area.
Now, enabling hotspot sharing is as easy as a single tap. This is especially convenient when you need to quickly share internet with a colleague or friend. However, it's important to remember that this method activates the hotspot with the most recently used settings. If you've previously changed security or frequency settings, they will be saved and applied immediately after tapping the button in the notification area.
Using the quick menu also allows you to visually monitor the access point's status. While the icon is lit or highlighted, the Wi-Fi module is broadcasting. This helps prevent situations where the user forgets to turn off the access point and wastes battery life. Visual inspection The status of communication modules is an important habit for the rational use of smartphone resources.
Connecting devices and managing clients
Once the access point is on Honor 20 Once activated, it becomes visible to other devices. On your laptop, tablet, or second phone, open the list of available Wi-Fi networks and select the name you specified (or the default one). When attempting to connect, the system will prompt you for a password. After successful authorization, a notification indicating the number of connected devices will appear on the smartphone router screen, typically as the number "1" next to the access point icon.
Connected clients are managed through the same settings section where you enabled tethering. There, you can see a list of all devices currently connected to the network. Each client displays its MAC address and the amount of data transferred. This is a useful feature for monitoring traffic: if you spot an unknown device, you can immediately block it by adding it to the blacklist.
The system allows you to limit the number of connected devices. For example, you can set a limit of 4 or 8 clients. This will prevent bandwidth congestion if you're in a crowded area and someone tries to connect to your network. Limiting clients It also helps maintain internet speed for primary users and saves smartphone battery life.
Compatibility issues and frequency ranges
When setting up an access point, users often encounter a situation where one device sees the network, but another does not. Most often, the problem lies in incompatible frequency bands. Older network cards in laptops or budget tablets may not support the standard. IEEE 802.11ac and operate exclusively at 2.4 GHz. If on Honor 20 If the "5 GHz Only" mode is forced on, such devices simply will not detect the network.
On the other hand, modern devices connected to the congested 2.4 GHz band can experience low speeds and high packet loss. In apartment buildings, the airwaves on this frequency are often clogged with neighboring signals. Switching to 5 GHz solves this problem, providing a clearer communication channel. However, the range of this signal is shorter and it penetrates obstacles less effectively.
The optimal solution is to use the "Auto" or "2.4 GHz + 5 GHz" mode if your firmware Honor 20 Allows you to broadcast your network in both bands simultaneously under a single name. In this case, the client device will automatically select the best connection option. If this option isn't available, consider the needs of your primary device: 2.4 GHz is sufficient for document processing, while 5 GHz is better for streaming.
| Parameter | 2.4 GHz | 5 GHz |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum speed | up to 150-300 Mbit/s | up to 867 Mbps and higher |
| Range of action | High | Medium/Low |
| Penetration of walls | Good | Bad |
| Airtime congestion | High (a lot of interference) | Low (clear channel) |
Energy consumption and performance optimization
Hotspot mode is one of the most power-intensive processes for a smartphone. Simultaneously operating 4G/LTE modules to receive a signal and Wi-Fi to distribute it places a high load on the processor and radio modules. Honor 20As a result, the device may become significantly hotter, and the battery drains quickly. To minimize these effects, it is recommended to reduce screen brightness or turn off the display completely when sharing is active.
If you plan to use your smartphone as a stationary router for an extended period, it's best to connect it to a power source. However, keep an eye on the case temperature: overheating lithium-polymer batteries can cause them to degrade or swell. In hot weather or in direct sunlight, using modem mode without active cooling is not recommended.
⚠️ Caution: Extended use of hotspot mode in high ambient temperatures may cause the hotspot function to be temporarily disabled by the overheating protection system. Allow your smartphone to cool before turning it on again.
It's also worth considering that background processes on your smartphone when using tethering can consume data. Before activating the hotspot, close any heavy apps that are refreshing content in the background to ensure that the connected devices are fully allocated their mobile data plan. Optimizing background processes It not only helps save traffic, but also reduces the load on the CPU, which indirectly affects heating.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why don't connected devices have internet access?
Most often, the problem stems from a lack of mobile internet on the smartphone itself or the data plan's data limit being exhausted. Check if the browser on the Honor 20 works without Wi-Fi. Also, make sure there's no data limit set in the hotspot settings, as this data limit may have been reached.
How many devices can be connected to Honor 20 at the same time?
The technical specifications allow for simultaneous connection of up to 8-10 devices. However, the actual number depends on the processor load and the stability of the cellular network signal. As more clients are connected, the speed on each device will decrease.
Is it possible to share Wi-Fi if Bluetooth is enabled on a smartphone?
Yes, these modules can operate simultaneously. However, in some rare cases, when actively using a Bluetooth headset for calls, Wi-Fi speed may decrease slightly due to frequency interference, especially in the 2.4 GHz band.
How to change the Wi-Fi password on the Honor 20?
Go to Settings → Wireless & Networks → Tethering & Portable → Wi-Fi Hotspot. Tap the "Password" field, enter a new password, and save the changes. All connected devices will need to be reauthorized.