The basic approach: use your phone as a bridge

Most hotel WiFi networks block gaming consoles because they require you to accept terms and conditions on a login page — something a PS5 cannot do on its own. The fastest solution is to use your phone's hotspot feature to create a personal WiFi network that your PS5 can join, bypassing the hotel's login page entirely.

This method works on any hotel network and requires only your phone and a PS5. You do not need to buy anything or contact hotel staff. The trade-off is that your phone's data plan will carry all the PS5's internet traffic, so gaming will use your mobile data.

Key Takeaways

  • Your phone's hotspot feature creates a WiFi network that your PS5 can connect to without needing to log into the hotel's portal page.
  • Turn on your phone's hotspot, find the network name and password in your phone's settings, then add that network to your PS5 under Settings > Network > Set Up Internet Connection.
  • Gaming through a phone hotspot will consume your mobile data plan, so check your data limits before streaming or playing online multiplayer for extended periods.
  • If your phone's hotspot is too slow or unstable, ask the hotel front desk for the login credentials so you can manually enter them on the PS5, or request a device that supports the hotel's portal system.

How to turn on your phone's hotspot

On an iPhone, open Settings, tap Cellular, then tap Personal Hotspot and toggle it on. Write down the WiFi password shown on that screen — you will need it for the PS5. On Android, open Settings, tap Network & Internet (or Connections), then tap Hotspot or Tethering, and toggle on Mobile Hotspot. The network name and password will appear on that same screen.

Your phone will now broadcast a WiFi network with a name like "James's iPhone" or "AndroidPhone1234". Other devices, including your PS5, can see and join this network using the password you just found.

Keep your phone plugged in or nearby while you use the PS5, since the hotspot drains battery quickly. If your phone's battery dies, the PS5 will lose internet connection.

Connecting the PS5 to your phone's hotspot

On your PS5, go to Settings (the gear icon on the top right of the home screen), then select Network, then Set Up Internet Connection. Choose WiFi, and your PS5 will scan for available networks. You should see your phone's hotspot network in the list — select it.

When prompted for the password, enter the one from your phone's hotspot settings. The PS5 will test the connection and confirm when it is successful. You can now use the PS5 normally: download games, play online multiplayer, or stream video.

If the PS5 does not find your phone's network, make sure your phone's hotspot is actually turned on and that your phone and PS5 are in the same room. Walls and distance can weaken the signal.

Data usage and speed considerations

A phone hotspot is slower than a wired hotel connection, and it will use your mobile data plan. Streaming a 4K movie on the PS5 can use 3 to 5 gigabytes per hour. Online multiplayer games like Call of Duty or Fortnite typically use 50 to 150 megabytes per hour, depending on the game. Simply browsing the PlayStation Store uses very little data.

Check your phone plan's data limit before you start. If you have unlimited data, you can use the hotspot freely. If you have a capped plan, consider limiting the PS5 to multiplayer gaming and avoid downloading large games or streaming video.

Hotspot speeds vary by your phone's signal strength and your carrier. If the connection feels slow or drops frequently, move your phone closer to the PS5 or move both to a window where your phone has stronger signal.

When to ask the hotel for login help instead

Some hotels offer a way to manually enter login credentials on a gaming console. Ask the front desk for the WiFi network name and password — not the login page username and password, but the actual network credentials. A few hotels provide these, though most do not.

If the front desk can provide the network password, go to Settings > Network > Set Up Internet Connection on your PS5, choose WiFi, select the hotel network, and enter the password they gave you. This method bypasses the login portal entirely and does not use your phone's data.

If the hotel cannot provide network credentials and your phone hotspot is too slow, your only other option is to use a laptop or tablet to log into the hotel WiFi, then share that connection with the PS5 through USB tethering — but this is more complicated and the hotspot method is usually simpler.

Troubleshooting a weak or dropped connection

If the PS5 keeps disconnecting from your hotspot, the most common cause is that your phone moved out of range or the hotspot turned off accidentally. Check that your phone's hotspot is still on and that your phone is within 30 feet of the PS5.

If the connection is slow, restart both devices: turn off your phone's hotspot, wait 10 seconds, turn it back on, then go to Settings > Network > Test Internet Connection on the PS5 to check the speed. If it is still slow, move your phone to a different location in the room or closer to a window.

If you see an error message like "Cannot connect to network", double-check that you entered the hotspot password correctly. Passwords are case-sensitive, so "MyPassword" is different from "mypassword".

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the hotel know I am using a hotspot instead of their WiFi?

No. Your phone connects to the hotel's network, and your PS5 connects to your phone. The hotel only sees your phone on their network, not the PS5. You are not violating any hotel policies by using a hotspot.

Can I use a hotspot if my phone plan has limited data?

Yes, but be careful about how much you use it. Multiplayer gaming uses relatively little data — around 100 megabytes per hour. Downloading games or streaming video uses much more. Check your remaining data before you start, and stick to multiplayer if your limit is low.

What if my phone does not have a hotspot feature?

All modern iPhones and Android phones have hotspot built in. If you cannot find it, your phone may be very old or your carrier may have disabled the feature. Contact your carrier to ask if hotspot is available on your plan, or ask the hotel if they can provide network credentials for the PS5 instead.

Is a hotspot slower than the hotel WiFi?

Usually yes, because your phone is relaying data between the hotel network and the PS5. However, for multiplayer gaming, the speed is usually fast enough. If you want to download a large game file, the hotel WiFi will be faster — but you would still need to solve the login page problem first.

Can I use a hotspot to play online multiplayer games?

Yes. Multiplayer games need a stable connection more than a fast one, and a phone hotspot is usually stable enough. If you experience lag or disconnections, move your phone closer to the PS5 or to a location with stronger signal.