What do I need to use my home wi-fi for my devices away from home?

Question

While I'm not completely bewildered by technology, the amount that's out there and the new stuff all the time can be overwhelming. When I ask friends this question, I get a broad reply and am too embarrassed by my lack of tech knowledge to ask them to clarify.

I have a password-protected home wi-fi. When I'm home, my iPhone 6 automatically uses it. However, when I'm away from home (even at my best friend's next door), of course I can't reach my wi-fi.

My iPhone is the only device I'm interested in using with my wi-fi outside of home. It is not jailbroken, nor will it be in future. What, exactly, do I need to get or download (if there's an app) in order to hook it up to my home wi-fi when I'm not there? And if it is some tech item rather than an app, what type of store would sell and what precisely do I ask for? Go ahead and give me the Tech for Dummies version of an answer. :) I don't have much money, so I want to get it right the first time.

Answer 1

Once beyond the normal transmission range of your home Wi-Fi network, you can no longer connect to it.



Your iPhone has an internet connection service provided by your phone company that is used when out of range of your Wi-Fi. It engages automatically when it can't find your Wi-Fi network. (It does use data from your data plan, so be advised that excessive use can run you over your data plan limit and extra data can be VERY expensive.)



If you are around another Wi-Fi network, it is a simple matter to open your settings/Wi-Fi and join any Wi-Fi networks in range. (Assuming they are either public, and don't need a password, or you have the password for them.) Many places like some StarBucks and McDonalds, public libraries, etc. have free public Wi-Fi and there are even free apps available from the Apple App store that can tell you where they are.

Answer 2

WiFi has a maximum range typically of around 100 feet, and much less when brick walls and other objects get in the way.



It might work in your garden, but your home WiFi will not work when you are truly away from home.



Some ISPs offer a free additional service that allows their customers to connect to a form of 'guest' network provided as an additional WiFi network carried by most of their routers and by routers offering the FON service. Unlike your home network, these guest networks require a user name (often your email address) and a password to use them. Also, these networks are open (unencrypted) so should be used carefully. One ISP in the UK claims that there are about 12 million hotspots offering this service to their customers worldwide, with 5 million of those being in the UK itself. Some of these 'guest' networks also offer short term passes paid for by SMS or credit card. These passes may be for just a few hours or longer periods up to perhaps a month. These are normally charged for a period of time from when the payment is made, and not by the amount of data used. This means they can be significantly more expensive for light use compared with using cellular Internet on a smart phone.



Cellular Internet through a smart phone is a more secure option. You should be able to turn on the phone's WiFi hotspot if you want to use a laptop over your phone's cellular Internet connection.



In terms of your original question, then answer is that it is not possible,

Answer 3

If by being "away from home" you mean in your backyard or around your house, then I think a wifi extender (also known as a wifi booster) would be your best option. If by being "away from home" you mean that your wifi doesn't work when you're at the store, that's because your wifi has a limited range, usually a 30 foot radius max. Wall thicknesses and materials can change that distance. Wifi Extenders are good, but they're not all equal. Usually with electronics, the more you spend, the better the product will be. Look up wifi extenders on amazon, or on walmart's website, and look at people's reviews to see if the product is a good one. The instructions for the device set up will come with the product after you get it. Good luck!

Answer 4

Your wifi is a very weak radio signal that you can get only in your house, maybe next door if you're lucky. It's like clicking the button on your garage door opener--if you're miles away it has no effect.



There are wifi signals out there, though. Every Starbucks has one, plus some McDonalds, lots of other restaurants, hotel and airports, shopping malls, even supermarkets. Some whole towns are covered by wifi. You can use your friends' wifi. You need to open the WiFi menu on your device and see the wifi signals available and click on one to connect. Sometimes you need to enter a password (and if it's at your friend's house, he/she should give it to you, or it's written on the wifi device itself).



Once you've connected to a wifi source, wherever it is, the next time you're in that signal your device will connect automatically (or at least you won't need the password again).

Answer 5

You would need to have a server to receive your connection request over the internet, which would then browse the web for you (basically). It's called a "proxy". The problem is, you'll spend just as much data receiving data from it as you would normally, and you'll also end up using data at home if it is a metered connection (for instance, Comcast's 300GB limit). There's really not a way to do this that has a point.

Answer 6

Your home wifi router has very limited range. You have to be within range of the router to use your home wifi. As soon as you go about 25 metres away from your house, you will no longer be able to use your home wifi - SIMPLES!!



You MAY be able to connect to someone elses wifi when you are out and about: McDonalds do a free one, as well as many pubs.

You MAY be given the password to a friends wifi system, so you can use their home wifi.

Answer 7

You can't use your home wi-fi when you're away from home. You can use other wi-fi hotspots.

Answer 8

Look up something