Title is self explanatory. For background, I am currently running Asahi Linux on my M1 MBP. Whenever I connected the hotspot without data being turned on, it somehow still worked like any regular wifi. I even ran several updates in the system and downloaded multiple apps in this wifi, which I find it amusing. But out of curiosity, I wanted to know from you guys that what could the reason be for this.
EDIT: So after following the advice of jet@hackertalks.com, I relized that the hotspot is using the network of my University’s Wi-Fi, which explains why the hotspot worked even with the data turned off.
Is the wifi enabled and connected on the phone? I had a situation once where the hotspot network was relaying data to the connected wifi network on the phone instead of mobile data like you’d expect.
Do a traceroute and see which network it transits through
Ok, so after running traceroute, it seems that the hotspot is using the network of my university Wi-Fi, which my phone is connected with. EDIT: Thanks a lot! Forgot to thank you for the advice 😅
It’s interesting on it’s own, since I do remember my android phone disconnecting from wifi when enabling the hotspot. If I understand it right, this type of wifi bridge requires two radios to work efficiently, but it may have changed in latest Wi-Fi standards. Curious nontheless.
I’m guessing it uses the 2.4ghz antenna to transmit and the 5ghz antenna to receive or vice-versa
Exactly, hence this post.
Which phone is that? I thought that most phones could not create a hotspot and at the same time connect to a WiFi network.
Mine is a Motorola Edge 40.
So, you have a phone that does the tethering or something? Maybe, It’s some bug on its (or their, depending on how close you two are) side? I’d try another device with the same hotspot.
Alternatively, the laptop may be connected to several networks at the same time and be using whatever works. Can probably be checked by verifying ips of the phone and the laptop.
A hotspot is a connection where your phone creates a wifi network using its wifi antenna. The signal strength depends on how far away the phone is, thats it.
The hotspot stays on also if the phone has no cell data connection. Normally a phone should only be able to connect to either a wifi or be a hotspot, phone model is important.
