Hotspot with Japanese eSIM: Is It Possible and How Does It Work?

For anyone traveling to Japan, having a reliable way to communicate is essential. Many people consider buying a SIM card or eSIM, or renting a Pocket WiFi.
If you're traveling with family or friends, it's often best for everyone to get their own SIM card or eSIM to ensure all smartphones have connectivity. However, some people might wonder if they truly need that many connections, especially if they also plan to use laptops, tablets, or if children are part of the group.
It would be incredibly convenient if the SIM card or eSIM you use in Japan could also function as a tethering (hotspot) device, wouldn't it?

Can SIM Cards and eSIMs Used for Communication in Japan Be Used for Tethering (Hotspot)?

Generally, SIM cards and eSIMs provided by local Japanese services can be used for tethering (hotspot). However, there are a few important points to be aware of. Not knowing them can lead to setup frustrations or even the misconception that your eSIM is faulty. In fact, we often receive inquiries from customers saying, "My eSIM installed correctly, but I can't use tethering." After investigating, we usually find that it's a minor oversight in the settings.

Not All eSIMs Support Tethering

First and foremost, it's crucial to understand that not all eSIMs support tethering. This depends on the eSIM provider. Some budget eSIM platforms designed for international use (the kind that work worldwide) may not support tethering from the outset. Be careful, as you might not be able to use the tethering function even if you follow the manual.
Additionally, some eSIMs might have a separate data limit specifically for tethering (hotspot), distinct from your regular data allowance. For example, even if your plan offers unlimited data for general use, tethering might be capped at 1GB per day.

Can't Tether? 3 Methods to Try

Here are some examples of common inquiries we've received from Travel Mobile eSIM users. These customers could access the internet with their eSIM but couldn't tether, and their issues were resolved.

To enable Personal Hotspot on this account, contact your carrier.

We've had several inquiries about this message appearing after installing an eSIM and connecting to the internet: [To enable Personal Hotspot on this account, contact your carrier.] This phenomenon primarily occurs on iPhones and is influenced by the iOS specifications, regardless of the eSIM provider. The following methods often resolve the issue:

Method 1: Manually Enter APN Settings

This is often overlooked but extremely important! While you might be able to connect to the internet simply by installing your eSIM, you should manually enter the APN settings to use tethering (hotspot) on your smartphone. This is especially crucial for iPhones.

Method 2: Disable Other SIM Cards or eSIMs

If you have other SIM cards or eSIMs installed in your smartphone besides the one you're using for communication in Japan, your smartphone might prioritize them for tethering, which can prevent the hotspot from working. Go to "Cellular" (or "Mobile Data") in your settings app, turn off any unused SIMs or eSIMs, and then try using the hotspot with only your Japanese eSIM enabled.

Method 3: Restart Your Device or Update iOS

There have been numerous reports in Apple's support communities about iOS bugs causing the hotspot function to malfunction. If the above settings don't resolve the issue, try restarting your device or updating your iOS version. With Travel Mobile's eSIM, there are no restrictions on tethering.

TTethering (Hotspot) Considerations

Speed May Decrease While Tethering

When tethering, your communication speed may decrease due to factors like signal strength, network congestion, and the processing power of connected devices. Connecting multiple devices simultaneously is particularly likely to slow down speeds for each.

Battery Drains Faster While Tethering

Tethering consumes a lot of your device's battery. If you connect multiple devices, your battery will drain even faster.

Connection May Be Disconnected

Even if you have the tethering function enabled on your smartphone, the connection may automatically disconnect if there's no data communication for a certain period.

Potential for High Data Consumption

When you connect multiple devices to the internet via tethering, each device will consume data. For instance, watching videos on a laptop through your smartphone's tethering could potentially exceed your eSIM's data limit. In such cases, consider renting a large-capacity Pocket Wi-Fi.

How Much Data Does Tethering (Hotspot) Use?

Browse map apps and social media won't consume much data. However, if you start streaming videos on YouTube or Netflix, you'll quickly use up a significant amount of data. As a general guideline, video streaming can use about 1-3GB of data per hour. Even just photos and social media can accumulate a considerable amount of data over time. If you plan to watch a lot of videos, choose a plan with 50GB or more data capacity, or actively use Wi-Fi at your hotel.

If you're looking for an eSIM that allows tethering in Japan, Travel Mobile is highly recommended.

Personal Hotspot enabled (OK to share with friends)
No roaming settings required (unlike other eSIMs)
Travel Mobile provides eSIMs that utilize Japan's most stable docomo network. While Travel Mobile might be an unfamiliar service to some, the eSIMs it offers are the same high quality as those sold at airports or by major providers. We offer them at a lower price due to less brand recognition, making them a great value. Our pricing is prepaid, so you'll never be charged more than the amount you paid upfront.
We also offer large-capacity plans, ensuring you can use data confidently in Japan. If you're looking for an eSIM that allows tethering in Japan, we recommend Travel Mobile.