I can’t get wifi in my area. All our internet is cellular. I have practically unlimited cellular data, but a cap of 30gb hotspot data. Does Apple TV use hotspot, or will it use regular cellular data thru my iPhone to stream? Clearly I’d prefer not to have to use my limited hotspot.
iPhone 11 Pro
But will I need to toggle on the “personal hotspot” and thus have it count against my hotspot usage? Or can I plug my phone into the Apple TV (lightening to USB, or maybe an adapter for lightening to HDMI, or some other arrangement) and use cellular data without using hotspot?
Does Apple TV use hotspot,
The Apple TV doesn’t really care about the type of network being used. Hotspot is just another Wi-Fi to the Apple TV.
or will it use regular cellular data thru my iPhone to stream?
I believe there is no difference (to devices connecting to your phone). It is your carrier that analyses the data being used, and determines that an x amount of it was used as hotspot.
Will I need to toggle on the “personal hotspot” and thus have it count against my hotspot usage?
Yes.
Or can I plug my phone into the Apple TV (lightening to USB, or maybe an adapter for lightening to HDMI, or some other arrangement) and use cellular data without using hotspot?
No. The only way to connect is using the hotspot. The USB connection reserved for “service and support”, i.e. connecting to a computer to restore the system software. It has no other (known) functionality.
Cellular data or hotspot
