Android

Too right. It's not like it's consuming more data

Choose your network provider more carefully.

Been this way for at least a decade in good ole 'Murica?

Since the beginning.

Mobile providers have always tried to charge for hotspot service. Since I started buying my own phones, not through the provider, I haven't had a problem with it turning on, and I haven't seen any additional charge for using it (just normal consumption of the data). I don't think that most providers can tell the difference in traffic natively from the device and from something on its hotspot, so restrictions are likely phone specific. If you have Android, install a custom ROM (I'd suggest anything AOSP), and for iPhone, IDK. Maybe do a complete reset to the official version from Apple (not the carrier specific version of the firmware).

Restoring your files and apps is the most difficult part of the process and generally takes a while (usually a few hours of setting up accounts on different apps, but it should kill off your carriers control of your device in regards to hotspot limits

I understand the frustration, 100% I do. I'm equally angry about the state of things, fact is, there are things you can do about it, like buying your devices unlocked, non-carrier specific from trusted endpoints. This is easy to do with Apple and Google, as they both allow end users to buy their products right from their website or in stores (if such stores exist). But other manufacturers will only sell to distributors, like your carrier, who screws with the firmware before you get your hands on the device. Avoiding such distributors is the key point here. Being unlocked doesn't mean much if you're still running the carriers firmware which disallows the feature unless you do something like pay them.

It's not a nice solution, since most people have, or are purchasing their devices through carrier contacts and discounts, and generally for untampered devices, you need to buy them all at once, up front. The only saving grace is that a lot of manufacturers are now putting the untampered version of the phone firmware online, and you can typically find a way to wipe the device completely and install the manufacturers untampered version with enough time and effort; it's gotten easier, but I wouldn't say it's easy. Just that it's possible...

Easiest way to tell if you're running a carrier version of the firmware is if the carriers app comes pre-loaded and won't allow uninstallation. Only "revert to factory version" and disabling the app are possible (this means it's in the protected OS space on your device). If you can fully uninstall it, or it is not present when you factory reset the device, you're probably running a clean version.

Of note, you can still run their app, the presence of the app as a default application usually means it's tied into a root-level service that restricts access to features and/or spies on you (probably both). The app itself is likely fine, but the underlying service is generally the troublemaker. The service may install with the app, but as long as it doesn't have root level permission, it can't stop you from using the features built into the phone.

I know with Verizon in the USA, they recently changed their plans to remove the hotspot as a feature from their lowest tier so they can sell it back to you as a feature, or get you to upgrade to a more expensive plan.

Many years ago I switched from iOS to Android specifically because android allowed you to circumvent carrier restrictions on hotspot functionality (at least unofficially). I guess Ajit Pai has bent the knee to telecoms now.

Is there a /r/USdefaultism already on Lemmy...? 🤓

It happened after we moved from unlimited data to capped data and back again.

Idk, but here in the Philippines we don't have any law that prevents telcos from doing the same, yet literally every telco allows mobile hotspot usage without restrictions or extra charges. Same for almost every other things American telcos do to fuck up their customers. America probably needs more telco company competition.

In the meantime, you can try TetherFi and see if it works for you.

This was an issue when hotspots first came out on Android (for me in the UK). Carriers were charging £5-£10 p/m to let you use your own data allowance faster. In the past, the workaround for me was to Root the phone and run 3rd party hotspot software instead of using the build in Android OS hotspot feature.

Are you trying to connect up to a computer? Look up "USB tethering" in your settings - you should be able to plug your phone into your computer through a USB port and share its data connection no problem. If you're only using one device, it's actually better than a mobile hotspot. You can also do it over Bluetooth if for some reason you want lower bandwidth. YMMV as I'm across the pond, but I get stats from my telecom company about my usage and it doesn't list anything USB tethered as hotspot related so I think it should go under your company's radar.

But also like, what the absolute fuck man? How? Why?

Oh I still remember the outrage when Android added support for allowing Carries to block this a few years ago. But the Google folks just said „works as intended“ and proceeded.

I have a "legacy" unlimited plan and they are now adding $3 per line per month to my bill because of mobile hot spot access. 2 of the 3 phones on my plan are pixels that don't even have the ability to be a hot spot.

Can a carrier block your use of hotspot if you bought the phone from a 3rd party? Isn't this the case that when you get a carrier subsidized phone they mess with it to keep you locked to the carrier?

Infuriating that you pay for their service but there are so many*{§}©®™