Setup question - no wifi

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wiibie

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Jun 30, 2025
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Hello! I am interested in a WiiM Amp Ultra, but have some questions about my unusual setup. This is going to be in a house with no hardwired Internet connection, thus no Wi-Fi setup. However, I do have cellular service around 40mbps, unlimited data and sufficient hotspot capacity. Will I be able to control the WiiM streamer using the mobile app, from the same phone that is providing the hotspot? Is there a different way I should be doing this? I'd prefer to avoid Bluetooth if possible (due to quality loss), but am also open to connecting a phone or computer in a corded manner to the WiiM when in use. If I connect in this way, am I losing some benefit of the WiiM's streaming quality/amplification?

Thanks!
 
wiibie said:
Hello! I am interested in a WiiM Amp Ultra, but have some questions about my unusual setup. This is going to be in a house with no hardwired Internet connection, thus no Wi-Fi setup. However, I do have cellular service around 40mbps, unlimited data and sufficient hotspot capacity. Will I be able to control the WiiM streamer using the mobile app, from the same phone that is providing the hotspot? Is there a different way I should be doing this? I'd prefer to avoid Bluetooth if possible (due to quality loss), but am also open to connecting a phone or computer in a corded manner to the WiiM when in use. If I connect in this way, am I losing some benefit of the WiiM's streaming quality/amplification?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
For a more permanent solution, there are 4G and 5G routers that can crossband with Wi-Fi. So they use a normal SIM card to connect with a cellular network and then share this connection by Wi-Fi to devices such as laptops and a WiiM device.

Your phone does this same crossbanding to share via a Wi-Fi hotspot. So, in principle, it will work also. But when the hotspot phone leaves, the WiiM is offline. It just depends on your full set of use cases.
 
wiibie said:
Hello! I am interested in a WiiM Amp Ultra, but have some questions about my unusual setup. This is going to be in a house with no hardwired Internet connection, thus no Wi-Fi setup. However, I do have cellular service around 40mbps, unlimited data and sufficient hotspot capacity. Will I be able to control the WiiM streamer using the mobile app, from the same phone that is providing the hotspot? Is there a different way I should be doing this? I'd prefer to avoid Bluetooth if possible (due to quality loss), but am also open to connecting a phone or computer in a corded manner to the WiiM when in use. If I connect in this way, am I losing some benefit of the WiiM's streaming quality/amplification?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

You will need another smartphone to control the device with the WiiM app.
Use one phone as a hotspot router and control the WiiM with the other.

If you don't have more than two smartphone or tablet, as @hoohoohoo said, a mobile router (or home router) is a good idea.

# The problem with using a mobile router is that you may need to put the SIM card back into your phone when you leave the house.
 
Last edited:
Some providers have a so-called fair use policy which can limit your data download allocation, and/or impose additional charges. Mine is quite liberal as long as the router remains located in one spot & doesn't go travelling around.
 
Thanks for the info! I would prefer not to get a router (it's in a seasonal home that wont be used all the time). Let's say I had a M chip MacBook (connected to hotspot), can this run the WiiM app? Is audio quality any better to run it this way vs streaming from the laptop into a corded WiiM input (assuming you can do this)?

I'm thinking laptop or a tablet as controlling device will work best for me and serve other uses in the home as well. If going the tablet route, do people have any preference of whether WiiM works better with Android or iOS apps, or is it essentially equivalent?

Thanks!
 
wiibie said:
Thanks for the info! I would prefer not to get a router (it's in a seasonal home that wont be used all the time). Let's say I had a M chip MacBook (connected to hotspot), can this run the WiiM app? Is audio quality any better to run it this way vs streaming from the laptop into a corded WiiM input (assuming you can do this)?
Click to expand...

There is a WiiM home app for Mac, but it is beta. It probably still has limited functionality and I personally recommend using a tablet.


wiibie said:
I'm thinking laptop or a tablet as controlling device will work best for me and serve other uses in the home as well. If going the tablet route, do people have any preference of whether WiiM works better with Android or iOS apps, or is it essentially equivalent?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
Yes, essentially the same app.
 
1. Phone Hotspot: Allow WiiM devices to connect to your phone’s hotspot for portable streaming.

WiiM Team

Thread 'WiiM Home App v3.2.5 Update – Jul 1, 2025'

Please review the app update release notes below. If you encounter any issues, feel free to reach out to us.

App Release Version
v3.2.5

What's New:

1. Phone Hotspot: Allow WiiM devices to connect to your phone’s hotspot for portable streaming. Learn More >
2. Folder Title Display: Show full folder titles for Plex, NAS, USB, Samba and Local Music.
3. Qobuz Enhancements:
- Support an alphabetical index for quick access to artists, playlists and albums when sorting by title.
- Filter playlists to simplify adding tracks on the Add to Playlist...
  • Like
 
Wiimer said:
1. Phone Hotspot: Allow WiiM devices to connect to your phone’s hotspot for portable streaming.

WiiM Team

Thread 'WiiM Home App v3.2.5 Update – Jul 1, 2025'

Please review the app update release notes below. If you encounter any issues, feel free to reach out to us.

App Release Version
v3.2.5

What's New:

1. Phone Hotspot: Allow WiiM devices to connect to your phone’s hotspot for portable streaming. Learn More >
2. Folder Title Display: Show full folder titles for Plex, NAS, USB, Samba and Local Music.
3. Qobuz Enhancements:
- Support an alphabetical index for quick access to artists, playlists and albums when sorting by title.
- Filter playlists to simplify adding tracks on the Add to Playlist...
  • Like
Click to expand...
Probably in version 3.2.5?

The support page is not valid then? So you can have the WiiM Home App and the hotspot on the same phone now. A nice functionality for those that don't have a local WiFi network via a dedicated router.

Edit: Thread title for app release was just updated.
 
Mr Ee said:
Hmmm, on most phones enabling hotspot disables wifi, so how will the app work?
C'mon @QuarryHunslet, you've got the latest app, spill the beans!
Click to expand...
The local apps need to connect to the local hotspot network using the ConnectivityManager (Android). All other devices just see the hotspot as any other WiFi router.

So the WiiM Home App don't use WiFi in this case but a local loopback.
 
hgo58 said:
So you can have the WiiM Home App and the hotspot on the same phone now. A nice functionality for those that don't have a local WiFi network via a dedicated router.
Click to expand...
I thought so too, but to be honest I am still not sure...
 
Mr Ee said:
Hmmm, on most phones enabling hotspot disables wifi, so how will the app work?
C'mon @QuarryHunslet, you've got the latest app, spill the beans!
Click to expand...
Can’t see anything in my iPad app, but then again it doesn’t have a SIM or network connection. Guess I’ll need to wait on the Android version for my phone, but like you I thought this was a mobile restriction and was unaware apps could get round it.
 
Burnside said:
Can’t see anything in my iPad app, but then again it doesn’t have a SIM or network connection. Guess I’ll need to wait on the Android version for my phone, but like you I thought this was a mobile restriction and was unaware apps could get round it.
Click to expand...
You will need to have your device set up as a hotspot and the app need to use a local network loopback connection.

It's possible to use the local hotspot network but it requires special coding. I assume that is what WiiM have done now.
 
Thanks for all the replies! Sounds like the question was very timely with recent product updates, I am eager to hear feedback on the ability to use WiiM app on the same device that is providing hotspot connection to the WiiM.

Thanks!
 
castalla said:
Some providers have a so-called fair use policy which can limit your data download allocation, and/or impose additional charges. Mine is quite liberal as long as the router remains located in one spot & doesn't go travelling around.
Click to expand...
My provider is unlimited, I use 2-3tb a month and have 350mb down 30 up
Also I can move my router wherever I want if I was to go away for a couple of weeks though limited to this country not worldwide
All for £20 a month 😊
 
QuarryHunslet said:
I have the latest app update on four devices, but I’m not sure what to look for.🤔
Click to expand...
What do you find new in the network status screen?

And, Can you turn on the hotspot on one iphone, connect the WiiM and control the WiiM with that ipone?
 
Wiimer said:
What do you find new in the network status screen?

And, Can you turn on the hotspot on one iphone, connect the WiiM and control the WiiM with that ipone?
Click to expand...
I don't see anything new in the network status screen.

I can't get that to work.
 
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