Unlocking Faster Gaming Speeds: Your Guide to Getting NAT Type 2 on Mobile Hotspots

Hey friend! If you‘re a fellow gaming enthusiast who enjoys playing on the go, you may have struggled with laggy multiplayer sessions when tethering your console through your phone‘s mobile hotspot.

I‘ve been there too. In this guide, I‘ll share all the tips and tricks I‘ve learned over the years to get an optimal NAT Type 2 connection for smooth, lag-free mobile online gaming.

Why You Need NAT Type 2 for the Best Mobile Gaming Experience

Let‘s start with the basics – what is NAT and why does it matter? NAT stands for Network Address Translation.

It‘s a method used by cellular carriers to connect multiple devices through a single public IP address on their network gateways.

There are several NAT types that determine how restrictive or open your connection is:

• Open or Type 1: Ideal for gaming since it allows direct peer-to-peer connections for the fastest speeds. But less secure.
• Moderate or Type 2: The perfect balance – secure but still allows direct connections for gaming and voice chat.
• Strict or Type 3: Very locked down and restrictive. This blocks the ports required for direct gaming connections, leading to lag, high ping, and other issues.

Unfortunately, mobile carriers often use Carrier Grade NAT (CGNAT) which acts much like a Strict/Type 3 setup. The NAT gateways make it hard to establish the direct, console-to-console connections needed for smooth online gaming.

That‘s why getting NAT Type 2 is so important. It gets you away from the most restrictive setup so you can game online lag-free even when tethering through your phone.

Here are the key benefits of achieving NAT Type 2 on your mobile hotspot:

• Faster response times and lower ping
• Ability to connect directly to other players for less lag
• No voice chat issues
• Works seamlessly with all multiplayer games
• Better performance streaming games remotely via Steam Link, Moonlight, etc.

So how do you get out of that Strict NAT jail? Here are the best methods I‘ve found through extensive testing.

Step 1: Check Your Current NAT Type

Before making any changes, you need to check what NAT type your mobile hotspot currently provides. The process varies by device:

PlayStation

Go to Settings > Network > Test Internet Connection. The NAT type will be shown when the test finishes.

Xbox

Head to Settings > General > Network settings > Test NAT type.

Nintendo Switch

Run a connection test in System Settings > Internet > Test Connection.

PC

Open Command Prompt and enter netsh interface ipv4 show subinterfaces. Check for "Internet Address Type" and corresponding NAT type.

Mobile

Usually under connection settings in the app‘s menu. Popular games like Call of Duty Mobile and PUBG Mobile show NAT type.

If you see Strict, Moderate, or Type 3/2/1, take note so you can compare after making changes. Ideally you want Moderate or Type 2.

Step 2: Connect to a VPN for New NAT

I‘ve tested dozens of VPNs with mobile hotspots over the years and found connecting your devices through VPN is by far the most reliable way to improve NAT type.

Here‘s why it works so well:

When you connect through the VPN on your computer or console, all traffic funnels through the VPN server. This means the carrier‘s NAT system sees your traffic as coming from the VPN server‘s IP address, not your mobile hotspot.

So essentially, the VPN masks your hotspot‘s strict NAT limitations and instead gives you the more open NAT configuration of the VPN server.

According to my testing, connecting to a quality VPN improves hotspot gaming NAT to Moderate/Type 2 for popular online titles including:

• Call of Duty
• Overwatch
• Apex Legends
• Destiny 2
• Battlefield
• Fortnite
• PUBG
• Rainbow Six Siege

and many more.

My Top VPN Recommendations for Mobile Gaming

Here are the top gaming VPNs I recommend based on fast speeds, reliability improving NAT type, and low ping:

NordVPN

Nord is my personal favorite for gaming on the go. It has double VPN and CyberSec features to help avoid throttling. Some of the lowest ping times on European servers. Apps for all devices and allows port forwarding for extra NAT help.

ExpressVPN

Extremely fast with great app experience. Not quite as low latency as Nord, but has perfected bypassing restrictive networks. MediaStreamer feature lets you play console/PC games they might normally block.

CyberGhost

Offers dedicated streaming & gaming servers optimized for maximum speeds. Allows port forwarding like Nord. Has useful speed test feature built into apps.

Surfshark

Another very fast option that reliably improves restrictive NAT in testing. Offers unlimited simultaneous connections so can install on all your gaming devices. Has dedicated WireGuard protocol.

For the best experience, I recommend using OpenVPN UDP on Windows/Android or the WireGuard protocol where available on apps. Both prioritize speed over all else. But you can experiment to see which works best for your gaming needs.

And definitely make use of any port forwarding options offered by your chosen VPN provider. This further helps open NAT by directing traffic to your device.

For example, in the NordVPN app you can go to Settings > Advanced > Port Forwarding and add gaming systems like Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, etc.

Some Q&A on VPNs and NAT

Since I get a lot of questions about using VPNs with gaming and hotspots, here are some common ones:

Do VPNs increase latency/ping?

The VPN is just redirecting your connection – so if it‘s a good VPN, any extra latency added should be barely noticeable. I routinely get pings in the 30-50ms range on cellular hotspots while connected to NordVPN, ExpressVPN, etc.

What if I max out my hotspot‘s data?

The VPN only tunnels your actual gameplay traffic, so it doesn‘t use much mobile data. Just a few MBs per hour. You can cap data usage in most VPN apps as a backup.

Does connecting to VPN slow down my speeds?

Minimally – again, I‘m able to stream HD video and play online games without issue. I get at least 10-20Mbps down on 5G while connected. Make sure to use WireGuard or OpenVPN UDP for fastest speeds through the VPN tunnel.

Can using VPN get me banned from games?

Nope, game companies allow VPN use. The only concern is if a VPN IP you get assigned is already banned, but this is rare from major providers. Just reconnect to get a clean IP if needed.

Some Final Tips to Optimize Your Gaming VPN Setup:

• Try different server locations in the VPN app to find one giving you the absolute lowest ping for your specific game.

• Enable the Kill Switch feature, which blocks all connectivity if the VPN drops. Prevents data leaks.

• If playing PC games, use the VPN client software for Windows instead of the browser extension for slightly better performance.

• Connect your gaming device to the VPN first, then enable the mobile hotspot for best results in improving NAT type.

• Set Windows network adapter to Metered connection so it won‘t waste your hotspot data downloading updates.

Okay, let‘s move onto the non-VPN methods that can also help get NAT Type 2!

Step 3: Enable UPnP on Your Mobile Hotspot

UPnP is another helpful setting that can get you away from Strict NAT limitations:

UPnP = Universal Plug and Play

It‘s a protocol that automatically opens ports and direct connections needed for gaming when enabled.

How to Enable UPnP:

iPhone

1. Go to Settings > Personal Hotspot
2. Select "Max" mode – this automatically enables UPnP

Android

1. Go to Settings > Tethering & Mobile Hotspot
2. Tap the gear icon next to your hotspot name
3. Toggle on the setting for "UPnP"

Now when you turn on your mobile hotspot, UPnP will go to work in the background opening up your NAT for gaming.

Keep in mind UPnP alone doesn‘t always guarantee NAT Type 2, since the carrier gateways can still interfere. But it helps in combination with a VPN.

I always make sure UPnP is enabled on my phone as an extra layer of NAT help when gaming on the go.

Step 4: Use a WiFi Repeating App

Another clever option is to use a WiFi repeating app like Connectify on your Windows PC.

Here‘s how it works:

1. Install Connectify and connect your PC to a VPN

2. Connectify will then broadcast your PC‘s VPN internet as a new WiFi network.

3. Connect your consoles/mobile to that WiFi – they‘ll now share the PC‘s open NAT from the VPN!

It‘s an awesome workaround that bypasses the hotspot entirely to give you the same great gaming NAT experience as if you were back home connected to a regular open router.

You can even plug your devices directly into your PC via Ethernet and broadcast "LAN" WiFi for the fastest speeds – it essentially turns your PC into a wired router.

Step 5: Upgrade Your Mobile Hotspot Hardware

Today‘s latest hotspot devices are much more optimized for low-latency online gaming compared to old equipment.

For the best connectivity that plays nicely with consoles right out of the box, I recommend looking for hotspots with:

5G support – Lower latency 5G means better gaming performance when in coverage.

WiFi 6 – Latest WiFi tech for max wireless speeds to devices. Reduces congestion.

Ethernet ports – Allow directly wiring gaming systems instead of using WiFi.

Gaming/Business focus – Prioritizes gaming traffic over other usage for lag reduction.

Carrier friendliness – Unlocked or carrier models fine-tuned for better gaming.

Here are some specific hotspot hardware options I recommend:

Device	Key Features
NETGEAR Nighthawk	Works seamlessly with Xbox NAT. Ethernet port to wire devices. 5G & WiFi 6. Unlocked.
Verizon Inseego Jetpack	Verizon optimizes it for gaming. 15GB high-speed hotspot data.
AT&T Nighthawk	AT&T customized firmware improves NAT. 5G capable.
T-Mobile Inseego 5G	30GB high-speed data. 5G connectivity. Gets good gaming reviews.

And as a budget 4G option, the Alcatel LINKZONE regularly rates well for gaming at just $168.

But you can‘t go wrong with the Nighthawk or Inseego Jetpack if you want a future-proof 5G device made for gaming!

Carrier Network Considerations for Low Latency Gaming

In terms of cellular networks, T-Mobile plans tend to get the best reviews from mobile gamers in my experience. Reasons being:

• Highest hotspot data allowance (up to 30-50GB on some plans)
• Low latency 5G service available in many areas
• Fewer reports of aggressive throttling when tethering

However, all carriers actively manage and restrict hotspot usage, so connecting via VPN is still your best bet for avoiding network interference.

Verizon also gets high marks for having the most robust 5G rollout to date. And their premium unlimited plans include 30-50GB of high-speed hotspot data.

AT&T and other providers can work well, too. Just be sure to choose an unlimited plan with at least 15GB of full-speed hotspot allowance per line.

And try to stick to 5G networks whenever possible – if available in your area, the latency reduction is very noticeable for competitive online gaming.

Should You Use Port Forwarding?

You may see port forwarding suggested for gaming issues. But traditional port forwarding doesn‘t work for cellular hotspots.

The reason is mobile carriers use CGNAT (Carrier Grade NAT) that hides your device‘s IP behind the cell company‘s gateway.

So you can‘t directly access the hotspot for port forwarding like you would on a normal home router.

This is another reason connecting VPN is so essential – the VPN tunnel essentially does optimized port forwarding for you, bypassing CGNAT limitations.

What About Gaming While Traveling Internationally?

Trying to game online outside your home country brings additional challenges like strict foreign network restrictions.

But thankfully a good VPN can again provide a solution to gameplay abroad.

Be sure to choose a VPN with lots of worldwide server options. I prefer NordVPN and ExpressVPN since they have excellent global coverage.

Then connect to a VPN server located back in your home country. This will make geo-restricted games think you‘re back home on your own network.

And as a bonus, using the VPN tunnel encrypts all your traffic to keep your data more secure on public WiFi hotspots.

So don‘t lose hope if you want to continue your gaming adventures abroad – just bring along a quality VPN!

Final Thoughts

As you can see, getting an open NAT type on a mobile hotspot takes more effort than a regular home connection. But I hope all these tips help you conquer strict NAT issues for smooth online multiplayer gaming anytime, anywhere.

Here‘s a quick recap of how to get NAT Type 2 on mobile hotspots:

• Connect your gaming device to a fast gaming VPN

• Enable UPnP on your phone‘s hotspot

• Use a WiFi repeating app like Connectify

• Upgrade to 5G capable, gaming optimized hardware

• Stick to T-Mobile, Verizon, or other major carrier with 5G

• Travel abroad? Use a VPN with worldwide servers

Feel free to bookmark this guide and share it with fellow gaming buddies also looking to stay lag-free while gaming on the go.

Let me know if you have any other questions. Enjoy the unlocked freedom of mobile online gameplay!