Title is self explanatory. For background, I am currently running Asahi Linux on my M1 MBP. Whenever I connected the hotspot without data being turned on, it somehow still worked like any regular wifi. I even ran several updates in the system and downloaded multiple apps in this wifi, which I find it amusing. But out of curiosity, I wanted to know from you guys that what could the reason be for this.
EDIT: So after following the advice of jet@hackertalks.com, I relized that the hotspot is using the network of my University’s Wi-Fi, which explains why the hotspot worked even with the data turned off.
A hotspot is a connection where your phone creates a wifi network using its wifi antenna. The signal strength depends on how far away the phone is, thats it.
The hotspot stays on also if the phone has no cell data connection. Normally a phone should only be able to connect to either a wifi or be a hotspot, phone model is important.