Got Jio SIM? Here is how to use it in best possible way

   Everybody is getting a free Jio SIM. Many have already got it, and those who haven't are probably queued up somewhere in front of a Reliance store. After all, it's a free SIM and even when people are not exactly ready to give up their older number, they see no harm in getting a Jio SIM and try it out. Well, we agree with the sentiment.

But the question is that now when you have the Jio SIM what can you -- or what should -- you do with it? And how.

Use it as your primary SIM

Although, we believe not many people are going to do it, particularly not this early when Jio is yet to prove its reliability, if you want you can use the Jio SIM as your primary SIM. If you do so, you will end up saving at least a few thousand rupees over the next 3 months because all Jio services are free. Although, this is also something we don't recommend.

As far as the data and internet speed is concerned, a Jio connection is better than any other in the market. Depending on your luck, device and where you live, you may also get better reliability from Jio SIM compared to what you will get from Airtel or Vodafone. But the main problem with using Jio as your primary SIM card are the calls. On Jio calls are made using VoLTE, which is to say using the data, and calls between a Jio number to a number managed by any other operator like Airtel or Vodafone are not yet reliable enough.

Use it as a data-only SIM

This is the preferred way of using the Jio SIM. At least for now when all the data is free and the service is still in sort of beta phase. Once you have the Jio SIM working in your phone, here is what you can do to get the maximum out of it, which by definition means 4GB data a day at full speed before the speed reduces to around 128kbps. Sure, it is a bummer. This 4GB limit. But see it realistically. For almost everyone 4GB a day is lot and lot of data.

So, what you can do with this 4GB daily? Take a look:

-- Use your phone as download machine for YouTube videos: YouTube app on Android now allows scheduling of downloads. So, for example you wanted to see that 2-hour YouTube-exclusive documentary, now is your chance. You can schedule it to download in the background in the night when the Jio speed is best and then watch it next day.

-- Use the phone as your hotspot: All Android phones have this hotspot thingy inbuilt into them, which allows a phone user to share the network in the phone with any other device that supports Wi-Fi, such as a tablet or a laptop. Usually, most phones can serve 8-10 devices with Wi-Fi once the hotspot in them is active. So, in a way, the Jio SIM in a phone can even replace your Wi-Fi connection at home or office, particularly for now when the data is free.

To use the phone with the Jio SIM inside it as hotspot, ensure that the Jio data is working in your phone. Then go to Settings > Wireless & Networks > Tethering & Portable Hotspot > Toggle Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot.

Although before you turn on the hotspot, do this one-time thing: Tap on the Set up Wi-Fi Hotspot. Now, give the network a more identifiable name such as Jio Mere Lal or whatever you prefer. In the security field, keep it on default which is WPA2 PSK. In the password field, input a password you will remember. In the AP Band, select 2.4GHz Band. You phone may also support 5GHz band but opt for it only if you are sure that the devices you will connect to hotspot sport the 5GHz band.

Save the settings. Turn on the hotspot and then connect your other devices to the resulting Wi-Fi.

-- Use USB tethering: If you want to use the Jio connection in your phone with only one more device like a laptop or with a computer that cannot connect to Wi-Fi, use USB tethering, which is also by default a part of Android. To use it, connect the phone to a computer using the Wi-Fi cable. Then go to Settings > Wireless & Networks > Tethering & Portable Hotspot > Toggle USB Tethering.

If you use Jio network like this, remember

-- The daily data limit is 4GB. Although, we are yet to see Jio enforcing it.

-- If you are using the phone as a hotspot, the phone will heat up as well as consume more battery. Be ready for this, keep a charging cable or charger handy.

-- Given that the Jio data is free, speed is more or less fantastic -- although while tethering/hotspot the speed is lower -- you can use the connection to update your other devices as well as download the stuff that you were eying but couldn't download because of the lack of bandwidth.