Novatel Sprint MiFi 500 LTE User manual

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Availableapplicationsandservicesaresubjecttochangeatanytime.

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Table of Contents
MiFi500Basics 1
SystemRequirements 1
YourMiFi500’sLayout 1
StatusBar 3
PowerManagement 4
CaringforYourMiFi500 4
GettingStartedwithMiFi500 5
AccessingtheNetwork 5
LTE 5
UsingYourMiFi500fortheFirstTime 5
InsertandChargetheBattery 6
BatteryRemoval 7
BatteryTips 7
RemovetheLTESIMCard 8
PowertheMiFi500OnandOff 9
ConnectingtoYourMiFi500 9
UsingYourMiFi500AfterSetupisComplete 10
UsingtheMiFiDeviceUserInterface 13
ManagingtheMiFi500 15
ManagingfromtheMiFi500Device 15
ManagingfromtheMiFi500WebInterface 15
SignInPage 16
MiFi500Home 18
ManageMiFi500HomefromtheDevice 18
ManageMiFi500HomefromtheWebInterface 19
ConnectedDevices 24
ManageConnectedDevicesfromtheDevice 24
ManageConnectedDevicesfromtheWebInterface 24
Settings 28
ManageSettingsfromtheDevice 28
ManageSettingsfromtheWebInterface 29
WPS 44
GPS 45

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About 45
AccessingtheAboutPagefromtheDevice 45
AccessingtheAboutPagefromtheWebInterface 46
CustomerSupport 52
Troubleshooting 53
Overview 53
CommonProblems 53
TechnicalSupport 56
ProductSpecificationsandRegulatoryInformation 57
ProductSpecifications 57
RegulatoryStatements 58
WirelessCommunications 59
LimitedWarrantyandLiability 59
SafetyHazards 60
ProperBatteryUseandDisposal 61
CopyrightInformation 63
Glossary 64
Index 67

MiFi 500 Basics 1
MiFi 500 Basics
ThefollowingtopicsprovideMiFi500Basicinformation.
CongratulationsonyourpurchaseoftheMiFi500LTEbyNovatelWireless.WiththeMiFi500
IntelligentMobileHotspotyoucanaccessLTEnetworksforfasterconnectivity,uploadsand
downloads.Connectupto10Wi-FienableddevicesandonetetheredviaUSBtotheInternetat
once–laptops,tablets,e-readers,gamingconsolesandmore–andexperiencedownloadspeeds
ofupto100Mbps*.
TheMiFi500isbackwardscompatibleto3Gnetworks,ensuringreliableconnectivitywhenyouneed
itmost.
*Manufacturer’sratedpeaktheoreticalspeed.Actualspeedsmayvary.
System Requirements
ThissectionprovidesMiFi500systemrequirementsandrelatedinformation.
n Compatiblewithallmajoroperatingsystems.
n Workswiththelatestversionsofbrowsers,includingAndroid,Chrome,Firefox,Internet
Explorer,SafariandMobileSafari.
TouseWi-Fimode,yourcomputerneedsWi-Ficapability.ToaccesstheWebUserInterface,you
willalsoneedInternetbrowsersoftware.IfyourcomputerdoesnothaveWi-Ficapabilityyoucan
useEthernetoverUSBtethering.
YourMiFi500musthaveproperdataservicetofunctionproperly.SeeUsingyourMiFi500forthe
FirstTimeformoreinformation.
Your MiFi 500’s Layout
TheillustrationsanddescriptionsbelowoutlineyourMiFi500’sbasiclayout.

MiFi 500 Basics 2
n Status Display─ Providesconnectionandbatterystatus,networksignalstrength,roaming
status,andthenumberofusersconnectedwithWi-Fi.
n Navigation Button─Scrollsleftorrightthroughavailablemenuoptions.
n OK Button─ Usetoselectamenuoption.
n Power Button─ PowerstheMiFi500onandofforwakesupthedevicescreen.
n Charging Port─TheACchargerconnectshere.
n SIM Card Slot—TheSIMcardisinstalledhere.

MiFi 500 Basics 3
n Battery Compartment—Thebatterycontactsconnecthere.
n Master Reset Button—InsertapaperclipinthesmallholetoresettheMiFi500tofactory
settings.SeeHowdoIresettheMiFi500backtofactorysettings?formoreinformation
n BatteryRemoval Divot—Whenthebatteryisinstalled,insertafingernailhereandlifttoeasily
removeit.
Status Bar
ThestatusbaratthetopoftheMiFi500displayscreenprovidesdeviceandservicestatus
information.
StatusIcons
Display Icon Description
None  TheMiFi500ispoweredoffornotreceivingpower,orthescreenisin
power-savingmode.
Status Bar
NetworkSignal
Strength
Morebarsindicatemoresignalstrength.
ActivityIndicator Ifthisiconisdisplayed,dataisbeingtransferredbetweenyour
MiFi500andthenetwork.
Roaming Ifthisiconisdisplayed,yourMiFi500isroaming.
Connected
Devices
Thenumberofconnecteddevicesdisplaystotherightoftheicon.
Battery Morewhiteonthebatteryindicatesmorebatterylife.
Carousel
Wi-Fi ScrollandselecttheicontodisplaytheWi-Finame,passwordandURL.
Connected
Devices
ScrollandselecttheicontodisplaythenumberandIPaddressof
connecteddevices.
MobileNetwork Scrollandselecttheicontodisplaythetechnology,networkoperator,
signalandpreferrednetwork.
Software
Update
Scrollandselecttheicontodisplaythecurrentsoftwareversion,dateand
timeoflastcheckforupdatesandtocheckforcurrentsoftwareupdates.
About Scrollandselecttheicontodisplaythemobilenumber,modelnumber,
MEID,URLandAdminPasswordforyourMiFi500.
Wi-FiProtected
Setup
ScrollandselecttheicontoenableWPS.

MiFi 500 Basics 4
Display Icon Description
Home ScrollandselecttheicontoreturntotheMiFi500Homepageandto
accessmenuoptions.
Power Management
PowermanagementforyourMiFi500issimple.YourMiFi500willworkfromitschargedbattery
alone,orwhenthedevicewiththeinstalledbatteryispluggedintoapowersource.
n Battery–ChargethebatterybypluggingintheACcharger.Whilethebatteryischargingthe
batteryiconbarsblink.Whenthebatteryisfullycharged,thebatteryiconissolid.
n Sign of Life LED–TheblueLEDwillbeon/solidwhentheMiFi500ischargingandthedisplay
isoff.Itwillblinkslowlywhenthedeviceisonandthedisplayisoff.
n USB AC charger–YoucanusetheMiFi500whenthebatteryisinstalledandthechargeris
pluggedintoanelectricaloutlet.Pleaseensuretheelectricaloutletislocatedneartheequipment
andiseasilyaccessible.TheMiFibatterychargeswhileitispluggedintothecharger.
BeforeusingtheMiFi500,readthebatterysafetyinformationinthe“SafetyHazards”sectionofthis
guide.SeeProperBatteryUseandDisposal.
Caring for Your MiFi 500
ProperlycaringforyourMiFi500isimportant.Likeanyelectronicdevice,theMiFi500mustbe
handledwithcaretoensurereliableoperation.NovatelWirelessrecommendsthefollowing
guidelines.
n ProtecttheMiFi500fromliquids,dust,andexcessivetemperatures.
n DonotapplyadhesivelabelstotheMiFi500;theymightcausetheMiFi500topotentially
overheatandtheymightaltertheperformanceoftheantenna.
n StoretheMiFi500inasafeplacewhennotinuse.

Getting Started with MiFi 500 5
Getting Started with MiFi 500
GettingstartedwithyourMiFi500iseasy.Seethefollowingtopicsforinstructions.
Accessing the Network
AccessingthenetworkusingLTEcanbebothfasterandmoreefficientthan3GorWi-Fi*.
*Actualthroughputspeedandcoveragemayvary.Speedclaimsnotapplicablewhenroaming.
LTE
WithLTEbandwidth(800MHz,1900MHzand2500MHz)youcangetthebroadbandspeedyou
requiretoworkefficientlyoutsidethehomeoroffice.YoucanconnecttotheInternet,accessyour
corporateintranet,checkyouremailanddownloadattachmentsatspeedsthatareupto10times
fasterthan3G*.
LTEMobileBroadbandwithLTE*
n Download:typicaldownloadspeedsof5-12Mbps.
n Upload:typicaluploadspeedsof2-5Mbps.
3GMobileBroadbandwithEVDORev.A
n Download:typicaldownloadspeedsof600kbps–1.4Mbpswithburstsupto3.1Mbps.
n Upload:typicaluploadspeedsof500-800kbpswithburstsupto1.8Mbps.
Wi-Fi802.11b/g/n
n 802.11busesthe2.4GHzfrequencywithabandwidthof11Mbps.
n 802.11gusesthe2.4GHzfrequencywithabandwidthof54Mbps.
n 802.11nusesthe2.4GHzfrequencywithabandwidthof150Mbps.
*Actualthroughputspeedandcoveragemayvary.Speedclaimsnotapplicablewhenroaming.
Using Your MiFi 500 for the First Time
YourMiFi500isquickandeasytosetup.TogetstartedusingyourMiFi500forthefirsttime:
1. Confirmyourcomputermeetstheminimumsystemrequirements.SeeSystemRequirements.
2. Insertandchargethebattery.SeeInsertandChargetheBattery.
3. TurnontheMiFi500.SeePowertheMiFi500OnandOff.

Getting Started with MiFi 500 6
4. ConnecttheMiFi500toyourcomputerusingWi-Fi.SeeConnectingtoYourMiFi500.
Insert and Charge the Battery
ThefirststepingettingstartedwithyourMiFi500istoinstallthebatteryandensurethatithasafull
initialcharge.Toinsertandchargethebattery:
1. Pressyourfingeragainstthebatteryremovaltab,thenliftandremovethecover.

2. Alignthegold-coloredcontactsonthebatterywiththegold-coloredcontactsonthe
MiFi500andgentlyslidethebatteryintoplace.

3. ReplacethecoverbysettingitontheMiFi500wherethenotchesalign,thenpressonthecover
untilitclicksintoplaceandisflatacrosstheentirebottomsurface.
4. ConnectthemicroUSBendofthechargerintothechargingportoftheMiFi500.
5. PlugtheotherendofthecableintotheACadapterandplugtheadapterintoanelectricaloutlet.

Getting Started with MiFi 500 7
Tip: BeforeyouuseyourMiFi500,besuretochargethebatteryforatleast3.5hourstoensureafull
initialcharge.
CAUTION!UseonlybatteriesandchargerswithyourMiFi500thathavebeenapprovedbySprint.
ThefailuretouseapprovedbatteriesandchargersmayincreasetheriskthatyourMiFi500will
overheat,catchfire,orexplode,resultinginseriousbodilyinjury,death,orpropertydamage.
Battery Removal
UndercertaincircumstancesyoumayneedtoremovethebatteryfromyourMiFi500.Forbattery
removalorreplacement:
1. Pressyourfingeragainstthebatterydoorremovaltab,thenliftandremovethebatterycover.
Setthecoveraside.
2. Insertyourfingerintothebatteryremovaldivotandliftthebatteryoutofthebattery
compartment.

Battery Tips
Thefollowingbatterytipsshouldhelpyougetthemostoutofyourdevicebattery.
WARNING!AlwaysuseonlyapprovedbatteriesandchargerswithyourMiFi500.Thewarranty
doesnotcoverdamagecausedbynon-approvedbatteriesand/orchargers.
n Itnormallytakesatleast3.5hourstofullychargethebatterywiththeACcharger.
n Donotusesharpobjectstoaccessthebatterycompartment,asthismaydamagetheMiFi500
andthebattery.
n Donotuseexcessiveforcetoremovethebatteryortoaccessthebatterywell.
n ThebatterydischargesmorerapidlyasadditionaldevicesaccessyourMiFi500.
n Batterylifedependsonthenetwork,signalstrength,temperature,features,andaccessoriesyou
use.
n Newbatteriesorbatteriesstoredforalongtimemaytakemoretimetocharge.
n Whenchargingyourbattery,keepitnearroomtemperature.

Getting Started with MiFi 500 8
n Whenstoringyourbattery,keepitunchargedinacool,dark,dryplace.
n Neverexposebatteriestotemperaturesbelow-20°C(4°F)orabove60°C(140°F).
n NeverleavetheMiFi500inanunattendedvehicleduetouncontrollabletemperaturesthatmay
beoutsidethedesiredtemperatureforthisMiFi500.
n Somebatteriesperformbestafterseveralfullcharge/dischargecycles.
n Itisnormalforbatteriestograduallyweardownandrequirelongerchargingtimes.Ifyounotice
achangeinyourbatterylife,itisprobablytimetopurchaseanewbattery.
Tip: WheneveryouremoveorinserteitherthebatteryortheSIMcard,ensureyourMiFi500isnot
connectedtoanydeviceorpowersource.Neverusetools,knives,keys,pensoranytypeofobject
toforcethedooropenortoremovethebattery.Usinganyofthesetypesofobjectscouldresultin
puncturingthebattery.
WARNING!ThefailuretouseapprovedbatteriesandchargersmayincreasetheriskthatyourMiFi
500willoverheat,catchfire,orexplode,resultinginseriousbodilyinjury,death,orpropertydamage.
Toavoidriskofexplosion,neverdisposeofbatteriesinafire.
Remove the LTE SIM Card
IfyourLTESIMcardbecomesdamagedorisnotworkingproperly,youmayneedtoremovethe
cardandreplaceitwithanewSIMcard.ToremovetheLTESIMcard:
1. RemovethebatterycoverlocatedontheundersideoftheMiFi500.
2. RemovethebatteryfromthebackoftheMiFi500byinsertingyourfingernailintothebattery
removaldivotandliftingthebatteryoutofthebatterycompartment.

3. LifttheblackplasticSIMcardremovalhingeandmoveoutoftheway.
4. PlaceyourforefingerontheSIMcardandcarefullyslidetheSIMcardbackwardstoremove.

Getting Started with MiFi 500 9
5. ReplacetheSIMcardremovalhingeandsnapintoplace.
 
Note: ShouldyourLTESIMcardbelostordamaged,contactyourserviceprovider.
Power the MiFi 500 On and Off
YoucanpowertheMiFi500onandoffwiththetouchofabutton.
PowerOn
Toturnthepoweron,pressthePowerbuttonuntiltheMiFi500displaylightsup.Aftertheinitial
startupscreensdisplay,pressOKtoselectMenuandaccessthemenuscreen.
PowerOff
Toturnthepoweroff,pressandholdthePowerbuttonuntilthedisplayshowsMiFiPoweringOff.
TheMiFi500willcontinueitsshutdownproceduresforseveralsecondsandthenautomaticallyturn
offthedisplay.
Connecting to Your MiFi 500
ConnectingtoyourMiFi500iseasy.YoucanconnectyourWi-FienableddevicetoyourMiFi500
usingWi-Fi.Yourcomputer,tablet,orotherWi-FienableddevicesneedWi-Ficapabilityand
Internetbrowsersoftware.YourMiFi500iscompatiblewithallmajoroperatingsystems,andworks
withthelatestversionofbrowsers,includingAndroid™,Chrome™,Firefox®,InternetExplorer®,
Safari™,andMobileSafari™.YourdefaultWi-FinameandWi-Fipasswordcanbefoundonthe
MiFidisplayuponinitialpowerup.
ToaccessyourWi-FinameandWi-Fipasswordaftertheinitialpoweruporadevicereset:
1. PoweronyourMiFi500.
2. PressOKtoselectMenuanddisplaytheMenuscreen.
3. UsethenavigationbuttonstoscrolltotheWi-FioptionandpressOKtoselectMoreanddisplay
theWi-Fiscreen.

Getting Started with MiFi 500 10
4. PressOKtoselectMoreanddisplayyourWi-Finameandpassword.
 
ToconnecttoyourMiFi500:
1. TurnonyourWi-FienableddeviceandturnonyourMiFi500usingthepowerbutton.TheMiFi
displaywilllightup.TheMiFi500broadcastsitsownwirelessnetworkandname.
2. OpentheWi-FiapplicationorcontrolsonthecomputerorWi-Fienableddevicethatyouwantto
connecttoyourMiFi500andfindtheWi-Finame.
Tip: ThestepstoconnecttoaWi-Finetworkvarydependingonyouroperatingsystemandwhether
youusethenativeapplicationorthird-partysoftware.Generally,youclickaniconintheWindows
notificationareawhereyoucanselectView Available Wireless Networks,orclicktheAirporticon
inthemenubaronaMac.Ifyouareunfamiliarwithwirelessnetworkingonyourcomputer,consult
thecomputerhelpsystem.
3. Whenprompted,enteryourWi-Fipassword,whichcanbefoundontheMiFidisplaybypressing
theOK button(Menu)ontheMenuscreentodisplaytheWi-Fiicon,thenpressingtheOK button
(More)todisplayyourWi-Finameandpassword.TheMiFiscreenshouldnowshowan
additionalconnecteddevice.YourWi-FienableddeviceisnowconnectedtotheInternet.
4. YoucanvieworchangeMiFisettingsbyconnectingtotheMiFiWebuserinterfaceat
http://sprinthotspotorhttp://192.168.1.1.
Tip: ChargethebatterycompletelybeforeyouconnectyourcomputertoyourMiFi500.SeeInsert
andChargetheBatteryfordetails.
Using Your MiFi 500 After Setup is Complete
YoucanuseyourMiFi500aftersetupiscompleteasawirelessmobilehotspottoconnectyour
computeranduptoatotalof10Wi-Fienableddeviceson3Gand4GWi-Fi,unlikepreviousdevices.
TheMiFi500ispoweredonassoonasyoupressandholdthepowerbuttonandthedisplayturns
on.
TofindthenameoftheWi-FinetworkandWi-FipasswordontheMiFiscreen:
1. PressOKfromtheHomescreentoselectMenuanddisplaytheMenuscreen.
2. UsethenavigationbuttonsandscrolltotheWi-Fioption.
3. PressOKtoselectMoreanddisplayyourWi-Finameandpassword.

Getting Started with MiFi 500 11
 
TheMiFi500comesfromthefactorywithsecurityenabled.Youcanchangethesecuritysettings
usingtheMiFiWebUserInterface.TochangeyourMiFisecuritysettings:
1. OpentheWebbrowserofadeviceconnectedtotheMiFi500andenterhttp://sprinthotspotor
http://192.168.1.1.
LoginwiththeMiFiWebInterfacePasswordwhichcanbefoundontheMiFidisplaybypressing
theOK button(Menu)ontheMenuscreentodisplaytheWi-Fiicon,thenpressingtheOK button
(More)todisplayyourWi-Finameandpassword.ThedefaultWebInterfacePasswordis
admin.
 
2. TochangeyourWi-FiName/Password,fromtheMiFiHomepageselectManage My Device>
Customize my Wi-Fi Settings.
3. EnterthenewWi-FinameintheWi-FinamefieldandthenewWi-FipasswordintheWi-Fi
passwordfield.
4. ClickSave Changes.YouwillneedtoreconnecttotheMiFi500usingthenewWi-Fi
Name/Password.

Getting Started with MiFi 500 12
5. TochangeyourAdminPassword,fromtheMiFiHomepage,selectChange my Web
Interface Password.
6. EnteryourcurrentWebInterfacePasswordintheEnter current passwordfield.

Getting Started with MiFi 500 13
7. EnteryournewpasswordintheEnter new passwordfield,andre-entertoconfirminthe
Confirm new passwordfield.
8. ClickSave Changes.
Using the MiFi Device User Interface
UsingtheMiFideviceuserinterface,youcancheckyourMiFistatusandaccessicon-basedmenu
optionsbyusingtheNavigationandOKbuttons.SeeYourMiFi500’sLayout.
ToviewthecurrentstatusofyourMiFi500:
1. PressthePowerbuttontoturnontheMiFi500anddisplaytheHomescreen.Thestatusbaris
atthetopofthescreen.
2. Checkthestatusindicatorsfornetworksignalstrength,datatrafficactivity,numberofconnected
devices,andbatterystrength.

Getting Started with MiFi 500 14
Toaccesstheicon-basedmenuoptions:
1. PresstheOKbuttontodisplaythecarouselmenuicons.
2. Usethenavigationbuttonstomoveleftorrighttohighlightthedesiredmenuoption,thenpress
theOKbutton(More)toopenthehighlightedoption.ContinuetopresstheOKbuttontomove
throughanyadditionalscreens.

Managing the MiFi 500 15
Managing the MiFi 500
ManagingtheMiFi500issimple.Youcanmanage,monitor,andcustomizeyourMiFi500settings
directlyontheMiFi500device,orbyusingtheMiFi500Web-basedinterface.
Managing from the MiFi 500 Device
YoucanmanageyourMiFi500ontheMiFi500deviceitself.
1. PoweronyourMiFi500bypressingandholdingthePowerbuttonuntilthedisplaylightsandthe
Homescreendisplays.
2. Usethestatusbartomonitornetworksignalstrength,dataactivity,GPS,connecteddevicesand
batterylife.
3. PresstheOKbutton(Menu)todisplaytheMenuicons.
4. UsethenavigationbuttonstoscrolltothedesiredMenuoption.
5. PresstheOKbutton(More)toopentheselectedMenuscreen.
Managing from the MiFi 500 Web Interface
YoucanconnecttoandcustomizeyourMiFi500settingsontheMiFi500Webinterface.
1. ConnectyourcomputerorWi-FienableddevicetoyourMiFi500toaccesstheInternet.See
ConnectingtoYourMiFi500fordetails.
2. Openyourconnecteddevice’sWebbrowserandtypehttp://sprinthotspotorhttp://192.168.1.1
intotheaddressbar.PressEnter.TheMiFi500Homepageopens.SeeSignInPage.

Managing the MiFi 500 16
3. ClickSign InintheupperrightcornerofthewindowandtypeyourMiFi500WebInterface
PasswordinthePasswordfieldandclickSign IntodisplaytheMiFi500Homepage.SeeMiFi
500Home.
YouarenowabletocustomizeyourMiFi500Settingsconfigurations.
Sign In Page
TheSignInpageisthefirstpageyouseeafterconnectingandpriortosigningin.Youcanaccess
moreinformationafteryousignin.

Managing the MiFi 500 17
SignIn
TypetheWebInterfacePasswordintheSign Infieldatthetoprightcornerofthewindow.Click
Sign In.
Tip: ThedefaultpasswordisfoundontheMiFi500bypressingtheOK button(Menu)ontheMenu
screentodisplaytheWi-Fiicon,thenpressingtheOK button(More)todisplayyourWi-Finameand
password.
IfyouforgetyourWebInterfacePassword,clickI forgot the Web Interface Passwordanda
reminderwillappeartellingyouwheretofindyourpassword.ClickOK.