Turn on data when you need it (On Demand & Hot-Standby)

The short answer

On-Demand (Hot-Standby) internet lets you pay only for the days you use it — $10/mo holds your spot, then $4/day whenever you turn it on. Open your dashboard, tap Enable Now on the On Demand card, confirm the code, and you're online for the day.

Before you start

• You need to be connected to your Insty Wi-Fi, and your antenna needs a signal.
• On the dashboard, the source should show a network name like T-Mobile, INSTYCONNECT, or Standby. If it says No Service or Searching, you're outside coverage right now and can't enable the day — reposition the antenna or try again where there's signal.

Enable it from the app (easiest)

This is the router dashboard — what most people mean by "the app."

1. Join your Insty Wi-Fi and open http://192.168.8.1.
2. Find the On Demand Internet card and tap Enable Now.
3. We email a 6-digit code to the address on your account. Enter it and tap Verify and Enable. Don't want that step? You can turn the code off.
4. You'll see an activation message. Give it about a minute to switch into live mode — it'll read On Demand Active. Your day runs through midnight.

Or enable it from the modem

Same result, one level deeper — handy if you run your own router, or you're already in the modem's screens.

1. From the dashboard, open the Modem Dashboard (or, if you use your own router, go straight to http://192.168.225.1).
2. Check the signal and network name up top so you know you're in coverage.
3. Tap Enable Now next to On-Demand Internet and confirm the 6-digit code the same way.

Make it automatic

Don't want to tap a button every time? Turn on auto-enable and the system starts your day by itself the moment it senses you're trying to use the internet:

• In the On Demand settings, turn on Auto-Enable and pick a sensitivity. Higher sensitivity turns on faster from lighter activity; lower waits for heavier use so it doesn't start on a stray background ping.

Still stuck?

If Enable Now won't go through, it's almost always signal — confirm the source shows a real network name, not "Searching." Still no luck? Reach out and we'll get you going.