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.
You could also try to ping 8.8.8.8 (or whatever public IP you can remember). If it works it is not getting a correct DNS which results in “no connection”
In this case modify your connection on the laptop to use 8.8.8.8 (google) or 208.67.222.222 (opendns) and check if it works