I see.
In that case, would it be feasible to have the user store a set of WiFi credentials on the device that allows it to connect to the users mobile hotspot so that it can connect to the cloud through that as soon the user has the hotspot enabled and comes close to the device?
This would seem to be a more intuitive approach IMO.
But if you want to go for SoftAP, my first choice would be via a custom SoftAP web page as shown here
Photon SoftAP Inputs
Or you could go with TCPClient/TCPServer