Enabling Personal Hotspot on iPhone offers a useful third option, which allows the laptop and tablet to be connected to the phone's web connection. WiFi hotspots are great for working on the go. It's easy use the iPhone as a modem, but you should first check with your carrier for the terms and conditions of your contract.
Once the hotspot is enabled, this feature turns your iPhone into a WiFi router, much like the one in your home. The iPhone connects to the Internet using its 3G / 4G cellular data connection, then streams it over a Wi-Fi connection that your Mac, iPad, PC or other device can connect to. You can also make a wired connection to your computer's USB port.
You can share your iPhone's data connection with a Mac or iPad (or PC) and browse the Internet on the go. Here's how to activate Personal Hotspot on iPhone and turn your phone into a WiFi modem.
How to activate Personal Hotspot on iPhone
- To activate Personal Hotspot on iPhone go to Settings on your phone. This is the gear icon on the home screen.
- Then tap on Bluetooth and make sure it's turned on. You will know that Bluetooth is on if the slider at the top of the screen is green.
- Then go back to Settings and tap WiFi.
- Make sure WiFi is turned on and join a WiFi network. You can log into a WiFi network by clicking on its name from the list below and entering your login information. If your iPhone automatically joins your WiFi network, you can skip this step.
- On the iPhone that needs the WiFi password, go to Settings.
- Tap WiFi. If you are trying to share a WiFi password with a Mac computer, tap the WiFi icon in the upper right corner of the screen and select a WiFi network from the drop-down menu.
- Choose the same WiFi network. This should be the same network that the iPhone is already connected to that will share the password.
- Do not enter the password when prompted.
- On the iPhone that's already connected, go to WiFi.
- Tap Share password in the pop-up window. The two iPhones must be within Bluetooth range.
- The other iPhone will then receive the password and be able to use the iPhone as a modem.
IPhone Personal Hotspot not working, what to do
If you are having trouble activating Personal Hotspot on your iPhone and sharing the WiFi password between devices, here are some ways to make it work:
1. Restart the iPhone and another device.
2. Make sure both devices have the latest software updates. To update your iPhone, go to Settings> General> Software Update> Download and Install. If you don't see the option to download and update, your iPhone is up to date.
3. Disconnect from the WiFi connection and then reconnect. To do this, go to Settings> WiFi and tap on the network name. Tap the letter "i" icon, then tap "Forget this Network". Once this is done, reconnect to the network and enter the password.
4. Reset the network settings on your iPhone. To do this, go to Settings> General> Reset> Reset Network Settings.
5. Finally, try restarting the router.
How to connect your iPhone or iPad to your computer (or other iOS device)
Wi-Fi: both devices must have access to the same Wi-Fi network. On your computer, select the name of the iPhone or iPad from the Wi-Fi settings.
Bluetooth: To connect via Bluetooth, your computer (or other iOS device) must be discoverable. On your iOS device, go to Settings and turn on Bluetooth. Select the device you want to connect to the iOS device from the list of discoverable devices.
USB: Connect your iOS device to the computer using the supplied cable.
To disconnect, turn off Personal Hotspot, disconnect the USB cable, or turn off Bluetooth, depending on the method used.
Using instant hotspot
If your mobile device is running iOS 8.1 or later and your Mac is running OS X Yosemite or later, you can use Instant Hotspot to activate your personal hotspot without entering a password. It works when the two devices are close to each other.
- The iOS device must have Personal Hotspot turned on in Settings> Personal Hotspot.
- You must have a cellular plan for Personal Hotspot.
- Both devices must be registered in iCloud with the same Apple ID.
- Both devices must have Bluetooth enabled.
- Both devices must have Wi-Fi turned on.
To connect to your personal hotspot:
- On Mac, choose the name of the iOS device that provides Personal Hotspot from the Wi-Fi status menu at the top of the screen.
- On another iOS device, go to Settings> Wi-Fi and select the name of the iOS device that provides Personal Hotspot.
The devices disconnect automatically when the connection is not used.
Instant Hotspot requires iPhone 5 or later, iPad Pro, 2012th generation iPad, iPad Air or later, or iPad mini or later. They can connect with Macs dated 2013 or newer, with the exception of the Mac Pro, which must be late XNUMX or newer.
