A personal hotspot on an iPhone: How do you set it up and use it?

How to set up a hotspot on an iPhone

Setting up a Wi-Fi hotspot is a quick and reliable way to share your internet connection when you're on the go. Essentially, it turns your phone’s 4G or 5G cellular data into a Wi-Fi signal that other devices — like your Mac, iPad, or even a friend's phone — can use.

Here's how to turn on a hotspot on an iPhone:

1. Go to the Settings app on your home screen.

2. Tap on "Personal hotspot" in the main menu.

3. At the top of the screen, you'll see an "Allow others to join" toggle. Switch it on to enable Wi-Fi sharing. If mobile data isn't already on, you'll need to enable it.

4. Customize your hotspot.

   • Select "Wi-Fi password" and set a secure password. This is what others will need to connect.

   • The hotspot name matches your iPhone's name. If you want to update it, go to "Settings" > "General" > "About" > "Name" and change your device's name.

That's it! Your iPhone is now broadcasting a Wi-Fi network that other devices can use.

What do you need for a hotspot to work on an iOS or iPadOS device?  

Setting up a personal hotspot is simple, but it needs a few things to work:

• A cellular-enabled iPhone or iPad. Only devices with an active cellular plan can share their internet connection. You can't connect your phone to a Wi-Fi network and then share that Wi-Fi — hotspots only share your mobile data.

• Enough mobile data. Hotspots can burn through data quickly, especially if you're streaming, downloading large files, or sharing the connection with multiple devices. Make sure your data plan can handle it.

• Up-to-date iOS or iPadOS. Older software can cause compatibility issues. Download the latest version of iOS or iPadOS to avoid problems and get the best performance.

Where is the personal hotspot on an iPhone located?  

Finding and managing your personal hotspot is simple. Here's how:

1. On the home screen, tap "Settings."

2. Select "Personal hotspot."

3. If you don't see this option, check if your mobile data is turned on ("Settings" > “Cellular” or "Mobile service").

4. Once in the menu, you can enable or disable the Wi-Fi hotspot, view or change the password, and manage connected devices.

When your Wi-Fi hotspot is active, the top bar of your iPhone (normally black) turns blue and displays the number of connected devices.

Note: You can't see specific devices, but if you notice an unexpected number of connections, it's time to act. Disable the Wi-Fi hotspot, change the password, and re-enable it. Be sure to share the updated password only with the people you want to connect.

How do you turn the personal hotspot on your iPhone on and off?  

Switching your personal hotspot on and off takes just a couple of steps:

1. Open the Settings app on your home screen and tap on "Personal hotspot." 

2. Toggle the "Allow others to join" option on or off, depending on what you want to do.

Alternatively, you can enable or disable it directly from the Control Center. Swipe down from the top-right corner (or up on older iPhones) and tap the chain icon.

Three ways of connecting to a hotspot on an iPhone 

Once your personal hotspot is active, other devices can connect in three ways — via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or USB cable.

Connecting to the hotspot via Wi-Fi

This is the most common and straightforward way to connect:

1. Open the Wi-Fi settings on the other device.

2. Look for your iOS device's hotspot name in the list of available Wi-Fi networks.

3. Tap on the hotspot name and enter the password.

4. Once connected, the other device will have internet access through your cellular data.

Connecting to the hotspot via Bluetooth

Using Bluetooth is a great option if Wi-Fi isn't available or if you want a more secure connection. First, pair your iPhone with the other device via Bluetooth:

1. On your iPhone, go to "Settings" > "Bluetooth."

2. Turn on Bluetooth and make your device discoverable.

3. Pair it with the other device.

On the paired device, follow instructions to share the internet connection via Bluetooth.

Connecting to the hotspot via a USB cable

For a stable and secure connection, use a USB cable:

1. Use a Lightning cable to plug your iPhone into your computer.

2. Enable tethering:

   1. On Mac, go to "System preferences" > "Network" and select your iPhone.

   2. On Windows, install iTunes and select your iPhone under "Network settings."

3. Your phone will now act as a wired modem, providing internet access to the computer.

Reasons why an iPhone hotspot is not working and ways to fix it 

It’s frustrating when a personal hotspot is acting up. Below are common issues and solutions to get your hotspot back up and running.

Why is my personal hotspot not showing on the iPhone?

Reason: It may be disabled.

Solution: Enable it under "Settings" > "Personal hotspot."

Why is the hotspot not showing up on the list of available Wi-Fi networks?

Reason: Mobile data may be off.

Solution: Check "Settings" > "Mobile data" to ensure it's enabled.

Why does the hotspot keep turning off?

Reason: Your device may be in low power mode.

Solution: Disable the low power mode under "Settings" > "Battery."

Why does the hotspot turn off when my phone is locked?

Reason: This is a default behavior to save power.

Solution: Keep the home screen active to prevent auto-lock. Alternatively, connect your phone to a power source to avoid interruptions.

Why can't my older device connect to the hotspot?

Reason: Older devices may not support newer Wi-Fi standards used by an iPhone.

Solution: Go to "Settings" > "Personal hotspot” and enable "Maximize compatibility."

How to change the hotspot name on an iPhone

The hotspot name matches your device's name. To change it:

1. Go to "Settings" > "General" > "About."

2. Select "Name."

3. Enter a new name and confirm. This will update the Wi-Fi hotspot name displayed to other devices.

How to update hotspot password on an iPhone

Your Wi-Fi password keeps connections secure. To change it:

1. Go to "Settings" > "Personal hotspot."

2. Select "Wi-Fi password."

3. Enter a new Wi-Fi password (at least eight characters long) and confirm.

How to share a personal hotspot with family members

The Apple Family Sharing feature lets your family members use your personal hotspot without needing the password every time. You're in full control — decide who can join automatically and who needs your approval.

Follow these steps to enable the feature:

1. Go to "Settings" > "Personal hotspot."

2. Select "Family sharing" and toggle it on.

3. Choose the family members you want to give access to. Set their access to "Ask for approval" (if you want to approve each time) or "Automatic" (to let them connect instantly).

How do you know how much mobile data hotspots use on your iPhone?

Using your phone as a hotspot pulls directly from your mobile data plan, so keeping an eye on usage is important — especially if you have a limited data allowance. Sharing your connection with other devices can add up quickly, and yes, a hotspot costs money since it uses cellular data.

Here's how to check your data usage:

1. Go to "Settings" > "Mobile data" (or "Cellular," depending on your region).

2. Scroll down to "Personal hotspot" to see how much data connected devices have consumed.

The table below provides an idea of how much data various tasks may use per hour per device:

Disclaimer: These are just rough estimates. 

If you’re concerned about running out of data, consider switching to an eSIM. For example, the Saily eSIM service offers competitive data plans for frequent travelers and remote workers. Learn how to download the Saily eSIM app for your data needs and install an eSIM on an iPhone.

How to manage mobile data usage when using a hotspot on an iPhone

A personal hotspot is very convenient, but it can quickly eat through your mobile data. Here are practical tips to help you manage your usage efficiently and avoid surprises on your bill:

• Regularly go to "Settings" > "Mobile data" to track how much data your hotspot is using.

• Don't let idle devices drain your data. Disconnect anything that doesn't need to be online.

• Save both data and battery by disabling the hotspot when it's idle.

• When you're in a location with reliable Wi-Fi, switch your devices to it instead of using the hotspot.

• Reduce video quality on streaming platforms like YouTube, Netflix, or Zoom to minimize data usage. Opt for SD instead of HD whenever possible.

• If you use your hotspot frequently, consider switching to an eSIM service like Saily. It offers flexible, cost-effective plans tailored for heavy data users, making it easier to stay online without breaking the bank.