iOS: Troubleshooting Personal Hotspot

1. Confirm that your iOS device, computer, and wireless plan all meet the system requirements for Personal Hotspot.
2. Verify that Personal Hotspot is enabled by tapping Settings > General > Cellular > Personal Hotspot.
3. Verify the Internet connection on your iOS device by tapping Safari and loading a new webpage.
4. If one connection type doesn't work, try another (for example, instead of connecting using Wi-Fi, try using USB or Bluetooth).
5. Try disabling and reenabling Personal Hotspot from Settings > Personal Hotspot or Settings > General > Cellular > Personal Hotspot.
6. Install the latest version of iOS. Tap Settings > General > Software Update.
7. Reset network settings by tapping Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings.
8. If none of the previous steps resolves your issue, restore the iPhone.

If you encounter an issue using Personal Hotspot with other Wi-Fi devices, try the following:

1. Turn Personal Hotspot off.
2. Verify Wi-Fi is on in Settings > Wi-Fi.
3. Turn Personal Hotspot back on.
4. If another device is unable to join your Wi-Fi network, ensure that the user enters the Wi-Fi password correctly. If the device cannot see your Wi-Fi network, verify your device name.
   Note: Windows may not properly display a device name that uses non-ASCII characters.
5. Verify how many devices are currently using your Personal Hotspot. Depending on your wireless carrier and, the maximum number of Wi-Fi connections may be limited to three at one time.
6. If the other device still cannot connect, try turning Wi-Fi off and on again on the device. Verify that your device can see other Wi-Fi networks.

Note: If you see an "Unable to Join" or timeout error when trying to connect a device using Wi-Fi, ensure that you remain on the Personal Hotspot screen until the first device connects. After a device has connected, you can leave the Personal Hotspot screen and use your phone normally. Your device will automatically stop broadcasting using Wi-Fi if you put your device to sleep or after 90 seconds elapse with no devices connected using Wi-Fi. You can start broadcasting your Wi-Fi network again by tapping Settings > Personal Hotspot.

If you are using USB to connect your computer to Personal Hotspot and you are unable to get an Internet connection, check your computer's network settings. You may need to adjust your computer's network settings to disconnect and reconnect the USB Ethernet interface.

Select your operating system for instructions:

Mac OS X

Windows XP

Windows Vista or Windows 7

If you are using Bluetooth to connect another device to your Personal Hotspot and you are unable to connect to the Internet, try the following steps:

1. Verify that your Bluetooth connection is active and discoverable:
   • Mac OS X: Click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar and ensure it is set to be Discoverable. If you do not see the icon in the menu bar, open System Preferences > Bluetooth and select "Show Bluetooth status in the menu bar".
   • Windows: Choose Start > Control Panel and open Bluetooth Devices. Under the Options tab select "Show the Bluetooth icon in the notification area". Then click the Bluetooth icon in the notification area and ensure it is set to be Discoverable.
   • iOS devices: Tap Settings > Bluetooth and verify that Bluetooth is on and the bottom of the screen says "Now Discoverable". Stay on this screen until pairing is complete.
     
2. Pair your device with iPhone or iPad (3rd generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular. (You will be prompted to confirm an identical Pin Code appears on both devices, but you do not need to enter it.)
   • iPad or iPod touch: Locate the device that is sharing Personal Hotspot in Settings > Bluetooth and tap the device to begin the pairing process.
     Note: You cannot share your cellular data connection with another iPhone using Bluetooth.
   • Mac OS X: Open System Preferences > Bluetooth. Click "Set Up New Device" and follow the onscreen instructions.
   • Windows: Click the Bluetooth icon in the Notification area (system tray), select "Add a Bluetooth Device", and follow the onscreen instructions.
3. Connect to the network using the steps for your operating system:

4. If you are unable to connect:
   1. Turn Bluetooth off and on for both devices that are trying to connect.
   2. If the issue persists, try removing the pairing records from both devices and then pair again:
      • iPad or iPod touch: Remove the Bluetooth pairing record by tapping to the right of the device and then tapping "Forget this Device".
      • Mac OS X: Open Bluetooth Preferences, select your iOS device name, then click the minus icon in the bottom of the list to remove it. Restart your computer.
      • Windows: Click the Bluetooth icon in the Notification area (system tray), select Show Bluetooth devices, select your iOS device name, and click the Remove button. Click OK and restart your computer.
   3. Restart the iOS device.