Connect to the Personal Hotspot of an iPhone or iPad
Personal Hotspot uses the cellular data connection of an iPhone or iPad (Wi-Fi + Cellular) to create a temporary, portable Wi-Fi network that other devices can use to connect to the internet. It can be helpful when you’re not in range of a trusted Wi-Fi network.
Use Wi-Fi to connect to Personal Hotspot
Devices that are signed in to the same Apple Account or are part of the same Family Sharing group can use the Instant Hotspot feature to more quickly connect to each other’s hotspot: Use Instant Hotspot to connect to your Personal Hotspot.
Make sure that the devices are near each other and have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on.
On the iPhone or iPad providing the hotspot:
Open Settings, then tap Personal Hotspot (or tap Cellular, then Personal Hotspot).*
Turn on Allow Others to Join.
If you want to change the password for the hotspot, tap Wi-Fi Password and enter a password at least eight characters long. Use only ASCII characters, which include the uppercase and lowercase letters of the English alphabet, numbers 0 through 9, and some punctuation marks.
Stay on this screen until the other device has connected to this hotspot.
On the computer or other device connecting to the hotspot:
Choose the hotspot from the list of nearby Wi-Fi networks:
Mac: Click Wi-Fi
in the menu bar, Control Center
, or System Settings, then choose the name of the nearby iPhone or iPad providing the hotspot.iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple Vision Pro: Open Settings, tap Wi-Fi, then tap the name of the nearby iPhone or iPad providing the hotspot.
Apple TV: Open Settings, select Network, select Wi-Fi, then select the name of the nearby iPhone or iPad providing the hotspot.
When prompted, enter the Wi-Fi password for the hotspot. It’s the password shown in Personal Hotspot settings on the iPhone or iPad providing the hotspot. When your Apple device is connected to Personal Hotspot, the Wi-Fi status icon
changes to a Personal Hotspot icon
.
To disconnect from the hotspot:
Connect to a different Wi-Fi or cellular network on the device connected to the hotspot.
Or turn off Allow Others to Join in Personal Hotspot settings on the device providing the hotspot.
Use USB to connect to Personal Hotspot
On the iPhone or iPad providing the hotspot:
Open Settings, then tap Personal Hotspot (or tap Cellular, then Personal Hotspot).*
Turn on Allow Others to Join.
On the computer connecting to the hotspot:
If connecting from a Windows PC, make sure that the latest version of Apple Devices or iTunes for Windows is installed. Get Apple Devices or iTunes for Windows.
Connect your iPhone or iPad to your computer using a USB cable, such as the one that came with your device.
If asked to allow this accessory to connect, click Allow.
On the iPhone or iPad providing the hotspot, if asked to trust this computer, tap Trust.
To disconnect from the hotspot:
Unplug the USB cable from either device. Personal Hotspot remains active while the device is connected to the computer via USB.
Or turn off Allow Others to Join in Personal Hotspot settings on the device providing the hotspot. To avoid unnecessary data charges, it’s best to turn off Personal Hotspot when you don't need it. If you don't, every time you plug your device with Personal Hotspot into the computer to charge, the computer might connect to Personal Hotspot.
Use Bluetooth to connect to Personal Hotspot
On the iPhone or iPad providing the hotspot:
Open Settings, then tap Personal Hotspot (or tap Cellular, then Personal Hotspot).*
Turn on Allow Others to Join.
Go back to the main Settings screen, then tap Bluetooth. Stay on this screen until the other device has connected to this hotspot.
On the computer connecting to the hotspot, open Bluetooth settings and choose your iPhone or iPad from the list of nearby Bluetooth devices.
When you see a Bluetooth pairing request with a code, make sure that the code is the same on both devices, then tap Pair on the iPhone or iPad providing the hotspot.
To disconnect from the hotspot:
In Bluetooth settings on the device connected to the hotspot, disconnect the device providing the personal hotspot.
Or turn off Allow Others to Join in Personal Hotspot settings on the device providing the hotspot.
If Personal Hotspot isn’t working
If Allow Others to Join is turned on in Personal Hotspot settings, but Personal Hotspot isn’t working, make sure that you’ve installed the latest software updates for each device, then restart each device and try again. You can also try turning on Maximize Compatibility in Personal Hotspot settings. Learn more about what to do if Personal Hotspot isn't working.
Learn more
To change the name of the Personal Hotspot, change the name of the device providing the hotspot: Open Settings, tap General, tap About, then tap Name.
Certain apps and features that require a Wi-Fi connection might not work while using a Personal Hotspot. For example, you might not be able to make an iCloud backup or upload photos to iCloud Photo Library.
* If Personal Hotspot is dimmed or unavailable, open Settings, tap Cellular, and make sure that Cellular Data is turned on. Personal Hotspot requires a wireless carrier that supports Personal Hotspot. Additional fees may apply. The number of devices that can join your Personal Hotspot at one time depends on your carrier and iPhone model. Contact your carrier for more information.