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Apple calls iPhone tethering Personal Hotspot. To set it up, open Settings > Cellular > Set Up Personal Hotspot and follow the prompts. To share your connection, open Settings > Personal Hotspot and turn on Allow Others to Join when needed. Menu names can vary by iOS version and region.
Before you start: what iPhone tethering does
Personal Hotspot shares your iPhone’s cellular internet connection with another device. It does not relay a Wi-Fi network that the iPhone has joined. Apple explains this limitation in its Personal Hotspot guidance.
Your carrier must support Personal Hotspot on your plan, and additional charges may apply. The number of devices allowed to connect varies by carrier and iPhone model. If your iPhone uses Dual SIM, the hotspot uses the line selected for cellular data.
Set up Personal Hotspot on your iPhone
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Open Settings on the iPhone.
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Tap Cellular, then Set Up Personal Hotspot.
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Follow the on-screen instructions. If setup is complete, go to Settings > Personal Hotspot and switch on Allow Others to Join for devices that are not using an eligible Instant Hotspot connection.
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Depending on the iOS version and region, the relevant settings may instead appear under Settings > Mobile Service or Settings > Mobile. If Set Up Personal Hotspot is missing while Cellular Data is on, ask your carrier whether your plan supports the feature.
Choose how the other device will connect
| Method | What to do | What you need to know |
|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi | On the receiving device, open Wi-Fi settings, choose the iPhone’s hotspot name, and enter the password shown in Personal Hotspot settings if asked. | The hotspot name is the iPhone’s device name. Eligible Apple devices using the same Apple Account or configured through Family Sharing may join with Instant Hotspot without entering the password. |
| USB | Connect the iPhone to the computer with a compatible cable and accept trust or access prompts if they appear. | Use the included cable or another cable that fits both devices. On Windows, Apple requires Apple Devices or iTunes for Windows to be installed. |
| Bluetooth | Turn on Bluetooth on both devices, then pair or connect to the iPhone through the computer’s Bluetooth settings. | Apple documents this option for Mac and Windows. For a Mac connection, keep the iPhone’s Bluetooth settings open while making the Mac discoverable; on Windows, follow the computer’s pairing instructions. |
Connect a device over Wi-Fi
On a laptop, tablet, or other Wi-Fi-capable device, open its Wi-Fi menu and select the iPhone’s name. Enter the password displayed in Settings > Personal Hotspot if prompted. Some eligible Apple devices can use Instant Hotspot instead of asking for the password.
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Connect a computer over USB
Turn on Allow Others to Join, then connect the iPhone to the computer using a cable compatible with both devices’ ports. Follow any trust or access prompts. On Windows, install Apple Devices or iTunes for Windows before troubleshooting a USB connection.
Connect over Bluetooth
Enable Bluetooth on the iPhone and receiving computer, then use the computer’s Bluetooth controls to pair with or connect to the iPhone. The exact pairing sequence depends on the computer. For Mac, Apple advises leaving the iPhone’s Bluetooth settings open as you make the Mac discoverable.
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If Personal Hotspot is missing or a connection fails
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The hotspot setup option is absent: Check that Cellular Data is on. If Personal Hotspot still does not appear, contact your carrier to confirm that the plan supports it or to ask whether it can be added.
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The devices cannot find or join the hotspot: For initial setup, Apple recommends enabling Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on both devices and keeping them within 30 feet (10 meters). Check that Allow Others to Join is on when required.
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A connection remains unsuccessful: Check Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings, then try Maximize Compatibility in Personal Hotspot settings. Apple cautions that this setting may reduce performance for connected devices.
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Windows does not connect over USB: Confirm that Apple Devices or iTunes for Windows is installed, use a cable that fits both devices, and respond to any trust or access prompts.
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You are concerned about data use or charges: Hotspot traffic uses cellular data. Check usage under Settings > Cellular and confirm your carrier’s data rates and hotspot terms.
Apple says devices connected over Wi-Fi automatically disconnect when the hotspot is not being used, helping conserve battery.
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