With Personal Hotspot, you can share the cellular data connection of your iPhone or iPad (Wi-Fi + Cellular) with another device. If you need help with Personal Hotspot, follow these steps.
Use these steps first
Try connecting to Personal Hotspot again after each step.
Check that Personal Hotspot is turned on in Settings > Personal Hotspot. If you can't find or turn on Personal Hotspot, check that your wireless carrier enabled it and that your wireless plan supports it.
Restart the iPhone or iPad that provides Personal Hotspot and the other device that needs to connect to Personal Hotspot.
Make sure that you have the latest version of iOS or iPadOS.
On the iPhone or iPad that provides Personal Hotspot, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset [Device] > Reset, then tap Reset Network Settings. This also resets Wi-Fi networks and passwords, cellular settings, and VPN and APN settings that you've used before.
Use the following steps for more help with Personal Hotspot over Wi-Fi or USB.
Personal Hotspot with Wi-Fi
Personal Hotspot with USB
If you can't connect to Personal Hotspot with Wi-Fi
On the device that provides Personal Hotspot, go to Settings > Personal Hotspot, then:
Make sure that Allow Others to Join is on.
Remember the device's Wi-Fi network name and password that appear on this screen. If you want to change the Wi-Fi network name, learn how to change your device name.
If you're using an iPhone 12 model or later, iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation or later), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th generation or later), or iPad mini (6th generation), turn on Maximize Compatibility.* Then try connecting your devices again to your Personal Hotspot.
Stay on this screen until you connect your other device to the Wi-Fi network.
On the device that needs to connect to Personal Hotspot:
Turn Wi-Fi off and back on.
Make sure that you connect to the correct Wi-Fi network. The network name is the same as the iOS device that provides Personal Hotspot and the Personal Hotspot icon
might appear next to it.If you see a password error when you try to join Personal Hotspot, check the Wi-Fi password: On the device that provides Personal Hotspot, go to Settings > Personal Hotspot to see the Wi-Fi password.
* When you turn on Maximize Compatibility, internet performance and Wi-Fi security might be reduced for devices connected to the hotspot.
If you can't connect to Personal Hotspot with USB
On your Mac, update macOS.
With a USB cable, connect your Mac to the iPhone or iPad that provides Personal Hotspot. If asked, trust the device.
Make sure that you can locate and view your iPhone or iPad in iTunes or the Finder.
On your Mac, choose Apple menu > System Settings (or System Preferences), then click Network. A list of network services appears, including Wi-Fi.
If iPhone USB doesn't appear in the list of network services, add iPhone USB using the steps to set up a network service. If iPhone USB appears in the list of network services:
macOS Ventura: Click iPhone USB. Click Make Inactive, then click Make Active.
Earlier versions of macOS: Click iPhone USB. Click the More button below the list of services, choose Make Service Inactive, then click Apply. Click the More button again, choose Make Service Active, then click Apply.
To avoid unnecessary data charges, turn off Personal Hotspot when you don't need it. If you don't, every time you plug your iOS device with Personal Hotspot into your computer to charge, your computer might connect to Personal Hotspot.
Get more help
If you still can't connect, contact Apple Support to get help with your iPhone or iPad (Wi-Fi + Cellular).
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