If you have an iPhone, you probably know how useful it is to share your cellular data connection with other devices using Personal Hotspot. This feature allows you to turn your iPhone into a Wi-Fi router and connect your laptop, tablet, or other gadgets to the internet. However, a Personal Hotspot may sometimes not work as expected and frustrate you. This blog post will explain some common causes and solutions for the iPhone hotspot not working.
Before diving into the troubleshooting steps, let’s ensure that your phone plan includes a Personal Hotspot. Some phone companies may not offer this feature or may charge extra for it. To check if your plan supports Personal Hotspot, log into your phone company account and look for the details of your data plan. If you don’t see Personal Hotspot listed, contact your phone company and ask them to enable it for you.
If your plan does include Personal Hotspot, but it still doesn’t work, here are some things you can try:
Turn Personal Hotspot off and on
This is the simplest and most effective way to reset your Hotspot and get it working again. To do this, go to Settings > Personal Hotspot and toggle the switch off and on. You can also access this option from the Control Center by tapping and holding the Cellular Data icon and then tapping Personal Hotspot.
Turn Cellular Data off and on
Sometimes, the problem may be related to your cellular data connection, which Personal Hotspot requires to work. To refresh your cellular data connection, go to Settings > Cellular and toggle the switch off and on. You can also do this from the Control Center by tapping the Cellular Data icon.
Restart your iPhone
A simple restart can fix many issues on your iPhone, including Personal Hotspot not working. Hold the power button (or the side button on newer models) to restart your iPhone until you see the slide to power off option. Swipe the slider to turn off your iPhone, then press and hold the power button again to turn it back on.
Update iOS
Apple releases new versions of iOS regularly to fix bugs and improve performance. If your iPhone is running an outdated version of iOS, it may cause problems with Personal Hotspot. To update iOS, go to Settings > General > Software Update and tap Download and Install if an update is available.
Enable Maximize Compatibility on newer iPhones
If you have 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), you may need to enable Maximize Compatibility mode to make your Hotspot more compatible with older devices. This mode reduces internet performance and Wi-Fi security for devices connected to your hotspot but may help them connect more easily. To enable Maximize Compatibility mode, go to Settings > Personal Hotspot and toggle the switch on.
Update Carrier Settings
Your iPhone has a hidden set of carrier settings that help it work with your phone company’s network. Sometimes, these settings need to be updated to fix issues with Personal Hotspot or other features. To update carrier settings, go to Settings > General > About and wait a few seconds. If there is an update available, you will see a pop-up message asking you to update them.
Reset Network Settings
If none of the above steps work, you may need to reset your network settings to restore them to their default values. This will erase all your saved Wi-Fi networks and passwords, cellular settings, VPN settings, and APN settings you have used before. To reset network settings, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset [Device] > Reset > Reset Network Settings and enter your passcode if prompted.
Personal Hotspot is a useful feature that allows you to share your cellular data connection with other devices using Wi-Fi. However, sometimes it may not work as expected due to various reasons. By following the troubleshooting steps, you may be able to fix your iPhone hotspot problem and enjoy using this feature again. If you still have issues with Personal Hotspot, you may need to contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store or any cell phone repair shop nearby for further help.
