Tap the Network icon in the top right and select Open Network Preferences. Go to the Desktop and Plug the iPhone into the computer with a USB cable. How to Set up iPhone Personal Hotspot on a Mac Once Public Network has been selected the iPhone should be connected to the computer and the network indicator (in the bottom right) should appear connected. The iPhone should install the necessary drivers for it to work as a network connection and then this next dialogue box will pop up. Go to the Desktop and Plug the iPhone into a USB port. If iTunes is not installed the computer cannot recognize that the phone is functioning as a network device. To have the iPhone work as a USB hotspot iTunes must be installed on the PC that you are using. How to Set up iPhone Personal Hotspot with Windows This way the only devices connected will be over these connection types and not just regular WiFi.Īfter selecting this, the last step is to choose the iPhone from the network options on the computer. To only use the hotspot over Bluetooth and USB select the second option. You’ll need to tell your iPhone to trust the computer the first time you do this, or if you haven’t done this in a while. This is the same cable that is used to charge the iPhone, and also sync it with iTunes. Once the Personal Hotspot slider is on, plug the iPhone into the computer with a USB cable. You can leave WiFi off if you want, but it can be on while you use the iPhone as a USB hotspot. If you have WiFi off, you may see a message letting you know that you can only use Bluetooth and USB, with an option to turn WiFi on. Tap the toggle to turn the personal hotspot on. Here you should set a password for the WiFi option, even if you plan to use the iPhone as a USB personal hotspot. Now you can turn on the personal hotspot. If you’ve never used this service before you may need to go into Cellular settings to see it. How to use the iPhone as a personal hotspot over USB. The iPhone works as a hotspot on all current models including the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone X, iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus, as well as older models like the iPhone SE or iPhone 6. It is a great backup if you work remotely. You can use the iPhone as a personal hotspot over USB or wirelessly when you travel or when your home internet goes out. Make sure you pay attention to your data usage so you don’t end up with an overage fee at the end of the month. If you use auto-backup software or upload photos to iCloud, you may want to turn those features off while using a hotspot or you could end up with a big bill. While connected to your iPhone as a Personal hotspot over USB, you will use data faster. With 4G LTE speeds you may be able to connect faster than on public WiFi and using a personal hotspot is safer for your data than an unsecured public WiFi. Using the iPhone as a Personal Hotspot will allow you to connect your laptop to the internet anywhere you have a cellular signal. If you are in doubt go online to your account or call and ask your carrier. Most plans include using the iPhone as a hotspot free of charge, but if you are hanging onto an unlimited data plan or use a pre-paid phone this may not be included. How to Use iPhone as Personal Hotspot Over USBįor this to work, you need to make sure you have a plan that supports using the iPhone as a Personal Hotspot. When connected to your Personal Hotspot, the Wi-Fi status icon on your device changes to the Personal Hotspot icon.

On iPhone, iPad, iPod touch or Apple Vision Pro, go to Settings > Wi-Fi, then tap the name of the iPhone or iPad providing your Personal Hotspot. On Mac, click Wi-Fi in Control Centre or the menu bar, then choose the name of the iPhone or iPad providing your Personal Hotspot. But with Instant Hotspot, you aren’t asked to provide the Wi-Fi password of the Personal Hotspot. The device providing the Personal Hotspot and the device connecting to the Personal Hotspot must be near each other and set up as follows:Įach device is signed in with the same Apple ID.Įach device has both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on.Ĭonnecting to your Personal Hotspot is just like connecting to any other Wi-Fi network. To turn Personal Hotspot on or off or view its Wi-Fi password, go to Settings > Personal Hotspot.Īn iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac or Apple Vision Pro that meets the system requirements for Instant Hotspot. What you need to use Instant HotspotĪn iPhone or iPad (Wi-Fi + Cellular) with an activated network provider plan that is providing Personal Hotspot service. With Instant Hotspot, you can connect your Apple device to the Personal Hotspot on your iPhone or iPad (Wi-Fi + Cellular) without entering its Wi-Fi password. Use Instant Hotspot to connect to your Personal Hotspot without entering a password

Hotspot iphone