The Personal Hotspot feature on iPhone allows you to share your mobile data connection with other devices such as laptops, tablets, or other phones. This can be useful when Wi-Fi is not available and you need internet access on another device. In this guide, you will learn how to turn on Hotspot on iPhone, how to connect other devices, and what settings to check to make sure it works properly.
How to Turn on Mobile Hotspot on iPhone
To share your mobile data connection, you can turn on the Personal Hotspot feature in your iPhone settings. Follow these steps:
Open Settings on your iPhone.
Tap Personal Hotspot. If you don’t see this option, tap Cellular, then tap Personal Hotspot.
Turn on Allow Others to Join.
Check the Wi-Fi Password displayed on the screen, you’ll need it to connect other devices.
On the device you want to connect, open the Wi-Fi settings and select your iPhone from the list of available networks. Enter the password if required.
You can also connect using USB or Bluetooth. [1]
Make sure your iPhone’s mobile data is enabled and that your devices stay close to each other for a stable connection.
Note: Personal Hotspot requires a mobile data plan that supports tethering. If you don’t see the Personal Hotspot option in Settings, contact your carrier to confirm that this feature is included in your data plan.
How to Connect Devices to iPhone Hotspot
Once you turn on Personal Hotspot, other devices can connect to your iPhone and share its mobile data connection. When a device connects, a green Personal Hotspot icon appears in the status bar. You can see connected devices by swiping down from the top-right corner of the screen to open Control Center. The number of devices that can connect at the same time depends on your carrier and iPhone model.
Connect with Wi-Fi
On your iPhone, go to Settings > Personal Hotspot or Settings > Cellular > Personal Hotspot. [1]
Check the Wi-Fi password and the name of your iPhone. Stay on this screen until your other device connects.
On the device you want to connect, open Wi-Fi settings and select your iPhone from the list of available networks.
If prompted, enter the Wi-Fi password shown on your iPhone.
If another device is already connected to your Personal Hotspot using Wi-Fi, the iPhone providing the hotspot will use only its cellular data to stay online.
Connect with Bluetooth
On your iPhone, go to Settings > Bluetooth and keep the screen open to make your device discoverable.
On your Mac or another Bluetooth-compatible device, follow the steps to pair and connect with your iPhone.
Once paired, your other device can use your iPhone’s mobile data through the Bluetooth connection.
Connect with USB
Make sure you have the latest version of Finder (on Mac) or iTunes.
Connect your iPhone to your computer using the USB cable that came with your device.
When you see the message “Trust This Computer?” on your iPhone, tap Trust.
After connecting, your computer will automatically detect and use your iPhone’s internet connection.
Note: Keep your iPhone close to the connected device and make sure mobile data is turned on. The number of connected devices and performance may vary depending on your carrier and network conditions.
What to Do If Personal Hotspot Is Not Working on iPhone
If Personal Hotspot is not working on your iPhone, or other devices cannot connect, check the following points:
• Check your mobile data connection: Go to Settings > Cellular and make sure Cellular Data is turned on. If you are using Dual SIM, confirm that the data line is active.
• Verify carrier support: Some carriers require Personal Hotspot to be activated in your data plan. If the option does not appear in Settings, contact your carrier to confirm that it is included.
• Turn Personal Hotspot off and on: Go to Settings > Personal Hotspot, then switch Allow Others to Join off and back on to refresh the connection.
• Restart both devices: Restart your iPhone and the device you are trying to connect. Then try turning on Personal Hotspot again.
• Update your iPhone: Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install the latest iOS version if available. Updates can fix known connection issues.
• Reset network settings: If the issue continues, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings. This clears saved Wi-Fi networks and passwords and can fix deeper configuration problems.
• Contact your carrier or Apple Support: If none of the above steps solve the issue, reach out to your carrier or Apple Support for further help.
Note: Stay on the Personal Hotspot screen while connecting another device to keep the connection active and visible. [2]
Data and Battery Tips When Using Personal Hotspot on iPhone
Using your iPhone as a Personal Hotspot can be very useful when Wi-Fi is not available, but it may increase data and battery consumption. Here are some tips to manage both efficiently:
• Monitor data usage: Go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Usage to check how much data your Personal Hotspot is using. If you have a limited data plan, keep an eye on this section to avoid extra charges.
• Limit background activity: On connected devices, close apps that automatically download updates, stream media, or sync large files. These activities can quickly use your mobile data.
• Disconnect devices when not in use: Each connected device consumes data and power. Disconnect devices that no longer need the connection to reduce usage and save battery.
• Keep your iPhone plugged in: When using Personal Hotspot for an extended period, connect your iPhone to a charger to prevent the battery from draining too quickly.
• Use USB for long sessions: A USB connection not only provides a stable network but also charges your iPhone while sharing its connection, which helps balance battery use.
• Turn off Personal Hotspot when finished: Go to Settings > Personal Hotspot and turn off Allow Others to Join when you no longer need it. This conserves both battery and data.
Note: Personal Hotspot performance and power consumption can vary depending on signal
Using Hotspot with Roamless eSIM
A global eSIM like Roamless allows you to use your mobile device’s hotspot feature to share your data connection with other devices such as laptops, tablets, or additional phones. Hotspot use is supported on devices that offer this feature on iOS and Android.
• Wi-Fi hotspot: You can enable the Personal Hotspot feature on your smartphone to share your Roamless data connection with nearby devices. This is useful when you need to connect a laptop or tablet where Wi-Fi is not available.
• Simple setup: In most cases, Roamless eSIM works automatically with your device’s hotspot feature. If your device supports eSIM and hotspot, you typically don’t need to adjust APN settings, though this may vary by device or network.
• Compatibility: As long as your device supports eSIM and the hotspot function, Roamless data can be shared through Wi-Fi without additional configuration.
• Availability: Hotspot use is included with any active Roamless eSIM plan or balance, allowing you to share your data connection whenever needed.
Using your iPhone’s Personal Hotspot is an easy way to stay connected wherever you are, whether you need to share data with a laptop, tablet, or another phone. With Roamless eSIM, you can use hotspot features on supported devices without extra setup or added charges, provided your plan is active and network conditions allow. Always keep your data plan active, monitor usage, and optimize battery performance to ensure a reliable and consistent connection wherever you travel.
In addition, you can open the Roamless app and enter a valid promo code at checkout. To get the latest offers and extra data on your first purchase, visit our eSIM promo code page.
You can also read our posts on How to Check Hotspot Usage?, How Much Data Does Hotspot Use? and Tethering vs Hotspot.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Change Your iPhone Hotspot Password or Name
To change your iPhone’s Personal Hotspot password or name, go to Settings > Personal Hotspot and tap Wi-Fi Password to set a new one. To change the name that appears to other devices, go to Settings > General > About > Name, then enter a new device name. Remember to use a strong password that includes letters, numbers, and symbols for better security.
How to Secure Your Personal Hotspot Connection
- To keep your hotspot connection secure, use a strong Wi-Fi password and avoid sharing it with unknown devices. Always make sure Allow Others to Join is turned off when you are not using the hotspot. You can also monitor connected devices through Control Center on iPhone to ensure only trust
Does Roamless eSIM Support Hotspot in All Plans?
- Yes. Hotspot use is included with your active Roamless eSIM plan or balance. As long as your data plan is active (or you have balance) and your device supports the hotspot feature, you can share your Roamless internet connection without extra charges or setup.
Why Can’t I See the Personal Hotspot Option on My iPhone?
- If you don’t see Personal Hotspot in Settings, make sure Cellular Data is turned on under Settings > Cellular. Some carriers require the feature to be activated on your data plan, so you may need to contact your carrier for confirmation. Updating your iPhone’s iOS software or restarting the device can also help refresh the settings.
Does Using Personal Hotspot Affect My Data Usage or Battery Life?
- Yes. Any data used by connected devices is counted toward your mobile data plan. Streaming videos, downloading files, or updating apps through the hotspot can quickly increase data usage. Personal Hotspot also uses more battery power, so it’s recommended to keep your iPhone plugged in while sharing your connection.
How Many Devices Can Connect to My iPhone Hotspot at Once?
- The number of devices that can connect depends on your iPhone model and carrier settings. Most recent iPhone models support up to five connections at a time. However, connecting multiple devices may affect performance and increase data and battery usage.
Sources:
[1] Apple Inc. (2025). Share your internet connection from iPhone. Apple Support. https://support.apple.com/en-us/111785
[2] Apple Inc. (2025). If Personal Hotspot is not working on your iPhone or iPad (Wi-Fi + Cellular). Apple Support. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203302
