How to use iPhone as Hotspot?

Your iPhone’s internet connection can be shared with another device through a feature known as “Personal Hotspot” on your iPhone which you can connect through Wi-Fi or USB.

Updated Jun 23,2017 | by Shannon

You may be out of your home and you need the internet connection. You try to search and there is none available within that vicinity. Feeling frustrated? Don't! There is a way out. Your iPhone's internet connection can be shared with another device through a feature known as "Personal Hotspot" on your iPhone which you can connect through Wi-Fi or USB.

You need to know that not every network carrier allows for tethering on their plans. If your carrier doesn't, you won't see the personal hotspot option in your iPhone settings. Also, when you connect other devices to the internet through your iPhone, you should know that your data plan is reducing and if you have a data cap, you should be mindful of what you do with those devices you have connected to your iPhone. Lastly, the most impact is felt by your battery when you use your iPhone as the hotspot so you should try to have your iPhone connected to a power source during use.

How to turn on your iPhone's Hotspot

You have three options to connect other devices to your iPhone; Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and USB. To get started, go to Settings and tap "Personal Hotspot". Tap Wi-Fi password to set up a password so as to prevent other people connecting to your internet. Then with the switch at the top the Personal Hotspot Settings page, turn on Personal Hotspot.

The next step is to connect your device to your iPhone's hotspot using one of USB, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

l Connect using Wi-Fi

This is the most common way to connect other devices to your iPhone's internet. The process is simple. Search for Wi-Fi access points on the device and once your iPhone shows up in the list of available Wi-Fi networks, simply connect. If it's the first time you are connecting, you will have to enter the password that you have already set.

l Connect using Bluetooth

On a Windows device, click on the Bluetooth icon and select "Join a Personal Area Network". At the upper left corner click on "Add a device". Then choose your iPhone and then click "Next". Then a pop-up comes up on both devices requesting you to pair. Tap pair on both devices and you are good to go.

On a Mac, navigate to "System Preferences", then Bluetooth. A list of devices shows up, click "Pair" right next to your iPhone on the list and then you will be asked if you want to pair the two devices. Tap the pair button to establish a connection. Then head to the menu bar on your Mac and click on the Bluetooth symbol. Click on "Connect to Network" once you can see your iPhone on the list.

l Connect via USB Cable

This is the easiest method. Simply turn on your personal hotspot on your iPhone, connect your iPhone to the other device with a USB cable and everything is set.On windows, you will see that you are connected via "Apple Device Ethernet" while on Mac, from Network settings you will see that your iPhone is connected via USB Connection.

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