Turn on Personal Hotspot, set a strong Wi‑Fi password and verify the mobile plan before depending on the connection; a missing hotspot menu can be an operator or account issue rather than an iPhone fault.
Before you start
- Confirm mobile data works on the iPhone with Wi‑Fi off.
- Check that the network has enabled Personal Hotspot for the plan.
- Review the data allowance and roaming terms.
- Update iOS if practical and restart both devices.
- Use power safely: tethering and charging together can create heat.
Turn on the hotspot
- Open Settings.
- Tap Personal Hotspot, or Mobile Service and then Personal Hotspot.
- Turn on Allow Others to Join.
- Set a strong Wi‑Fi password.
- Leave the hotspot screen open while connecting the first device if discovery is slow.
Connect another device
On the laptop or tablet, open Wi‑Fi, choose the iPhone’s name and enter the hotspot password. Supported Apple devices signed into the same Apple Account may use Instant Hotspot without manually entering the password. USB and Bluetooth are alternatives, but their setup and compatibility differ by computer.
Verify and control usage
- Open a webpage on the connected device.
- Check that the iPhone shows a hotspot connection.
- Test the real task, not only a speed test.
- Watch the provider’s usage counter.
- Disconnect devices and turn off Allow Others to Join when finished.
If the option is missing or not working
Check that the plan supports tethering, restart both devices and confirm current carrier settings. Apple’s troubleshooting sequence also includes resetting network settings, but that removes saved Wi‑Fi networks, mobile settings and used VPN/APN settings, so use it only after simpler checks and record anything you may need to restore.
What should be recorded before the old setup is removed
After enabling Personal Hotspot, connect the actual laptop or tablet and complete a small real task. Confirm the client name in the connected-device list, use a unique password and test reconnection after the iPhone locks. If the menu is absent, check the plan before resetting network settings.
- Verify that mobile rather than Wi‑Fi data is being shared.
- Disable the hotspot when finished.
- Watch battery and temperature during longer sessions.
Official sources
Facts checked: 25 July 2026. Rules, plan features and menu paths can change. Recheck the current terms for your exact provider, plan and device before acting.
