How to fix personal hotspot not working on iPhone

Submitted by Frank Macey on

iOS Personal Hotspot

The iPhone Wi-Fi hotspot brings data connectivity from your cell phone carrier to any compatible Wi-Fi device or computer nearby. Personal hotspot can keep multiple devices online at the same time. Every once in a while, the personal hotspot may be unavailable or connectivity is lost. If the iPhone hotspot is not working you may need to perform troubleshooting to get the Wi-Fi fixed.

When there is a problem with the Personal Hotspot, the iPhone Wi-Fi does not appear on a nearby computer or tablet. If you have trouble connecting to the iPhone Wi-Fi network, or the Personal Hotspot icon cannot be found under networks then try these steps to fix the issue:

Toggle Personal Hotspot

  1. Navigate to Settings -> Personal Hotspot
  2. Make sure Allow Others to Join is ON (green switch)
    3. iPhone Personal Hotspot
  3. If the hotspot is already on, toggle Allow Others to Join -> OFF (grey switch)
  4. Wait ten seconds then toggle Allow Others to Join -> ON (green switch)
  5. Check if the Personal Hotspot appears under Wi-Fi networks on your other device

Toggle Airplane Mode

  1. Launch Settings and turn Airplane Mode -> ON (green switch)
    2. Airplane Mode
  2. Wait ten seconds then toggle Airplane Mode -> OFF (grey switch)
  3. Check if the Personal Hotspot appears under Wi-Fi networks on your other device

Toggle Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

  1. Launch Settings and turn both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth -> OFF (grey switch)
    2. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi off
  2. Navigate to Settings -> Personal Hotspot
  3. Toggle Allow Others to Join -> ON (green switch)
  4. When prompted, tap Turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
    5. Reconnect for Personal Hotspot
  5. Check if the Personal Hotspot appears under Wi-Fi networks on your other device

Other tricks to fix Personal Hotspot on iPhone

  • Toggle Wi-Fi off and then back on again on the other device, then try connecting to Personal Hotspot under Wi-Fi networks
  • Restart your iPhone and then check if the Personal Hotspot appears under Wi-Fi networks on your other device
  • Restart the other device, tablet, or computer, then try connecting to Personal Hotspot under Wi-Fi networks
  • On the iPhone 12 and later: Navigate to Settings -> Cellular -> Personal Hotspot. Toggle Maximize Compatibility -> ON (green switch). Try connecting to Personal Hotspot

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tags: 
Guides
Personal Hotspot
Wi-Fi
Data