Unable to connect to this network hotspot

With Personal Hotspot, you can share the cellular data connection of your iPhone or iPad (Wi-Fi + Cellular) with another device. If you need help with Personal Hotspot, follow these steps.

Use these steps first

Try connecting again after each step.

1. Check that Personal Hotspot is turned on in Settings > Personal Hotspot. If you can't find or turn on Personal Hotspot, check that your mobile carrier enabled it and that your mobile plan supports it.
2. Restart the iPhone or iPad that provides Personal Hotspot and the other device that needs to connect to Personal Hotspot. 
3. Make sure you have the latest version of iOS or iPadOS.
   
4. On the iPhone or iPad that's providing Personal Hotspot, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset [Device] > Reset, then tap Reset Network Settings.
   

Follow the steps below for more help with Personal Hotspot over Wi-Fi, USB or Bluetooth.

If you can't connect to Personal Hotspot with Wi-Fi

On the device that provides Personal Hotspot, go to Settings > Personal Hotspot, then follow these steps:

1. Make sure Allow Others to Join is on. 
2. Remember the device's Wi-Fi network name and password that appear on this screen. If you want to change the Wi-Fi network name, find out how to change your device name.
3. If you're using an iPhone 12 model or later, turn on Maximise Compatibility.* Then try connecting your devices again to your Personal Hotspot.
4. Stay on this screen until you connect your other device to the Wi-Fi network. 

On the device that needs to connect to Personal Hotspot, follow these steps:

1. Turn Wi-Fi off and back on.
2. Make sure you connect to the correct Wi-Fi network. The network name will be the same as the iOS device that's providing Personal Hotspot, and the Personal Hotspot icon 
   
    may appear next to it.
3. If you see a password error when you try to join Personal Hotspot, check the Wi-Fi password: On the device that provides Personal Hotspot, go to Settings > Personal Hotspot to see the Wi-Fi password.

* When you turn on Maximise Compatibility, internet performance and Wi-Fi security may be reduced for devices connected to the hotspot.

If you can't connect to Personal Hotspot with USB

To avoid unnecessary data charges, turn off Personal Hotspot when you don't need it. If you don't, then every time you plug your iOS device with Personal Hotspot into your computer to charge it, your computer may connect to Personal Hotspot. 

Follow the steps below for your Mac.

Connect your Mac to Personal Hotspot with USB

1. Update to the latest version of iTunes. 
2. With a USB cable, connect your Mac to the iPhone or iPad that provides Personal Hotspot. If prompted, trust the device.
3. Make sure you can locate and view your iPhone or iPad in iTunes or the Finder. If your Mac doesn't recognise your device, try a different USB cable. 
4. Go to System Preferences > Network, then select iPhone USB. If you can't see it, click the Add button 
   
    and add it.
   
   
5. Click the More button 
   
   , choose Make Service Inactive, then click Apply.
   
6. Click the More button 
   
   , choose Make Service Active, then click Apply. If you already have a different network connection, your Personal Hotspot connection may not activate until you untick “Disable unless needed” and click Apply.

If you can't connect to Personal Hotspot with bluetooth

Use the steps below to pair your devices and connect to Personal Hotspot with bluetooth.

Pair your devices

1. On the device that provides Personal Hotspot, go to Settings > Personal Hotspot and make sure Allow Others to Join is on.
2. Go to Settings > bluetooth and make sure bluetooth is on.
3. Keep this screen open, then follow the steps for the device that needs to connect:
   • On your iPad or iPod touch, tap Settings > bluetooth and make sure bluetooth is on. Tap the device that provides Personal Hotspot, confirm the code that appears, then tap Pair on both devices.
   • On your Mac, choose Apple menu  > System Preferences, then click Bluetooth and make sure bluetooth is turned on. Select the device providing Personal Hotspot, click Connect, then follow the onscreen instructions.
   • On your Windows PC, click the bluetooth icon in the Notification area and make sure bluetooth is on. Choose Add a Bluetooth Device, then follow the onscreen instructions.

Connect to Personal Hotspot with bluetooth

If you're still unable to connect to Personal Hotspot with Bluetooth

Get more help

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Published Date: February 02, 2022

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