iPhone Personal Hotspot not working? 8 fixes to try

2 min read · 8 steps · Updated 2 October 2026

Short answer

Open Settings, Personal Hotspot and check that Allow Others to Join is on, then stay on that screen while the other device connects. If the other device cannot see or join the hotspot, turn on Maximise Compatibility, restart both devices and reset network settings.

Personal Hotspot shares your iPhone's mobile data with a laptop, tablet or another phone. When the other device cannot find the hotspot or keeps dropping off, the cause is usually a setting on the iPhone or a stale connection on the other device.

Step by step

  1. Check that the hotspot is on

    Open Settings, Personal Hotspot and switch on Allow Others to Join. The Wi-Fi password is shown on the same screen.

  2. Check that your plan includes it

    If Personal Hotspot is missing from Settings or will not switch on, your mobile network may not have enabled it on your plan. Ask the network.

  3. Stay on the Personal Hotspot screen

    Keep the Personal Hotspot screen open on the iPhone until the other device has joined. This keeps the hotspot visible to nearby devices.

  4. Turn on Maximise Compatibility

    On an iPhone 12 or later, switch on Maximise Compatibility on the same screen. Older laptops, printers and games consoles often need this to see the hotspot. It can reduce speed for the connected devices.

  5. Reconnect from the other device

    On the other device, turn Wi-Fi off and on, then choose the network with your iPhone's name. If it rejects the password, type it again exactly as shown on the iPhone.

  6. Restart both devices

    Restart the iPhone and the device that needs the connection, then try again.

  7. Update iOS

    Open Settings, General, Software Update and install any waiting update.

  8. Reset network settings

    Open Settings, General, Transfer or Reset iPhone, Reset, Reset Network Settings. This also removes saved Wi-Fi networks and passwords, mobile settings and VPN settings, so note your Wi-Fi passwords first.

Good to know

A hotspot uses your mobile data allowance, and some plans limit or charge extra for it. Check with your network before sharing a lot of data.

To connect a Mac by cable instead, plug the iPhone in with a USB cable, tap Trust on the iPhone, and check that iPhone USB appears under System Settings, Network on the Mac.

In American English the setting is spelled Maximize Compatibility. It is the same switch.

In short: Settings, Personal Hotspot, Allow Others to Join on, Maximise Compatibility on, restart both devices.

Sources
  • Apple Support: If Personal Hotspot is not working on your iPhone or iPad (Wi-Fi + Cellular)

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