How to Use iPhone Hotspot

Just because you’re away from WiFi doesn’t mean you won’t have internet access. A mobile hotspot turns your iPhone or Android into its own WiFi router, connecting your iPad, Mac, or other devices to the internet through your cell phone carrier’s wireless network via a process referred to by most everyday people as hotspotting but it can also be called tethering. 

Now that more unlimited data plans offer dedicated mobile hotspot data, it’s even more convenient to use a hotspot when you’re working or streaming on the go. In this guide, we’ll break down how to use a hotspot on an iPhone, how to fix your hotspot when it’s not working, and how to get a cell phone plan with hotspot data to meet your needs. In the process, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about using an iPhone hotspot, helping you get the most from your unlimited data plan.

How To Turn On Hotspot on iPhone

If your cell phone plan includes a hotspot for your iPhone, then turning it on is simple. Here’s how to set up a personal hotspot:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap Personal Hotspot. 
3. Switch Allow Others to Join to the on position. (The lever will turn green.)

4. The password for your mobile hotspot appears below Allow Other to Join. If you'd like to change it, tap WiFi Password and type in your desired password.

From there, you can connect to your mobile hotspot like you would any other WiFi connection.  After I turn on my mobile hotspot, then find it on my Macbook’s top right-hand corner, also known as the Apple Control Center, under the WiFi menu.

How To Change Hotspot Name on iPhone

If you’d like to change your hotspot name on iPhone, you’ll need to change the name of your iPhone. That sounds more complicated than it really is. Here’s how to do it in a few simple steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap General.
3. Tap About.

4. Tap Name.
5. Change the name of your iPhone.
6. Tap Done.

Now that you’ve changed the name of your iPhone, you’ve also changed your hotspot name. You can find it on your laptop or tablet by heading to the device’s WiFi settings.

How To Fix iPhone Hotspot Not Working

If you’re having trouble with your iPhone hotspot not working, it’s likely because your cellular signal is poor. Hotspots are only as powerful as the wireless network powering them; one or two bars of service probably won’t be enough to sustain a hotspot. If it is, you’ll be dealing with extremely slow download speeds and frustrating drops in service. The best way to correct this is to find an area with better service. Depending on the carrier, this can be the difference of a few city blocks or a few miles.

If you spend some time troubleshooting but your iPhone hotspot is still not working, the issue might be with your cell phone carrier. Some cell phone carriers throttle mobile hotspot data after it exceeds a plan’s monthly limit. This slows your mobile data, sometimes to the point where it may seem like it’s not working. If you want to see whether your mobile hotspot data is being throttled, check the terms of your cell phone plan to see how much, if any, full-speed hotspot data you’re awarded per month. If you believe you’ve exceeded that amount, you can call your carrier to upgrade your plan.

There are rare cases, too, where something might be wrong with your iPhone, breaking your hotspot feature. If you believe that might be the case, we recommend calling Apple support.

How To Get Hotspot on iPhone

If you want to get a hotspot on your iPhone, you’ll need to make sure your cell phone plan allows hotspotting. Most plans allow hotspot data, but some prepaid and capped data plans, like the AT&T 4GB Plan, don’t include the ability to hotspot.

Those kinds of plans are not the norm,though. In fact, many cell phone plans now include dedicated data for hotspotting. That’s especially true with unlimited data plans, which are often the best mobile hotspot plans. We’re especially fond of the AT&T Unlimited Extra EL and the Verizon Unlimited Plus, which offer generous mobile hotspot allowances at 5G speeds. 

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The Bottom Line

A mobile hotspot uses your carrier’s cellular towers to turn your iPhone into a WiFi router and keep you connected to the internet. It’s important to remember, though, that your hotspot connection will only be as good as your wireless connection: if you don’t have a strong cellular connection somewhere, you also won’t have a strong hotspot internet connection.

If you frequently use a mobile hotspot, you’ll need a plan that not only offers reliable coverage but also provides dedicated hotspot data. We recommend checking out our roundup of the best mobile hotspot plans, which check both of those boxes.

If you’re looking for other options, check out our dedicated Plan Finder, which compares plans from every major carrier, including many that are perfect for hotspotting.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check hotspot usage on iPhone?

You can check your hotspot usage on iPhone by going to Settings, then tapping Cellular, then scrolling down to Cellular Data. Your hotspot usage will be listed next to Personal Hotspot. Keep in mind that this data is not necessarily for the month; it is for the arbitrary period set by your iPhone’s settings. You can see the last time this period was reset by scrolling down to the bottom of the Cellular page.

How do I set up hotspot on iPhone?

You can set up hotspot on iPhone by going to Settings and tapping Personal Hotspot. From there, you can turn on your hotspot, change its password, and maximize its compatibility for devices connecting to it.

How fast is data from iPhone hotspot?

Data from an iPhone hotspot can be fast, but the average speed depends on the carrier and the strength of your cellular connection. Premium unlimited data plans, like the AT&T Unlimited Extra EL and the Verizon Unlimited Plus, promise 5G and 4G LTE speeds for mobile hotspot, but that assumes the phone is hotspotting from an area with strong 5G or 4G LTE service. If you want fast hotspot speeds, make sure that you have a plan with dedicated hotspot data and use it in an area with strong service.