First test the iPhone's own cellular connection
Turn off Wi-Fi on the iPhone, confirm Cellular Data is on in Settings → Cellular, then open a simple webpage in Safari. Personal Hotspot uses cellular data. If the iPhone itself cannot load the page over cellular, changing the hotspot name or password will not repair the upstream connection.
Check that the carrier enables Personal Hotspot for this number and plan. Apple notes that carrier support, possible extra charges, and the number of devices that can join vary by plan and model.
Swipe the table sideways to see every column →
| Symptom | First checkpoint |
|---|---|
| Personal Hotspot is dimmed or missing | Cellular Data and carrier-plan support |
| Other device cannot see the network | Allow Others to Join, distance, Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, and the open Hotspot settings screen |
| Network appears but password fails | Correct device name and the current Wi-Fi password |
| Connected, but no webpage loads | Cellular access on the iPhone, then the joining device |
| USB cable connected with no internet | Cable, Trust prompt, and Apple software on the computer |
Personal Hotspot is missing or unavailable
Open Settings → Cellular and turn on Cellular Data. Then check Settings → Personal Hotspot, or Cellular → Personal Hotspot. If the setting is still missing or cannot be enabled, Apple says to ask the carrier whether the feature is enabled for the plan.
If the iPhone shows SOS, No Service, or Searching, troubleshoot cellular service first. A Wi-Fi password change cannot restore missing cellular connectivity. Do not install an unknown profile advertised as a hotspot unlock.
The network is invisible, or the password fails
On the iPhone providing the hotspot, turn on Allow Others to Join. Note the network name and password shown there and stay on that screen until the other device connects. Turn Wi-Fi off and on on the joining device and select the exact network name. Apple says the hotspot name matches the providing device's name.
Restart both devices and try again. On a supported newer iPhone, Maximize Compatibility can help a device connect, though Apple warns it may reduce hotspot performance. Enter the Wi-Fi password shown on this screen, not the Apple Account password.
- Enable Allow Others to Join and keep the Hotspot settings screen open.
- Rescan Wi-Fi on the joining device; check the network name and current password.
- Restart both devices and retry.
- If needed, test Maximize Compatibility once and record whether it changes the result.
Connected to the hotspot, but no internet
Go back to the iPhone, turn Wi-Fi off, and load a webpage over cellular. If this fails, check signal, the data plan, and the carrier; the separate SOS or No Service guide can help distinguish a cellular failure.
If cellular works on the iPhone, disconnect and reconnect the joining device. Test another website or another joining device to narrow the fault. VPN or device-management policy may affect local networking; ask an administrator before changing managed settings. Apple also notes that some features requiring Wi-Fi, including some iCloud backup workflows, may not work over Personal Hotspot.
USB tethering fails on Mac or Windows
For USB hotspot, Apple says to enable Allow Others to Join, connect with a working data cable, and accept the Trust This Computer prompt on the iPhone. On Windows, install the current Apple Devices app or iTunes for Windows.
Confirm the computer recognizes the iPhone before troubleshooting its network list. After a USB connection, the hotspot can remain active; turn off Allow Others to Join when finished to avoid unintended cellular-data use.
Reset Network Settings only after simpler checks
After updating and restarting both devices, Apple suggests Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset → Reset Network Settings. This removes saved Wi-Fi networks and passwords, plus cellular, VPN, and APN settings previously used. Record any work or carrier configuration and make sure you know important Wi-Fi passwords first.
After resetting, test cellular data before the hotspot. If the carrier confirms support and cellular works but multiple joining devices still fail, give Apple or the carrier the model, software version, exact failed step, and prior checks. Erase All Content and Settings is not a routine hotspot troubleshooting step.