If you are travelling with a laptop that only has Wi-Fi, or if your home internet connection suddenly drops out, you are not entirely disconnected. As long as your iPhone has a 4G or 5G cellular signal, you can broadcast that internet connection, turning your phone into a portable Wi-Fi router. Apple calls this feature “Personal Hotspot.”
When enabled, your iPad, Windows laptop, or MacBook can connect to your iPhone exactly as they would connect to a standard home Wi-Fi network, allowing you to browse the web, send emails, and stream video using your phone’s cellular data plan.
How to Enable Personal Hotspot
Before beginning, ensure your iPhone has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on, as these are required to broadcast the signal.
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Near the top of the list, just below Cellular/Mobile Data, tap on Personal Hotspot.
- Tap the toggle switch next to Allow Others to Join so it turns green.
Your iPhone is now actively broadcasting a Wi-Fi network. The name of the network will be the name of your phone (for example, “John’s iPhone”).
Securing Your Hotspot with a Password
You absolutely must protect your hotspot. If you do not have a password, anyone sitting in the coffee shop or airport with you can connect to your phone and drain your monthly data allowance in minutes.
- On the same Personal Hotspot settings screen, look directly below the toggle switch.
- Tap on Wi-Fi Password.
- Delete the random string of characters Apple provided and type in a secure password of your own choosing (it must be at least 8 characters long).
- Tap Done in the top-right corner.
Now, grab your laptop, open its Wi-Fi menu, select your iPhone from the list of available networks, and type in the password you just created to connect.
A Warning About Data Limits and Battery Drain
While Personal Hotspot is a lifesaver, you must use it responsibly.
- Data Caps: A laptop consumes significantly more data than a smartphone. Streaming a YouTube video on a laptop will use full-resolution, heavy data. If you do not have an “Unlimited Data” cellular plan, using your laptop on a hotspot for a few hours can easily consume your entire monthly data allowance, resulting in massive overage charges from your carrier.
- Battery Drain: Broadcasting a Wi-Fi signal while simultaneously downloading cellular data requires the iPhone’s internal antennas to work at maximum capacity. Your phone will get noticeably warm, and the battery will drain incredibly fast. If you plan to use the hotspot for more than 30 minutes, you should plug your iPhone into a charger.