How to Set Up Hotspot on an iPhone


Updated

How to set up hotspot on iPhone

Setting up mobile hotspot on your iPhone is a simple process that includes toggling the feature in your phone's settings. Once enabled, you can connect devices to your iPhone hotspot through Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or USB.

Mobile hotspot is a great way to connect your devices to the internet while you are away from your home internet. For example, you can use it to connect to the internet on your laptop while you’re on the road or at your favorite park. Keep reading for detailed instructions for setting up hotspot on your iPhone.

Setting Up Mobile Hotspot on iPhone


To set up your mobile hotspot with your iPhone, simply make it discoverable by taking the following steps:

  1. Go to Settings
  2. Tap Personal Hotspot
  3. Toggle on Allow Others to Join
Screenshot of Personal Hotspot settings on iPhone

Changing your password

Your phone will have a default password for devices to use to connect to your hotspot. You'll find it right under Allow Others to Join. To change the password, click on it and type out your new password.

Connecting to Your Mobile Hotspot


Once you enable hotspot on your iPhone, you can connect other devices to it with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or USB to get an internet signal.

Wi-Fi

To connect via Wi-Fi, open the Wi-Fi settings on the other device you want to connect with and look for your phone. After selecting your phone, enter the password you set for your hotspot.

Bluetooth

If you want to connect a device to your iPhone's hotspot via Bluetooth, go to Settings on your Phone and open Bluetooth. Then, open the Bluetooth setting on the device that you need internet on. Find your phone in the list of available devices and select it to start the pairing.

USB

To connect a device to your iPhone's hotspot with USB, connect your iPhone and the device using a USB cable. On the device you are connecting, go to the network settings and select your iPhone. If you are having trouble connecting via USB, ensure your iPhone has the latest version of iOS.

Best Mobile Hotspot Plans


Your plan must include mobile hotspot service if you want to connect other devices to the internet. Some plans have dedicated hotspot data that does not count towards your general data limit, while others will use your general monthly allotment.

If hotspot access is a priority for you, these are the best mobile hotspot plans from the major carriers:

  • T-Mobile's Experience More includes 60GB of hotspot data
  • AT&T Unlimited Premium PL includes 60GB of hotspot data
  • Verizon Unlimited Ultimate with 60GB hotspot data add-on (extra cost)

With 40GB of data, you can watch about 80 hours of SD video or listen to about 8,000 songs. With 50GB, you can watch around 100 hours of SD video or listen to around 10,000 songs.

Best Plans for Mobile Hotspot

#1
T-Mobile
T-Mobile

Experience More

  • Unlimited Unlimited 5G & 4G LTE with Unlimited Premium Data
  • Unlimited mobile hotspot data
  • Deal: Get up to $800 via virtual prepaid MasterCard when you bring an eligible phone, activate a new line on select plans and port-in your number and switch from select carriers
$85.00/mo
with Auto-Pay + Taxes and fees
#2
Verizon
Verizon

Unlimited Ultimate

  • Unlimited 5G Ultra Wideband
  • Unlimited mobile hotspot data
  • Deal: Get $10 off per line for 1 line via monthly promo credits over 36 months. For new customers only
$85.00/mo
+ Taxes & Fees. Price includes AutoPay & Paperless discount.
+ $40 Upfront

If you want hotspot in your plan, but it isn't a priority, you can save money by selecting one of these MVNO offerings:

Phone Plans with Mobile Hotspot

#1
XFINITY Mobile
XFINITY Mobile

Mobile Select Plan

  • Unlimited 4G LTE/5G data
  • Unlimited mobile hotspot data
  • Deal: Get a FREE 1 year of Xfinity Mobile Select Plan with Xfinity Internet required
$0.00/mo
(for the first year of service) <br>Regular rate of $30/mo. thereafter
#2
Lyca Mobile
Lyca Mobile

Unlimited Plus Plan

  • Unlimited 4G LTE/5G data
  • 15GB mobile hotspot data
  • Deal: Get this plan for only $12.50/mo. or 74% off for the first 9 months of service. Auto-renewal enrollment required.
$12.50/mo
Pay $12.50/month for the first 9 months<br>Regular rate is $49/month
#3
Tello
Tello

Unlimited Text, Talk, and Data Plan

  • Unlimited 4G LTE/5G data
  • 10GB mobile hotspot data
$25.00/mo
#4
Twigby Mobile
Twigby Mobile

Unlimited Talk, Text and Data

  • Unlimited 4G LTE/5G data
  • 20GB mobile hotspot data
  • Deal: New customers get this Unlimited plan for $25 a month for 3 months!
$25.00/mo
for the first 3 months then $35.00/month
#5
Google Fi Wireless
Google Fi Wireless

Unlimited Standard for 1

  • Unlimited 4G LTE/5G data
  • 25GB mobile hotspot data
  • Deal: Get 50% off this plan for 12 months when you bring your own phone and activate a new line on Unlimited Standard plan
$25.00/mo
#6
Red Pocket
Red Pocket

Premium Monthly Plan (CDMA)

  • Unlimited 4G LTE/5G data
  • 10GB mobile hotspot data
  • Deal: Get 50% off your first month of service with this monthly plan. New customer only.
$30.00/mo
#7
Metro by T-Mobile (MetroPCS)
Metro by T-Mobile (MetroPCS)

$30 Unlimited Plan (BYOD) | Online

  • Unlimited 4G LTE/5G data
  • 10GB mobile hotspot data
$30.00/mo
#8
Verizon
Verizon

Simplicity Plan

  • Unlimited 5G Ultra Wideband
  • 10GB mobile hotspot data
$30.00/mo
#9
Spectrum Mobile
Spectrum Mobile

Unlimited Data

  • Unlimited Full speeds up to 30GB
  • Unlimited mobile hotspot data
$30.00/mo
+ $20 Upfront
#10
PureTalk
PureTalk

Unlimited Data w/ 2GB Hotspot Plan

  • Unlimited 4G LTE/5G data
  • 2GB mobile hotspot data
  • Deal: Get this plan for only $17.50 for the first month of service with new line activation. Plan renews at standard pricing thereafter.
$34.99/mo
+ $3 Upfront

Angelo Ilumba

Senior Writer

Angelo Ilumba
Angelo is a highly experienced writer for WhistleOut, specializing in unraveling the complexities of the mobile and tech world so that readers can easily understand what is relevant to them. Angelo has been featured on several publications such as MoneyTalksNews, Yahoo Finance, NPR and more.

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