iOS · iPhone & iPad
Fix iPhone Personal Hotspot Not Working or Connecting
Source-checked About 10 minutes
Answer
Confirm the carrier plan supports hotspot, enable Allow Others to Join, keep the hotspot screen open, restart both devices, and reset network settings only last.
Check the carrier feature
Personal Hotspot must be enabled by the carrier plan and cellular data must work on the iPhone.
Make the hotspot discoverable
Open Settings > Personal Hotspot, enable Allow Others to Join, and keep this screen open during the first connection.
Retry both devices
Toggle Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, restart both devices, forget the network, and use Maximize Compatibility if offered.
Reset only as a last resort
Reset Network Settings removes saved Wi-Fi and VPN settings; record what you need before using it.
Video walkthrough
If it does not work
- If “Fix iPhone Personal Hotspot Not Working or Connecting” remains unresolved, identify the first numbered step that produces a different result and preserve that screen, file, or message. Recheck the specific account, permission, storage, connection, source-media, or device prerequisite above, then follow only the matching Apple Support recovery path; do not combine unrelated resets, bypasses, unofficial installers, or third-party repair tools.
Sources and verification
Checked against official documentation on . Scope: iPhone & iPad.
Reviewed against the linked first-party guidance; interface labels can vary by current app, service, or operating-system version.