3 Easy Ways to Share Your Internet Connection From iPhone

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Easy ways to share your iPhone data through Wi-Fi, USB tethering, or Bluetooth
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Do you want to use your iPhone's internet on your Windows PC? If your carrier allows it, you can turn your iPhone into a personal internet hotspot and use it as a Wi-Fi access point on your Windows PC. You can also connect devices to this hotspot through USB tethering or via Bluetooth. This wikiHow will show you how to share your iPhone's internet connection with your Windows 10 or 11 computer using a Personal Hotspot and USB tethering.

How to Tether Your iPhone to PC

  • When using a Personal Hotspot, set it up in your Cellular Data settings. Input a password, then join the Hotspot on your Windows computer.
  • For Bluetooth, pair your phone to your PC. Right-click the device, click "Connect using", then "Access Point".
  • To use USB tethering, download iTunes. Use the proper cables to connect your device, then select your iPhone as the computer's network.
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Using a Personal Hotspot

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  1. This may be located in a folder labeled "Utilities". [1]
  2. This will be located underneath Bluetooth .
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  3. This will need to be enabled in order to turn on the wireless hotspot.
  4. This button only appears if you've never used the personal hotspot before. If you have used the personal hotspot before, you'll see Personal Hotspot .
    • After setting up your personal hotspot for the first time, the Personal Hotspot option will appear in the main Settings menu.
    • If this is grayed-out or missing, your carrier may not support a personal hotspot or you may need to upgrade your data plan. For a list of carriers that support wireless hotspots, see this Apple support page .
  6. This is the password you'll need to use the Personal Hotspot.
    • Your password must contain at least 8 characters. If you choose to change the password later, this will disconnect any users or devices using your Personal Hotspot.
  7. Directions will appear on the bottom of the screen.
  8. You'll see this in the System Tray in the lower-right corner of the screen.
  9. The name of the network will be the name of your device.
    • If you're using Windows 11, click the arrow next to your Wi-Fi connection, make sure Wi-Fi is enabled, and then click your hotspot.
    • To change your iPhone's name, you can go to Settings → General → About → Name . Enter a device name, then tap Done .
  10. This is the password you created earlier on your iPhone. After connecting, your computer will be able to connect to the internet using your iPhone's Personal Hotspot.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Using Bluetooth

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  1. This may be located in a folder labeled "Utilities".
  2. This will be located underneath Bluetooth .
  3. Cellular data needs to be enabled to use Bluetooth internet sharing.
  4. This button only appears if you've never used the personal hotspot before. If you have used the personal hotspot before, you'll see Personal Hotspot .
    • Once you set up your first hotspot, the Personal Hotspot option will become available in the main Settings menu.
  5. Directions will appear on the bottom of the screen.
  6. This will return you to Cellular , then Settings .
  8. Your Bluetooth must be active on both devices.
  9. This is where you can manage your Bluetooth connections.
    • You can find this menu by clicking the Start menu and typing Bluetooth . Click Bluetooth and other devices settings .
      • A new window will open.
  10. You will see Now discoverable as "(device name)" underneath Bluetooth .
  11. This will be located at the very top of the window.
  12. Your computer will begin searching for a discoverable device.
    • If you don't see your iPhone, make sure to tap Allow new connections . If you don't see this option, make sure your iPhone is close to your computer.
  13. You can find this under Other Devices .
    • Your devices may take a moment to connect.
    • On your computer, a new window will appear with Pair device? at the top.
  14. You will see Connection succeeded in a new window.
    • Click Close to close the window.
    • On your iPhone, you should see Connected next to your computer name.
  15. You can find this by clicking the Start menu and typing in Control Panel . The icon looks like a graph and switches with a blue background.
  16. This can be found underneath Hardware and Sound .
    • A new window will open. You'll see all your connected devices and printers.
  17. It should be located underneath Devices .
    • A drop-down menu will open.
  18. Your Windows PC will now use your iPhone's internet connection over Bluetooth. [2]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Using USB Tethering

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  1. Install iTunes on your Windows computer. If you're tethering your iPhone to a Windows computer, the computer will need to have iTunes installed in order to connect.
  2. This may be located in a folder labeled "Utilities".
  3. This will be located underneath Bluetooth .
  4. Cellular data needs to be enabled to use Bluetooth internet sharing.
  5. This button only appears if you've never used the personal hotspot before. If you have used the personal hotspot before, you'll see Personal Hotspot .
    • Once you set up your first hotspot, the Personal Hotspot option will become available in the main Settings menu.
  6. Directions will appear on the bottom of the screen.
  7. Depending on your iPhone, you may need an Apple Lightning to USB cable or Apple USB-C to USB cable.
    • Make sure your iPhone is unlocked.
    • You may receive a prompt on your iPhone: Trust this computer?
      • Tap Trust .
  8. In Windows, you'll find this in the System Tray, which is next to the clock.
  9. Your computer will now use your iPhone's internet connection as you browse the internet. [3]
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    My computer has no wireless internet connection. What can I do?
    Community Answer
    Connect your iPhone to your computer with the USB cable. Turn on the hotspot, and it should configure itself.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 50 Helpful 20
  • Question
    What should I do if my iPhone isn't showing the hotspot option as being available?
    Community Answer
    The first time you use the hotspot, it will not be available on the settings page. Instead, open the "Settings" app, tap on "Cellular", and tap on "Personal Hotspot". After that, follow the instructions in this wikiHow. After the first time, the "Personal Hotspot" option should show under "Cellular" on the main settings page. If not, you will have to repeat this process every time.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 18 Helpful 8
  • Question
    How do I share WiFi with someone else?
    Community Answer
    Give the person the password to access your WiFi, or if the WiFi belongs to them, ask them for the password.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      Warnings

      • It's a lot easier to burn through your allotted monthly data if you're using a computer. Desktop versions of sites and large downloads can quickly eat away at your data plan. Keep an eye on your usage.
        Thanks
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      • Make sure that you have tethering available from your provider , as sometimes you need to call them to activate it.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/share-your-internet-connection-iph45447ca6/ios
      2. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203302
      3. ↑ https://www.howtogeek.com/213203/how-to-use-your-iphone%E2%80%99s-hotspot-or-a-usb-cable-for-tethering/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Open Settings .
      2. Tap Cellular .
      3. Enable "Cellular Data."
      4. Tap Personal Hotspot .
      5. Tap the Wi-Fi Password .
      6. Create a password for the hotspot.
      7. Slide the "Personal Hotspot" switch to On.
      8. Connect to the phone as a Wi-Fi network in Windows.

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