iPhone 12 Connecting iPhone to MacBook Air via USB - Internet connection?

[Bballrob]

So I occasionally need to use my iPhone as a hotspot to connect my MBA to the internet. I noticed today that when I connect it to the MBA using my USB-C to Lightning cord that I have internet access from my phone to the MBA without having to set up a WiFi connection.

My question is, when I've got it connected like this to my MBA, does this count against my AT&T Hotspot data cap?

Please advise.

 

[now i see it]

"Tethering" isn't defined as connecting via wifi only. A cable can tether a device too.

 

[eyoungren]

…does this count against my AT&T Hotspot data cap?

If you are getting any sort of connection to the internet through your phone, then that is tethering (hotspot) data. So, yes, it counts.

 

[Bballrob]

It certainly doesn't seem to be tracking that way. I've been connected via my cable for about 2 hours so far, and haven't made the wireless connection to the hotspot. I checked my MTD usage at the start of the day and it was 8.47 GB. I do realize sometimes there is some lag time in posting data usage. I'll keep an eye on it throughout the day and into tomorrow, but I'm starting to believe it doesn't count. I also believe I only went from 8.21 to 8.47 GB using it all day yesterday.

 

[chrfr]

It certainly doesn't seem to be tracking that way. I've been connected via my cable for about 2 hours so far, and haven't made the wireless connection to the hotspot. I checked my MTD usage at the start of the day and it was 8.47 GB. I do realize sometimes there is some lag time in posting data usage. I'll keep an eye on it throughout the day and into tomorrow, but I'm starting to believe it doesn't count. I also believe I only went from 8.21 to 8.47 GB using it all day yesterday.

USB tethering definitely does count against your hotspot allocation.