So funnily enough I was reading a review for an ANdroid phone where they mentioned I can turn on the hotspot in my iPhone using an iPad without touching an iPhone. I had no idea this could be done. Does anyone know how it works?
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
How to enable iPhone hotspot from iPad?
- Thread starter Radon87000
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
This seems to be a misunderstanding somewhere...
If an iPad has a cellular data plan that permits a hotspot to be created, then it can create a hotspot. If it doesn't have a cellular plan, it can't become a hotspot.
An iOS device or Mac can use the Instant Hotspot feature (part of the Continuity feature set - https://support.apple.com/HT204681 ), which allows you to connect to the hotspot on another of your iOS devices without entering the password (both devices have to be signed into the same iCloud account and have both wifi and Bluetooth enabled).
But there's no way I can find that would allow one iOS device to remotely turn on the hotspot of another iOS device (which is what I think you're describing).
If an iPad has a cellular data plan that permits a hotspot to be created, then it can create a hotspot. If it doesn't have a cellular plan, it can't become a hotspot.
An iOS device or Mac can use the Instant Hotspot feature (part of the Continuity feature set - https://support.apple.com/HT204681 ), which allows you to connect to the hotspot on another of your iOS devices without entering the password (both devices have to be signed into the same iCloud account and have both wifi and Bluetooth enabled).
But there's no way I can find that would allow one iOS device to remotely turn on the hotspot of another iOS device (which is what I think you're describing).
This is what it states here
https://www.androidcentral.com/google-pixel-2-vs-iphone-8
"Being able to open up an iPad and enable the Hotspot on your iPhone so the two can share internet, without ever having to touch your iPhone to enable said hotspot, it just plain cool. It's a perfect example of the deep integration Apple is able to pull off, and that makes a huge difference when it comes to choosing a phone that will make your life easier in new ways."
I thought that was complete BS
I was just coming back to clarify (as I was able to dig a bit deeper) - yes, IF you meet the requirements for Continuity I mentioned above, the hotspot on the iPhone does not have to be turned on in order to access the iPhone as a hotspot. It does not turn on the hotspot for others (the hotspot switch doesn't change position), but the hotspot is available to your own devices.
This is possible as long as you’re signed into both the devices with the same iCloud account and WiFi & Bluetooth is turned on for both devices. If there’s no known or open WiFi access points found from your iPad, you will see your iPhone as an option to connect & just by tapping on it you create a hotspot on your iPhone automatically and connect with it.
I can’t figure out how this would save me any time at all especially now that i can turn the hotspot on straight from the control center on my iphone.
Obviously you mean an 'insignificant' amount of time (from picking up the phone to putting it down I count 7 steps). Maybe insignificant for some. But I take it you're not thinking of people who have to do this often and/or whose phone is not always easily accessible. But regardless, I don't know why anyone would ever want to take those extra steps, no matter how insignificant they seem.
If you want to connect your WiFi only iPad to the internet using your iPhone hotspot feature. Go to Settings -> WIFI and if both devices are signed in to the same iCloud account you should see your iPhone listed there. Tap on it and you should be connected in a few seconds.
If youre counting picking up and putting down as 2 seperate steps i counted 5 steps just doing it now.
Pick up, turn on, slide up control center, long press radio controls, tap hot spot, turn off, put down. 5 if you have raise to wake, and don’t turn off your phone.
You don't even have to take the iPhone out of your pocket or purse. Just go to Settings - WiFi on the iPad to connect.
Everyone is different. If im on my ipad chances are my phone is sitting close by.
Can you do it from the control panel on ipad? If you have to actually open up settings then i still contend that doing it from the phone is faster.
Either way, it’s a couple of seconds. Just dont see the big deal.
Can you do it from the control panel on ipad? If you have to actually open up settings then i still contend that doing it from the phone is faster.
Either way, it’s a couple of seconds. Just dont see the big deal.
The difference may be a few seconds but I don't see how having to pick up the phone (regardless of how close it is) is any faster than connecting directly via the iPad. Besides, one might be in a position where holding two devices at once (iPad and smartphone) may be awkward. It's an added convenience.
Besides, iOS 11 is a recent development. From iOS 8-10, it's pick up phone - unlock - Settings - Personal Hotspot - On - set down phone, versus simply going to Settings - WiFI and connecting directly on the iPad.
Not sure about iOS 11 control center. Does the wifi switch on the iPad control center allow one to choose the SSID to connect to?
You’ve never used it, I see. There are no extra steps. One thing it seems you may not know is that you can’t connect your ipad to your phone hotspot from your phone (even if you could, that would still be more steps because you have to pick up and put down your phone). So say you choose to turn on your phone hotspot manually, you still have to go into your ipad settings to connect to the hotspot. But with this feature, the hotspot is listed in the available wifi networks on the ipad whether or not your iphone hotspot is turned on. Tapping on it will turn it on and connect to it at the same time. Whatever that’s worth to you, it’s definitely not easier to do it manually on your phone. But if you would still rather do so, that’s up to you.
I connect my ipad to my iphone hot spot all the time. Once i turn the hot spot on on my phone my ipad automatically connects to it. It is listed on the ipad connections whether it is turned on or not.
[doublepost=1508175080][/doublepost]Ok, just to put this to bed, i tested while I was at work where i dont have a wifi connection. Hot spot turned off on my phone. From my ipad i can go to settings - wifi, and select my iphones personal hot spot and it will automatically turn on my phones hot spot and connect without me touching the phone.
I still have to open settings to do this so unless my phone is across the room or already have settings open on my ipad i would probably still be apt to just turn it on thru control center on my phone instead.
Last edited:
My mistake, the ipad does connect automatically when you turn on your phone hotspot (if no other preferred saved networks are available). So that narrows the difference a bit, but the point remains.
Yes, that’s the feature we’re talking about.
Yes you can do this. All you need to do is be signed in to both the iPad and iPhone with the same iCloud account. And you MUST have two-step verification enabled. If I can upload a screenshot video I will!! I’ll try at least...
As the photos proceed...
HOTSPOT is OFF, but comes up.
I turn the HOTSPOT ON
IPhone HOTSPOT is ON, and as I said I turn it on from the iPad. Which has NO cellular service connected.
[doublepost=1519260464][/doublepost]
Last edited: