iPad iPad Pro 10.5 not connecting to iPhone 12 mini hotspot

[jpmeyer]

Both iOS devices running 14.7.1. iPad connects and pulls an IP address, buts drops the connection after about 10 seconds every time. The behavior is the same whether Max Compat is On or Off in the hotspot settings. Both devices have been restarted and have had network settings reset. Both devices confirmed to be signed into the same iCloud account. The iPad has been logged out of and back into the iCloud account. Multiple MacOS devices connect to the hotspot without issues, so I think that the problem is on the iPad end.

Using the iPad on the hotspot worked well as recently as early July, but has consistently failed within the last few weeks. Could be related to the latest iOS update.

Is anyone else seeing a similar problem? Can you think of anything that I haven't tried?

Thanks.

 

[jpmeyer]

I THINK (hope) that I have solved this problem. Grasping at straws I deleted a Profile installed when I used an Xfinity wifi network broadcast by a Comcast/Xfinity cable modem/router. That profile appears to force your device to prefer one of its wifi networks over your own hotspot and disconnects the hotspot within a few seconds. I deleted the profile on both the iPhone and the iPad and forced each device to reboot. The problem appears to be solved.

It's too bad. The Xfinity networks can be handy in MDUs like mine where nearly everyone uses Comcast. No need to install a mesh network or extender to cover those odd corners when you can just use the Xfinity wifi broadcast by your neighbor. I wish that Comcast wasn't so arrogant to force your device to prefer their wifi network over the hotspot that you just chose.

I hope that this saves someone else from lots of head scratching and useless reboots.