Need internet but no Wi-Fi nearby? Your iPhone has you covered. By enabling a personal hotspot, you can share your mobile data with other devices like laptops, tablets, or even another phone. It’s a quick way to get online when you’re traveling, working remotely, or dealing with an internet outage.
With World Mobile, hotspot access is built into every plan. Whether you’re on Essential, Advanced, or Global Access, this guide walks you through how to set up your iPhone hotspot, connect to it, troubleshoot issues, and manage your data wisely.
What Is a Personal Hotspot?
A personal hotspot turns your iPhone into a portable Wi-Fi source. It broadcasts your mobile data so other devices can connect to the internet through your phone.
This is especially helpful when:
- You’re on the go and don’t trust public Wi-Fi
- Your home or office connection is down
- A device you’re using doesn’t have a mobile plan
All iPhones with a cellular plan support hotspot features. Just make sure mobile data is turned on.
What You Need Before You Start
To use a hotspot on iPhone, you’ll need:
- An iPhone with an active cellular data plan
- Mobile data remaining in your plan
- A recent version of iOS installed
- A World Mobile SIM or eSIM that supports hotspot usage
Hotspot data uses your mobile plan’s data allowance. On World Mobile, you get high-speed priority data (10 GB on Essential, 30 GB on Advanced). After that, you stay connected at reduced speeds without extra charges.
Note: You cannot share a Wi-Fi network using a hotspot. Your iPhone shares mobile data only.
How to Turn On a Hotspot on iPhone
To enable your personal hotspot:
- Open the Settings app
- Tap Personal Hotspot
- Toggle on Allow Others to Join
- If prompted, turn on Mobile Data
- Tap Wi-Fi Password to set or update your password
- Share the password with the device you want to connect
Once it’s active, your iPhone will appear as a Wi-Fi network on other devices. The network name matches your iPhone’s name.
Three Ways to Connect to Your iPhone Hotspot
You can connect to your iPhone’s hotspot through Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or USB.
1. Wi-Fi (Most Common)
- Open Wi-Fi settings on the other device
- Find your iPhone’s network name
- Tap it and enter the password
2. Bluetooth (Lower power use)
- On your iPhone, go to Settings > Bluetooth
- Pair your iPhone with the other device
- Use the second device’s connection settings to share internet
Bluetooth is more secure but generally slower than Wi-Fi.
3. USB (Most stable)
- Connect your iPhone to a laptop or desktop with a Lightning cable
- On a Mac, go to System Preferences > Network
- On Windows, install iTunes and open Network Settings
- Your iPhone will appear as a new network interface
USB is ideal for long work sessions on laptops.
Where to Find and Adjust Hotspot Settings
Go to Settings > Personal Hotspot to:
- Turn the hotspot on or off
- Change the Wi-Fi password
- Enable Family Sharing
- Maximize compatibility with older devices
- See how many devices are connected
When active, a blue bar at the top of your iPhone screen shows the number of connected devices.
How to Change Your Hotspot Name
The hotspot name matches your iPhone’s device name. To update it:
- Open Settings
- Tap General
- Tap About
- Tap Name
- Enter a new name and confirm
Your updated name will appear in Wi-Fi lists for any device nearby.
How to Change Your Hotspot Password
To make your connection more secure:
- Open Settings
- Tap Personal Hotspot
- Tap Wi-Fi Password
- Enter a new password (8 characters minimum)
- Tap Done to save
All devices will need to reconnect using the new password.
How to Share a Hotspot with Family Members
Using Family Sharing, you can let trusted people connect automatically.
- Go to Settings > Personal Hotspot
- Tap Family Sharing
- Toggle it on
- Select which family members can join
- Choose Ask for Approval or Automatic
If the hotspot name or password changes, they will need to reconnect.
How to Check Hotspot Data Usage
To see how much mobile data your hotspot has used:
- Open Settings
- Tap Cellular or Mobile Data
- Scroll to Personal Hotspot
- View the usage total listed beneath it
This tracks the data shared with connected devices since the last usage reset.
How Much Data Does a Hotspot Use?
Here are rough hourly estimates based on typical use:
| Activity | Estimated Data Use |
|---|---|
| Browsing websites | 60 MB |
| Music streaming | 70 MB |
| Social media apps | 90 MB |
| Video streaming (SD) | 700 MB |
| Video streaming (HD) | 3 GB |
| Zoom or FaceTime call | 800 MB |
Note: These are averages. Multiple connected devices will use more data.
Tips to Manage Data While Using a Hotspot
Mobile hotspots are powerful, but they can quickly burn through your data. Here are ways to stay in control:
- Turn off the hotspot when not in use
- Disconnect idle devices
- Lower streaming quality on platforms like YouTube or Netflix
- Use downloads and offline modes before leaving Wi-Fi
- Track your usage under Settings > Mobile Data
With World Mobile, you don’t pay overage fees. You stay online, even after your high-speed data runs out.
Troubleshooting Your Hotspot
Here are quick solutions to common issues:
Hotspot not appearing on other devices
- Check that Mobile Data is on
- Restart your iPhone
- Confirm Wi-Fi is enabled
Hotspot option missing from Settings
- Make sure your eSIM is active
- Check for a carrier settings update in Settings > General > About
- Update your iOS version
Hotspot keeps turning off
- Disable Low Power Mode in Settings > Battery
- Keep your phone connected to power
- Make sure connected devices are actively using the connection
Device can’t connect to your hotspot
- Enable Maximize Compatibility in Settings > Personal Hotspot
- Double-check the password
- Try forgetting the network and reconnecting
Frequently Asked Questions
Does using a hotspot use my mobile data?
Yes. A hotspot shares your mobile data with other devices.
Is hotspot access included with World Mobile plans?
Yes. All World Mobile plans include hotspot support.
How many devices can connect to my iPhone hotspot?
Usually up to 5 devices, depending on your model and network conditions.
Can I use a hotspot while traveling?
Yes. With a World Mobile Global Access plan or Travel eSIM, you can stay connected in over 60 countries.
Can I see what devices are using my hotspot?
You’ll only see the number of connected devices. To disconnect them, change the password or turn the hotspot off temporarily.
Stay Connected Anywhere with World Mobile
World Mobile gives you the tools to stay online and in control. Use your iPhone’s personal hotspot to connect devices wherever you go, from airports to coffee shops to remote campsites.
With coverage across 99 percent of the U.S. population and over 60 countries, a World Mobile eSIM or Travel eSIM makes hotspot access seamless and reliable. No contracts. No hidden fees. Just real connectivity and full data control.
Ready to try it? Check the World Mobile plans, install your eSIM, and take your hotspot anywhere.