It’s great getting your hands on an iPad or iPhone because these gadgets have so many features. For example, did you know that you can share your device’s internet connection with other devices without having to turn on your Hotspots?
Well, this feature is known as the Instant Hotspot.
What is the difference between Personal and Instant Hotspots?
It’s quite confusing for some people but what you need to know is that Personal and Instant Hotspots are different.
If you want to use your Apple device as a Personal Hotspot, you get to input the correct password and then connect your devices to it. This way you get to share the cellular connection.
With the Instant Hotspot feature, you don’t need to input your hotspot password each time you want to share your internet connection.
Once you have this feature set up, your device will use the Apple ID to want to authenticate devices that are trying to connect to your internet connection.
Common error messages concerning Hotspot
Getting used to Instant Hotspot is quite easy. However, there are some times when it fails. Here are some steps that you can follow to fix issues that are related to Instant Hotspot. You may use these tips to fix your Personal Hotspot issues.
Below are the likely error messages that you may come across should your Apple device’s Personal or Instant Hotspot fail:
- Remote Hotspot failure
- Unable to start Personal Hotspot
Check if your service allows tethering
First thing, check if your iPad or iPhone plan allows tethering. This means that your service provider supports personal hotspot. You may contact the carrier that provides your service so you can confirm this information. Ask about the details of your wireless plan.
Check if your devices are logged on to the right account
Next, you have to check if all your devices are logged on to the same Apple account. The device that you are going to use as a hotspot must use the same Apple ID as the devices that you plan on sharing your Internet service with.
Check if your device’s Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are on
Check if your Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are enabled on all the devices involved. If not go ahead to the settings and switch them on. You can also go to the menu bar and click on the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth icons to quickly switch them on or off.
Reboot your devices
If after following all these solutions and the hotspot feature is still failing, try restarting your device. While this may seem too simple, there are other times when the feature does not launch. If restarting does not work, then go to the next step.
Update your devices
You may need to get your iOS updated to the current version. This can be done wirelessly by going to the settings menu. Select the general option. Look for the Software Update option and click this.
Make sure that your computer is also updated. If your Mac or MacBook Pro is running on Mac OS Mojave, then head to the Systems Preferences menu to check for any updates. Select Software Update from the menu.
However, if your computer is still running on an older version of the OS, then go to the App Store and then click Updates. This should automatically download the latest OS or update for your existing operating system.
Restart your Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Try to restart your Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Switch off the Wi-Fi on your Apple device. Wait for few seconds then switch it back on. Then head to the Settings menu and select Wi-Fi.
Then turn your Bluetooth off and on, you can do this by going to the settings menu and selecting the Bluetooth option.
Toggle it off, wait for a few seconds then toggle it back on. And if you are using your Mac, click on the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth icons that are found on the menu bar. Once it’s been disabled, wait for a few seconds then click for them to come back on. Then check if this fixed your hotspot issue.
Re-login to your Apple account
Log out of your Apple account. On your Apple device, go to the Settings menu. Locate your account name and then scroll down to click the Sign Out option. Then sign back in after a few seconds.
You are required to enter your Apple credentials that you use on your gadgets. Be ready to input the verification code if you enabled the two-factor authentication on your device. However, if you are using a Mac, directly go to Systems Preferences on the Apple menu. Find the iCloud option and sign out form your account.
After a few seconds, sign back in, but you will need to enter the Apple credentials of your Apple account. You’ll also be asked if you want to keep a copy of the data stored on your iCloud. Once you have signed back in check if your hotspot issue has been fixed.
Check if the problem is with the Network Setting
Try to reset the network setting your Apple device. To reset the network setting, go to the Settings menu. Choose the General option. Go to Reset and find the “Reset Network Settings” option. Then click on it.
Remember that doing this will erase your Wi-Fi password so be sure that you secure your information before resetting. Once you have reset the network setting go ahead to check if your hotspot is functioning correctly.
If all these steps didn’t address your hotspot problem, it might be a time to call for support from Apple care centre. They will give more steps to follow to fix your hotspot issue.
Tell us what you think about these solutions by using the comments section below.
