iPhone Hotspot slow to appear as an option on iPad and Macbook

MikeTimbers · 5 Nov 2023 at 13:56

Sorry if this has been asked, but I have looked both on here and trying my GoogleFu

I have two iPhones that both have hotspot enabled. I have a Macbook Air and an IPad. All devices are fully patched.

The Air and ipad both need a hotspot from an iphone to get to the Internet. Neither sees either hotspot seemingly unless I go to the iphone, settings, personal hotspot. Then the option to connect to the hotspot will appear but it takes forever!

Is this just me? It happens on both Air and Ipad no matter which phone is near them. The hotspots are permanently enabled.

I will be buying a 5G router for my house at some point (broadband is rare in these parts but 5G is readily available) but until then, can anyone give me a pointer?

Semple · 5 Nov 2023 at 14:06

I can't really comment for apple, but are hotspots really enabled permanently? I know on android they auto power off if no device is connected because publishing a hotspot is quite thirsty on the battery.

MikeTimbers · 5 Nov 2023 at 15:06

Semple said:
I can't really comment for apple, but are hotspots really enabled permanently? I know on android they auto power off if no device is connected because publishing a hotspot is quite thirsty on the battery.

good question, I don't know the answer to that.

andy_mk3 · 5 Nov 2023 at 15:10

Semple said:
I can't really comment for apple, but are hotspots really enabled permanently? I know on android they auto power off if no device is connected because publishing a hotspot is quite thirsty on the battery.

They are always on for devices in your family account afaik. But you have to open it in settings for it to appear on other devices.