HT203302: Get help with Personal Hotspot in iOS

Learn about Get help with Personal Hotspot in iOS
GalaxiePete
Level 1 (8 points)
iPad

Q: Activating Peronal Hotspot always requires a Network Reset.

I am working with a person who's iPhone 6 always requires a network reset every time he goes to use the hotspot feature.

 

  1. When he is using it he is in a "remote" location - so remote they have a signal booster at the location. It is 1 bar outside the building so they have an antenna and booster. This is the only time he uses it.
    1. There is no wifi at the location only the cellular connection via the signal booster.
  2. The wifi hotspot feature simply will not turn on at all.
  3. If he follows the procedure here: Get help with Personal Hotspot in iOS - Apple Support, he always ends up at the network reset.
    1. This works, but in the meantime it erases all his network settings, like remembered wifi locations.
    2. His phone acts 'funky' for a day or two after this. He has indicated he has weird connection issues and quirky problems for a period of time after this.

 

It has not always been this way but has been for about a year. It used to work fine and nothing has changed at the location.

 

Does anyone have any ideas on what might be the cause or what else to try?

iPhone 6, iOS 9.3.2

Posted on Jun 6, 2016 7:18 AM

by ChrisJ4203,Solvedanswer
ChrisJ4203 ChrisJ4203
Level 9 (57,350 points)
iPhone
A:

It could be a problem with the antenna and booster setup they are using. The Personal Hotspot features are controlled by the carrier, and it may be they have difficulty identifying the device when connected to this booster, and it does not identify the device as eligible for Personal Hotspot. If the carrier supports the hotspot feature, then it is the one that allows it to be activated on the device. I suggest they contact the carrier and troubleshoot the issue when they attempt to connect. I suspect that it is a possible conflict between the actual device identification and the connection with this booster.

Posted on Jun 6, 2016 1:46 PM

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GalaxiePete

Q: Activating Peronal Hotspot always requires a Network Reset.

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  • Helpful answers

  • by ChrisJ4203,Solvedanswer

    ChrisJ4203 ChrisJ4203 Jun 6, 2016 1:46 PM in response to GalaxiePete
    Level 9 (57,350 points)
    iPhone
    Jun 6, 2016 1:46 PM in response to GalaxiePete

    It could be a problem with the antenna and booster setup they are using. The Personal Hotspot features are controlled by the carrier, and it may be they have difficulty identifying the device when connected to this booster, and it does not identify the device as eligible for Personal Hotspot. If the carrier supports the hotspot feature, then it is the one that allows it to be activated on the device. I suggest they contact the carrier and troubleshoot the issue when they attempt to connect. I suspect that it is a possible conflict between the actual device identification and the connection with this booster.

  • by GalaxiePete,

    GalaxiePete GalaxiePete Jun 6, 2016 7:29 AM in response to ChrisJ4203
    Level 1 (8 points)
    iPad
    Jun 6, 2016 7:29 AM in response to ChrisJ4203

    That's kind of what I was thinking also. But the question that has been running around in my head is then why does a network reset resolve the issue every time? I'll be reaching out to the carrier on his behalf.

  • by ChrisJ4203,Helpful

    ChrisJ4203 ChrisJ4203 Jun 6, 2016 1:46 PM in response to GalaxiePete
    Level 9 (57,350 points)
    iPhone
    Jun 6, 2016 1:46 PM in response to GalaxiePete

    It is possible that the network reset does a reset on the network lease, or something with a dynamic IP address assignment. Either way, it would probably be important to know how the carrier's network identifies the mobile device to show it is authorized for, and configured for Personal Hotspot. It may also depend on how the antenna and booster system works. I have a Microcell here for AT&T that connects to my broadband internet to provide me with better signal for my phone. It connects to a different section of the AT&T network, and while I've only attempted to use personal hotspot a couple of times myself, I've never experienced a problem. Just another one of those ideas to examine.

  • by GalaxiePete,

    GalaxiePete GalaxiePete Jun 6, 2016 1:46 PM in response to ChrisJ4203
    Level 1 (8 points)
    iPad
    Jun 6, 2016 1:46 PM in response to ChrisJ4203

    Chris,

     

    Thanks for the assist. Spot on that it is a carrier related issue. I reached out to Verizon. The phone hadn't been updating carrier settings even with the network resets. They are thinking this was part of the issue. The other part may be the signal booster needs an update as well.

     

    Pete

  • by ChrisJ4203,

    ChrisJ4203 ChrisJ4203 Jun 6, 2016 6:05 PM in response to GalaxiePete
    Level 9 (57,350 points)
    iPhone
    Jun 6, 2016 6:05 PM in response to GalaxiePete

    You're welcome. Hope you are able to get it working consistently, without the need for all of this resetting.