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User profile for user: rara209
rara209 Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

Poor personal hotspot connectivity

Why does my MacBook struggle to detect my iPhone's personal hotspot?


I currently have no WiFi so have been connecting my laptop to my phone's hotspot. I have automatic connection set up, yet every single time I try to connect my laptop to my hotspot it doesn't show up in the list of networks.


It is so frustrating that my laptop can detect 16 other WiFi networks in my neighbourhood but not my phone's hotspot sitting right next to it. The only way I can connect is to continuously turn both my WiFi and hotspot on and off again until it shows up.


Macbook Pro 15", macOS 10.15

iPhone XR, iOS 13.3

MacBook Pro 15", macOS 10.15

Posted on Apr 18, 2020 1:27 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: BDAqua
BDAqua
User level: Level 10
245,351 points

Posted on Apr 18, 2020 10:55 AM

Are those other spots really strong signals?


Make a New Location, Using network locations in Mac OS X ...


http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2712


System Preferences>Network, top of window>Locations>Edit Locations, little plus icon, give it a name.


System Preferences>Network, click on the little gear at the bottom next to the + & - icons, (unlock lock first if locked), choose Set Service Order.


The interface that connects to the Internet should be dragged to the top of the list.


Sys Prefs>Network>highlight the Interface you're using>Advanced>TCP/IP>Configure IPv4: Using DHCP.


If using Wifi, instead of joining your Network from the list, click the WiFi icon at the top, and click join other network. Fill in everything as needed.


System Preferences>Network>choose interface>Advanced>Proxies Tab, make sure none are set, like for HTTP & HTTPS.


System Preferences>Network, unlock the lock if need be, highlight the Interface you use to connect to Internet, click on the advanced button, click on the DNS tab, click on the little plus icon, then add these numbers...


8.8.8.8

8.8.4.4

1.1.1.1

9.9.9.9


Apply.

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: BDAqua
BDAqua
User level: Level 10
245,351 points

Apr 18, 2020 10:55 AM in response to rara209

Are those other spots really strong signals?


Make a New Location, Using network locations in Mac OS X ...


http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2712


System Preferences>Network, top of window>Locations>Edit Locations, little plus icon, give it a name.


System Preferences>Network, click on the little gear at the bottom next to the + & - icons, (unlock lock first if locked), choose Set Service Order.


The interface that connects to the Internet should be dragged to the top of the list.


Sys Prefs>Network>highlight the Interface you're using>Advanced>TCP/IP>Configure IPv4: Using DHCP.


If using Wifi, instead of joining your Network from the list, click the WiFi icon at the top, and click join other network. Fill in everything as needed.


System Preferences>Network>choose interface>Advanced>Proxies Tab, make sure none are set, like for HTTP & HTTPS.


System Preferences>Network, unlock the lock if need be, highlight the Interface you use to connect to Internet, click on the advanced button, click on the DNS tab, click on the little plus icon, then add these numbers...


8.8.8.8

8.8.4.4

1.1.1.1

9.9.9.9


Apply.

Reply

Poor personal hotspot connectivity

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