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iPhone hotspot is not visible on MacBook Pro

I faced this problem after upgrading my MacBook Pro 13" 2019 to the macOS BigSur.

So, my environment is:

  • macOS BigSur 11.0.1
  • iOS 14.2


When my MacBook is not connected to WiFi, iPhone hotspot is disabled in settings and I click WiFi icon in Menu Bar, I don't see my iPhone's hotspot in preferred networks.


However, in Catalina I didn't face this trouble. I could always connect to iPhone hotspot even if it is disabled in iPhone. After I selected hotspot in MacOS menu bar, iPhone hotspot mode turned on automatically.

MacBook Pro

Posted on Nov 24, 2020 5:48 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Dec 2, 2020 9:31 AM

I will try to describe a trouble as QA Engineer :)


Precondition:

  • iPhone and MacBook located near
  • Both devices have Bluetooth turned on
  • Both devices have signed in with the same AppleID
  • iPhone's hotspot mode is turned off


Steps to reproduce:

  1. On the MacBook click WiFi icon on the top toolbar


Expected result (before Big Sur): I see my iPhone in "Personal Hotspot" section (I repeat - even if iPhone's hotspot mode is turned off). On clicking this personal hotspot MacBook is connected to WiFi via iPhone's hotspot which was turned on automatically.

Actual result (on Big Sur): I don't see my iPhone in "Personal Hotspot". I have to unlock iPhone, turn on Hotspot mode. Only after I can see my iPhone's hotspot. Actually, it doesn't show me current battery and signal level!


12 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Dec 2, 2020 9:31 AM in response to MichaelB2019

I will try to describe a trouble as QA Engineer :)


Precondition:

  • iPhone and MacBook located near
  • Both devices have Bluetooth turned on
  • Both devices have signed in with the same AppleID
  • iPhone's hotspot mode is turned off


Steps to reproduce:

  1. On the MacBook click WiFi icon on the top toolbar


Expected result (before Big Sur): I see my iPhone in "Personal Hotspot" section (I repeat - even if iPhone's hotspot mode is turned off). On clicking this personal hotspot MacBook is connected to WiFi via iPhone's hotspot which was turned on automatically.

Actual result (on Big Sur): I don't see my iPhone in "Personal Hotspot". I have to unlock iPhone, turn on Hotspot mode. Only after I can see my iPhone's hotspot. Actually, it doesn't show me current battery and signal level!


Dec 2, 2020 8:58 AM in response to fedorin

Hi fedorin,


Thanks for coming to Apple Support Communities for help today with your iPhone Hotspot and MacBook Pro. It sounds like they were previously using the Continuity feature Instant Hotspot.


Do other Continuity features work for you? Use Continuity to connect your Mac, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Apple Watch.


Double-check the steps to have Instant Hotspot available: Use Instant Hotspot to connect to your Personal Hotspot without entering a password.


Have a fantastic day!


iPhone hotspot is not visible on MacBook Pro

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