Using Hotspot without Wi-Fi with iPhone 11

Question

Level 1

8 points

Using Hotspot without Wi-Fi with iPhone 11

Help! I live in an area with poor quality internet service. Since I work from home I rely on good service. I recently updated my AT&T cell plan to increase my Hotspot capabilities but I continue to get booted off. The AT&T Cell tower is literally 100 ft from my house so I can confidently rule out poor cell signal. I have also confirmed that I am well under my data limits for the hotspot use. I should mention that I recently switched from an LG phone and never had an issue using my hotspot with my LG. I now have an iPhone 11.

I went to settings and selected "personal hotspot". I have Bluetooth turned on, on both my laptop and my iPhone. Also, under "Cellular", Cellular data is turned on; Cellular Data Options - roaming off; Personal Hotspot is on; Wifi calling is off;

I cannot understand why I have a hotspot if it needs a local Wi-fi signal to work. Especially when said wi-fi signal is the reason I need a hotspot.

Am I doing something wrong? While I am new to an iPhone, I have two iPads for years now so the Apple technology is not new to me.

Please help!! Thanks in advance!

iPhone 11, iOS 14

Posted on Apr 14, 2021 7:34 AM

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Answer 1

LD150

Level 10

104,458 points

Apr 14, 2021 8:18 AM in response to eklogan

You need the phone’s WiFi setting turned on to connect by wifi with the slave device eg the ipad.

The connection by wifi in the slave device needs to be auto join.

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Answer 2

LD150

Level 10

104,458 points

Apr 14, 2021 10:48 AM in response to eklogan

I never use Bluetooth for this and turn it off in the Mac. I use pure Wifi .

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Answer 3

LD150

Level 10

104,458 points

Apr 14, 2021 9:44 AM in response to eklogan

How are you seeing it if not as a network choice? Have you tethered it by USB cable? If so turn wifi off in the laptop.

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Answer 4

eklogan Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 14, 2021 8:40 AM in response to LD150

Thank you! I can confirm that under Auto-Join Hotspot there are three choices (1) Never (2) Ask to Join and (3) Automatic. Currently my phone is defaulted to "Ask to Join". Is this correct or shall I change it to "Automatic"?

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Answer 5

eklogan Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 14, 2021 9:39 AM in response to LD150

Thank you. Unfortunately, nothing is working. I can see my iPhone on my laptop but it does not show up as a network choice. Banging my head against the wall. It shouldn't be this hard especially since I was able to do this with my android with no problems. super frustrating. Thanks again for your help!

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Answer 6

eklogan Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 14, 2021 10:36 AM in response to LD150

I was attempting to tether via Bluetooth since I was having issues with the wi-fi. I disconnected wi-fi as you suggested but that didn't work either. I thought the issue may be with settings on my laptop as it is a work issued lap top but my daughter is working remotely for school on her iPad and using her iPhone for hotspot as well ... and she too keeps getting booted. So two phones with two secondary devices keep getting booted. I honestly just want to cry.

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