Instant Hotspot Isn't Magically Working on Macbook Air M1

The problem is somewhat similar to this thread (https://discussions.apple.com/thread/252192323). My Macbook Air trying to connect to iPhone 6 (iOS 12) with instant hotspot feature. Sometimes it's sucesfully connect. But most other times (80% chance) it wouldn't. Funny thing is my iPad mini (1st gen) running iOS 9 have no trouble enable my iPhone 6 instant hotspot every time.



My laptop, PS4 and other device without iCloud account (duh) have no problem because they connected as "normal" hotspot through manual activation personal hotspot icon via control center.


It is actually much faster if I log out my iCloud account on iPhone as it will disable instant hotspot. My Macbook Air now connected just like "normal" old style hotspot. It means I cannot remotely activated hotspot in my iPhone. I must flip it on manually.


This solution of course not ideal because if I log out iCloud on my iPhone it will disable most feature such as Find My. This force me when I done using tethering, I will log in again but it still took time. After login again the problem still continue. Only 20% or less successfully connect through instant hotspot. Even if I manually activated personal hotspot, Macbook Air still refuse to connect because both device iCloud account logged in.


I'm looking through some article from few site apparently a lot of similar problem out there even with previous year Mac. Some solution including delete system configuration plist related to wifi, reset network setting on iPhone, on off device etc. But honestly the easiest is log out iCloud on iPhone.


I found second solution but still need further testing how many time it will success. The other way is disable bluetooth through iPhone setting. You can't use control center because that only temporarily sleep bluetooth function. Instant hotspot relies on bluetooth for initial connection to tell iPhone activate its hotspot. No bluetooth, it back to old style manual flip on I mention above. But this time iCloud still logged in.


I know this is discussion forum. Chance is small actual Apple software engineer will see this thread. My suggestion is they add toggle to disable instant hotspot. Just like they have toggle for handoff. Logging out iCloud is just too much hassle to disable one feature that gives nothing but trouble.


Posted on Jul 25, 2021 8:40 AM

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Instant Hotspot Isn't Magically Working on Macbook Air M1

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