After updating to iOS15, iPhone SE (2020) can't be used as a WiFi personal hotspot for iPad 4th Gen WiFi+Cellular

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Level 1

15 points

After updating to iOS15, iPhone SE (2020) can't be used as a WiFi personal hotspot for iPad 4th Gen WiFi+Cellular

While I was on iOS 14.8, I was able to use my iPhone SE (2020) as a hotspot for iPad 4th Gen (iOS 10.3.4). As in, selecting my iPhone's hotspot from iPad wifi settings, I could connect without any problem.

After updating my iPhone SE (2020) to iOS 15, I no longer can connect to iPhone's wifi hotspot from my iPad 4. It shows Unable or Can't connect to network or something.

Bluetooth hotspot does connect, and other devices, such as laptops and my desktop windows PC does connect to iPhone hotspot.

What I tried:

Resetting both ipad and iphone network settings
Erasing both ipad and iphone, and restoring from backup
Connecting through family sharing and directly to wifi
Turning off Private Relay on iOS15 iPhone SE (2020)

Any ideas? Again, this problem appeared only after upgrading do iOS15, and 15.0.1, as that very same day the ipad could connect to this very phone running iOS 14.8.

Posted on Oct 2, 2021 7:51 AM

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Answer 1

Salfield

Level 1

9 points

Nov 30, 2021 3:01 PM in response to sergejs_b

Hi mate. I’ve spent like 2 days trouble shooting with apple techs. I have the same issue as you iPad 4 to iPhone 11 on iOS 15. From my research the problem lies with iOS 15 wifi protocols. iOS 15 only allows for the latest connections but our iPad 4’s use an older protocol. Absolutely nothing you can do to fix it until Apple fix it.

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Answer 2

sergejs_b Author

Level 1

15 points

Oct 2, 2021 9:43 AM in response to sergejs_b

Additional comment:

iPhone XR on iOS 14.8 can connect to my iPhone SE 2020 iOS 15.0.1 wifi hotspot without any problem. The problem seems to be only on iPad 4th Gen

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Answer 3

Oct 2, 2021 10:14 AM in response to sergejs_b

I don't honestly know what else to suggest. I just connected my iPad Pro 11 to my iPhone 13 Pro Max Hotspot, under iOS 15.0.1 without any issues.

Since Hotspot is a Cellular Provided feature, you might want to contact your provider.

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Answer 4

sergejs_b Author

Level 1

15 points

Oct 2, 2021 10:12 AM in response to lobsterghost1

Thank you, I did try this, too. The ipad does connect to other Wi-Fi networks, and, what is most important, it DOES connect to iPhone XR running 14.8, without any problems

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Answer 5

Oct 29, 2021 11:12 PM in response to sergejs_b

Same here. Definitely a problem caused by iOS 15, because my wife can still use her iPhone 11 on iOS 14 as a hotspot for the old iPad on 10.3.3.

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Answer 6

Oct 2, 2021 9:51 AM in response to sergejs_b

You've done a lot of good troubleshooting.

Did you force restart your iPad (not just restart)? If no, try a simple Forced Restart

On an iPad with a Home button: Press and hold the top button and the Home button at the same time. When the Apple logo appears, release both buttons.

Does the iPad join other Wifi networks? A 4th Gen iPad is getting up there in years at this point. While it may be coincidence, there could be an issue with the device.

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After updating to iOS15, iPhone SE (2020) can't be used as a WiFi personal hotspot for iPad 4th Gen WiFi+Cellular

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