Hi I want to know if I can tether my iPad to iPhone via a cable? To use my iphones data on my iPad. I use the wireless hotspot but if the iPad is inactive for a certain amount of time (screen locks after 1 minute, but longer than that to loose connection) it will loose the connection (I’m guessing power saving feature, both near each other too). Both devices signed in with same Apple ID. iPhone X & iPad 4th gen. Both latest iOS, 15.1
Yes. You can tether your iPad to your iPhone’s hotspot using a cable. If you have an iPad with a Lightning connector, you will require an Apple Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter:
https://store.apple.com/uk/xc/product/MK0W2ZM/A
With the Camera Adapter connected to your iPad Lightning port, you then connect your iPhone using the USB Type-A to Lightning charging cable.
When using Bluetooth, your Hotspot connection is designed to drop the connection when idle. If correctly configured, assuming that both the iPad and iPhone are signed-in to iCloud with the same AppleID, your iPad should be able to automatically initiate the hotspot connection with your iPhone.
On your iPad, check this setting:
Settings > WiFi > Auto-Join Hot Spot - set to Automatic
This support page may be helpful:
How to set up a Personal Hotspot on your iPhone or iPad – Apple Support
Yes. You can tether your iPad to your iPhone’s hotspot using a cable. If you have an iPad with a Lightning connector, you will require an Apple Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter:
https://store.apple.com/uk/xc/product/MK0W2ZM/A
With the Camera Adapter connected to your iPad Lightning port, you then connect your iPhone using the USB Type-A to Lightning charging cable.
When using Bluetooth, your Hotspot connection is designed to drop the connection when idle. If correctly configured, assuming that both the iPad and iPhone are signed-in to iCloud with the same AppleID, your iPad should be able to automatically initiate the hotspot connection with your iPhone.
On your iPad, check this setting:
Settings > WiFi > Auto-Join Hot Spot - set to Automatic
This support page may be helpful:
How to set up a Personal Hotspot on your iPhone or iPad – Apple Support
After turning the X off then on again (I am ashamed I didn’t try this first), it’s appearing under “PERSONAL HOTSPOTS”. I hope means it functions like the 8 Plus used to & this fixes the problem of the disconnections, then I won’t need to worry about the wired connection.
Thank you LotusPilot
If the iPad has a USB-C port, you simply require a USB-C to Lightning data/charging cable:
https://store.apple.com/uk/xc/product/MM0A3ZM/A
When using the wired connection, on your iPhone, ensure that you have enabled the Hotspot:
Settings > Mobile Data > Personal Hotspot > Allow Others to Join - set to ON
If using your Bluetooth hotspot connection, on your iPad you can set Auto-Join Hotspot:
Settings > WiFi > Auto-Join Hotspot - set to Automatic
LotusPilot thank you for your help. On rereading it, I think my initial question was too vague & misunderstood. I’m trying to use my iPhones mobile data, trying to use the iPhone the same way for the iPad like you can the iPhone to a computer (via usb as a modem). I have the lightning to USB C cable, but all it doesn’t do this. I’ll double check the settings in the X so it allows the iPad automatically connect. initially having the 8 Plus work so well has made the change to the X frustrating in this one regard. My phone is the only access I have to the internet
Thanks again for your help, you’ve given me something to try
You can use your iPhone as a data modem - this being the Hotspot feature of your phone. You can use either Bluetooth or a wired connection to link your iPad (or other computer) to your iPhone.
When using iPad, when correctly configured, Bluetooth may be more flexible - as you retain the ability to connect iPad, iPhone or both to a Power Adapter.
Thanks again LotusPilot, I’ve dug out my 8 Plus & I am using another sim in it. I’ve noticed on the iPad, the 8 plus appears under”PERSONAL HOTSPOTS” with 4G, the X under “MY NETWORKS” with the two linked circles symbol.
I haven’t been able to utilise the cable to enable the iPhone as the iPads wired modem.
Thanks LotusPilot. The iPhone has the lightning connector, the iPad has the USB C connector. But your suggestion I’m going to suss out. Funnily enough, I first had an iPhone 8 Plus before the X. The 8 would automatically turn on hotspot & connect, the X it is all manually done. I assumed it was something altered for the next generation phone, possibly due to popularity vs resource drain. But I will go over the settings to make sure it’s all the same (I “restored” the X from the 8 plus)
Tether iPad to iPhone. Wired
