Older iPad on 9.3.5 won't connect to hotspot from my 12ProMax

Realised there was an update to 15.1.3 (?) for the phone and it’s fine after that.

Same thing here, using hotspot from Iphone 11 and older Ipad running ios 9.3.5, when the iphone was updated to new software version 15.2, the hotspot immediately stopped connecting on my ipad and gives the same message "unable to join ... dismiss" button. I can access another iphone hotspot that has not been updated to new software version. Seems like an apple software version update issue? thanks

Try this solution. Was having the exact same issue but instead of tethering through Wi-Fi I tried connecting them via Bluetooth and it is working. Hope this helps.

Just had eureka moment. With old iPad not connected to anything, out of frustration I went to software update screen knowing that no update would be available (beside point) … after hitting check for update a small “join network” box popped up (smaller than ever seen before) and surprising I could see my iPhone hotspot twice (??) tried first and got unable to connect error, tried second one and it connected!!

Hello vwinseattle,

​Thank you for using the Apple Support Communities. We understand your iPad connects to most Wi-Fi networks, but you're not able to connect it to a Personal Hotspot from your iPhone 12. Is that right?

This link provides the best troubleshooting steps, and a few different ways you can try connecting it: If Personal Hotspot is not working on your iPhone or iPad (Wi-Fi + Cellular). If you've covered all of the steps there and the issue persists, we recommend that you get in touch directly with Apple: Get Support

Take care.

I’m curious to know if you’ve gotten any resolution. I have the exact same issue with an older iPad on 9.3.5 trying to connect to an iPhone 11 Pro Max. I’ve tried all the same steps as you have with no success. It’s so frustrating.

Mother in law has the same issue. She got a new iPhone and now she can’t get her iPad to connect to the hotspot. iPad connects to iPhone7 running 15.1 but not the 13 running 15.1.1. Her phone is her only source of internet so this is quite inconvenient.

infuriating. wont connect from my xr to my ipad 2 16gb 3g ver. 9.3.5. works just fine using my gfs oneplus android as hotspot provider but this i just cant get working. software issues really cant be fixed as apple stopped updates on these older devices and so on, current version 9.3.5 i believe is the latest and last available. help pls.

Me too my old ipad 2 won’t connect to hotspots on iphone 11 and 8. It used to work fine. It was great for road trips with the littles. Bothe phones have the latest update.

I have an old iPad mini also MD531LL/A and is on 9.3.5 and has suddenly stopped connecting to my wifi and any wifi router but connects to my iPhone via Bluetooth. Not sure how to proceed here - even after resetting the network settings and restarting doesn’t seem to fix the issue. Can someone plz help?

Oh my god, I’m having the same issue!

Same problem. An old iPad with iOS 9.3.5 can't connect to an iPhone SE2 with iOS 15.3.1.