internet sharing driving me nuts!

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Level 1

80 points

internet sharing driving me nuts!

Given: Macbook pro 13" M1 - used as wi-fi hotspot sharing wired ethernet connection via wi-fi. It works, kind of, until it does not! My Intel Macbook Pro connects and reconnects fine. But with other devices it is a very different story: we have windows laptop, 2 iphones and 2 ipads - ALL of them connect and work for a while, but then they throw up "unable to join the network", "this network is temporarily unavailable", all random, unpredictably. E.g. my iphone would connect and keep connected, then I try ipad - no luck. The only workaround is to stop internet sharing from settings, change the wi-fi channel (why on earth there is no way to leave the channel at auto is beyond me), and start sharing again - then the problematic device connects just fine, and all is fine - until the next device just drops off and is unable to reconnect.

I enabled wi-fi logging (by option-clicking the wi-fi icon in the status bar and choosing "enable wi-fi logging") but I cannot find any wi-fi logs on my machine. The console messages give no clue. I tried choosing wpa2-3, and wpa3 only security, tried changing wi-fi channels ( both in 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz band) to no avail.

Can anyone point out to me

1/ where the **** is those wi-fi logs are stored (from wi-fi logging option I mentioned)

2/ is there a way to disable security whatsoever and make the network open and free, or to use old WEP security?

3/ any other tips and hints to make the **** thing work more reliably (at the moment I have to restart sharing several times a day)

Posted on Apr 28, 2022 11:44 AM

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Answer 1

Alex Shum Author

Level 1

80 points

Apr 30, 2022 7:48 AM in response to ku4hx

I am using Mac internet sharing precisely for the purpose it was intended - to share wired ethernet connection over wi-fi (so the mac functions precisely as router).

I clearly stated that the network I have is wired ethernet cable. If you are curious for exact situation, here you go: I am traveling and my airbnb host has the crappiest router installed - the size of a matchbox and outputting barely 2 mbit wifi while taking in 20mbit ethernet. So I had a brilliant idea of using my m1 macbook pro as a router and it works fine until it doesn’t. I google searched and found no solution (google ***** these days btw, it does not even bring up this discussion topic even if I type in the title word for word!)

I guess noone here knows or cares about how to edit more advanced options for mac internet sharing (mac os monterey) or how to see wi-fi logging logs.

Sad days, all the nerds are gone leaving clueless consumers helpless. I’ve now came up with a faster workaround - just unplug the ethernet to usb-c dongle and plug it in back in a few seconds. That resets the service and problematic devices connect immediately

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Answer 2

Apr 30, 2022 8:03 AM in response to Alex Shum

I believe part of the issue is that internet sharing does not get much use, and has not in years - nowadays, there is wifi just about everywhere. Most users are not even aware that this feature exists.

I did use it at times, to share access from my mac to my iPhone, and it was always somewhat flakey.

And you are pushing it hard, trying to share to multiple devices at once.

I can only suggest that you try it with less devices at each time. Does that work more stably?

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Answer 3

ku4hx

Level 7

23,688 points

Apr 28, 2022 12:06 PM in response to Alex Shum

I'll admit, your post confused me as to exactly what kind of network you have. It seems you have internet service and have Ethernet but still use a Hotspot.

Why are you sharing? Any particular reason? The usual and customary solution to attaching multiple devices to a single local network is with a wireless router. I suggest you get one and stop using a Hotspot. Ours is a Linksys EA7300 and we've had great service with it.

We have five Macs, two iPhones, three iPads, a watch and one wireless printer; all work as expected with reference to internet connectivity. When family visits at say Thanksgiving we have as many as 4-6 more attached and we have zero problems. But then we also have a 600 Mbps line.

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internet sharing driving me nuts!

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