can't update iPad using my iPhone's hotspot with unlimited data plan

weird_panda

I have today updated my IPAD by plugging it into my MacBook which was connected to the hotspot. When I used the 'Finder' app and located the Ipad there it automaticaly started downloading the software for the iPad and sent the update to it. Very frustrating not to be able to do it directly as I can with the macbook and the iphone. But at least I've not had to use unsecured public wifi.

It does not matter.

It is just a WiFi hotspot still using a cellular phone connection for data.

Apple does not allow this and never has.

Apple has never allowed their mobile device OS upgrades/updates over a cellular network service.

Sorry.

You will need to seek out places that use a dedicated ISP service through the use of a dedicated WiFi MODEM/router box to to your Apple device upgrades/updates.

This is the way it is.

Sorry & Good Luck to You!

weird_panda wrote:

What I have:

iPhone• supporting 5G

• unlimited 5G data plan

• 4 bar 5G connection inside my apartment

iPad• (WiFi)

• MacBook

What I DON'T have:•

normal internet subscription (I use my 5G data instead)

• WiFi (I use my iPhone as hotspot)

What I can update:

iPhone• using the 5G

MacBook• (using my iPhone's hotspot)

What I CAN'T update:

iPad• (using my iPhone's hotspot):

Unable to Download at This Time

This update requires a Wi-Fi network connection to download.

Question:

I don't have access to any WiFi. How can I update my iPad?

Since wifi is a requirement to update over the air and you don't have wifi, then you find a location with wifi that you can connect to so you can do the update.

Can't update using hotspot, nor cellular data on your ipad.

This is new to me and found your post after having the same issue myself.

You might be lucky trying a non-apple phone hotspot using your SIM or relative’s phone and you can also order a 4G/5G WiFi router which can use your SIM and provide “normal Wi-Fi”.

Another option is to have a family member or friend take you iPad to someplace that has free Wifi service, througn the use of an ISP service, through the use of dedicated Wifi MODEM/router box, to do your iPad upgrade/update.

Places like coffee shops, fast food restaurants, donut shops, some book stores and even local book libraries.

These are the only options open to you.

Sorry & Good Luck to You!

There is no way to do this without a dedicated WiFi connection to an Internet Service Provider.

Apple software upgrades/updates are not allowed over a cellular phone/data network.

If you know anyone that can help you that has access to a Wifi network or can get your iPad to a place that has access to free WiFi connected Internet service, to help upgrade/update your iPad or someone who can take your iPad to a nearest Apple Store location to do the OS upgrade/update, these are your only options.

Sorry & Best of Luck to You!

4G/5G Wi-Fi routers using a mobile data plan exists and are becoming more common to use as the sole internet connection in private homes.

This update limitation seems arbitrary since using such a device would mask the backing connection protocol to any iPad on such Wi-Fi.

If it’s not the mobile network causing this limitation are we to conclude that the personal hotspot from an iPhone is of lesser quality than those often poorly equipped and buggy mobile Wi-Fi routers?

Also this appears to be a new limitation so maybe a reevaluation would be in order.

« Maybe this has changed with the newest iPhone models? »

It has. My old iPhone 8 required a Wi-Fi connection for updates, but my iPhone 13 allows updates over the cellular network.

My 9th Gen iPad requires a Wi-Fi connection. It can however, be updated when connected to my wife’s Samsung Galaxy phone’s data sharing, but cannot be updated using my iPhone 13’s hotspot.

Apparently, Apple have more faith in Samsung’s data sharing than their own hotspot. Go figure.

I am complete amazed how this question comes up again and again, year after year! Updates using your phones hotspot whether it is an iPhone or Android hotspot work! I am just right now updating iPad to 16.7.5 using Android Galaxy S22 Ultra hotspot which is using it's own cellular data to create the hotspot. So I don't understand why even Apple support doesn't know this. It completely amazes me. This is the year 2024!!!! We should know cellular data speed is good enough and it does work. I am using it right now as I type this.

No - it did it on its own wothout having to download any apps orother software just by looking at the finder. It had the same sort of feel as itunes but was not itunes.

Sorry for my ignorance.

I'm happy to have learned something new, but I cannot figure out how to edit my reply containing the invalid suggestion. There should be an edit button but I don't see one.

EDIT: But this reply has an edit button. It's the same account..

You would need to contact Apple support, found in the upper right hand corner of the main Apple Website menu bar, and ask them.

As far as I am aware iPhone iOS updgrades/updates cannot be done over a cellular data connection, either.

Maybe this has changed with the newest iPhone models?

I have never, ever purchased brand new released models of iPhone.

My family does not own very new iPhone models, (an iPhone 8, SE 2 and 11 ) and these iPhones can, still, ONLY have their iOS software upgraded/updated using a dedicated ISP using a traditional Wifi MODEM/router box.

When posting to the Apple Support Community, edits are only possible for ten minutes after submission.