MacBook can't connect to iPhone's hotspot after country change

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Level 1

5 points

MacBook can't connect to iPhone's hotspot after country change

I live in the Netherlands and frequently change countries (BE, DE etc.). Whenever I go to another country, I cannot connect my MacBook (Pro M2) to my iPhone's hotspot (SE 2022). I only found 2 workarounds:

Resetting network settings. Too costly for a simple location change, forgets everything, cannot do it all the time.
Forgetting the current network on Mac. Changing the device name in iPhone. Restarting both devices. Again too costly for a simple location change.

Tethering with cable, changing zones etc. did not work.

I do not want to struggle each time I travel to somewhere else. Remote work has become a drudgery.

Posted on May 13, 2025 9:07 AM

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Answer 1

leroydouglas

Level 10

203,250 points

May 13, 2025 4:57 PM in response to yazituna

yazituna wrote:

1. I live in the Netherlands and frequently change countries (BE, DE etc.). Whenever I go to another country, I cannot connect my MacBook (Pro M2) to my iPhone's hotspot (SE 2022). I only found 2 workarounds:

Resetting network settings. Too costly for a simple location change, forgets everything, cannot do it all the time.

2. Forgetting the current network on Mac. Changing the device name in iPhone. Restarting both devices. Again too costly for a simple location change.

Tethering with cable, changing zones etc. did not work.

I do not want to struggle each time I travel to somewhere else. Remote work has become a drudgery.

what about simply toggling the option to "allow others to join"... off and back on

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Answer 2

yazituna Author

Level 1

5 points

May 14, 2025 1:43 AM in response to leroydouglas

Unfortunately, it doesn't work. I tried many things until I had to change the device name, forget the network and restart the devices.

Simple tricks like toggling off "Allow Others to Join" and back on, switching the Wifi off and on, switching the Cellular off and on, allowing Maximize Compatibility, tethering with cable etc. don't work. Just forgetting the network on Mac and trying to reconnect doesn't work either, I have to change the name of the iPhone and restart.

That's why I am frustrated. After each 1-hour train ride, I have to go through this. Yesterday I tried this on the BE-NL border. Immediately after crossing to the Dutch side it started working again.

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MacBook can't connect to iPhone's hotspot after country change

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