can i use my iPhone 16 internet on my imac A1418 (EMC 2638) without hotspot?
using USB tethering.
I tried but it failed.
if not, on this late 2013 model (Catalina), what is oldest model Mac that can use bluetooth or USB connection to share internet from iPhone 16 pro (no hotspot).
I'm pretty sure that hotspot availability is a requirement to share the connection with your iPhone.
Your iPhone hotspot will only work if the feature is part of your cellular subscription plan.
The outdated Safari browser on your 2013 iMac w Catalina may not be capable of accessing certain newer secure websites regardless of the connection. You may need to use the ESR version of FireFox.
This is Apple's guidance for making the connection to your iPhone with USB.
Use an iPhone or iPad to connect to the internet - Apple Support
To use cellular to the internet, you either need Hotspot included with your carrier plan, or need a MiFi or equivalent cellular Wi-Fi router device from your carrier.
By definition, if your iPhone 16 is sharing its Internet connection, it must be acting as a hotspot. Even if that sharing is over a wire rather than over Wi-Fi. I don't know if you can tell an iPhone "don't offer any hotspot connection over Wi-Fi"; the closest you might be able to come is setting a password that nobody else could easily guess, then using USB or Bluetooth for your own connection.
Also, if I'm not mistaken, it is your carrier (phone company) who controls whether the hotspot feature is available.
Can I use Iphone 16 pro internet on Imac A1418 with no hotspot.
