Parent controls for disabling kids hotspot

# Options to disallow my kids from using their personal hotspot on their iPhone.


# Parent controls are not able to turn off this feature in the settings app on the kids' phone


# I can pause their WiFi access at the router, but they work around this by using their hotspot, so parent controls are useless in this setting.


# Apple parent controls are otherwise pretty comprehensive, but this issue falls through the gaps.

Posted on Feb 20, 2026 2:00 PM

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Posted on Feb 20, 2026 2:09 PM

Since the Personal Hotspot option is a carrier feature, it is best to contact them to disable it on that specific line. How you do that depends on your cell provider, for example Verizon allows you to do that when signing into your account using their app where you can change settings for each line. For others, you may have to contact them directly.

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Feb 20, 2026 2:09 PM in response to mangoes_for_breakfast

Since the Personal Hotspot option is a carrier feature, it is best to contact them to disable it on that specific line. How you do that depends on your cell provider, for example Verizon allows you to do that when signing into your account using their app where you can change settings for each line. For others, you may have to contact them directly.

Feb 20, 2026 4:14 PM in response to NtHereLng

I’m honestly kinda shocked it’s not able to be controlled.


That's understandable, but as it has been mentioned previously, it is your carrier that provides and controls the options regarding Hotspot.


Apple is not involved with this, since your iPhone will only display the information that is provided by your carrier.


If you need more options for Hotspot, you would need to discuss that with your carrier.





Apr 9, 2026 8:11 AM in response to kococat

kococat wrote:

Since there’s a slider on the iPhone setting that disables hotspot, what we are asking for, is for that slider to be disabled. We don’t need the carrier to do anything. We need Apple to allow controlling that toggle switch using parental controls

If you are looking for a Feature Request to tell Apple what they need to do , then you only option is to send them Feedback.

Feedback - iPhone - Apple


If you want to solve the issue today, then contact your carrier where they can limit what devices are capable of using their Hotspot feature.


Both recommendations have already been provided, so proceed however you wish.

Feb 20, 2026 2:06 PM in response to mangoes_for_breakfast

mangoes_for_breakfast wrote:

# Options to disallow my kids from using their personal hotspot on their iPhone.

# Parent controls are not able to turn off this feature in the settings app on the kids' phone

# I can pause their WiFi access at the router, but they work around this by using their hotspot, so parent controls are useless in this setting.

# Apple parent controls are otherwise pretty comprehensive, but this issue falls through the gaps.

Personal hotspot is your phone carrier feature, see if there is an option for you to disable it from them.

Feb 24, 2026 8:02 AM in response to mangoes_for_breakfast

Carrier says that they can not disable the hotspot


What the carrier is really saying is they do not provide the features and options that you need with their service.


and told me to go back to Apple screen time settings


To do what? "They" are just trying to get you off the phone. The features and options that you need are either offered by your carrier or they aren't. Apple has no control over the Hotspot service that your carrier is providing.


Time to start looking for another carrier that can provide you with the service options that you want.





Feb 24, 2026 9:19 AM in response to NtHereLng

NtHereLng wrote:
The argument that the carrier allows my phone to be a hotspot is not a good argument! For now my only way around this it that my child has to leave his school Chromebook at school so he doesn't go online with it, without our permission. I have him blocked out from my phone, my iPad, and our home wifi. No reason he should be able to use his own phone to get other devices online!

This is a Support Site, not a rant site for what you think you should be able to do or not do on an iPhone. If you want to send a Feature Request to Apple, you can do that here:

Product Feedback


The question offered is a legitimate one and the current solution depends on the carrier. Here are 2 examples:

Feb 24, 2026 10:00 AM in response to NtHereLng

No one is going to buy your argument that this is an Apple issue when it is your carrier that does not provide the options that you are looking for.


Have you asked your current carrier why they don't offer the services and options that you need?


When your carrier does offer the options that you want, they will appear on your iPhone.


You have already been notified that Verizon will do what you want.


Time for you to find a carrier that will offer the service and options that you need. End of story.




Feb 24, 2026 4:51 AM in response to NtHereLng

Carrier says that they can not disable the hotspot and told me to go back to Apple screen time settings.

I found this discussion on another post:

https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/9n1jvy6j

Not sure I understand the solution discussed. Surely this should be simpler. Physically removing the phone is an option, but not always possible.


Feb 24, 2026 8:20 AM in response to Mac Jim ID

There are a lot of things that the carrier allows that I control from my phone. The carrier allows downloads and gives me data to do so. I can turn off that option on my child's phone. The carrier gives me so many texts a month to use, I can turn that off. I can turn EVERYTHING off on his phone, except the hotspot? I can turn cellular data off, and I think even phone calls!


The argument that the carrier allows my phone to be a hotspot is not a good argument! For now my only way around this it that my child has to leave his school Chromebook at school so he doesn't go online with it, without our permission. I have him blocked out from my phone, my iPad, and our home wifi. No reason he should be able to use his own phone to get other devices online!

Parent controls for disabling kids hotspot

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