MacBook Pro auto-connect to iPhone Hotspot fails

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Level 1

8 points

MacBook Pro auto-connect to iPhone Hotspot fails

I have a MacBook Pro running Tahoe 26.5.2. I also have an iPhone 12 running 26.5.2.

When I want to run McBP through hotspot I always need to open Settings->Personal Hotspot and switch Allow Others to Join off and on. Only now I spot my iPhone under Wifi, click and off we go, however when I let either of the sleep for a moment the whole process needs to be done again. I have no idea why the original almost automatic join does not happen anymore.

I know both units need to be on the same apple account. They are.

A related (maybe) issue is that when I have an incoming phone call it rings on iPhone as well as McBP. When I want to answer the call from my McBP it fails and a message pops up that both units need to be on the same network. They are!

Any ideas?

MacBook Pro 13″

Posted on Aug 6, 2026 12:51 PM

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Answer 1

leroydouglas

Level 10

205,788 points

Aug 6, 2026 1:08 PM in response to FrankM217

FrankM217 wrote:

I have a MacBook Pro running Tahoe 26.5.2. I also have an iPhone 12 running 26.5.2.

When I want to run McBP through hotspot I always need to open Settings->Personal Hotspot and switch Allow Others to Join off and on. Only now I spot my iPhone under Wifi, click and off we go, however when I let either of the sleep for a moment the whole process needs to be done again.

I have no idea why the original almost automatic join does not happen anymore.

I know both units need to be on the same apple account. They are.

Any ideas?

verify your software is up to date—

The current stable release of Tahoe including bug fixes, security updates is macOS 26.6

Keep your Mac up to date - Apple Support

The current stable release of iOS including bug fixes, security updates is iOS 26.6

Update your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

I am on HotSpot 100% of the time for Internet the last 7 years...

What I can say this is finicky at best— sometimes it works sometimes it does not. Seems every point-update can mess with it.

You can shut down all devices and restart the iPhone, then restart the Mac and compare your results.

You may have to patiently wait 10-15 secs or so for it to kick in; even if the hotspot is showing in the Wi-Fi drop down.

If it is not showing in the Wi-Fi drop down, toggle the setting on your iPhone

Settings>Personal HotSpot>Allow others to Join Off and back on again....

submit your feedback here: Feedback - macOS - Apple

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