Can't enable Hotspot since upgrading to 5.1.1

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Can't enable Hotspot since upgrading to 5.1.1

Hi I bought my iPhone 4S sim free and unlocked from Apple in January this year. I have previously used the personal hotspot on IOS 5.0, however I don't use it much as I have a 3G pocket hotspot. A month or so ago I upgraded to 5.1.1, today I had a need to enable my Hotspot and I find I cannot turn it on.

When I select "Set Up Personal Hotspot" I get a message saying ....

"To enable Personal Hotspot on this account visit http://www.vodafone.co.uk/help/iphone"

While the carrier is shown as Vodafone I am actually with BT Mobile who is an MVNO using Vodafone's network. So I can't sort it out with Vodafone because my account is not with them. The phone should not have any restrictions on it as I bought it outright, and this is something that has changed between IOS 5.0 and 5.1 because I have used this in the past.

Can someone tell me how to enable this feature, because while I don't use it very often I do use it.

Kind Regards

Plasma

iPhone 4S, iOS 5.1.1

Posted on Jun 29, 2012 3:37 PM

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Answer 1

Jun 29, 2012 4:34 PM in response to _Plasma_

That sounds frustrating!

I have a similar setup: I'm on an unlocked, Apple-purchased iPhone 4S on Virgin Mobile, a MVNO in Canada operating under Bell's network. I have a plan that allows me to use Personal Hotspot, and it works fine for me. When I put in my SIM card on my iPhone 4S, the carrier says "Bell" for a bit but then switches to "Virgin"...you mention that your phone just says "Vodafone".

Things to try:

Check that your plan includes tethering. Not all plans do, which could result in Personal Hotspot not working.

Check that your carrier is compatible with iPhone and supports Personal Hotspot. Not all carriers are compatible with both. See the list of Carriers here: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1937?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US

Try selecting different options under Settings>Carrier

If nothing works, try asking your carrier or calling AppleCare.

***For those that don't know, an MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) is a phone provider that sells phone service on another network that they don't actually own. They are either a subsidiary of the owner or have an agreement with the owner to use the network and sell service on it under a different brand name.

I hope this answers your question, or at least helps.

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Answer 2

Jan 1, 2013 5:24 AM in response to _Plasma_

Hi _Plasam_

I have exactly the same problem you are experincing. Did you manage to overcome it in anyway?

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