I am using iOS 6 on both a new iPad and an iPhone 4S. When I am connected to my iphone using the personal hotspot and WiFi, I can send and receive imessges via the iPad. I cannot do this when using bluetooth to connect to the personal hotspot. All other internet connectivity in apps seems to work properly. Any ideas or a link to where this has already been answered?
iPad, iOS 6
Bluetooth on ios devices doesnt work like that. It can be used to pair devices like keyboards etc. It cannot be used to transfer files, connect through internet etc....
I could be off on one of those since I PERSONALLY havent tried. I have just read a few bluetooth threads on here before. Saying that its just for pairing etc..
Thanks for your reply. I am not trying to transfer a file and bluetooth can definitely be used to connect to the iphone and "connect through internet" This is personal hotspot using bluetooth from my iPhone to my iPad. I can connect to the same phone using personal hotspot via wifi and imessage works. If i connect to personal hotspot using bluetooth, iMessage doesn't work. All other apps including Safari, Mail, and Twitter still have a data connection.
As to why I would rather use bluetooth, it is because when I put the iPad to sleep, the WiFi hotspot will disconnect after a few minutes while the bluetooth connection will stay connected.
I have the same problem, although I'm using an iPhone 5.
It was working with my iPhone 4 previously under iOS 5, although I can't be sure when it stopped working. I suspect it was when I upgraded the iPhone 4 to iOS 6. Subsequently with the iPhone 5 it doesn't work. I can test with the iPhone 4 again in a few days and advise.
One possible point of difference with your experience - I also don't get Twitter notifications when connected with Bluetooth, but I definitely do get them when connected with WiFi.
Come to think of it, I might not be getting the actual Twitter notifications. Twitter app works though. I'll check that the next time I connect via Bluetooth. Overall though I think we are seeing the same issue. How do I submit a bug report?
"Official" bug reports can only be filed by developers. Individuals do it via http://www.apple.com/feedback/ where there is a bug report option. I'm going to file two, under both iPad and iPhone as I don't know where the source of the bug is. If we both file, maybe there is more chance it will be noticed?
I have the same problem. This has happened since upgrading to iOS6. Never had a problem before connecting to iPhone 4 via bluetooth.. the advantage of using bluetooth for hotspot connection is that it doesn't time - out. Not sure if this is an intended feature of iOS6 to disable this or not...
Thats not correct...
iMessage also broken for me.
I like bluetooth hotspot because the connection is more persistent. Doesn't sleep when idle on iPhone like wifi does.
Sorry for posting on this very old thread, but just to confirm It's not bluetooth it's wifi. As others have said bluetooth in iOS is for connecting to headsets/keyboards etc. it's not for internet connectivity.
Well you are completely incorrect with that statement. iOS absolutely does allow Internet connectivity thru Bluetooth...as well as wifi. Look in the settings app under personal hotspot. Regardless, iOS 7 fixed this issue.
Yes iOS 7 fixed this for me too. As @WetVelvet and @Menel said, bluetooth is more persistent and it is definitely an advantage to be able to connect for browsing, email and now iMessage over bluetooth than WiFi.
Just to reiterate, @Laxman25 and @bayamoiphonefreak are both WRONG, Bluetooth is great for internet connectivity. I use it to connect my iPad to my iPhone, my Mac to my iPhone - its a perfect solution, quick and reliable (except of course when internet coverage is spotty, then it will drop, which is not surprising).
Ok, ok, you are correct that you can connect macs and PCs via Bluetooth. This allows you to share your wifi or 3G connection with the computer, but this is not using your personal hotspot (a local wifi network) that shares your 3G data plan with a second device. It just happens that the instructions on how to connect via 3 methods are all listed under the personal hotspot setting tab:
*Personal hotspot (shares your 3G data plan by creating a personal wifi hotspot)
*bluetooth (pair your computer via Bluetooth to the ipad/iPhone to share your wifi connection or 3G data plan)
*usb (turns your phone into either a 3G dongle or wifi adapter)
Looks like the original issue is resolved anyway :)
Whether that is a terminology thing or not I don't know, but given the Personal Hotspot setting has to be on for bluetooth internet connectivity to work (or USB for that matter), I would say it still qualifies as "using your personal hotspot".
As you say, at least it works now 🙂
I stand corrected, thanks for forcing me to try it ;)
So it seems you can't turn your iphone into a wifi adapter you can only share 3G via Bluetooth, wifi and USB :(
Sorry for the confusion
why can't I use imessage when connected to personal hotspot via bluetooth
