Tethering an iPad to an iPhone

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Level 6

18,582 points

Tethering an iPad to an iPhone

Finally persuaded the boss and was provided with a iPad. Also managed to persuade that it be the Wi-Fi+Cell model cause of the GPS capabilities. No restrictions on usage in and off the clock but boss did draw a line in paying for a SIM and data service. "Official use will be at the office, we've got excellent Wi-Fi coverage and a 1Gbps pipe to the 'Net". And that was that.

But I do have an personal iPhone 5 with a data plan that has a 3GB monthly cap I very seldom reach.

So, what are my options for tethering the iPad so it lives off the iPhone's 4G/LTE link when out of Wi-Fi range?

iPad, iOS 6.1.3, Retina, White, 64GB

Posted on Aug 4, 2013 10:33 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Alfred DeRose

Level 5

7,246 points

Aug 4, 2013 11:06 PM in response to Courcoul

If your operator supports it, you will find Peronal Hot Spot in your settings. Sometimes this is an additional paid service, so you will need to ask you operator if you don't see it.

More information is available here: http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4517

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Answer 2

Courcoul Author

Level 6

18,582 points

Aug 4, 2013 11:37 PM in response to Alfred DeRose

Yes, the phone has the option and I have used it to great benefit on the Mac. That's how I manage to exhaust the 3GB cap 😀 However I've always done that via the USB alternative, ostensibly the fastest way to get the two devices to talk to each other, not an iPad to iPhone option.

Tried using Bluetooth, the iPhone never sees the iPad and vice-versa. Hence, no pairing can be accomplished.

Wi-Fi hotspot should be the golden bullet for my needs. However, it has been awhile since I've managed to see the SSID announced by the phone on any other device, even using stumblers to look for it. Matter of fact, I could swear that it ceased appearing after the iOS 6.1.4 update. Since I used the USB cord in the past, didn't worry much about it till now.

Any suggestions on coercing the phone's Wi-Fi hotspot to work?

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Answer 3

Ocean20

Level 6

13,733 points

Aug 4, 2013 11:39 PM in response to Courcoul

I often tether my ipad to my phone using bluetooth. I turn on hotpsot on the phone and it prompts me to turn on bluetooth on the phone. Then I turn on bluetooth on my ipad and the two pair and I then surf the net on on ipad using the 4 Gb plan on the phone

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Answer 4

Courcoul Author

Level 6

18,582 points

Aug 4, 2013 11:49 PM in response to Ocean20

Now I'm piqued. Will Get Pair Of iGadgets To Talk To Each Other. Period. Non-negotiable.

Guess I'll tackle the Bluetooth angle first. Any particular sequence you recommend? I always have Bluetooth up on the phone so it will link up automatically to the car's integrated handsfree. Should I cycle it while the iGadgets finally see each other?

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Answer 5

Courcoul Author

Level 6

18,582 points

Aug 5, 2013 1:54 AM in response to Courcoul

OK! After a LOOONG wait, the iPhone's hotspot finally showed up in the iPad's Wi-Fi list and linked up. Tested 4G/LTE speed, outdid the home ADSL link 😮 Now let's hope this is reliable and consistent when needed.

As for Bluetooth, no dice. The two gadgets refuse to talk to one another that way.

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Answer 6

Ocean20

Level 6

13,733 points

Aug 5, 2013 2:10 AM in response to Courcoul

Not sure what you are trying to say. I just told you I can tether my iphone with my ipad so that the ipad can use my ip5 to access the internet. This says it can be tehtered using bluetooth http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3574

Are you saying that I am wrong?

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Answer 7

Ocean20

Level 6

13,733 points

Aug 5, 2013 2:12 AM in response to Courcoul

Read http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4517

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Answer 8

Aug 5, 2013 5:26 AM in response to Ocean20

Yes, Bluetooth is possible, but I think WiFI is the faster and more flexible option.

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Answer 9

Aug 5, 2013 5:27 AM in response to Courcoul

You might get better performance by clearing out the gunk and restarting both devices.

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Answer 10

Courcoul Author

Level 6

18,582 points

Aug 5, 2013 7:24 AM in response to Ocean20

Ocean20 wrote:

...

Are you saying that I am wrong?

Au contraire, mate. I applaud your success and was saying that my recalcitrant pair of iGadgets were doing their best to misbehave and p!ss me off. However, the pair finally came to its senses and decided to cooperate at the last moment, enabling Wi-Fi tethering. Indeed a better option given the bandwidth. A greenie for your persistance and so you may sooner join us in the Lounge.

Bluetooth tethering, a desirable backup alternative for when in places where broadcasting widely in 802.11 frequencies is disallowed, remains elusive. The two devices refuse to "see" each other, and will have to continue working on the issue.

As for "gunk", in a barely 96-hour-old iPad?

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Answer 11

Krayle

Level 1

0 points

Dec 3, 2013 1:03 PM in response to Courcoul

Indeed, both WiFi and Bluetooth work for tethering an iPad to an iPhone (at least ip4 and newer). I do this every day.

Personally, I prefer the bluetooth option because of how I have seen the WiFi in action; namely that it seems to time-out and drop the connection after a bit of inactivity, and then you have to go through the rigamarole of reconnecting it (flicking Personal Hotspot off and then on again, and then sometimes manually tapping on the WiFi listing on the iPad - annoying.) With the bluetooth option, once paired and connected, it remains connected until actively disconnect by either the user or by distance (leaving the iPad on the table and then going to the store with the iPhone)

What I would like to know is how, if possible, I can have my iPad automatically reconnect with the iPhone once it is back in range. Bluetooth in general has the capacity for this, as well as WiFi. Perhaps my answer lies in somehow disabling the WiFi timeout on the iPhone..... Any ideas?

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