Q: Cannot turn off personal hotspot

As of iOS 8.1.3 on iPhone 5c, 5s and 6, when the 5c had a hotspot setup, but off, and having previously been used successfully, other devices COULD continue to see the hotspot's SSID broadcasting, and for those who had already connected, could reconnect without any prompt to the Host except the blue bar would appear - surprise!  Others COULD see the SSID but we're not able to connect without the password.

I see this as a significant flaw! If it's turend OFF on the host, nobody should be able to see or access it.  Or at least give me the flexibility of hiding the SSID and allowing a connection with a warning message to only those pre-approved.

The only way I was able to prevent it once the initial connection was setup and permitted, was for the host to reset their Network settings, and as noted above, which means try lost all saved WIFI passwords.

If this is indeed a "feature" it's poorly thought out and poorly executed.

I have this same issue after updating to iOS 8.1.3 on my iPhone 6.  The personal hotspot is turned off on my phone but the SSID is broadcast to anybody near by.  What is very disturbing is that anybody can connect and start using my data with out my consent.  I tested this with a couple of friends one with an iPad, two with iPhones and one with an Android device.  All of the devices forced the connection and was able to use my data without ever being asked for the personal hotspot password.

I went to my local Apple store here in Boston and I got the same response I get every time I go in there.  I am told that "restoring my phone" and setting it up as new will fix it.  Well sure enough two and a half hours later after I finally have my phone all setup again the same problem persists.  The genius bar never seems to help!!

I am one of the 3.5 Billion people on Earth that live in a city.  Walking around with a personal hotspot that is unprotected is a huge issue.  I don't want people using my cellular data and wasting my money.  Apple you need to fix this now!!!!!!!!

I'm having the same problem, sort of. I have a MacBook Pro, iPad and iPhone 5s—all of them up to the latest operating systems. My MacBook Pro consistently reports that my iPhone hotspot is on—when it's not. The iPad doesn't see it. (Odd.) The problem: For the past month or so my iPhone battery has been draining excessively fast. It will eat through the battery in less than a day, even when I don't use the phone. And the phone (at odd times) is excessively warm, though not hot enough to trigger the built-in "too hot/shut down" routine.

Something is draining my iPhone battery. I think it's that the hotspot is always on (even though Settings says it isn't).

I took the phone to the Geniuses three times. On the third visit, three days before my warranty expired, they replaced my phone. Guess what? The hotspot still shows up on my MacBook Pro, the phone still runs hot, and the battery still drains too fast.

Ideas?

Unless you are connected to and using the iPhone hotspot it is not going to make your iPhone hot nor drain your battery.

I'm having the exact same problem too. There was even a password there on the phone that I did not enter. I killed the logo thru keychain access. Will see what that did.

Only if there is a blue band across the top of your iPhone will it actually be making a hotspot connection to the Internet. if that connection is made the device connected to the hotspot will drain battery and use data allowance. Constant attempts to connect might cause the heat problems so suggest you try resetting the network settings on any device that is trying to use the hotspot on your iPhone.

Apple gnus bar say this 'instant hotspot' is a feature whilst it is really a 'security flaw'!

How is is a "security flaw" if you have one device with your iCloud account on it and it connects with another device you have that you have entered the same iCloud account into that one?

If ANY device can access data via a hotspot on your device without your permission it has to be a security flaw. The same would apply if anybody could access your bank account without your permission - seemple!

You have given your permission, you have signed into the same iCloud account on your other device using YOUR password. This is not a security flaw by any stretch of the imagination. It would be a security flaw if anyone could access your bank account without using your PIN or password. Simple.

NO - the point is that connections are being made without password/permission. PopQuiz states "simply connects without password or anything". Spotted dog "logs right in without asking for the new password". Robert Hodges1 "There was even a password that I did not use". Whuggie "All of the devices forced a connection without ever being asked for the Personal hotspot password".

I believe this to be a security floor because devices CAN connect without a password (even when instant hotspot is turned off) and I experienced data being downloaded on my account which led to excess data charges!. Fortunately the gnus bar agreed and my network provider credited me. Using my hotspot to download without permission is, I believe, theft. As such this is therefor a security flaw. Why does 'off' on Instant Hotspot not mean OFF?

I think this answers the question.  I hate it when apple changes stuff and then doesn't tell you anything about it anywhere.

Years ago I used to search for Easter Eggs in Mac OS.  There were some great ones.  Now the Easter Eggs are just stuff you step on and get all over you.

NO, they aren't being made without a password. If I go into a room near your iPhone with my iPad it will not activate your hotspot and I cannot connect. If you give me your Apple ID and password so I can sign into your iCloud account then it would activate your iPhone hotspot and let me connect.

Dreggie - YES, they are being made without a password. If you go into a room near my iPhone with your iPad it should not activate my hotspot and you should not connect. If I give you my Apple ID and password so you can sign into my iCloud account then of course it would activate my iPhone hotspot and let you connect.

Unfortunately, sometimes connection is being made to the hotspot WITHOUT Apple ID and Password or the Hotspot Password. Once that connection is made there appears to be no way to turn it OFF. Apple gnus bar have seen it happen and confirmed the issue. I have no doubt the same is happenning to some on this site - All that is needed is a facility to disable Instant Hotspot - the customer deserves that choice. End of matter - BYE

Agreed. My wife's iphone 6 is advertising a hotspot. We have never turned on the hotspot capability. Additionally there is a password associated with account that was generated by the IOS8x. It is a different password than our ICloud password. I have 9 devices in my house that can see her phone broadcast its hot spot SSID even though her phone shows it being switched off. All of those devices can activate and connect to her phones hot spot WITHOUT ENTERING A PASSWORD.

if you thinks not a security issue, then turn off the security on your house wifi and tell me your home address. We will see how you feel when people drive up outside your house and start using your wifi router.

Bmusgrove wrote:

 

Agreed. My wife's iphone 6 is advertising a hotspot. We have never turned on the hotspot capability. Additionally there is a password associated with account that was generated by the IOS8x. It is a different password than our ICloud password. I have 9 devices in my house that can see her phone broadcast its hot spot SSID even though her phone shows it being switched off. All of those devices can activate and connect to her phones hot spot WITHOUT ENTERING A PASSWORD.

I'd bet that all nine of those devices are connected to the same Apple ID. Therefore, you've already given them access. If I were in range of your wife's phone. I would not have access UNLESS you gave me her Apple ID and password, I signed out of my Apple ID on my phoen and signed back in under hers.