How do I prevent Personal Hotspot from automatically activating whenever a device decides to connect to my phone.

Yes, if you have two devices signed into the same iTunes account, the hotspot is an available wifi choice even when it is off. If the other device chooses it, it's turned on and left on until someone notices.

2 1/2 years ago, when the question was first raised, the original posted decided it was helpful. there has been a lot of discussion since then in this thread. Perhaps you should read it, rather than just posting a negative comment in the dark.

No, it is a SERIOUS security problem because it leaves the hotspot open when the phone goes away. AND this is not a configurable feature. "Take command of another device" is always dubious, but it at least needs to be an opt-in vulnerability.

No, it is a SERIOUS security problem because it leaves the hotspot open when the phone goes away.

How is it a security problem when you own and control both devices?

RAND this is not a configurable feature.

but it at least needs to be an opt-in vulnerability.

Yeah it is. Don't sign in to iCloud on 2 devices within Bluetooth distance of each other if you do not wish to share your hot spot.

Totally controllable. Totally opt-in.

No, it is not a SERIOUS problem. There are over 50 posts in this thread, and the question has been addressed from several points of view, including yours. Rather than rehash them, please read the rest of the thread. If you have anything new to contribute feel free to do so we can discuss your new views.

NikD wrote:

Yes, that was my point. When I turn off personal hotspot on my phone I don't want the other devices, which are sharing my apple id, to be able to turn it back on.

That is your issue in a nutshell. Apple IDs are personal. They are not meant to be shared by different people. If you share your Apple ID all sorts of bad things can happen. This is one of the least of them. Get your kids their own Apple IDs, and link then to yours using Family Sharing. See: Family Sharing - Apple Support

Yes it still happens! I only just discovered this yesterday and have been trying to find a solution ever since. I thought changing the hotspot password would work and I was amazed that it didn't! Turning off Bluetooth does work but is not ideal. Having different Apple IDs on my personal iPhone & iPad is something I haven't explored but to me that defeats the whole purpose of having an Apple ID. Ultimately OFF means OFF not "maybe off".

Having different Apple IDs on my personal iPhone & iPad is something I haven't explored

If the iPad and iPhone both belong to you, why is it an issue?

Ultimately OFF means OFF not "maybe off".

Not for iCloud Continuity features. This is fully documented. This is not a secret or a conspiracy. This is expected behaviour. It is working as designed.

Use Continuity to connect your Mac, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Apple Watch - Apple Support

My kids now have their own 'child' apple ids so it may not be an issue for me anymore.

Correct.

This does not happen for you any longer. Not sharing Apple IDs, as advocated by Apple, resolved your issue.

It's an issue because yesterday, when I left the house (and the home WiFi) with both my iPad and iPhone, the iPad automatically turned on the hotspot to finish updating multiple apps and within a few minutes I had used up 1GB data from my 2GB monthly allowance.

I have read Continuity System Requirement - thank you for posting it - and while it probably isn't a conspiracy, it isn't ideal either.

"Automatic downloads" is turned off and "use mobile data" is also off, however I had started updating before I left home thinking that it would resume when I got back. Never mind, I've learned my lesson now and won't do that again!

I'm amazed at the tone of the replies here. Millions of people let their kids share their own Apple IDs.
Mobile data costs money. If a hotspot has the option to be authorised, it also needs an option to be de-authorised.
Yes means yes, no means no. Not maybe.

I'm amazed at the tone of the replies here. Millions of people let their kids share their own Apple IDs.
Mobile data costs money. If a hotspot has the option to be authorised, it also needs an option to be de-authorised.
Yes means yes, no means no. Not maybe.

I'm amazed at the tone of the replies here. Millions of people let their kids share their own Apple IDs.

Therefore, those millions of people will face the the reality of their actions. If you share an Apple ID, this is the expected and designed behaviour of doing that.

No tone. Reality.

Nobody is passing judgement on your choices. We are simply explaining the consequences of them and offering you the only path for voicing your concerns.

If you do not like this expected behaviour, either stop sharing or provide feedback to the only party who can change this expected behaviour. Apple.

Feedback for Apple goes here >>> http://www.apple.com/feedback/