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

On my iPhone6, even when I have "Personal Hotspot" deactivated other devices (MacBook & iPod) can still see the personal hotspot listed in their Wi-Fi settings. If they then select to join the hotspot, my phone automatically activates "Personal Hotspot". This seems like a serious security hole.

Is there a way to stop the phone from automatically activating personal hotspot?

Additionally, the user of the MacBook or iPod is never prompted to enter the hotspot password. What's the point of the password then?

Posted on Jan 16, 2015 9:15 AM

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Lawrence Finch

Community+ 2026

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Posted on Oct 5, 2017 3:30 PM

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

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86 replies

NikD Author

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Jan 16, 2015 10:20 AM in response to NikD

Thanks for the input. Here is some additional info.

I've done a little more testing and things behave differently on 2 different iPods. Here's what I've got.

iPhone6 (Verizon)
iPod-A - iPod Touch 5g - kids apple ID A, age 12
iPod-B - iPod Touch 5g - kids apple ID B, age 10

The 2 iPods belong to my kids who each have a separate ‘kids’ Apple ID. I have them on family share joined to my apple ID. One small difference between the 2 kids apple ID accounts is their ages. iPod-A is for a 12 year old and iPod-B is for a 10 year old. I wouldn’t think that makes a difference but just thought I’d mention it.

I believe I have the 2 iPods set up the same way, specifically the apple ID related settings. I’ve compared the settings side-by-side and can see no differences which would account for the different behavior.

I want to be able to control when the iPods are allowed to use Personal Hotspot and when they’re not. iPod-A behaves badly because it overrides my deactivation of Personal Hotspot. iPod-B behaves the way I want it to. So I’m trying to get iPod-A to behave as iPod-B does.

Bluetooth and wi-fi is on on all the devices.

When 'Personal Hotspot' is turned off on the iPhone:

iPod-A can still see it as a personal hotspot in its wi-fi networks list and allows me to choose it. Once I choose it, my iPhone automatically switches personal hotspot on. Even if I power off and power on this iPod, it still shows my hotspot (which is off) and successfully turns it on.
iPod-B doesn't see the personal hostspot on its wi-fi networks list

If I change my Personal Hotspot password (and turn Personal Hotspot on):

iPod-A is able to join without being prompted for the password.
iPod-B is prompted to enter the new password.

I also have a MacBook of my own which is on my Apple ID. It behaves like iPod-A in that it also sees the Personal Hotspot even if the hotspot is turned off and it is also able to turn it on. I can understand the Macbook being able to do this since it’s using the same Apple ID as the iPhone.

Jan 16, 2015 10:39 AM in response to Matt Clifton

Edit: I just re-tried this with my Macbook Air, and it actually did connect this time (overriding the "OFF" setting on the phone). And I guess my Pro is not showing the option because it's a 2010 model and doesn't have Continuity features.

Matt

JimHdk

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28,998 points

Jan 16, 2015 10:53 AM in response to Matt Clifton

Matt Clifton wrote:

Edit: I just re-tried this with my Macbook Air, and it actually did connect this time (overriding the "OFF" setting on the phone). And I guess my Pro is not showing the option because it's a 2010 model and doesn't have Continuity features.

Matt

Check the details of the connection. It may not be a valid connection (IP address is link-local, i.e., 169.254.X.X). This is not a valid connection.

If the Hotspot is indeed reactivating this may be an iOS bug on the iPhone 6 and should be reported to Apple.

NikD Author

Level 1

21 points

Jan 16, 2015 11:08 AM in response to JimHdk

I checked the IP on the iPod which causes the iPhone to switch Personal Hotspot on and it is a valid IP (172.20.x.x).

I agree that devices which are sharing an Apple ID or are in a family share should be allowed to join an active hotspot. But I don't think those devices should be allowed to turn on a hotspot on another device. I think only the person physically holding the hotspot device should be allowed to turn it on or off. Maybe Apple disagrees.

JimHdk

Level 7

28,998 points

Jan 16, 2015 11:11 AM in response to NikD

That's weird. It doesn't happen when the hotspot is on an iPhone 5.

When you turn the Hotspot Off it should stay Off.

I would recommend that this be reported to Apple as a bug. See: http://www.apple.com/feedback/iphone.html

NikD Author

Level 1

21 points

Jan 16, 2015 11:21 AM in response to JimHdk

Another data point.

If personal hotspot is off and my iPhone is on the wi-fi settings screen, the hotspot doesn't appear on the iPod. As soon as I exit the wi-fi settings screen, the hotspot shows up on the iPod.

NikD Author

Level 1

21 points

Jan 16, 2015 11:31 AM in response to JimHdk

Thanks. I have reported it to Apple.

Feb 17, 2016 4:25 PM in response to NikD

This is exactly my issue. I want to be able to allow my son to use my personal hotspot when I give permission, not to cut off his use of it entirely. I want the final control on my phone as to when and how it is used, not his iPad control overriding my turning it off on my iPhone.

Jun 1, 2016 4:47 AM in response to NikD

Good morning:

I just discovered this behavior by accident this morning - and form the posts; It has been almost 18 months and no change.

I had bluetooth on my iPad Pro and iPhone 6 (both on 9.3.2) and they were near each other.

The iPad showed under Wi-Fi an available Personal Hotspot (my iPhone 6). I checked my iPhone and it said 'Personal Hotspot Off'.

I touched the hotspot on my iPad and it connected to my iPhone - overriding that Personal Hotspot is off and turned it on.

This is not right.

If I have something set to off, then its off. In addition, I can't delete the Personal Hotspot from the iPad either.

This seems to be a SERIOUS security issue. If something is turned off, why can it be overridden? This is non-intuitive and wide-open back-door.

Maybe I'll go to Genius bar and see if they know what to do and make sure that Apple is aware of this security issue.

Jun 1, 2016 6:24 AM in response to Richard Patterson3

Richard Patterson3 wrote:

This seems to be a SERIOUS security issue. If something is turned off, why can it be overridden? This is non-intuitive and wide-open back-door.

The only devices that can access it are ones that are also signed in under your Apple ID. So, unless you're giving out your Apple ID credentials to all and sundry, it's not a security issue.

Jun 1, 2016 1:00 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

HI Meg:

Thanks for the response. Unfortunately, I disagree. What this tells me is that if I am signed into iCoud, there is a back door that overrides my personal settings on my phone.

I am pretty careful with my settings, but this clearly violates my settings and overrides them.

Apple needs to add a 'Personal Hotspot' ON/OFF toggle on the iCloud preferences - and toggles for any other 'unwritten overrides'.

In fact this really scares me that if I am signed into iCloud Apple is overriding my security settings.

It seems that the only solution is to not use iCloud at all or sign-in/sign-out each time when checking e-mail (what a pain).

If anything, an enahcenment to the iCloud preferences to disable ANY overrides, such as, Personal Hotspot Is needed.

Jun 1, 2016 3:09 PM in response to Richard Patterson3

Richard Patterson3 wrote:

HI Meg:

Thanks for the response. Unfortunately, I disagree. What this tells me is that if I am signed into iCoud, there is a back door that overrides my personal settings on my phone.

iCloud is one of your personal settings.

Don't give anyone else your Apple ID and no one else can use your Personal Hotspot.

Submit your feedback to Apple here:

http://www.apple.com/feedback

However, it's pretty clear they don't believe it's a security issue as it protected by your Apple ID.

Jul 22, 2016 4:51 AM in response to Richard Patterson3

Actually, the behaviour as described by Richard Patterson is the correct behaviour. Any iOS or MacOS device logged in with SAME AppleID can connect to the hotspot, defacto activating the hotspot.

If you want control, e.g. your children to have access only when you allow, you would need a seperate AppleID. They can still enjoy benefits of purchased apps and Apple Music through family sharing.

MY problem is that my Macbook 12" does connect to my hotspot when the macbook should be asleep (lid closed). Moreover PowerNap is switched off too. Seems that data use is high when this happens because of many emails. I actually have an app to control data use, but this app doesn't work in sleep.

It is a major petpeeve, as my monthly 5 gb dataplan already had 2 gb use in just 7 days. I need to switch off wifi, else my macbook keeps connecting. I am sure this is not right behavior, especially with powernap switched off.

Aug 5, 2016 2:52 AM in response to Jez Blaze

I have the same issue, it is important to me that my kids use my Apple ID so I can keep tabs on what they are doing, and I also want to be able to grant/refuse access to the hotspot as I deem fit.

I gather that this is a feature, not a bug - but since it is a feature that not everybody wants, it should be a selection as opposed to a default. Is there any sense that Apple will address this?

Aug 5, 2016 3:06 AM in response to kenobi_bass

In that case the 'simple' solution is to make an AppleID for your kids, separate from your own AppleID and to use family sharing for apps, music, photos and more.

If your kids and you are on the same AppleID, as far as I know hotspot will connect even when switched off. I haven't heard of a solution to prevent this.

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