User profile for user: Ed Colman
Ed Colman Author
User level: Level 1
12 points

Can I use my iPhone wi-fi with my MacBook?

My iPhone is connected to a wi fi network. I cannot remember the password and want to know if I can share this wi fi with my MacBook without using cellular data. That is, can I connect the MacBook to the Wi fi through the iPhone? I get a screen on the MacBook that says I can share the wi fi on the iPhone by simply bringing it near the computer. What is this? I have tried using Bluetooth PAN, but the Macbook says Bluetooth PAN is using a self-assigned IP address and won't connect to the internet. Is it even possible to share a wifi network as I described?

MacBook Pro, macOS High Sierra (10.13.6), Intel i7 chip 8GB RAM

Posted on Sep 21, 2018 9:12 AM

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User profile for user: sterling r
sterling r
User level: Community Specialist

Posted on Sep 22, 2018 10:45 AM

Hello and welcome to Apple Support Communities Ed Colman,

If I'm understanding you right, you're wanting to share the Wi-Fi connection on your iPhone with your MacBook without having to use cellular data. Also, you're wanting some clarification on the message you're seeing on your MacBook that says you can share the Wi-Fi on your iPhone by bringing the device closer. IM happy to help you out with all of this!

If you're running iOS 11 or higher on your iPhone, you should be able to share your Wi-Fi password with your Mac. So technically you would not be sharing the Wi-Fi connection in the same way you would with the Personal Hotspot feature; you would simply be sharing the password so that your Mac can connect directly to the Wi-Fi router. In order to share your Wi-Fi password, unlock your iPhone screen and bring the device close to your Mac. Select the Wi-Fi symbol from the upper-right corner of your Mac, and then select the Wi-Fi network that your iPhone is currently connected to. You should get a message on your iPhone asking if you want to share your Wi-Fi password. You'll want to select the Share Password option.

In order for it to work, the following must be true:
  1. Your Mac cannot have previously connected to that specific Wi-Fi network.
  2. Both your Mac and iPhone must have Bluetooth enabled.
  3. Both devices must be in reasonable distance of each other.
  4. Your iPhone and Mac both have to be signed into iCloud. You can check this by going to System Preferences > iCloud on your Mac. On your iPhone, go to Settings. If you're not signed into iCloud you should see an option that says "Sign in to your iPhone".
  5. If you aren't using the same Apple ID on your Mac and iPhone, both devices must have one another's Apple IDs saved to the vCards in Contacts.
If you're still not able to connect, try restarting your Mac and your iPhone. Let me know if you need any further help with this.

Thanks for using Apple Support Communities.

Cheers!
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User profile for user: sterling r
sterling r
User level: Community Specialist

Sep 22, 2018 10:45 AM in response to Ed Colman

Hello and welcome to Apple Support Communities Ed Colman,

If I'm understanding you right, you're wanting to share the Wi-Fi connection on your iPhone with your MacBook without having to use cellular data. Also, you're wanting some clarification on the message you're seeing on your MacBook that says you can share the Wi-Fi on your iPhone by bringing the device closer. IM happy to help you out with all of this!

If you're running iOS 11 or higher on your iPhone, you should be able to share your Wi-Fi password with your Mac. So technically you would not be sharing the Wi-Fi connection in the same way you would with the Personal Hotspot feature; you would simply be sharing the password so that your Mac can connect directly to the Wi-Fi router. In order to share your Wi-Fi password, unlock your iPhone screen and bring the device close to your Mac. Select the Wi-Fi symbol from the upper-right corner of your Mac, and then select the Wi-Fi network that your iPhone is currently connected to. You should get a message on your iPhone asking if you want to share your Wi-Fi password. You'll want to select the Share Password option.

In order for it to work, the following must be true:
  1. Your Mac cannot have previously connected to that specific Wi-Fi network.
  2. Both your Mac and iPhone must have Bluetooth enabled.
  3. Both devices must be in reasonable distance of each other.
  4. Your iPhone and Mac both have to be signed into iCloud. You can check this by going to System Preferences > iCloud on your Mac. On your iPhone, go to Settings. If you're not signed into iCloud you should see an option that says "Sign in to your iPhone".
  5. If you aren't using the same Apple ID on your Mac and iPhone, both devices must have one another's Apple IDs saved to the vCards in Contacts.
If you're still not able to connect, try restarting your Mac and your iPhone. Let me know if you need any further help with this.

Thanks for using Apple Support Communities.

Cheers!
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Can I use my iPhone wi-fi with my MacBook?

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