BrianInBS Author

Level 1

42 points

iOS 12 and Instant Hotspot Not Working

I'm wondering if this is a problem for anyone else. and maybe offer a suggestion how to fix it.

Here's what I have:

iPhone 6s Plus - iOS 12

iPad Pro 9.5 - iOS 12

MacBook Pro - MacOS Mojave 10.14

All using the same iCloud account

When I try to use my iPhone hotspot, my iPad refuses to connect. I can see the iPhone available on iPad under Personal Hotspot, but when I try to connect to the hotspot it tries for a bit then returns an error "Unable to start personal hotspot "Brian's iPhone". I have tried starting with spot off and on.

Note: before the iOS 12 upgrade, I was able to connect, but it usually took more than one attempt.

Also note: earlier today when I tried connecting to the iPhone with my MacBook I successful.

My research has lead me to try the following multiple times (with no success):

Log out/in of iCloud on iPhone and iPad

Reset network settings on both iPhone and iPad

Reset all settings (factory reset) on iPhone and iPad

Is there some trick to get this to work?

Is there something anyone can suggest I may have not tried?

Any advice and suggestions are welcome and appreciated.

Thanks in advanced.

Brian

MacBook Pro with Retina display, macOS Mojave (10.14)

Posted on Sep 27, 2018 10:39 AM

Top-ranking reply

Cheakk

Level 1

9 points

Posted on Oct 15, 2018 10:24 AM

What worked for me was to delete a lot of old hotspot passwords that had accumulated over the years in my iCloud account.

I did the following on my Mac and now my phone appears at the top of the Wifi list (not sure which of these steps was the one that actually fixed it):

On a Mac that has iCloud Keychain enabled (so that passwords sync with iCloud):

-Open Network Preferences->Wifi>Advanced..., then delete all old Wifi Hotspot entries (iPhone, XXX's iPhone,...)

-Open the Keychain Access app and delete all iPhone HotSpot passwords from iCloud. (An easy way to do this is to enter iPhone using the search field, but don't just delete everything indiscriminately--you are looking for entries like "XXX's iPhone 6s" which are listed as "Application Password" in the System or iCloud Keychain). It can also be helpful to search on the "Date Modified" column so you can easily see which entries may be ancient.

After I cleared all of these stored passwords, my phone immediately appeared at the top of the Wifi connection list. I don't have an iPad, but I suspect that deleting these passwords from iCloud could help with your situation too.

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76 replies

BrianInBS Author

Level 1

42 points

Oct 1, 2018 4:13 PM in response to singh49asda

Thanks for your reply. However, I am aware how it is supposed to work. But, it does not.

As I stated in my original post, it worked before the upgrade to iOS 12, now it does not.

Again, Instant Hotspot does not work, neither can I connect to the iPhone when the switch the hotspot on manually.

gciric

Level 1

4 points

Oct 17, 2018 4:15 AM in response to MF47

Exactly the same issue as mine.

I'm using iPhone 6 WiFi + Cellular and iPad Pro 9.7" WiFi only, both upgraded to iOS 12. This Instant hotspot was working fine until latest upgrades.

I've tried all the suggested solutions and it still doesn't work. At some point at least I was able to see my iPhone listed under "Choose a network", but it's gone from there as well.

Using Bluetooth connection, I am able to share iPhone's LTE connection with iPad, but it's too slow.

Oct 19, 2018 12:17 PM in response to MF47

Not yet! I have to resume my conversation with him soon....

In the meantime, I think he wanted to check on his side if he would be able to find some information about this particular issue ...

Stay tuned!

Oct 30, 2018 9:04 PM in response to XxManicHispanicxX

Hi all,

I talked to the Apple technician and he told me that iOS 12.1 update gonna fix the problem, but nothing changed...

I updated both my iPad and my iPhone to iOS 12.1 and I still have the same issue with Instant Hotspot... 😟

Nov 13, 2018 6:57 PM in response to BrianInBS

Same here, iOS 12.1 on iOS devices and Mojave 10.14.1 and Instant Hotspot is all messed up. Using iPhone Xs, iPhone 7, iPad Pro 11 cellular and MacBook Pro

MacBook sees and connects successfully to all devices through Instant Hotspot, iPhone Xs sees only the iPad and connects successfully but doesn’t see nor connect to anything else if other devices have personal hotspot toggled on it can detect said devices but fails to connect, iPhone 7 also only sees iPad and connects successfully to that but can connect to iPhone Xs if personal hotspot is toggled on. Basically big mess for me.

Dec 6, 2018 8:29 PM in response to geekonthepc

I installed iOS 12.1.1 and I still have the problem with my iPad Pro 9.7. Unable to use the "Instant Hotspot" between my iPad and my iPhone 6. My iMac can still connect via "Instant Hotspot" to my iPhone, but not my iPad.

I am a bit disappointed that there still doesn't seem to have any solution to this problem! :(

Feb 21, 2019 12:55 PM in response to Popman

I have exactly the same problem as you!

I have an:

iPhone 6

iPad Pro 9.7 - Wi-Fi only

Since the first version of iOS 12, I have not managed to make the Instant Hotspot work!

Worked perfectly before...

iPad Pro 9.7 seems to be the culprit!

Very frustrating indeed...

May 28, 2019 10:25 AM in response to Michelasso

I installed iOS 12.3.1. and I did the same as Michelasso on my iPhone 6(Signing out from iCloud and back in) and I still have the same issue and error message when I try to connect my iPad to my iPhone using "Instant Hotspot".

I'm almost 100% sure that the problem does not come from the iPhone but from the "iPad Pro 9.7" (this particular device).

Oct 1, 2018 8:08 AM in response to BrianInBS

I'm experiencing the same issue and have done all of the same troubleshooting as you.

Oct 2, 2018 10:41 AM in response to BrianInBS

My troubleshooting questions were both valid and unanswered.

Best of luck.

ingmar_s

Level 1

24 points

Oct 3, 2018 5:00 AM in response to BrianInBS

Same issue here with an iPhone XS running iOS 12.1 beta 2 and a MacBook Pro Mid 2015 and another iPhone XS running iOS 12 in combination with a MacBook Pro Late 2012.

MF47

Level 1

4 points

Oct 9, 2018 3:24 AM in response to nickjvturner

@nickjvturner & BillyNelson: What was your problem?

Was the hotspot not visible or were you not able to connect to it (Error message: "Unable to start personal hotspot")

Oct 9, 2018 3:43 AM in response to MF47

For me, the "instant hotspot" feature ie trigger/activate personal hotspot from the other iOS device was not working.

I was not experiencing the Error message: "Unable to start personal hotspot"

Oct 10, 2018 4:00 AM in response to BrianInBS

I have the same problem but with iPad Pro 9.7 my MacBook Pro can connect but ipad doesn't.

Oct 14, 2018 10:04 PM in response to BrianInBS

I have exactly the same problem with my iPad Pro 9.7. My iMac can also connect to my iPhone 6, but not my iPad.

I have tried everything so far with no avail ... very frustrating!

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iOS 12 and Instant Hotspot Not Working