Make sure your plan includes hotspot, then Settings → Personal Hotspot → Allow Others to Join on, turn on Maximize Compatibility, keep that screen open while others connect, and restart both devices. Reset network settings if the option is missing.

Why this happens

Carriers enable tethering per plan; if it isn’t included, the Personal Hotspot menu may be missing or show “Contact your carrier”. iPhone 12 and later use 5 GHz by default, which some older laptops and devices can’t see. Maximize Compatibility switches to 2.4 GHz.

The hotspot also turns off after a while when nothing is connected, and Low Data Mode can limit it.

Symptoms

  • Personal Hotspot option missing or greyed out.
  • Laptop can't find the iPhone network.
  • Connected but no internet.

Common causes

  • Plan doesn't include tethering.
  • 5 GHz incompatibility.
  • Low Data Mode or VPN.
  • Network settings glitch.

Try these fixes

  1. Check the planConfirm with your carrier that hotspot/tethering is included and has data remaining.
  2. Turn it on properlySettings → Personal Hotspot → Allow Others to Join; stay on that screen while connecting.
  3. Maximize CompatibilityTurn it on in the same screen to use 2.4 GHz.
  4. Turn off Low Data Mode and VPNSettings → Cellular → Cellular Data Options; disconnect VPN.
  5. Try USB or BluetoothConnect a Mac/PC by cable as a test.
  6. Reset network settingsSettings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset → Reset Network Settings. This forgets saved Wi-Fi networks and passwords and VPN settings, but not your data.
How to tell it worked: The other device connects and loads websites through the iPhone.

Avoiding it in future

Keep Maximize Compatibility on if you use older devices.