Need internet on your laptop or tablet but there’s no Wi-Fi around? You can turn your iPhone SE 3 into a portable Wi-Fi hotspot and share your cellular data with other devices. Here’s how to quickly set up and use Personal Hotspot on your iPhone running iOS 15.4 or later.
What Is Personal Hotspot?
Personal Hotspot lets your iPhone act like a mini Wi-Fi router. Other devices — like laptops, tablets, or even other phones — can connect to it via:
- Wi-Fi
- Bluetooth
- USB
Just make sure your phone has an active cellular data plan and a decent signal.
How to Turn On Personal Hotspot on iPhone SE 3
- Go to Settings > Cellular
- Make sure Cellular Data is turned ON.
- Go back to Settings > Personal Hotspot
- Toggle ON the switch for Allow Others to Join
- (Optional) Tap Wi-Fi Password to set or change your hotspot password. Use a strong, secure password to prevent unwanted connections.
That’s it — your hotspot is now active. Your iPhone’s name will show up as a Wi-Fi network on other devices.
How to Connect Other Devices to Your Hotspot
Via Wi-Fi:
- On the device you want to connect, go to Wi-Fi settings
- Select your iPhone’s name from the list
- Enter the Wi-Fi password you set earlier
Via Bluetooth:
- Make sure Bluetooth is on for both devices
- Pair your iPhone with the other device
- Follow any on-screen instructions to complete the connection
Via USB:
- Connect your iPhone to a Mac or PC using a USB cable
- Your iPhone will appear as a network connection — no password needed
Quick Tip: Use Control Center for Faster Access
You can also toggle Personal Hotspot on or off from Control Center:
- Swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen
- Tap the Personal Hotspot icon — it turns green when active
When You’re Done, Turn It Off
To save battery and avoid unwanted data usage:
- Go to Settings > Personal Hotspot and toggle Allow Others to Join OFF
- Or use Control Center to turn it off instantly
Also, consider turning off Cellular Data if you don’t need internet at all.