How To Fix Personal Hotspot Not Working On iPhone XR After iOS 13.2 Update

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Do you have an iPhone XR and is having a personal hotspot that’s not working after iOS 13.2 update? Find out how to remedy this problem as you read further. 

You can actually use your device as a portable modem/router by enabling hotspot connection. A personal hotspot allows you to share the data connection to other devices. However, this feature has been attacked by a software bug on iOS 13.2 as reported by few Phone XR users. 

This post will tackle possible causes and how to fix personal hotspot that’s not working after iOS 13.2 update with simple methods. If you’re one of the unlucky users, perform the steps below to fix the problem on your iPhone XR. 

Troubleshoot iPhone XR with personal hotspot that’s not working after installing iOS 13.2

Bugs from faulty software update could escalate to different problems as they tend to disturb certain functions on the device. This might have been the case why you have a personal hotspot that’s not working on your iPhone XR after updating to iOS 13.2. Found below are procedures that deals with software-related errors. Follow them to fix the issue on your device. 

First solution: Toggle Cellular Data off and on 

One of the unorthodox solutions being performed that handles minor connectivity errors is to simply disable and enable cellular data on your device. Doing so allows connection refresh and remove bugs that might have been hindering the personal hotspot feature to work properly. You can toggle the cellular data off and on with these steps: 

  1. Select Settings from the Home screen. 
  2. Tap on Cellular Data. 
  3. Toggle the Cellular Data switch to turn the feature off for a few seconds and then tap the switch again to turn it on. 

Another way to refresh all connections is by toggling airplane mode on and off. Enabling this feature allows your device to disconnect all wireless radio connections and disabling it resumes them. It provides a quick refresh and might enhance the possibility of removing minor connectivity glitches and fix the problem. Here’s how: 

  1. Access Settings from the Home screen. 
  2. Check Airplane mode. If toggle is currently turned on, tap on it to switch it off. If not, tap the toggle to turn it on.
  3. While the Airplane mode is enabled, perform a soft reset on your device. 
  4. Wait for your phone to go back online after the reset then access Settings > Airplane mode. Tap the switch to disable the feature. 

Ensure that your phone is not connected to a Wi-Fi network and is only using Cellular Data for internet connection as it may cause conflict with the personal hotspot. 

Second solution: Reboot your iPhone XR

If refreshing the device connection did not fix the problem, restarting your iPhone XR might do the trick. This has been one of the oldest and user-friendly methods that handle minor software glitches. If the issue has been caused by rogue apps inflicted by iOS 13.2 update, it might be resolved by rebooting the device. 

You can start initiating a soft reset to reboot your iPhone XR with these steps: 

  1. Press and hold the Power/Side button and either of the Volume buttons simultaneously for a few seconds. 
  2. Release both buttons once Slide to Power off prompt appears on the screen.
  3. Drag the Power off slider to the right to turn off your phone.
  4. After 30 seconds, press and hold the Power/Side button again until you see the Apple logo.

Another way to reboot your phone is to execute a force restart. This process allows system refresh and removal of erratic apps on your phone that could affect its performance. Here’s how it’s done: 

  1. Press and release the Volume Up button quickly.
  2. Press and release the Volume Down button quickly. 
  3. Lastly, press and hold the Side button for a few seconds until you see the Apple logo.

After rebooting the device, turn on your cellular data and enable personal hotspot to check if it works properly. 

Third solution: Reset network settings on your iPhone XR to fix personal hotspot that’s not working

Performing reset network settings will remove all incorrect or invalid settings that might have been affecting the internet connection on your device. Doing so will delete all customized network settings and revert them to the default values and options. iOS overrides will be removed along with the process. If that’s the reason why your iPhone XR experienced the personal hotspot that’s not working problem, then it might get fixed with this process. If you wish to give this a try, here’s how: 

  1. Access Settings from the Home screen. 
  2. Tap General.
  3. Scroll down to and then select Reset. 
  4. Tap the Reset Network Settings option.
  5. Enter your device passcode once prompted.
  6. Then tap to confirm network settings reset.

Your phone will reboot automatically after the reset. Enable your cellular data once it boots up and check if the issue has been rectified. 

Fourth solution: Reset APN settings on your iPhone XR

iOS overrides could affect the entire settings on your device and performing reset network settings might not be enough. To deal with this problem, perform an all settings reset to delete all customized settings and restore them to its default configurations. Here are the steps: 

  1. Access Settings from the Home screen. 
  2. Tap General.
  3. Scroll down to and then select Reset. 
  4. Tap the Reset Network Settings option.
  5. Enter your device passcode once prompted.
  6. Then tap to confirm network settings reset.

Once the reset is completed, your iPhone XR will restart automatically. Enable important features including Cellular data after the reboot process and test if personal hotspot works without any issue.

Other options

Simple errors could escalate to stubborn glitches due to the bugs in software update. If this is the reason why all solutions failed in fixing the problem, you can opt-in to a factory reset. This will wipe out all contents on your device including stubborn errors and revert them to the default factory configurations. It’s like having a new phone. The only downside with this procedure is that it will also delete your personal information but you can always create backups via iTunes or iCloud beforehand. Should you wish to take risks, here are the steps: 

  1. Access Settings from the Home screen. 
  2. Tap General.
  3. Scroll down to and then select Reset. 
  4. Tap the Erase all contents and settings option.
  5. Enter your device passcode once prompted.
  6. Then tap to confirm all settings reset.

A restart will happen after the reset is done. Just set up your phone like the first time you bought it to use it again. Then test if personal hotspot is working properly this time. 

Still have a personal hotspot that’s not working on your iPhone XR

Other solutions that could help you fix the problem includes recovery mode restore or DFU mode restore. They’re advanced solutions that could help you deal with the issue if it is caused by complex system errors already. 

You can also verify the status of the cellular data connection with your network provider and check if there’s an ongoing maintenance that’s affecting connectivity on your device, causing relevant symptoms to occur. 

Getting official recommendations from Apple support could also help in fixing the personal hotspot that’s not working on iPhone XR after iOS 13.2 update. Just contact them to get additional information. 

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