How to Set Up Personal Hotspot on iPhone XS
Need to get online but don’t have Wi-Fi nearby? Your iPhone XS can act as a mobile hotspot and share its cellular data connection with other devices. Here’s how to turn it on, set a password, and connect your other gear — all in just a few taps.
Turn On Personal Hotspot on iPhone XS
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap Cellular (or Mobile Data, depending on your region).
- Tap Personal Hotspot.
- Toggle Allow Others to Join to ON.
If you don’t see the Personal Hotspot option:
- Your plan might not support it.
- Contact your carrier to verify or add hotspot support to your account.
Choose How to Share Your Connection
Once you turn on Personal Hotspot, you’ll be asked how you want to share:
- Wi-Fi & USB only — great for laptops or tablets.
- Bluetooth — slower, but useful if you don’t want to mess with Wi-Fi.
Pick whichever method suits your needs.
Set or Change the Hotspot Password
To stop random devices from connecting, protect your hotspot with a password:
- In Settings → Personal Hotspot, tap Wi-Fi Password.
- Enter a secure password (minimum 8 characters, using letters and numbers).
- Tap Done.
Now your iPhone is broadcasting a secure Wi-Fi network using your mobile data.
Connect Another Device to Your iPhone XS Hotspot
- On your second device (laptop, tablet, etc.), go to its Wi-Fi settings.
- Select your iPhone from the list of available networks.
- Enter the password you just set.
- Once connected, you can browse the web using your iPhone’s cellular data.
Having Trouble?
If your hotspot isn’t working, try these quick fixes:
- Restart your iPhone.
- Reset network settings: Go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset → Reset Network Settings.
- Make sure your cellular data is turned on and you have good signal.