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How to Auto-Connect to Your iPhone Hotspot from a Mac

Tap each step to follow along in order.

  1. Sign into your Mac and iPhone with the same account

    Your Mac and iPhone need to be signed into the same account in the cloud for Instant Hotspot to recognize your phone automatically. Family sharing isn't required as long as it's the same account.

  2. Turn on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on both devices

    Both the Mac and the iPhone need Bluetooth and Wi-Fi turned on so Instant Hotspot can detect each other.

  3. See the hotspot appear directly in the Wi-Fi list

    Opening the Wi-Fi menu on your Mac automatically shows your nearby iPhone's 'Personal Hotspot' in the list, along with its remaining battery and signal strength.

  4. Set 'Ask to Join Hotspot' to automatic

    In System Settings under 'Wi-Fi,' setting 'Ask to Join Hotspot' to 'Automatic' connects to a nearby iPhone's hotspot on its own whenever Wi-Fi isn't available.

  5. Connect manually instead

    If you'd rather not connect automatically, you can just click your iPhone's hotspot name directly in the Wi-Fi list to connect manually.

  6. Check data usage on your iPhone while connected

    While your Mac is connected through the hotspot, the iPhone's status bar turns blue, and the Personal Hotspot screen in Settings shows how many devices are currently connected.

Internet Anywhere, No Setup Required

Even somewhere with no Wi-Fi β€” a cafe, a train, on the move β€” having your iPhone nearby is enough to get your Mac online. The advantage of Instant Hotspot is that you don't have to open your iPhone, turn on the hotspot, and type in a password every single time.

Get More Out of a Multi-Device Setup

Since you're already taking advantage of how your Apple devices work together, it's also worth looking into using an iPad as a second monitor for your Mac to get more out of your setup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to turn on Personal Hotspot on my iPhone first?

No β€” Instant Hotspot doesn't require you to switch on Personal Hotspot ahead of time. The moment your Mac tries to connect, your iPhone turns its hotspot on automatically.

Can I auto-connect to a family member's hotspot too?

Yes, but since that's a different account, you'll need Family Sharing set up between you for their hotspot to show up automatically in your Wi-Fi list.