How to Tether iPhone Hotspot to Windows Wirelessly/With USB
Your iPhone is a versatile device that can be used for various purposes, including sharing its internet connection with your computer. If you're a Windows user, there are a few different ways you can tether your iPhone hotspot to your computer. In this article, we'll explore these options and guide you through the process.
Before You Begin
Before you start tethering your iPhone hotspot to your Windows computer, there are a few important points to keep in mind:
- Enabling the personal hotspot on your iPhone will disconnect it from any Wi-Fi networks it may be connected to.
- Make sure your carrier network provider supports personal hotspot functionality. If you don't see the Personal Hotspot option on your iPhone, it may be because your carrier doesn't support it.
- Be mindful of your data plan's limits and expiry date. Tethering your iPhone's data to your computer consumes both data and battery power.
- Some carriers may impose restrictions on the amount of data you can tether in a day or the speed at which you can tether. Contact your carrier for more information.
- It's recommended to use your iPhone hotspot in a cool environment with a power source to prevent overheating and battery drain.
How to Setup and Enable Hotspot on iPhone
There are two ways to enable the hotspot on your iPhone: through the Settings app and the Control Center. We'll start with the Settings method, as it allows you to set a password for added security.
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone and go to “Personal Hotspot.”
- Enable the “Allow Others to Join” option.
- Tap on “Wi-Fi Password” to set a strong password for your hotspot. Make sure it's at least 8 characters long and includes a combination of alphanumeric characters and special symbols.
- Once you've set up the hotspot on your iPhone, you can also enable it quickly from the Control Center. Swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen to open the Control Center, then long-press the Wi-Fi icon to access more options. Toggle the “Personal Hotspot” option to enable it.
Tether iPhone Hotspot to Windows 11 Via USB
To tether your iPhone hotspot to a Windows 11 computer via USB, you'll need a lightning to type C or A cable, depending on the available USB ports on your computer.
- Connect your iPhone to your Windows computer using the appropriate cable.
- Windows should automatically detect and connect to the Wi-Fi hotspot created by your iPhone. Note that this will only work if your computer is not already connected to another Wi-Fi network. Make sure you're disconnected from all other networks.
- On your iPhone, you may see a pop-up asking for your permission to trust the connected computer. Tap “Trust” if prompted. Avoid doing this on public computers to protect your iPhone data.
- You should now see the Ethernet icon in the Taskbar on your Windows computer. Right-click on it to open the Network Settings and view more details.
Tether iPhone Hotspot to Windows 11 Via Bluetooth
Tethering your iPhone hotspot to a Windows 11 computer via Bluetooth is the slowest method and should only be used as a last resort when other options are not available. Here's how you can do it:
- Right-click on the Wi-Fi icon in the Taskbar and select “Network and internet settings.”
- In the sidebar, choose “Bluetooth & devices” and click on “Add a device.”
- In the pop-up window, select the “Bluetooth” option.
- Windows will search for available Bluetooth devices. When it finds your iPhone, select it. If Windows is unable to find your device, try opening the Bluetooth settings on your iPhone and try again.
- Click on the “Connect” button and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the pairing process.
- Open the Control Panel and go to “Hardware and Sound.” Right-click on “Devices and Printers” and select “Open.”
- Find your iPhone in the list of connected devices, right-click on it, and choose “Connect using > Access point.”
Tether iPhone Hotspot to Windows 11 Wirelessly
If you prefer a cable-free setup, you can tether your iPhone hotspot to a Windows 11 computer wirelessly. Here's how:
- Enable the iPhone hotspot from the Control Center, as mentioned earlier.
- On your Windows 11 computer, click on the Wi-Fi icon in the Taskbar and select the arrow next to the Wi-Fi icon.
- Look for your iPhone hotspot's name in the list of available networks (default name is iPhone) and click on it.
- Click on the “Connect” button to initiate the connection. You can also enable the “Connect automatically” option if you want your computer to connect to this hotspot automatically whenever it's available.
- Enter the password you set for your iPhone hotspot when prompted. Note that you won't have to enter the password again unless you change it.
FAQs
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Which is the best way to tether the iPhone hotspot to Windows?
Tethering via USB is the fastest and easiest method, providing a hassle-free connection with decent speeds. Wi-Fi is the second-best option, offering a balance between ease of setup, speed, and security. Bluetooth should be the last resort, as it offers the slowest speeds and may require more setup. -
Which method offers the fastest tethering speeds?
USB and Wi-Fi offer similar tethering speeds, with USB having a slight advantage. However, actual speeds may vary depending on your carrier plan, internet speed, and network connectivity. -
Which method is the most secure for tethering the iPhone hotspot to Windows?
Bluetooth is considered the most secure method, while Wi-Fi is the least secure, especially if you use a weak password. It's recommended to set a strong password for your personal hotspot to ensure security.
Spot On
Tethering your iPhone hotspot to your Windows computer offers a convenient way to share your internet connection. USB tethering is the fastest and easiest method, while Wi-Fi provides a good balance of speed and security. Bluetooth should only be used when other options are not available. Choose the method that suits your needs and enjoy seamless internet connectivity on your Windows device.

Jim's passion for Apple products ignited in 2007 when Steve Jobs introduced the first iPhone. This was a canon event in his life. Noticing a lack of iPad-focused content that is easy to understand even for “tech-noob”, he decided to create Tabletmonkeys in 2011.
Jim continues to share his expertise and passion for tablets, helping his audience as much as he can with his motto “One Swipe at a Time!”