How to Tether an iPad to an iPhone GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Computers, Laptops & Tablets > Apple 244 244 people found this article helpful

How to Tether an iPad to an iPhone

Make your own Wi-Fi network to get your iPad online

By Sam Costello Sam Costello Writer Ithaca College Sam Costello has been writing about tech since 2000. His writing has appeared in publications such as CNN.com, PC World, InfoWord, and many others. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on April 24, 2021 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email

In This Article

Expand Jump to a Section Tether an iPad to an iPhone Data Use and Tethering Connecting Multiple Devices Disconnect Tethered Devices Every iPhone can connect to the internet anywhere it can get a network signal, but most iPads need Wi-Fi to get online. Wi-Fi-only iPads can get online using an iPhone with a technology called tethering, which Apple calls Personal Hotspot on the iPhone. This feature allows the iPhone to function as a Wi-Fi hotspot and share its cellular network connection with nearby devices using Wi-Fi. Here's how to tether your iPhone and iPad. These instructions apply to iPhones and iPads with iOS 7 or later. Check your cellular data plan to see if it includes mobile hotspots.

How to Tether an iPad to an iPhone

To share your iPhone's cellular data connection with any nearby iPad so it can get online, follow these steps: Open Settings. Select Personal Hotspot. Move the Personal Hotspot toggle switch to on/green. Note the Personal Hotspot password listed on this screen. If the default password is too hard to remember, you can change it by tapping it and entering a new one on the next screen. Tap Done to save the new password. Hotspot passwords must be at least eight characters. Your iPhone is now ready to connect to your iPad. Now follow these steps to connect your iPad to your iPhone hotspot: Tap Settings. Tap Wi-Fi. In the Personal Hotspots section, tap the name of your phone. Enter the password for the hotspot, if prompted. The password can be found in the menu on your iPhone. When the iPad connects to the iPhone, a blue bar appears at the top of the iPhone screen (on some models, it's a blue bubble around the time in the upper-left corner). This indicates that a device is connected to the Personal Hotspot. The iPad can access the internet through the iPhone as long as the Personal Hotspot is turned on and the iPad is in Wi-Fi range of the iPhone. You can use the iPhone as you normally would even while the iPad is tethered to it. Personal Hotspot doesn't interfere with it. The only difference you might notice is that the iPhone's internet connection may be a little slower than normal since the iPad is sharing it.

How Data Use Works When Tethering

Any data that devices use while tethered to the iPhone counts against the iPhone's monthly data plan. If you have a plan that charges you for overages or slows your speeds after you use a certain amount, you'll want to be aware of this. It's usually best to let other devices tether for limited periods of time and for relatively low-data-use functions. For example, don't tether an iPad to the iPhone's cellular connection to download a 4 GB game.

Connecting Multiple Devices to One iPhone

Multiple devices can be connected to a single iPhone Personal Hotspot. These could be other iPads, iPod touches, computers, or other Wi-Fi-equipped devices. Follow the steps to connect the device to Wi-Fi, enter the iPhone Personal Hotspot password, and you'll have everyone online in no time.

How to Disconnect Tethered Devices

When you're done, turn off Personal Hotspot on your iPhone by returning to Settings > Personal Hotspot and turning the toggle switch to off/white. Turning off the Personal Hotspot automatically disconnects any devices that are using it. Keep Personal Hotspot off except when you're using it to conserve battery life. While not required, the iPad user should probably also turn off their Wi-Fi to save battery. Open Control Center and tap the Wi-Fi icon (second from the left in the top bar) so that it's not highlighted. It's possible, in some situations, for Personal Hotspot to disappear from your iPhone, preventing you from tethering an iPad to it. In other cases, Personal Hotspot may stop working. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire Can My iPad Use My iPhone's Data Connection? How to Set up USB Tethering on Windows 10 How to Find a Wi-Fi Password on an iPhone Personal Hotspot on iPhone: What You Need To Know Do Unlimited Data Plans Include iPhone Personal Hotspot? How to Fix Missing Personal Hotspot on iPhone How to Set up and Use iPhone Tethering How to Fix iPhone Personal Hotspot That's Not Working How to Change Your iPhone's Name How to Connect Chromecast to Hotel Wi-Fi How to Use Your iPad or iPad Mini as a Phone Sync Your iPhone and iPad in a Few Simple Steps How to Save Mobile Data When Tethering Android Tablet or Phone How to Fix It When Facebook Messenger Won’t Load Messages How to Use Your Android Phone as a Wi-Fi Hotspot Fixing an iPad That Won't Connect to Wi-Fi Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies