An iPhone Personal Hotspot can share cellular internet with a Windows laptop over Wi-Fi, USB, or Bluetooth. Wi-Fi is usually the simplest.
Steps
- On iPhone, open Settings > Personal Hotspot and enable Allow Others to Join; note the Wi-Fi password.
- On the Windows laptop, open the Wi-Fi list and select the iPhone’s hotspot name.
- Enter the hotspot password and connect.
- Open a website to confirm the laptop has internet access.
- Turn the hotspot off when finished if you do not want other devices reconnecting or using cellular data.
How it works
If the hotspot does not appear, keep the Personal Hotspot screen open during pairing, move the devices closer, and use Maximize Compatibility when available if the PC has trouble with the hotspot’s Wi-Fi band. USB tethering may require Apple device components and a data-capable cable.
Important considerations
Windows 10 is unsupported. Hotspot use consumes the iPhone’s cellular allowance and battery; carrier tethering limits can apply.
Practical guidance
If Windows connects to the hotspot but shows a metered connection, that is intentional and can reduce background downloads. Leave it metered when conserving cellular data. Large Windows updates, cloud sync, and game downloads can consume many gigabytes quickly over a phone connection.
More detail
For USB tethering, connect the iPhone with a data cable, tap Trust if prompted, and make sure the required Apple device support is installed. USB can be more stable in crowded Wi-Fi environments. Bluetooth tethering uses less direct Wi-Fi setup but is typically slower and less attractive for large transfers.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.