Personal Hotspot is handy for getting a laptop or tablet online, but it can burn through your data plan quickly, and many carriers cap hotspot data separately. Your iPhone 7 tracks exactly how much data hotspot devices use, and even which device used it. This guide shows where to find the numbers, how to reset them each billing cycle, and how to keep hotspot usage under control.
Quick Answer
Open Settings > Cellular (called Mobile Data in some regions) and scroll to Personal Hotspot in the list of apps. The number next to it is the hotspot data used since the last reset. Tap it to see usage by each connected device.
View Hotspot Data Usage
- Open the Settings app and tap Cellular.
- Scroll down to the list of apps. Near the top, find Personal Hotspot.
- The amount shown is the data used by devices connected to your hotspot during the Current Period.
- Tap Personal Hotspot to see the data used by each device, listed by name.
If you don’t see Personal Hotspot in the list, no devices have used it since the statistics were last reset, or apps are sorted differently; scroll through the whole list.
Understand “Current Period”
The iPhone doesn’t know your carrier’s billing cycle. Current Period means “since you last tapped Reset Statistics,” shown at the bottom of the Cellular screen. For the most accurate numbers, check your carrier’s app or website, which matches your actual bill.
Reset Statistics Each Billing Cycle
- Go to Settings > Cellular.
- Scroll to the bottom and tap Reset Statistics, then confirm.
Do this on the first day of your billing cycle so the numbers line up with your plan. Set a monthly reminder in the Reminders app to make it a habit.
Reduce Hotspot Data Usage
- Set a strong password in Settings > Personal Hotspot > Wi-Fi Password so others can’t connect.
- Turn off the hotspot when you’re done: Settings > Personal Hotspot > Allow Others to Join.
- Mark the hotspot as metered on your computer: on Windows, open the Wi-Fi network’s properties and turn on Metered connection; on Mac, turn on Low Data Mode for that network. This limits updates and background syncing.
- Pause cloud sync and updates on connected laptops while tethering.
- Lower streaming quality in video and music apps.
Abroad, hotspot data may count as roaming; see how to turn on data roaming.
Troubleshooting
- Numbers seem too high: computers often download updates or sync files when connected. Check the per-device breakdown.
- Hotspot not available: your carrier plan may not include it; contact your carrier.
- Personal Hotspot missing from Settings: go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Network and check the hotspot APN settings, or restart the phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the iPhone warn me when I hit my hotspot limit?
No. Your carrier may send alerts, but the iPhone only tracks usage.
Do these steps work on newer iPhones?
Yes. The Cellular screen and Personal Hotspot entry work the same way on current iOS versions.
Summary
- Open Settings > Cellular.
- Find Personal Hotspot in the app list and tap it for per-device usage.
- Tap Reset Statistics at the start of each billing cycle.
- Limit background data on connected devices to save data.
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.