Hotspots and data

iPhone hotspot does not show on the Mac

Instant Hotspot lets a Mac join your iPhone or iPad hotspot without a password. It needs Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and the same Apple Account on both devices.

Applies to: Current macOS and iOS versions. The Automatic option for hotspots is in macOS Tahoe 26 and later.Checked: 29 October 2026

Symptoms

  • The iPhone or iPad does not appear in the Mac's Wi-Fi menu.
  • The Mac asks for a password to join your own hotspot.
  • The Mac joined the hotspot once, but it does not find it now.

Likely causes

  • Bluetooth or Wi-Fi is off. Both devices must have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on, and they must be near each other.
  • Different Apple Accounts. Instant Hotspot works for devices signed in with the same Apple Account, or for members of a family group.
  • Cellular data is off. If Personal Hotspot is dimmed on the iPhone, Cellular Data is off.
  • The plan does not include Personal Hotspot. The carrier plan must support Personal Hotspot.

How to check

  1. On the Mac and on the iPhone or iPad, make sure that Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are on.

  2. Make sure that both devices use the same Apple Account.

  3. On the iPhone, open Settings. Make sure that Personal Hotspot is not dimmed.

  4. Put the two devices near each other.

How to fix it

  1. If Personal Hotspot is dimmed, turn on Cellular Data in the Cellular settings of the iPhone.

  2. On the Mac, click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar or Control Center.

  3. Choose the name of the iPhone or iPad that provides the hotspot.

  4. To join on its own, open Wi-Fi Settings. Set “Ask to join hotspots” to Ask to Join or Automatic.

  5. Restart the iPhone or iPad and the Mac if the hotspot still does not appear.

  6. If nothing works, connect with a USB cable. See Connect a Mac to an iPhone hotspot with a USB cable.

With Kilobat

  1. Kilobat's Wi-Fi menu does not join Instant Hotspot devices. Use the Wi-Fi controls of macOS for them.

  2. After the Mac joins, Kilobat shows which apps use the hotspot data. See See which app uses data on a hotspot.

Questions

Do I need Allow Others to Join for Instant Hotspot?

No. Apple says that Allow Others to Join is not necessary for Instant Hotspot. Other devices that join with the password need it.

Can a family member use Instant Hotspot?

Yes. On the iPhone, open Personal Hotspot > Family Sharing. Set each member to Automatic or Ask for Approval.

Sources

Sources checked on 29 October 2026. Man pages are the ones installed with macOS; open one with man <name> in Terminal.