Tethering with your iPhone (2024)

You can use your iPhone 5as an internet dongle to connect a laptop, tablet, or PC to the internet.

You can either have a quick look at our guide on how to set up your iPhone as a mobile hotspot

or read the following instructions.

Setting it up

1. Gotoyour iPhone's on-screenSettings
2. Look forPersonal Hotspot; orGeneral, followed byNetwork, and finallyPersonal Hotspot
3. Tap onPersonal Hotspotand then slide the switch toOn
4. Then connect the iPhone to your laptop or tablet using a USB cable or Bluetooth.

Using a USB cable

You'll need a laptop or tablet running Windows XP SP2 or later, Vista, Windows 7 or Mac OS 10.5.7 or later.Plus make sure you havea free USB port, iTunes 8.2 or later installed, and an iPhone USB cable.

Plug the USB cable into your iPhone and then into your laptop or tablet.

Using a Portable WiFi hotspot

This requires a computer running Windows XP SP2 or later, Windows Vista, 7 or Mac OS 10.4.11 or later, with WiFi.

Using Bluetooth

This requiresa laptop or tablet running windows XP SP2 or later, Vista, Windows 7 or Mac OS 10.4.11 or later. And you must be able to use Bluetooth 2.0 on it.

First switch on Bluetooth on your iPhone and on your laptop or tablet.

Now 'pair' your iPhone with your laptop or tablet, then connect. Here's how...

If your laptop or tablet uses Windows

1. Click on the Bluetooth icon in your iPhone'sNotificationarea (the system tray)

2. SelectAdd a Bluetooth device, and follow the onscreen instructions

3. When you've successfully paired your iPhone with your laptop or tablet, click on theBluetoothicon in theNotificationarea again

4. SelectShow Bluetooth devices
5. Highlight your iPhone, and then click thePropertiesbutton
6. Now click theServicestab
7. Then tick theWireless iAPcheckbox, and click OK
8. To connect your Windows laptop or tablet, click on theBluetoothicon in your iPhone'sNotificationarea (system tray)
9. Click onJoin A Personal Area Network
10. Now clickConnect.

Your devices are now tethered.Browse away.

If your laptop or tabletis a Mac

1. Open your iPhone'sBluetooth Preferences
2. Click onSet Up New Deviceand follow the onscreen instructions
3. When you've successfully paired your iPhone to your Mac, choose the optionUse Device as a Network Porton your iPhone
4. To connect your Mac laptop or iPad to your iPhone, click on theBluetoothicon in the menu bar
5. Click on your iPhone, and then chooseConnect to Network.

Turning it off

To avoid any unexpected call charges, it's best to switch off internet tethering when you're not using your iPhone to connect your laptop or tablet to the internet.

1. To do this, just click onSettingson your iPhone menu
2. ChooseGeneral, go toNetwork
3. Tap onInternet Tetheringto switch it off.

Making calls while tethering

If you're using the 3G or 4G network, you can make mobile phone calls and use tethering at the same time.

If you're using the 2G network, your tethering session will be stopped when you make a phone call.