IPhone Guide 6 - Personal Hotspots and Sharing An Internet Connection

You are able to use a personal hotspot on your iphone 4 to share an internet connection with a computer or another Wi-Fi device, like an ipad, ipod or another iphone. They can be connected to your iphone via a Wi-Fi connection. Connect your iphone 4 with a computer via Bluetooth or USB to share an internet connection through your personal hotspot.

The personal hotspot can only be set up using the iphone 4 and the feature may not be available in certain countries or locations, added charges may apply to certain regions. Contact you network provider for additional information, the information you require is how many devices that can share the internet connection at the same time and what are the charges associated. Make sure that you iphone 4 skins and iphone 3gs cases are fitted correctly in order to not obstruct the signal.

If you are able to view the Personal Hotspot button in General – Network Settings, you first need to set up the service with you mobile provider, there is a button to contact the provider on the screen. These Personal Hotspots only work if the iphone is connected to the internet using a mobile data network.

To share the connection with another device, go through the following checks:

• Wi-Fi – On the device choose iphone from the list of available Wi-Fi networks and put in the password when prompted


• USB – Connect the device to the iphone using the USB cable, go to Network Preferences and choose iphone


• Bluetooth – On the iphone select Settings – General – Bluetooth and turn on Bluetooth. Refer to the devices documentation to pair and connect the iphone to the device


• Make sure the iphone 4 skins or iphone 3gs cases are not disrupting the signal

When the device is connected correctly then a blue line appears at the top of the iphone screen, the Personal Hotspot remains connected with USB, even when you aren't using the internet.

When sharing an internet connection using your iphone your battery will significantly decrease quicker than normal so using a USB connection is recommended where possible as the connection will charge your iphone battery while utilising a Personal Hotspot. Having a Personal Hotspot is of great benefit for business as files, documents and contacts can all be shared in your personal network while working. Providing that your mobile provider caters for the personal hotspot then a faster connection can be achieved instead of using other network options.