How to enable/use tethering mode on iPhone?

We've all had cases when we urgently need the Internet and it turns out that a friend has an iPhone that can work as a modem.

Many people probably don’t even know about the existence of this function on the iPhone. But more often than not, they simply don’t know how to turn it on and configure it. This is why we have gathered today.

I will tell you all the details of how exactly you need to use your iPhone as a modem. Everything is quite simple, you just need to carefully read and follow the instructions.

How to connect an iPhone as a modem?

First of all, I would like to start with the fact that tethering mode becomes available as soon as cellular data is turned on on your iPhone.

Therefore, we immediately go through such points as Settings — cellular — Cellular data. We activate the slider and do not forget to make sure that there are enough GB of your traffic.

Now you will find three ways to distribute the Internet: via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or USB cable. All methods are very simple, so just follow the instructions.

How to distribute the Internet from an iPhone via Wi-Fi?

If you choose this method, then I would like to immediately warn you that you can only use Wi-Fi to distribute the Internet. This is while the modem function is running.

Naturally, our mobile Internet is turned on and then we take the following steps:

1. let's go to Settings- choose Modem mode;
2. press Wi-Fi password- we write Password — Ready;
3. activate Modem mode — Enable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth;
4. turn off Bluetooth, because the battery charge will still be useful;
5. We look for the created network on the desired device and enter the previously created password.
6. Once you connect successfully, a blue bar will appear on your iPhone with the number of connected devices.

This method is most often used in cases where we need to distribute the Internet to a laptop, any smartphone or tablet. Oddly enough, the function is in very high demand.

How to distribute the Internet from an iPhone via USB to a computer?

As you understand from the title, most often this method is used to distribute the Internet from an iPhone/iPad to your laptop or just a desktop computer.

The method is even simpler than the previous one, so we follow these steps:

1. activate modem mode by going to Settings- click Modem mode- and make an active slider Modem mode;
2. connect the iPhone using a cable to your computer and the connection should occur automatically;
3. if not, select the name of your iPhone from the list of networks.

If you have Windows 7 or higher, this should not be a problem. I myself have used my device this way more than once and everything worked just perfectly. The screenshot above is of my successful connection.

How to distribute Internet from iPhone via Bluetooth?

This method is the most unpopular, because usually many people simply stop at the first option, since Wi-Fi is available on any device that can be carried.

Nevertheless, this method exists and I will tell you a little about it. The instructions look something like this:

1. we go to the same places Settings — Modem mode — Enable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth;
2. turn off Wi-Fi, because we don’t need it;
3. turn on Bluetooth on your device and make a pair (different manufacturers do it differently);
4. connect and we should have the Internet.

To be honest, I have never used this method myself, so I just can’t say anything about its stability and other aspects.

It may well come in handy if something happened to your Wi-Fi module and you have a Bluetooth module available. Then again, many laptops simply don't use it.

Modem mode disappeared on iPhone

A very common problem is when this mode simply disappears from your iPhone. I had a similar situation myself and I just didn’t know what to do.

But there is a way out of this situation and it is quite simple. Then you can use the modem function as usual and without any problems.

How to set up modem mode on iPhone

This usually applies to older versions of iOS and you may not encounter this problem on newer devices. Most often it occurs due to a network settings reset.


Let's go to Settings- click cellular- go to Cellular data and then enter the following parameters:

We fill in the indicated fields with the relevant data, but if the Internet still does not work, then simply call the operator and clarify. And where the word “Empty” is written, this means that we are not writing anything.

P.S. If nothing helps at all, try returning the network settings to default. To do this, go to “Settings” - look for “General” - scroll to “Reset” - and boldly click “Reset network settings”.