Several users have said that they are unable to use their iPhone as a personal Wi-Fi hotspot because the iPhone keeps disconnecting unexpectedly and sometimes reconnecting itself. They further said this problem started after iOS 17 update. This article explains how to fix when an iPhone Personal Hotspot keeps disconnecting after iOS 17 update.
Personal Hotspot is a feature of iOS that lets iPhones share a cellular data connection with other nearby devices through Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or USB. This feature is known as tethering.
When you use Personal Hotspot, your iPhone acts like a wireless router for the other devices, including computers, tablets, smartphones etc, transmitting and receiving data for these devices. If you have the available data on your cellular plan, it’s an excellent alternative to using public Wi-Fi hotspot.
Most major phone companies include Personal Hotspot by default as part of their data plans for the iPhone. AT&T and Verizon include it in many of their plans, while T-Mobile offers it on its Magenta, T-Mobile ONE, and Simple Choice plans. Sprint charges for it, with prices depending on how much data you want to use. Most regional carriers and pay-as-you-go carriers support Personal Hotspot as part of their data plans, as well. If you’re not sure whether you have Personal Hotspot on your data plan, first check with your phone company.
If your personal hotspot keeps disconnecting on iPhone running iOS 17, then this article is for you. Below, we’ll explain a number of tips to fix a hotspot that won’t stop disconnecting on iPhone running iOS 17.
It is possible that the problem may be with your iPhone, the other device that needs to connect to your iPhone’s Personal Hotspot, or your wireless cellular carrier.
How to Fix an iPhone Personal Hotspot disconnecting in iOS 17
If your iPhone Personal Hotspot keeps disconnecting after iOS17 update, follow these tips — in this order—to fix the problem.
These instructions apply to all iPhone models running iOS 17.
Check these steps first
- On iPhone that’s providing Wi-Fi, reset cellular data connection by turning it off and on. Go to Settings > Cellular > move the Cellular Data slider to off/white and back to on/green.
- On the iPhone that’s providing Wi-Fi, turn hotspot off and on. Go to Settings > Personal Hotspot > move the Allow Others to Join slider to off/white and then back to on/green.
- If other devices won’t connect to your hotspot, it may be because the devices are out of range. Ensure that the other devices and your iOS device are close to each other (within 15 feet).
- Check to see if the problem is with the hotspot, your iPhone that provides Personal Hotspot, or the other device(s) that connected to it:
- Try connecting a different computer or mobile device to the hotspot. If this device can connect, then the problem is not with the hotspot.
- Try connecting it to other Wi-Fi connections, if it cannot connect, then the problem is not the hotspot.
- Try visiting another website (e.g., Apple.com or GeeksChalk.com). if they can load, then the problem is not the hotspot.
- Please ensure that your iPhone has the latest version of the iOS software. You can update (or check for updates) by going to Settings > General > Software Update.
- Please ensure that the other device has the latest version of its software/firmware installed. Contact its manufacturer for further help.
- Make sure that Personal Hotspot is enabled on your iPhone by going to Settings > Personal Hotspot. Furthermore, ensure that Allow Others to Join is turned on. And lastly, if you have an iPhone 12 model or newer as the hotspot, ensure that Maximize Compatibility is enabled. You can do this by going to Settings > Personal Hotspot > move the Maximize Compatibility slider to on/green.
- Restart your iPhone and the other device(s) that keeps disconnecting to your Personal Hotspot.
- Turn off Wi-Fi and wait 30 seconds and turn on Wi-Fi on the other device that is trying to connect to your iPhone.
Update Carrier Settings to Fix Personal Hotspot that keeps disconnecting
Update your carrier settings on your iPhone. This update may fix your iOS 17 hotspot disconnecting problem. Here is how:
- On your iPhone, go to Settings, then tap General, and then select About.
- if a new update is available, you’ll see an option (a popup will appear). Then follow the onscreen instructions.
Reset network settings
The iPhone stores network settings that help control your connection to Wi-Fi, cellular, Bluetooth, and other networks. If a problem crops up in your Network Settings, it can cause the Personal Hotspot to disconnect. Reset your Network Settings to solve the problem. Please note that doing so will erase Wi-Fi networks and passwords, cellular settings, and VPN, proxy and APN settings that you have used before. If your settings are misconfigured, that may cause this problem. Resetting may fix it. Here’s how:
- Open Settings.
- Go into General.
- Select Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Tap Reset.
- Tap Reset Network Settings. You will be asked to enter your passcode. And then your iPhone will restart.
Still, iPhone Hotspot keeps disconnecting in iOS 17?
At this point, if iPhone Personal Hotspot still keeps disconnecting, it’s time to bring in the experts. You may want to:
- Contact Apple support.
- Contact your carrier.
- Contact the manufacturer of the other device.