iPhone hotspot works seamlessly with a Mac. However, the same isn’t true with Windows. Many have complained about iPhone hotspot not working or showing up on Windows. If you face the same, here are the best ways to fix the problem.
A mobile hotspot comes in handy when Wi-Fi isn’t available to use on your Windows laptop. iPhone hotspot not showing up on Windows can break your workflow. Go through the troubleshooting tricks below and share your iPhone mobile data with Windows.
1. Enable Mobile Data
If you have disabled mobile data on your iPhone, it won’t appear on Windows. You can open Settings, navigate to Cellular Data > Mobile Data, and select your main SIM.
2. Allow Others to Join
If you don’t allow others to join on the hotspot network, your iPhone won’t show up in the Wi-Fi menu on Windows.
Step 1: Open Settings on your iPhone.
Step 2: Select Personal Hotspot and enable the ‘Allow Others to Join’ toggle.
3. Disable Low Data Mode
Low Data mode on your SIM may apply some brakes to data consumption and leads to issues like iPhone hotspot not showing up.
Step 1: Open Mobile Data in iPhone Settings and select your main SIM.
Step 2: Disable the Low Data mode.
4. Disable Limit IP Address Tracking
By default, iOS enables IP address tracking, which hides your IP address during browsing. It may interfere with the hotspot function. Let’s disable it.
Step 1: Open Mobile Data in iPhone Settings.
Step 2: Select your main SIM and turn off the Limit IP Address Tracking toggle.
Now check if your iPhone hotspot is showing up on Windows PC or not.
5. Enable Data Roaming
If you have disabled data roaming on your iPhone, the mobile data may not work outside the state.
Step 1: Open your primary SIM in the Cellular data menu (check the steps above).
Step 2: Enable the Data Roaming toggle.
6. Disable Maximize Compatibility
Maximize Compatibility option reduces the internet performance for devices connected to your iPhone hotspot.
Step 1: Open Settings on your iPhone and select Personal Hotspot.
Step 2: Disable the Maximize Compatibility toggle.
7. Turn off Battery Saver Mode
An active battery saver mode can be the main reason why your iPhone hotspot isn’t showing up on Windows. You can disable Low Power Mode on iPhone and connect it to a power adapter.
Step 1: Head to iPhone Settings > Battery menu.
Step 2: Disable the Low Power Mode toggle.
8. Check Wi-Fi on Your PC
If your Windows PC’s Wi-Fi network is acting up, an iPhone hotspot may not appear on it. If you are using a Wi-Fi adapter on your PC, remove it and plug it back in. You can read our dedicated post if Wi-Fi adapters are missing from Windows.
9. Keep iPhone Hotspot Screen On
This trick has worked wonders for us. When the iPhone hotspot failed to show up on our Windows PC, we kept the Personal Hotspot screen on, and it immediately appeared to connect on the desktop.
10. Run Network Troubleshooter on Windows
Running a network troubleshooter is one of the quickest ways to fix an iPhone hotspot that is not showing up Windows issue. Go through the steps below.
Step 1: Open Windows Settings (press Windows + I keys) and navigate to System > Troubleshoot > Other Troubleshooters menu.
Step 2: Run the ‘Network and Internet’ troubleshooter and follow the on-screen instructions.
Once you complete running the network troubleshooter, connect your iPhone hotspot to Windows.
11. Reset Network Settings on iPhone
You can reset network settings on your iPhone and try sharing cellular data with Windows PC again.
Step 1: Open Settings on your iPhone and scroll to General.
Step 2: Tap Transfer or Reset and select Reset from the following menu.
Step 3: Select Reset Network settings.
12. Update iOS and Windows
You can update iOS and Windows system to the latest version and try again. Outdated system software is one of the reasons behind such issues on Windows.
iPhone
Step 1: Launch iPhone Settings and navigate to General > Software Update menu.
Step 2: Download and install the latest iOS update.
Windows
Step 1: Use the Windows + I keys to open Settings.
Step 2: Go to the Windows Update menu and install the newest Windows build.
If you face issues with downloading the latest Windows update, read our dedicated guide to fix the issue.
Share iPhone Hotspot with Windows
If none of the tricks work, you can connect your iPhone to Windows PC using a data cable and share mobile data. Did iPhone personal hotspot show up on the PC? Do let us know the trick that worked for you.
