Personal Hotspot, Not So Hot

[Marrk]

My iPhone 5S won't function as a Personal Hotspot, either by WiFi or by USB cable. It used to, but now it won't. Don't know what happened.

Model MD654LL/A, Version 7.1.2 (11D257).

How do I fix this?

Thanks.

 

[Raz0rEdge]

What version of iOS? What the symptoms of it not working? Is it visible to other devices? Provide enough information so that we can tell you how to proceed..

 

[Marrk]

I did not install iOS 8.1, so I have the one before that.

My phone does not appear in the WiFi pulldown menu. I don't know where to look for it when it is connected by USB.

I have no other devices. Only iPhone and MacBookPro.

 

[Marrk]

The symptoms are that my MacBookPro does not synch with my iPhone, so I cannot use the iPone as a hotspot.

 

[vansmith]

Syncing has no part in this so that's not the issue.

Do you have the WiFi hotspot setup on your iPhone? Go to Settings > Personal Hotspot and ensure that it's enabled.

 

[Marrk]

^^Yes. It's on.

 

[Marrk]

Okay, I figured out that I had to go to System Preferences --> Networks to see the iPhone connected by USB. That's done. Then, I figured out how to Pair with Bluetooth. That appears to be done. But I am still not able to connected by WiFi.

 

[Marrk]

It's not working. The phone says I'm connected, the Network thing in System Preferences says I'm connected, but I'm getting no e-mail and I cannot log on to the internet using Safari.

 

[vansmith]

What's the error? Do you get any sort of messages? Do you get an IP address?

 

[Marrk]

What's the error? Do you get any sort of messages? Do you get an IP address?

I get an IP address.

I get no messages. The error is that I cannot use my phone as a hotspot. I am trying to figure out why. The phone says "Personal Hotspot: 1 Connection" across the top, but I cannot browse the internet or get mail.

 

[vansmith]

It's possible that your carrier doesn't support Personal Hotspots. See here for a list of supported carriers (globally).

 

[dbm]

I would be tempted to upgrade to 8.1. I found 8.0 to be a bit flaky with regards to the personal wifi hotspot, but 8.1 is much more robust on my iPhone 6.

 

[Marrk]

It's possible that your carrier doesn't support Personal Hotspots. See here for a list of supported carriers (globally).

I'm with Verizon. The Personal Hotspot worked during approx. the first year of ownership of the phone.

Sorry to sound like an idiot, but that's all I know.

 

[Marrk]

I would be tempted to upgrade to 8.1. I found 8.0 to be a bit flaky with regards to the personal wifi hotspot, but 8.1 is much more robust on my iPhone 6.

Is it safe now to install 8.1?

 

[vansmith]

According to that chart, Verizon is supported.

Yes, you're fine installing iOS 8.1. Give that a try and see if that improves things.

 

[Marrk]

According to that chart, Verizon is supported.

Yes, you're fine installing iOS 8.1. Give that a try and see if that improves things.

Nothing happened.