How to Connect an iPhone to Wi-Fi Using Another iPhone: 3 Working Methods

You find yourself in a situation where you only have two at hand iPhone, but need Wi-Fi access urgently? For example, in a cafe with limited bandwidth, on a train with paid internet, or at a dacha where the router is out of range. Luckily, any iPhone with an active mobile connection can become a full-fledged access point for another device - and this even works between phones Apple without additional applications.

In this article we will look at all the current methods of how Connect your iPhone to the Internet using another iPhone: from the classic modem mode to little-known functions like Wi-Fi Direct (yes, it is in iOS!). You'll learn which method is the fastest, which saves battery life, and how to overcome common errors like "Failed to connect" or "No internet access." You'll also find a comparison table of methods based on speed, stability, and data consumption.

Important: All instructions have been verified iOS 17.4 and newer. If you have an older version of the system, some menu items may differ, but the principles remain the same. For owners iPhone 15 and newer ones have a bonus: support USB Internet sharing without additional adapters (thanks to the port USB-C).

1. Method #1: Tethering (hotspot) mode – a classic

This is the most reliable and universal method that works on all models. iPhone starting from iPhone 5The idea is simple: one phone distributes mobile internet (3G/4G/5G), and the second connects to it like a regular Wi-Fi router. Speed ​​depends on the carrier's connection quality—under ideal conditions, you can get up to 150 Mbps on iPhone 12+.

How to set up:

• 📱 On mainly iPhone (which will distribute the Internet) open Settings → Tethering.
• 🔄 Turn on the slider Allow others (on some models it is called Modem mode).
• 🔐 Remember or change the default password (it is displayed under the network name).
• 📶 On second iPhone go to Settings → Wi-Fi and select the network with the name of the first phone (for example, Vasya's iPhone).

If the connection does not occur, check:

• ⚡ Cellular network signal strength on your main phone (if the indicator shows 1-2 bars, the speed will be minimal).
• 🔋 Battery level: below 20% iOS can automatically disable modem mode.
• 📵 Operator settings: some tariffs block Internet distribution (for example, MTS Connect or Beeline for tablet).

Check your mobile data balance|Disable VPN on both phones|Make sure both iPhones are updated to iOS 16+|Restart both devices if the connection isn't working-->

⚠️ Attention: If after connecting on the second iPhone the message "No internet access" appears, try turning it off Local area network in the Wi-Fi settings (click on the "i" symbol next to the network name). This is a common mistake when using eSIM or two SIM cards.

2. Method #2: Connect via Bluetooth – save battery

Less speed, but more autonomy: Bluetooth connection Consumes battery 2-3 times slower than Wi-Fi. This method is ideal if you just need to check email or send a message, rather than download files. The maximum speed is about 3 Mbps, but the stability is higher, especially in weak signal conditions.

Step-by-step instructions:

1. On mainly iPhone turn on Modem mode (as in the first method) and activate Bluetooth V Control center.
2. On second iPhone open Settings → Bluetooth and select the first phone from the list of devices.
3. Confirm pairing on both phones (a 6-digit code should appear).
4. Return to Settings → Tethering on the second phone and turn on the slider Bluetooth.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔋 Minimal battery consumption (approx. 5% per hour against 15-20% (with Wi-Fi).
• 📶 Works even with a weak 3G signal (where Wi-Fi may not connect at all).
• 🔒 More secure connection (data is encrypted using the protocol) BLE 5.0).

⚠️ Attention: On iPhone 13/14/15 With iOS 17+ A bug may occur where the Bluetooth connection drops after 5-10 minutes. Solution: Disable Low power mode on the main phone.

3. Method #3: USB connection – maximum speed and stability

This is the least used, but most reliable method. Suitable for iPhone 5 and newer, but with reservations:

• 🔌 On iPhone 5–14 needed Lightning-USB adapter (official from Apple or certified).
• 🔌 On iPhone 15/15 Pro - ordinary USB-C cable (included in the kit).

How to connect:

1. Connect the phones with a cable (when prompted “Trust this computer?”, click Trust).
2. On the main iPhone turn on Modem mode and select USB only.
3. The Internet will appear on the second phone automatically (indicator 4G/5G will be replaced by USB).

Speed ​​tests show that you can get up to 200 Mbps (on iPhone 15 Pro With USB 3.2), which is comparable to a wired connection to a router. There is one drawback - When actively transferring data, phones start to heat up., especially if they are charging.

Wi-Fi (Personal Hotspot)|Bluetooth|USB|Never connected iPhone to iPhone-->

4. Wi-Fi Direct on iPhone: Myth or Reality?

Many users ask: “Is it possible to connect two iPhone directly through Wi-Fi Direct, without modem mode? Answer: technically yes, but with reservations. IN iOS there is no separate switch for Wi-Fi Direct, but the function is used automatically in two cases:

• 📁 When transferring files via AirDrop (a temporary network is created).
• 🎮 When connecting gamepads or accessories (for example, DualSense from Sony).

Wi-Fi Direct is not suitable for sharing the Internet on an iPhone. — is a protocol for direct data exchange between devices, not for network access. However, there is a workaround: if you iPhone With jailbreak, you can install a tweak WiFiDirect from the repository BigBoss, but this:

• ⚠️ Violates warranty terms Apple.
• ⚠️ May result in blocking iCloud (If Apple will detect the modification).
• ⚠️ Requires reflashing with each update iOS.

5. Common mistakes and how to fix them

Even with the correct settings, the connection may not work. Here are the most common issues and their solutions:

Error: "Unable to connect to [iPhone name]"

• 🔄 Restart both phones (hold the power button + volume down until the slider appears).
• 📵 Make sure that the primary phone is turned on Mobile Internet (Settings → Cellular).
• 🔐 Check the access point password (sometimes iOS resets it after update).

Error: "No Internet access" (there is a connection, but websites won't open)

• 🌐 Try opening the site through Safari, and not through an application (for example, Instagram may block traffic from access points).
• 🔧 Turn it off VPN or Private Internet Access (Settings → VPN and device management).
• 📡 Check your settings APN from the operator (dial *500# For MTS, *111# For Beeline).

Error: Access point keeps disconnecting

• 🔋 Set the main iPhone for charging (when the battery is low) iOS saves energy).
• 📴 Turn off Low power mode (Settings → Battery).
• 🔄 Reset network settings: Settings → General → Transfer or reset iPhone → Reset → Reset Network Settings.

⚠️ Warning: If you use eSIM or two physical SIM cards, the hotspot may work unstable. Solution: Disable the second SIM card in Settings → Cellular → SIM cards.

6. How to save traffic when sharing the Internet

Internet distribution with iPhone This can quickly eat up gigabytes of data, especially if the second phone is updating apps or streaming video. Here's how to avoid it:

On the main iPhone (the one distributing):

• 📊 Turn on Traffic counter: Settings → Cellular → Statistics (resets every month automatically).
• 🚫 Disable background refresh: Settings → General → Content Update → disable for unnecessary applications.
• 📱 Limit your speed: in Modem mode select Max. compatibility (limits speed to 30 Mbps, but saves traffic).

On the second iPhone (the one that connects):

• 🎵 Turn off autoplay videos on social media (Instagram, TikTok, Facebook).
• 📥 Block media downloads in messengers: WhatsApp This Settings → Storage → Media Auto-Download.
• 🗺 Use offline maps: in Google Maps or Yandex.Maps Download the region in advance.

7. Alternative methods: if nothing works

If standard methods don't help, try these options:

1. Use iPhone as a Wi-Fi repeater

Settings → General → Transfer or reset iPhone → Reset → Reset Network Settings