How to Access Wi-Fi on Another iPhone: All the Working Methods

• 📱 Turn on Bluetooth V Control center or settings.
• 🔍 Select the first device in the list iPhone (the name will be displayed as "Device_Name").
• 🔑 Confirm pairing (the same code should appear on both devices).

After connecting next to the indicator Bluetooth on the second iPhone an icon will appear 📶 — this means the internet is working. If the connection is interrupted:

• 🔄 Reboot Bluetooth on both devices.
• 📱 Make sure the distance between the phones does not exceed 10 meters.
• 🔋 Check your battery level if it's below 20% iOS can automatically turn off power-consuming functions.

3. USB connection: maximum stability

This is the most reliable method, but it requires Lightning/USB-C cable (or adapter for older models) and Mac/PC as an intermediary. Suitable if you need long and stable connection (for example, to download large files).

How to set up:

1. 📱 Connect first iPhone To Mac or PC via cable.
2. 🖥 Open it on your computer Network settings (Mac) or Control Panel → Network Connections (Windows).
3. 🔗 Turn on Internet access sharing through iPhone (on Mac this is done in System Preferences → Sharing).
4. 📶 Connect the second one iPhone to the same computer (via another port or Wi-Fi) and select the network with the name of your Mac/PC.

Advantages of the method:

• ⚡ Speed ​​is limited only by bandwidth USB (to 480 Mbps on USB 2.0).
• 🔋 Minimal battery consumption on both iPhone.
• 🛡 The connection is protected from external interference (unlike Wi-Fi/Bluetooth).

⚠️ Attention: On Windows driver installation may be required Apple Mobile Device USB DriverIf the computer does not recognize iPhone As a network device, download the latest version. iTunes (even if you don't use it).

Is the cable connected to a data-capable port (not all USB ports on a PC are the same)?

Is Personal Hotspot enabled on the first iPhone?

Is Internet Sharing enabled in your computer settings?

Are your iPhone drivers updated on your PC (especially for Windows)?

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4. AirDrop + Instant Hotspot (Apple ecosystem only)

If both iPhone tied to one Apple ID, you can use the function Instant Hotspot (Instant Hotspot). This is a simplified version of tethering that automatically connects devices without entering a password.

Working conditions:

• 📱 Both iPhone must work on iOS 8.1 or newer.
• 🔗 Devices must be within range 9–10 meters from each other.
• 📶 On the first iPhone must be enabled Bluetooth And Wi-Fi.
• 🔑 Both devices must be authorized in the same Apple ID (or in family access).

How to activate:

1. On the first iPhone turn on Modem mode (as in the first method).
2. On the second iPhone open Control center (swipe down from the top right corner).
3. 🔄 Tap and hold the tile Cellular communications (or Wi-Fi, if the first iPhone connected to the network).
4. 📱 In the list, select the name of the first iPhone — the connection will occur automatically.

Peculiarities:

• 🔒 No password required (authentication occurs via Apple ID).
• ⚡ Battery consumption is lower than a standard hotspot (on 15–20%).
• 📶 The speed is the same as with regular Wi-Fi distribution.

5. Alternative methods (for advanced users)

If standard methods don't work (for example, your carrier is blocking modem mode), you can try workarounds. These require additional equipment or knowledge, but sometimes prove to be the only solution.

Method 1: Router in repeater mode

If you have a portable router (for example, TP-Link TL-WR802N), it can be configured as a repeater (Repeater) signal from the first iPhone:

1. Connect the router to the first one iPhone through Wi-Fi (in hot spot mode).
2. Go to the router's web interface (usually at 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1).
3. In the settings, select the mode Repeater (or Signal amplifier) and specify the network of the first iPhone.
4. Connect the second one iPhone to the repeater network.

Method 2: Software Bridge on Mac

If you have MacBook, you can create a software bridge between Wi-Fi And USB/Ethernet:

sudo ifconfig bridge0 create
sudo ifconfig bridge0 addm en0
sudo ifconfig bridge0 addm en1
sudo ifconfig bridge0 up

Where en0 - This Wi-Fi, A en1 — USB/Ethernet (check the interface names via ifconfig). After that, connect the second one. iPhone To Mac via cable.

⚠️ Note: Setting up the software bridge requires administrator rights and may reset after a reboot. For permanent use, add the commands to launchd or create shell-script.

Comparison of all methods: which one to choose?

The only method that allows you to share a connection to another Wi-Fi network (not just mobile data) is a USB connection via a computer or setting up a repeater. The other methods only work with the mobile data of the first iPhone.

Common mistakes and how to fix them

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

1. The hotspot does not turn on

• 📵 Check if the modem mode is disabled in your carrier settings. Type *#5005*7672# (For MTS, Beeline, Megaphone codes may differ).
• 📱 Reboot iPhone - sometimes resetting network settings helps (Settings → General → Transfer or reset → Reset → Reset network settings).
• 🔄 Update iOS — Old versions had bugs with modem mode.

2. The second iPhone does not connect to the hotspot

• 🔑 Make sure your password is entered correctly (case sensitive!).
• 📶 Check if the number of connected devices exceeds the limit (usually 3-5 devices simultaneously).
• 🔄 Turn it off VPN on both devices - it can block the local connection.

3. The Bluetooth connection keeps dropping out

• 📱 Unpair both devices and reconnect.
• 🔋 The battery charge must be above 30% - otherwise iOS can turn off Bluetooth to save energy.
• 📡 Make sure there are no sources of interference nearby (microwaves, other Bluetooth-devices).

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions