How to Share Internet from iPhone to Computer via USB Cable: A Complete Guide

Connecting your computer to the Internet via iPhone via USB — a convenient way to access the network when you don't have a router or Wi-Fi is unavailable. This method is especially useful when traveling, at the dacha, or in an office with unstable coverage. Unlike wireless sharing via Hotspot, USB connection saves battery life iPhone and provides a more stable speed.

However, not everyone knows that Apple does not provide a direct USB internet sharing feature in the default settings. This requires enabling modem mode and configure the settings correctly on both devices. In this article, we'll walk you through the process in detail. Windows And macOS, and we will also look at typical errors and how to fix them.

What you need to distribute Wi-Fi via USB

Before you begin setup, make sure you have everything you need:

• 📱 iPhone with iOS version 12.0 or later (on older versions the function may work unstably).
• 💻 Computer with Windows 10/11 or macOS (versions not lower than Mojave 10.14).
• 🔌 Original or certified USB cable (poor quality cables may not transmit data).
• 📶 Mobile Internet on iPhone (3G/4G/5G) with an active tariff plan.

If you use Windows, additional driver installation may be required Apple Mobile Device USB DriverOn . macOS Drivers are installed automatically upon first connection iPhone.

Step-by-step setup on iPhone

Start with preparation iPhone — it will take no more than a minute:

1. Open Settings on iPhone.
2. Go to the section Cellular communications (or Mobile data).
3. Select an item Modem mode.
4. Activate the slider Allow others.
5. In the list of available connections, enable the option USB cable.

After that iPhone The device will be ready to share the internet, but the computer won't be able to use it yet. Further steps depend on the operating system.

Enable mobile internet in Settings

Activate modem mode

Connect the USB cable to the computer

Allow USB connection in modem settings-->

Setting up a connection on Windows

On Windows The process is a bit more complicated due to the need to install drivers. Follow the instructions:

1. Connect iPhone Connect to your computer via a USB cable. Use the original cable or a certified replacement.
2. If the system asks for permission to access the device, unlock it. iPhone and press "Trust".
3. Open Control Panel → Network and Internet → Network and Sharing Center.
4. In the left menu, select Changing adapter settings.
5. Find a new connection with the name Apple Mobile Device Ethernet or Remote NDIS.
6. Right click on it and select Properties.
7. Make sure that is checked in the list of protocols Internet Protocol version 4 (TCP/IPv4).

If the connection does not appear, check the installation of the drivers via device Manager. In the section Network adapters the device should be displayed Apple Mobile Device Ethernet.

⚠️ Note: On some corporate computers with security policies, the USB modem may be blocked. In this case, please contact your network administrator.

Setting up a connection on macOS

On Mac The process is made easier thanks to built-in device support Apple:

1. Connect iPhone To Mac via USB.
2. Unlock your phone and trust the computer.
3. Open System Preferences → Network.
4. In the left menu, select iPhone USB (may be called USB 10/100/1000 LAN).
5. Click Connect and wait for activation.

If the Internet doesn't work, check your settings. DNSSometimes manual DNS server setup helps, for example, 8.8.8.8 (Google) or 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare).

Common mistakes and their solutions

Even with proper setup, problems can arise. Here are the most common ones:

• 🔌 The computer doesn't detect the iPhone via USB.: Try a different cable or port. Windows check device Manager for errors.
• 🌐 No internet access: Make sure mobile data is turned on iPhone. Restart both devices.
• ⚡ iPhone battery drains quickly: The USB modem consumes a lot of power. Connect it iPhone to charge during use.
• 🔒 Modem mode is blockedSome carriers block this feature. Check your plan terms.

If you see the "Limited" or "No Internet Access" icon after connecting to the network, try disabling your antivirus or firewall—they may be blocking the new connection.

Alternative ways to share internet from iPhone

If the USB connection doesn't work, consider other options:

• 📶 Wi-Fi Hotspot: Turn on Tethering → Wi-Fi and connect to the created network from your computer. The downside is that it drains the battery quickly.
• 🔗 Bluetooth: Slower than USB, but saves battery. Turn it on Modem mode → Bluetooth and pair your devices.
• 📡 Personal hotspot via router: Some routers support connection iPhone as a source of the Internet.

Each method has its pros and cons. For example, Wi-Fi convenient for multiple devices, but USB provides a more stable connection and does not require a password.

USB modem speed and limitations

Internet speed via USB depends on several factors:

• 📶 Network coverage: In the 5G zone, the speed will be higher than in 3G.
• 🔌 USB port version: USB 3.0 faster USB 2.0, but the difference is noticeable only at Internet speeds above 100 Mbps.
• 💻 Computer performance: Older PCs may limit speed due to a weak network adapter.

On average, the speed via USB is 70-90% The maximum mobile internet speed depends on your plan's maximum speed. For example, if your plan supports 100 Mbps, you'll get around 70-80 Mbps via USB.

⚠️ Please note: Some mobile operators limit speed or data usage when using tethering. Check the terms in your account or with your operator.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

sudo ipheth-setup
sudo ifconfig enp0s20u1 up