The situation when Android or iOS A smartphone successfully shares the internet, but the tablet stubbornly refuses to connect to the hotspot it created, is a surprisingly common occurrence. Users encounter an endless "Obtaining IP address" loop or a sudden connection loss immediately after entering the password. This isn't just a random glitch, but a complex conflict of network protocols, security settings, and hardware limitations.
The problem is that modern smartphones use advanced encryption standards and frequency ranges that older or budget tablets may simply not understand. When you try to connect two devices directly without a router, they must perfectly agree on the connection parameters, which is not always the case.
In this article, we will examine in detail the technical reasons for connection failure, due to incompatibility of ranges 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz To the hidden settings of your provider. You'll learn how to diagnose the problem in just a few minutes and what specific steps to take to restore a stable data connection.
Conflict of frequency bands and safety standards
One of the most common reasons why a tablet doesn't see a network or can't connect to one is incompatible frequency bands. Modern smartphones often create a hotspot in the following band by default: 5 GHz, as it provides higher speeds and is less congested with neighboring networks. However, many tablets, especially older models or budget devices, are equipped with Wi-Fi modules that operate exclusively in the 2.4 GHz.
If your tablet doesn't physically support the 5 GHz frequency, it simply won't hear the network your phone is broadcasting, even if it's called by its usual name. In this case, you'll need to force-switch the hotspot mode on your smartphone. To do this, go to Settings, find "Wi-Fi Hotspot" or "Tethering," and select "AP Band."
It's also worth paying attention to security protocols. If your phone has a modern standard installed WPA3, and the tablet doesn't support it, the connection won't work. In such cases, it's recommended to temporarily lower the security level to WPA2-Personalto check if the connection will be established. This is especially true for devices manufactured more than 3-4 years ago.
It's critical to understand that even if your phone shows that the internet is being shared, your tablet may not be able to connect due to hardware frequency incompatibility, not a software error.
Problems with DHCP server and obtaining IP address
A common error users encounter is a tablet stuck at the "Obtaining IP Address" stage. This means the device has found the network, entered the correct password, but was unable to obtain a digital ID from the host. In a smartphone-tablet setup, the phone acts as the DHCP server, and sometimes this process fails due to an address pool overflow or a software freeze.
The solution often lies in simply rebooting the network interfaces of both devices. However, if this doesn't help, it's worth checking the static IP settings. On the tablet, when connecting to the network, you can select "Advanced Options" and change DHCP to "Static." In the IP address field, enter a value such as 192.168.43.150, and set the gateway equal to the phone address (usually 192.168.43.1).
Sometimes the problem is that the phone has "remembered" the tablet as a device with an address conflict. In this case, resetting the smartphone's network settings can help. This will delete all saved Wi-Fi passwords and Bluetooth settings, but it often effectively resolves the issue of assigning IP addresses to new clients.
If you use third-party apps to share your internet connection, make sure they have all the necessary permissions. System Restrictions Android may block the operation of such programs in the background, which leads to a disconnection immediately after connection.
Mobile operator restrictions and APN settings
Many users forget that mobile operators often limit tethering on unlimited data plans. While the internet works on the phone and websites open, when connected to a tablet, the pages stop loading—it's almost certainly blocked by the provider.
Operators analyze the parameter TTL (Time To Live) Data packets. This varies across devices: phones typically have a TTL of 64, while tablets and computers have 128 or 63. When the value changes, the operator's system recognizes that data is being shared and blocks the traffic or starts charging for it separately.
To bypass this limitation, you need to change the TTL value on the phone itself. This can be done through the engineering menu or special commands, but requires caution. It's also worth checking your mobile network's access point name (APN) settings. Sometimes they contain specific parameters that block data transfer to other devices.
⚠️ Attention: Changing APN or TTL settings can completely disable your mobile internet. Before making any changes, write down or take a photo of the original settings so you can restore them later.
How to change TTL on Android?
Changing the TTL usually requires root access. The command looks like `echo 65 > /proc/sys/net/ipv4/ip_default_ttl`. Without root access, you can try changing the value in the APN settings by adding the `dun` parameter to the APN type, if your operator allows it.
Power saving and background system restrictions
Modern operating systems such as Android 12/13/14 And iOS, aggressively optimize power consumption. When you enable a hotspot, your phone may perceive it as a power-hungry task and, after a few minutes, forcefully disable Wi-Fi or limit its performance if the screen is off.
At this point, the tablet loses connection because the phone stops broadcasting the network or responding to requests. To avoid this, you need to add the Hotspot app or the system process that is tethering to the battery exception list. This will allow the Wi-Fi module to operate at full power even in sleep mode.
It's also worth checking whether "Data Saver" or "Smart Network Switching" are enabled on your tablet. These features can block Wi-Fi connections if the system determines that the phone's mobile data connection is more stable or faster, creating a priority conflict.
Also, pay attention to the number of connected devices. Some smartphones have a software limit on the number of clients (usually 5-8 devices). If this limit is reached, the new tablet will simply not be able to log in to the network, even if the password is correct.
☑️ Set up power saving for the access point
Comparison table of connection errors
To quickly diagnose the problem, use the table below. It will help you match the symptoms on your tablet's screen with the most likely cause of the failure.
| Symptom on the tablet | Probable cause | Solution method |
|---|---|---|
| "Getting IP address..." (long) | DHCP server failure on the phone | Forget the network, reboot both devices |
| "Incorrect password" | Encryption protocol incompatibility | Change the security type to WPA2 PSK |
| Connected, no internet access | Time-to-Live (TTL) | Check your tariff, change APN settings |
| The network is not displayed in the list. | Frequency incompatibility (5 GHz vs. 2.4 GHz) | Switch AP band to 2.4 GHz |
| Connection lost after 1-2 minutes | Energy saving or timeout | Disable power saving for the modem |
Specific iOS and Android issues
When connecting iPad to the access point iPhone (or vice versa, Android to iOS) unique ecosystem conflicts may arise. For example, Family Sharing or Instant Hotspot on Apple devices sometimes work erratically if the devices are running different versions of iOS or if iCloud isn't synced correctly.
In the world Android The problem often stems from manufacturers' proprietary skins (MIUI, OneUI, EMUI). They may have their own traffic managers that block incoming connections from "unknown" devices unless they are whitelisted. Check the Wi-Fi security settings on your phone.
MAC filtering is also worth mentioning. If MAC address filtering is enabled on the phone (which is rare, but can happen in corporate profiles or special apps), the tablet will be rejected even with the password. You need to add the tablet's MAC address to the list of allowed addresses in the access point settings.
Hardware malfunctions and interference
Physical causes also cannot be ruled out. If the Wi-Fi antenna module in the tablet is damaged (for example, after a fall), it may be able to detect router networks but not the phone's signal, which is typically weaker due to the smartphone's lower antenna power compared to the home router's.
Interference also plays a role. If you're in a densely populated area or near strong radiation sources (microwaves, radios), the connection channel may be too noisy. Try changing the Wi-Fi channel in your phone's hotspot settings, if this option is available in the advanced menu.
Sometimes, distance alone can help. Get closer to your phone. If the tablet doesn't see the network at 10 meters, but does at 1 meter, this could indicate degradation of the tablet's antenna or low transmitter power in its current operating mode.
The influence of covers
Thick metal cases or magnetic cases can block your Wi-Fi signal. Remove the case from your phone or tablet to check the connection quality.
⚠️ Attention: Settings interfaces may vary depending on the operating system version and device model. If you don't find the options described, use the settings search or refer to the official documentation from your device manufacturer.
Why does my tablet say "Limited" or "No network access"?
This means a physical connection is established, but there's no data exchange. Most often, this is due to blocking by the mobile operator (TTL check) or simply because the phone doesn't have mobile internet (check if websites work on the smartphone itself without Wi-Fi).
Is it possible to share WiFi if a VPN is enabled on the phone?
By default, VPN traffic on your phone is not broadcast to connected devices. Your tablet will be connected to the network, but there will be no internet access. Distributing VPN traffic requires special apps or system-level tunneling settings.
Why does the password reset every time I connect?
This may indicate corruption in the tablet's network settings system files. Try resetting the network settings to factory defaults. If the problem persists, there may be a conflict with an installed network management app.
How do I know how many devices are connected to my hotspot?
On most smartphones, this information is displayed on the hotspot activation screen or in the list of connected users in the Wi-Fi settings. You can also block unknown devices there.