The situation when The smartphone does not connect to Wi-FiA hotspot created by another mobile device often baffles users. It seems simple: turn on the hotspot on one phone, find the network on the other, enter the password, and the internet should work. However, instead of the desired connection, the system returns an error message "Unable to connect" or remains stuck indefinitely in the "Obtaining IP address" status.
Such failures can be caused by a variety of factors, ranging from simple frequency band overcrowding to deep security protocol conflicts. Android And iOS They use different algorithms for managing network interfaces, which sometimes leads to incompatibility when trying to create a local network between devices of different ecosystems.
In this article, we'll take a detailed look at the technical causes of connection failures, check DNS and DHCP settings, and explore hidden power-saving features that can block Wi-Fi. Understanding these mechanisms will help you quickly restore network access without rebooting all your devices.
Conflicts between frequency bands and safety standards
One of the most common reasons why the device does not see the network or refuses to connect to it, is the incompatibility of frequency ranges. Modern smartphones often try to create an access point in the range by default. 5 GHz to ensure high data transfer speeds. However, older phone models or budget tablets may simply lack hardware support for this range and physically cannot see the network.
The second important aspect is the encryption protocol. If the internet server is configured to use the standard WPA3, and the receiving device only supports WPA2, the handshake will fail. The security system will simply reject the connection attempt, considering it potentially vulnerable or invalid.
- 📡 Switch the access point band from 5 GHz to 2.4 GHz in the modem settings.
- 🔐 Change the security method to WPA2-Personal (AES) for maximum compatibility.
- 📱 Make sure both devices are in line of sight without thick walls.
- 🔄 Restart the Wi-Fi module on the receiving device before trying again.
It's also worth considering that some smartphone manufacturers use proprietary extensions to improve signal strength, which may conflict with standard drivers from other brands. If you see the network, but the connection drops immediately after entering the password, the problem lies in the handshake protocol.
⚠️ Please note: When switching frequency bands, your internet speed may decrease, but your connection stability will increase significantly, especially in noisy environments.
Errors obtaining an IP address and configuring DHCP
If the connection status is stuck on the phrase "Obtaining IP address", this is a direct indicator of problems with DHCP serverIn access point mode, the smartphone serving as a DHCP server issues addresses to clients. If the address pool is exhausted or the service on the serving device is frozen, a new client will be unable to obtain a digital ID to connect to the network.
Often, the problem is solved by statically assigning an IP address to the receiving device. Instead of automatically receiving the settings, you'll have to manually enter the data to bypass the server request. This is especially true for older versions. Android, where the TCP/IP stack may work unstable.
To configure it manually, go to the network properties and select "Static" as the IP setting. It's important to avoid entering any errors here, otherwise you'll encounter an address conflict or a missing gateway.
| Parameter | Value for the distributor (usually) | Value for the client (example) |
|---|---|---|
| IP address | 192.168.43.1 | 192.168.43.50 |
| Gateway | 192.168.43.1 | 192.168.43.1 |
| Subnet mask | 255.255.255.0 | 255.255.255.0 |
| DNS 1 | 8.8.8.8 | 8.8.8.8 |
Keep in mind that when configuring statically, you must ensure that the selected IP address is not already occupied by another device on the same local network. Best practice is to choose addresses from the end of the range, such as the one above. 192.168.43.100.
Problems with MAC addressing and filtering
Modern operating systems such as iOS 14+ And Android 10+, implemented a MAC address randomization feature to protect privacy. The device generates a random address each time it connects to a new network. However, some access points (including those created on other phones) may not correctly handle frequent ID changes or have strict filtering.
If the sending smartphone previously had a MAC address whitelist (filter) configured, the new random MAC address from the receiving device will be blocked. In this case, the connection will be terminated immediately after the connection is established.
- 🆔 Disable the "Private Wi-Fi Address" feature in the properties of a specific network on the client device.
- 📋 Check the list of blocked devices in the access point settings.
- 🔁 Forget the network on the receiving phone and create a new connection.
For diagnostic purposes, you can temporarily disable randomization. Go to Settings → Wi-Fi → (gear next to the network) → Privacy and select "Use device MAC address." This will return a persistent identifier that's easier to manage.
Why does randomization break the connection?
Some older implementations of the Wi-Fi Direct protocol or modem modes do not have time to rebuild the ARP address table when the MAC address changes, considering the incoming packet a spoofing attack.
Impact of energy saving and background restrictions
Aggressive power-saving algorithms are the bane of modern smartphones. The system can forcibly disable Wi-Fi or limit background data transfers if it detects the battery is draining too quickly. This often happens when the phone is sharing data but the screen is off.
The operating system may "kill" the internet sharing process to save battery power, which leads to disconnections with connected clients. This is especially common with shells. MIUI, EMUI and some stock versions Android.
⚠️ Note: Settings interfaces and menu item names may vary depending on the OS version and phone model. Always consult your device's official user manual if you can't find the switch you need.
To prevent this, you should add the "Tethering" app or the system process to the power saving exceptions. You should also disable battery saving while using the modem.
☑️ Energy saving optimization
DNS and network stack failures
Even if the connection is established, the lack of internet access (the Wi-Fi icon is present, but the pages do not load) often indicates problems with DNS serversA client phone may receive a gateway address, but not know where to send requests to resolve domain names to IP addresses.
Your mobile internet provider may block standard DNS queries or use their own, which can be unstable in tethered mode. In this case, manually registering reliable DNS addresses solves 90% of "no network access" issues.
Use public servers from Google or Cloudflare. They provide high response speeds and don't filter traffic unnecessarily. They are entered in the same static IP settings discussed above.
Another possible cause is a full NAT table on the uploading device. If too many devices are connected to the access point or active torrent downloads are in progress, the NAT table becomes full, and new requests are simply lost.
Specifics of cross-platform interaction
Sometimes the problem lies in the combination of different operating systems. For example, iPhone in access point mode it can use specific settings that AndroidSmartphones perceive the connection with a delay. Or vice versa: an Android device creates a network with parameters that iOS considers unsafe.
Particular attention should be paid to the "Maximize Compatibility" function, which appeared in the latest versions. iOSIt switches the access point to 2.4 GHz mode and changes the encryption protocol, which often solves connection problems with older Windows laptops or Android tablets.
- 🍏 On iPhone: Turn on the "Maximum Compatibility" toggle switch in the Personal Hotspot settings.
- 🤖 On Android: Reset network settings using the "Backup & reset" menu.
- 💻 Update the Wi-Fi drivers on the connected laptop or tablet.
It's also worth checking whether one of the devices has Airplane Mode enabled with Wi-Fi excluded, which could conflict with the Bluetooth module used for the initial handshake between the devices.
Detailed FAQ on Wi-Fi connection
Why does the phone say "Saved" but won't connect?
This means the password is correct, but the subsequent network setup process (obtaining IP and DNS) failed. Check if the sharing device has a limit on the number of connected users, and try forgetting the network on the client.
Can an antivirus block another phone's Wi-Fi connection?
Yes, some mobile antiviruses and firewalls may classify public or new access points as potentially dangerous and block data exchange. Try temporarily disabling protection.
What if the network is not shown in the list at all?
Most likely, the transmitter operates in the 5 GHz band, but your phone doesn't support it, or the SSID (network name) is hidden. Try moving the devices closer or switching to the 2.4 GHz band.
Why is there internet on the sharing phone, but not on the connected one?
The problem is with routing or DNS. Make sure mobile data is enabled on the device sharing the data and that there are no data limits for tethering in your carrier's settings.