Running out of data balance on your smartphone? The scenario is not uncommon when users who need more than average data run out of it towards the end of the month. You might also be using public WiFi, like at work or a hotel. The connection may not handle all the devices trying to connect. In all cases, you can turn your Mac into a WiFi hotspot. Then, you can continue your online work on your iPhone or Android. This article aims to provide information on exactly how to do that, which is how to share WiFi from a Mac. Study this article to uncover the facts directly.
How to Share WiFi from Mac to iPhone?
Before using your Mac as a WiFi hotspot, connect it to an active network via Ethernet. Mac fails to create a WiFi hotspot on wireless network connections. After you have taken care of the above factors, follow the steps mentioned below to share WiFi from your Mac.
- Open system preferences.
- Click on Sharing.
- You’ll see a box beside Internet Sharing. Click on it.
- Next, beside ‘Share your connection from,’ select Ethernet.
- Below that, you’ll see ‘To computers using’. Select Ethernet beside it.
- Next, click on WiFi options. Now, you’ll be prompted to set a password, which should be at least 8 characters. Select WPA 2 next to Security, and then enter your password and verify it by entering it again.
- Now, click on the box beside Internet Sharing.
- Click on Start to confirm that you want to turn on Internet sharing.
That’s it! You have successfully created a WiFi hotspot using your Mac.
Click Settings > WiFi and choose the network you made to connect your iPhone or any other device to this network. Put in the password that you created in step six above. You can now surf on your iPhone.
How to Create a Mac WiFi Hotspot without Ethernet?
You need an Ethernet connection on your Mac in order to complete this operation. What happens if your Mac lacks a network port? What happens if there’s no Ethernet connection? In some situations, you’ll also require an additional attachment.
With a WiFi network adapter plugged in, your Mac’s built-in networking should allow one of the network interfaces to receive the connection while the other one re-broadcasts it. Just plug in the adapter and follow the above steps. Select one of the two adapters instead of Ethernet in step 4 above, and you are all set to connect your iPhone or iPad using your Mac as a WiFi hotspot.
Use Bluetooth to Share Internet from Mac to iPhone.
There’s even another way you can share the internet from your Mac to your iPhone, and that’s via Bluetooth. It won’t be as fast as with Ethernet, or support as many devices. But, it’s a viable option. You should check it as well. We’ll use Bluetooth PAN (Personal Area Network). So, the initial pairing will take longer. But, it’s a free alternative and works with most smartphones and tablets.
The procedure for setting it up is the same as when you connect using an Ethernet cable. Only one difference is you have to select Bluetooth PAN next to the box that says “To computers using” when it appears, as in the step 5 of the initial procedure.
Follow these steps to join the Bluetooth network from your iPhone:
- Bluetooth is enabled by default on Macs.
- Make sure Bluetooth is enabled on your iPhone by going to Settings > Bluetooth.
- Click on Personal Hotspot under Settings>Mobile Data.
- Open the Bluetooth pane in System Preferences on your Mac.
- Click on Connect after you find your iPhone.
- The code will appear in both devices. Enter the code by tapping on ‘pair” on your iPhone.
- Go to WiFi on your iPhone and search for the Mac that you wish to connect with.
- Personal Hotspot is available on your iPhone. Click on Join. If you’ve set a password, enter it.
You will now be able to connect your iPhone to the Mac via Bluetooth and use it as a WiFi Hotspot.
FAQs
1. Can a Mac use an iPhone Internet?
Yes, you can use the personal hotspot option on your iPhone and connect your Mac to it to use the internet data on your iPhone.
2. What does WiFi hotspot mean?
WiFi hotspots allow users to share their mobile data across many other devices using a secured connection.