Running out of data balance on your smartphone? The scenario is not uncommon when users who need more than average data runs out of it towards the end of the month. Or, it might also happen that you are using a public WiFi, like in your workplace or perhaps in a hotel, and the connection just does not cope up with all the devices trying to connect to it.
In all the above cases, you can easily turn your Mac into a WiFi hotspot and continue your online work on your iPhone or Android. This article is aimed at providing information on how exactly to do that, i.e., how to share WiFi from Mac. So, go through this article thoroughly and find out for yourself.
How to Share WiFi from Mac to iPhone?
Before you can start using your Mac as a WiFi hotspot, you need to ensure that the Mac device is connected to an active network via an Ethernet cable. The Mac under consideration can’t be used as a WiFi hotspot if it is connected to a network wirelessly. After you have taken care of the above factor, 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.
Now, to connect your iPhone or any other device to this network, go to Settings> WiFi, and choose the network you created. When prompted, enter the password that you have set in step 6 above. You are all ready to start surfing on your iPhone.
How to Create a Mac WiFi Hotspot without Ethernet?
The above process works fine only if you have an Ethernet connection to your Mac. But, what if your Mac does not have an Ethernet port? Or, what if you do not have an Ethernet connection in the first place? In such cases, you’ll need an extra accessory to set things up.
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. Although it won’t be as fast as when used with Ethernet or it might not support as many devices, it’s still a viable way, and you should check this option as well. As we’ll be using Bluetooth PAN (Personal Area Network), the initial pairing process will take longer. However, it’s a free alternative and works with most smartphones and tablets.
Setting it up uses a similar procedure as when connected using an Ethernet cable. The only difference is that you need to select Bluetooth PAN beside the ‘To computers using’ box when it appears as in step 5 of the first procedure.
Follow these steps to join the Bluetooth network from your iPhone:
- Turn on Bluetooth on your Mac.
- On your iPhone, navigate to Settings> Bluetooth, and make sure that it is turned on.
- Now, navigate to Settings> Mobile data> and tap on Personal Hotspot.
- Next, on your Mac, go to System Preferences, and open the Bluetooth pane.
- Look for your iPhone in that pane, and click on Connect.
- A code will appear on both of the devices. Tap on ‘pair’ on your iPhone, and enter the code.
- On your iPhone, go to WiFi and look for the Mac you want to connect to.
- You’ll see the option of Personal Hotspot on your iPhone. Tap on Join. Enter the password if you have set one.
With that, you will have successfully connected your iPhone to your Mac, and ready to use the Mac as a WiFi hotspot via Bluetooth connectivity.
FAQs
- 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.
- What does WiFi hotspot mean?
WiFi hotspot allows users to share your mobile data across many other devices using a secured connection.