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iPhone USB Hotspot/Tethering not working - Solution

Anonymous
2025-01-08T08:16:08+00:00

I don't really know how to proceed, as it is not a question. I have seen some questions on this forum about Tethering via USB not working. I've seen a guide from 2024 that told you a series of steps and even reinstall iTunes. As Apple says on their website, iTunes is practically deprecated. For tethering to work you have to install the Apple Devices App (https://support.apple.com/en-us/118290) and as soon as you install it, your iPhone asks you if you trust the PC, you accept and if you follow the steps in the reference guide (https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/iphone-15-pro-usb-hotspottethering-not-working/b921860f-0f9e-4aa4-a217-a345a5442101) it will work automatically. Apologies if this is not the way to post it, but I have not seen this information anywhere and it is relevant. Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Internet and connectivity

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  1. Anonymous
    2025-01-09T04:32:45+00:00

    I use iTunes and use iOS 18.2

    Here's what worked for me on two different computers.

    It allowed me to use iPhone to connect to Windows 11 over USB.

    PRECONDITION my USB 2.0 cable to connect iPhone Ethernet connection to computer is already plugged in on USB side but dangling and disconnected from iPhone at lightning connector.

    1. Went to W11 Settings app\Bluetooth devices"View more devices" URL\ scroll to bottom and view "Other Devices"
      ...THEN deleted all instances of my iPhone
    2. Went to W11 Settings app\Network & internet to watch what happens as I plug-in my iPhone
    3. While viewing "Network & internet," I enable HOTSPOT on my iPhone and then physcially plug-in wire INTO iPhone
    4. I watch what happens as I am viewing the phone (Ethernet 2 on one computer and Ethernet 4 on another computer) connect. RESULT: Success!

    HTH. YMMV.

    NOTE there was nothing about "Trust this computer?" thankfully when I plugged my iPhone in.

    It went straight to Ethernet connection

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  2. Anonymous
    2025-01-27T01:55:30+00:00

    Wanted to add to my reply from January 8, 2025.

    All told, everything has changed.

    iTunes on my computer only contains podcasts and audiobooks. I'm about to delete iTunes.

    First I freaked out. Then, using the information from @hadrianfersu above, I was able to download Apple Devices.

    Had I not read this post again, I wouldn't have seen that OP told me what I needed to do.

    Having Apple Devices app on my Windows 11 computer allows me to use hotpot over Ethernet.

    (whereas if I hadn't had downloaded it, my iPhone wouldn't connect to the internet via Ethernet, which is what this whole post is about.)

    In the past, I could always connect to hotspot over wifi, but the problem was that I kept getting dropped from my connection.

    On the other hand, the ethernet connection never kicks me off. I don't get dropped. So much better.

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