How to Share WiFi from an iPhone to a Mac

Last Updated: April 15, 2020

This wikiHow teaches you how to share the password for your iPhone's Wi-Fi connection with your Mac computer. You'll also learn how to use your iPhone as a mobile hotspot to share your 3G/4G data connection with your Mac.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Sharing Your Wi-Fi Password

1
Connect your iPhone to the wireless network. If you want to connect your Mac to the same Wi-Fi network as your iPhone but don't want to enter the password, use this method. Start by connecting your iPhone to Wi-Fi:
- If you're using an iPhone X or later, swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen to open the Control Center. If you're using an iPhone 8 or earlier, swipe up from the bottom of the home screen instead.
- If the Wi-Fi icon is not blue, tap it now to turn it on.
- Tap and hold the blue Wi-Fi icon so the available networks appear.
- Tap the network you want to connect to.
2
Join the Wi-Fi
network on your Mac. Click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar and select the Wi-Fi network that your iPhone is connected to. Do not enter a password.

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3
Tap Share Password on your iPhone. Your iPhone will automatically detect that the Mac is trying to connect to the same network and will show this pop-up box.
4
Tap Done on your iPhone. The password will automatically fill on your Mac. Once the password is accepted, your Mac will be connected to Wi-Fi.^{[1]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Creating a Mobile Hotspot

1
Turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on your iPhone. If you need to get your Mac online but don't have access to a wireless network, you can share your iPhone's data connection with your Mac. Start by enabling Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on your iPhone:
- If you're using an iPhone X or later, swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen to open the Control Center. If you're using an iPhone 8 or earlier, swipe up from the bottom of the home screen instead.
- If the Wi-Fi icon is not blue, tap it now to turn it on.
- If the Bluetooth icon is not blue, tap it to turn it on as well.
2
Turn on Wi-Fi
on your Mac. Click on the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar and select Wi-Fi: On. If Wi-Fi is already on, this option will be grayed out, and you don't need to do anything.^{[2]
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3
Turn on Bluetooth
on your Mac. Click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar and select Turn Bluetooth On. The icon looks like a pointy "B".
- Alternatively, go to the Apple menu > System Preferences > Bluetooth. Click Turn Bluetooth On.
4
Open your iPhone's Settings
. Look for the gray gear icon on your home screen.
5
Tap Personal Hotspot. This is near the top, indicated with a green link icon.
6
Slide the "Allow Others to Join" switch to On
. Tap the slider to turn it on—it will turn green when on.
- Note the password that appears next to "Wi-Fi Password." You'll need to type it in on your Mac when connecting to your phone as a hotspot.
7
Connect to your hotspot via Wi-Fi on your Mac. Now that your hotspot is enabled, your iPhone will show up as a wireless network you can connect to. Click on the Wi-Fi icon on your Mac and select your iPhone's name. Enter the Wi-Fi password you saw on your iPhone exactly as you see it (it's case-sensitive).
- If you are signed in to the same Apple ID on your Mac and iPhone, the hotspot will connect automatically without using a password.^{[3]
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- Creating a Wi-Fi hotspot uses the data connection on your phone, which can incur charges.