Buzz
Troubleshoot your hotspot issues with these practical solutions
Is your iPhone or Android hotspot shutting off unexpectedly? Whether it’s caused by software bugs or energy-saving settings, there are several reasons your hotspot might disable itself. Follow these steps to resolve the issue.
Why Your Hotspot Turns Off Automatically
On Android devices, there’s an option to disable hotspots when the network is inactive. Check if you’ve reached your mobile data limit, which could prevent hotspot usage. Features like Low Data Mode and Low Power Mode on iPhone, or power-saving settings on Android, can also interrupt your hotspot connection.
Solutions
Disable the auto-turn-off feature on Android.
Many Android devices include a feature to shut off the hotspot when inactive. While this can help save limited mobile data, it might disconnect when you step away briefly.
- The steps to disable this feature vary by device manufacturer. A quick way to find it is by searching for "turn off hotspot" in your Settings.
- For Pixel devices, navigate to Settings > Network and Internet > Hotspot and tethering > Wi-Fi hotspot > Turn off hotspot automatically.
Adjust and increase your Android data limit.
If your data runs out, your hotspot will typically turn off automatically. Many Androids let you set or modify your data limit. If this isn’t possible, consult your device manual.
- Go to Settings > Connections/Network and Internet > Mobile Hotspot and Tethering > Mobile Hotspot to review your data usage. If the chart shows full usage, you’ll need to add more data. Use the Set mobile data limit option to increase the hotspot data allowance.
Monitor your data usage on iPhone.
Once you hit your data limit, the hotspot will stop functioning. To check your data usage, navigate to Settings > Mobile Data/Cellular > Personal Hotspot and review the amount of data consumed.
Turn off Low Data Mode on iPhone.
Low Data Mode restricts data usage, preventing the hotspot from working correctly. To disable Low Data Mode, go to Settings > Mobile Data/Cellular and toggle off "Low Data Mode."
- If the toggle isn’t visible, select "Data Mode" and choose "Standard" to disable Low Data Mode.
Disable battery-saving modes.
Battery-saving features like Low Power Mode or Power Saving can disrupt hotspots. These settings conserve battery life by disabling high-power features, including the hotspot.
- On Android: Navigate to Settings > Battery and switch off "Power saving."
- On iPhone: Go to Settings > Battery and toggle off "Low Power Mode." Alternatively, you can disable these modes via the Quick Settings panel (Android) or Control Center (iPhone).
- To avoid interruptions, keep your device charging while using the hotspot. Many phones disable hotspots when battery power drops to 20%, prioritizing essential functions like making emergency calls.
Enable hotspot using Siri on iPhone.
Sometimes letting Siri handle it results in more stable hotspot connections. Some users report fewer interruptions when Siri is used to activate the hotspot instead of navigating through menus manually.
- Once Siri is configured, say "Hey Siri, turn on my hotspot."
Restore network settings.
Resetting network settings may resolve connectivity problems. Keep in mind that this will erase all saved network configurations, so you'll need to reconnect to networks and re-enter passwords.
- On Android: The steps vary by manufacturer. For Samsung devices, go to Settings > General management > Reset > Reset mobile network settings. For Pixel devices, go to Settings > System > Reset options > Reset Mobile Network Settings.
- On iPhone: Navigate to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings.
Keep your smartphone updated.
Using outdated software can disrupt your hotspot functionality. Ensure your Android or iPhone has the latest updates to avoid bugs and glitches.
- For Android updates, navigate to Settings > Software Update > Check for updates and install any available updates.
- To update your iPhone, go to Settings > General > Software Update and install any pending updates.
- Check out this Mytour article for tips on speeding up your iPhone hotspot.
