In today’s world, staying connected to the internet has become a necessity. With Microsoft Surface becoming a popular device for business and personal use, it has become imperative for users to stay connected on the go. Connecting to the internet can be a hassle, but what if you are out and about without any available Wi-Fi connections? Thankfully, you can still connect your Microsoft Surface to the internet with your iPhone hotspot. In this blog post, we’ll go over the methods you can use to connect your Microsoft Surface to your iPhone’s hotspot.
Video Tutorial:
Why You Need to Connect Microsoft Surface to iPhone Hotspot
There can be many reasons why you may need to connect your Microsoft Surface to your iPhone hotspot. Firstly, if you are traveling and do not have access to a Wi-Fi connection, using your iPhone hotspot can be an ideal solution to get your Surface online. Additionally, if your Surface device is running an older version of Windows, it may not detect newer Wi-Fi networks. Thus, using your iPhone hotspot can be extremely beneficial. Lastly, if you are running low on battery and do not have access to a power bank, using your iPhone as a hotspot can be a convenient way to conserve Surface battery life by eliminating the need for power-consuming Wi-Fi connections.
Method 1: via Wi-Fi
Connecting your Microsoft Surface to your iPhone’s hotspot via Wi-Fi is one of the most straightforward methods. Below are the steps you need to follow:
1. Swipe down from the top of the Surface screen to open Action Center.
2. Click on the Wi-Fi icon to turn on Wi-Fi if not already turned on.
3. Click on your iPhone’s hotspot network name from the list of available Wi-Fi networks.
4. Enter the password for your iPhone hotspot network and click "Connect".
5. Wait for a few moments for the Surface to establish a connection with the hotspot network.
Pros:
– Easy and quick to connect.
– Ideal for Surface users with basic computer knowledge.
Cons:
– Signal quality can be low depending on your distance from the phone.
– Tethering can drain your iPhone’s battery life.
Method 2: via USB
If you want to ensure a stable and fast connection, you can connect your Microsoft Surface to your iPhone’s hotspot via a USB cable. Here’s how to do it:
1. Plug your iPhone into your Microsoft Surface with a compatible USB cable.
2. On your iPhone go to Settings > Personal Hotspot.
3. Turn on the toggle switch for Personal Hotspot.
4. On your Microsoft Surface go to Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile hotspot.
5. Select the option "Share my Internet connection with other devices".
6. Under "Share my Internet connection from", choose "iPhone".
7. Click on "Edit" to customize the network name and password or leave it default.
8. Click on "Save" to apply changes.
9. Wait for Surface to establish a connection with iPhone hotspot.
Pros:
– Offers a stable and fast connection.
– Ideal for users who want to eliminate signal quality issues.
– Eliminates the need for a wireless connection.
Cons:
– Requires a compatible USB cable to connect iPhone and Surface.
– Battery charge on your iPhone will still decrease from use.
Method 3: via Bluetooth
Another way to connect your Microsoft Surface to your iPhone’s hotspot is via Bluetooth. This is recommended if you want to conserve battery power or are experiencing signal quality issues. Follow the steps below to connect your Microsoft Surface to your iPhone’s hotspot via Bluetooth:
1. Pair your Surface with your iPhone via Bluetooth. Go to Settings > Bluetooth and Other Devices > Bluetooth and turn on Bluetooth.
2. On your iPhone go to Settings > Personal Hotspot.
3. Turn on the toggle switch for Personal Hotspot.
4. On your Microsoft Surface go to Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices > Add Bluetooth or other device.
5. Select "Bluetooth" and wait for Surface to detect your iPhone.
6. Click on your iPhone’s name from the list of available Bluetooth devices.
7. Enter the password for your iPhone hotspot network and click "Connect".
8. Wait for a few moments for the Surface to establish a connection with the hotspot network.
Pros:
– Better power-saving option compared to Wi-Fi.
– Ideal for users who want to eliminate Wi-Fi signal quality issues.
Cons:
– May experience slower speeds compared to Wi-Fi.
– Device compatibility for Bluetooth connections can vary.
What to Do If You Can’t Connect Microsoft Surface to iPhone Hotspot
If you’re facing difficulties connecting your Microsoft Surface to your iPhone hotspot, you can follow the below fixes:
– Make sure that your iPhone hotspot is turned on.
– Check if your Surface device is compatible with the iOS version on your iPhone. For example, some older Surface devices are not compatible with newer iOS versions.
– Verify that the password you’re using for your hotspot is correct.
– Restart both your iPhone and Microsoft Surface device.
– Reset the network connections on your Microsoft Surface device.
Bonus Tip
To avoid any third-party usage charges while using your iPhone’s hotspot, we recommend contacting your mobile service provider to ensure that your account has sufficient data plan coverage for internet use. You can also monitor your data usage on your iPhone by going to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Usage.
5 FAQs
Q1: Why does my Microsoft Surface not detect my iPhone hotspot?
A: Firstly, you can try turning your iPhone’s hotspot on and off. If the issue persists, check if your Surface device is compatible with the iOS version on your iPhone. Lastly, ensure that you’re in range of your iPhone’s hotspot.
Q2: Why is my Microsoft Surface experiencing slow speeds when connected to the iPhone hotspot?
A: The speed of the hotspot network is affected by various factors such as signal strength, network traffic, and distance between phone and device. You can try connecting through different methods or move closer to the phone to improve signal strength.
Q3: Can I simultaneously connect multiple devices to my iPhone’s hotspot?
A: Yes, your iPhone hotspot supports up to five devices simultaneously.
Q4: Is there a way to limit my Surface’s data usage while connected to an iPhone hotspot?
A: You can go to Settings > Network & Internet > Data usage to configure data usage restrictions on your Microsoft Surface.
Q5: Is it safe to connect Microsoft Surface to public Wi-Fi hotspots?
A: It is not safe to connect your Microsoft Surface to public Wi-Fi hotspots as hackers can intercept your data communication over the unsecured network. We recommend using a virtual private network (VPN) or better yet, a hotspot from another device such as your iPhone.
Final Thoughts
Connecting your Microsoft Surface to your iPhone hotspot is a convenient and easy way of getting internet access on the go. Depending on your requirements, you can choose the best method as per your convenience and needs. Always remember to ensure that your account has sufficient data plan coverage for internet use before connecting. With this guide, we hope you now have clarity on the steps required to connect your Microsoft Surface to your iPhone’s hotspot.