topic Re: Tethering my iPad to my iPhone abroad in Apple Devices

Tethering my iPad to my iPhone abroad

francotav — Tue, 11 Feb 2025 23:24:43 GMT

I wonder if anyone can help me. I have a roaming abroad smart benefit on my EE contract which allows me to use my data allowance abroad in the EU and other countries. This all works fine when abroad and I can even tether my laptop to my iPhone and use the data as well.

The issue comes when I try to tether my iPad to my iPhone . This works fine in the UK, but when I try to tether abroad it says it’s connecting but always has the ‘circle of death’ and never connects, i.e. never displays the tick. No errors pop up, it just doesn’t work. The minute I arrive back in UK, it works straight away.

This has been happening for over a year now and used to work no problem before then. It has happened in multiple countries and in ones that worked before - Can anyone help, please ?

Re: Tethering my iPad to my iPhone abroad

Michael_D — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 08:31:30 GMT

Hi @francotav

Thanks for coming to the community.

It is a little strange that it is just not letting the iPad connect, but other devices are. There isn't anything on our side that would stop the iPad from connecting, especially if it is working in the UK.

It may be worth trying some of the troubleshooting steps on the Apple website next time you are away.

If that still doesn't help, I'd recommend speaking to our tech guides so they can look into this further.

Michael

Re: Tethering my iPad to my iPhone abroad

neilsutton1 — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 09:06:01 GMT

I have a similar problem, although when it does connect it only does so in ‘Low Data Mode’ which is effectively useless. Did you manage to get a resolution?

I’ve followed all the guides on how to toggle off ‘Low Data Mode’ but it never works.

Re: Tethering my iPad to my iPhone abroad

Christopher_G — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 12:43:14 GMT

Hi @neilsutton1

What happens when you toggle the 'low data mode' off? Does it not allow you to change the menu option, or does it just stop the hotspot working completely?

Chris

Re: Tethering my iPad to my iPhone abroad

neilsutton1 — Fri, 21 Mar 2025 09:33:55 GMT

Thanks for the reply. It’s not even connecting now - just the spinning
wheel.

Re: Tethering my iPad to my iPhone abroad

Christopher_G — Fri, 21 Mar 2025 10:54:44 GMT

Have you tried manually connecting to a different available network in the country that you're in, @neilsutton1?

Does your phone show a good signal? Can you try a speed test to see what data speeds you're getting?

Chris

Re: Tethering my iPad to my iPhone abroad

neilsutton1 — Fri, 21 Mar 2025 11:08:55 GMT

Phone is good signal and good speed. It’s never worked properly abroad - either doesn’t connect or goes into Low Data Mode. Have tried different networks and all the same.

Re: Tethering my iPad to my iPhone abroad

Christopher_G — Fri, 21 Mar 2025 11:14:18 GMT

OK, thanks @neilsutton1

You could try resetting the network settings on both devices:

Tap Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings > Follow on-screen prompts.

You'll need to re-setup any WiFi connections after doing this.

Chris