I have a great data package from my cellphone provider and would like to make use of personal hotspot on my iPhone as the default wi-fi connection on my MacBook Air. The hotspot option only appears after a while when checking the connection on the menu bar. I am running High Sierra.
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Douglas
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How Do I Make My Personal Hotspot the Default?
Comments: 3 Responses to “How Do I Make My Personal Hotspot the Default?”
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You can set the priority for Wi-Fi networks in System Preferences, Network. Then click on Wi-Fi on the left. Then click the Advanced button. You can drag networks up and down on the list.
However, if the problem is that your home Wi-Fi shows up immediately, and your Personal Hotspot isn't available until a few seconds later, then it will choose your home Wi-Fi. There is no way for your Mac to predict that your preferred network will become available and it won't keep you waiting if it can find another network.
You can simply remove the home Wi-Fi from the list if you want to use your Hotspot every time.
Gary - Thank you for your comment - even with 'forgetting' my home wifi, I still have to wait until the Personal Hotspot appears from the wifi symbol on the menu bar before I select it - about 3 times before it connects. Maybe Apple should explain why Personal Hotspots cannot be classed as a normal wi-fi connections and make it easier for people to connect?
I think a big part of it is having a hotspot in a device that is primarily battery-dependent. If it was "on" all the time like a regular Wi-Fi router, then it would take too much power to always be broadcasting its presence and always ready to connect. I think the delay is because of a low-power approach where it only checks for connections every so often. Otherwise, just having Personal Hotspot on would drain the battery fast. That's my guess, anyway.