How to Connect a Phone in Modem Mode
Modem mode allows you to connect your iPhone or iPad (Wi-Fi Cellular) device to the mobile data network when you do not have access to a Wi-Fi network.
Modem Setting
- Go to the “Settings” Cellular or Settings “Modem Mode“.
- Click Modem Mode, then slide the slider to the On position.
If the “Modem mode” parameter is not displayed, contact your operator and find out if modem mode is available in your tariff plan.
Connect using modem mode via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or USB
You can connect to the device in modem mode via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or USB. And with iOS 13, devices connected in “Modem Mode” will remain connected even if the screen is locked, so notifications and messages will still be sent to these devices.
This article provides some tips for using each method.
When a device is connected to an access point in modem mode, the status bar turns blue and shows the number of connected devices. The number of devices that can simultaneously be connected to an access point in modem mode depends on the operator and model of the iPhone. If other devices have connected to the access point in modem mode via Wi-Fi, you can only use a cellular data network to connect to the Internet through a host device.
Follow these steps to connect.
On the device you want to connect to, go to the Settings section “Cellular” “Modem Mode” or “Settings” “Modem Mode” and make sure this mode is turned on. Then check your Wi-Fi password and phone name. Stay on this screen until you are connected to another device on your Wi-Fi network.
On the device you want to connect, select “Settings” Wi-Fi and find your iPhone or iPad in the list. Then tap the Wi-Fi network you want to connect to. If required, enter the password for modem mode.
Bluetooth
To check if an iPhone or iPad is detected, go to the Settings screen Bluetooth and do not close it. Then, on your Mac or PC, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to set up your Bluetooth network connection. Learn more about using modem mode with Bluetooth.
Modem mode supports Bluetooth connectivity for Mac, PC, and other devices. To connect another iOS device, use Wi-Fi.
Make sure the latest version of iTunes is installed on your Mac or PC. Then connect the iPhone or iPad to the computer using the supplied USB cable. If the prompt Trust this computer? Appears, click the Trust button.
Set up automatic connectivity for your family
You can configure the Family Access feature so that your family can automatically connect to your personal access point without having to enter a password. Here’s what you need to do:
- On your device in modem mode, go to Settings “Modem Mode” “Family access.”
- Turn on the Family Sharing feature. If you don’t see this option, find out how to set up the Family Sharing feature.
- Click the name of each member of your family and indicate whether they need to ask for confirmation or whether they can automatically connect to your device in modem mode.
Deactivate Devices
To disconnect the device, turn off the modem mode, disconnect Bluetooth or disconnect the USB cable from the device.
Set or change Wi-Fi password
You must set a Wi-Fi password to configure the modem. To change the Wi-Fi password, go to the “Settings” “Cellular” “Modem Mode” or “Settings” “Modem Mode”, then tap “Wi-Fi Password”.
Select a Wi-Fi password from at least eight ASCII characters. When using non-ASCII characters, other devices will not be able to connect to the access point in modem mode. The ASCII table does not include characters from Chinese, Russian, Japanese, or other languages. ASCII characters include the following:
- All latin letters in upper and lower case
- Numbers 0 to 9
- Some punctuation marks
After changing the password, any connected devices will be disconnected.
