Reverse Tether iPhone/iPad: Share Connection with PC/Mac

Reverse Tethering: Utilizing Your Computer's Internet Connection

Typically, tethering refers to using a smartphone's mobile data to provide internet access to other devices like tablets or laptops.

However, a less common but valuable technique exists: connecting your iPhone or iPad to the internet through your computer.

When Reverse Tethering is Beneficial

This method proves particularly advantageous in situations where direct internet access for your iOS device is limited.

For example, if you find yourself in an area with a weak cellular signal but have access to a stable Ethernet connection, reverse tethering can provide a solution.

Alternative Connectivity Scenarios

Another common use case arises when your iPhone or iPad is unable to connect to the local Wi-Fi network.

In such instances, leveraging your computer’s internet connection offers a reliable alternative.

How it Works

Essentially, reverse tethering redirects your computer’s internet connection to your iOS device via a USB cable.

This allows your iPhone or iPad to access the internet using your computer as a gateway, bypassing the need for a direct cellular or Wi-Fi connection.

Reverse-Tethering Over Wi-Fi

Related: How to Turn Your Windows PC Into a Wi-Fi Hotspot

Utilizing Wi-Fi tethering presents a viable solution, much like establishing a Wi-Fi hotspot on your smartphone to distribute its mobile data. This method proves particularly useful when your iPhone or iPad lacks a direct Wi-Fi connection, yet requires internet access via a traditional wired Ethernet link to your laptop or desktop computer.

Windows PCs offer the capability to create a Wi-Fi hotspot through the Internet Connection Sharing feature. By connecting your iOS device to this hotspot generated by your laptop (or desktop, provided it’s equipped with Wi-Fi hardware), online access can be achieved through the Ethernet connection.

Furthermore, a Windows PC can also redistribute an existing Wi-Fi network connection over Wi-Fi. This functionality is facilitated by employing Virtual Router software, effectively transforming your Windows laptop into a Wi-Fi hotspot.

how-to-reverse-tether-an-iphone-or-ipad-to-your-pc-or-mac-1.jpg

Related: How to Turn Your Mac Into a Wi-Fi Hotspot

On macOS, the Sharing panel within System Preferences allows for enabling internet sharing over Wi-Fi. This enables the distribution of a wired Ethernet connection, linked to your Mac, through a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Unlike Windows PCs, macOS is limited in its ability to share a Wi-Fi connection via hotspot creation. A single physical Wi-Fi adapter can only perform one function at a time. However, this limitation can be overcome by integrating additional USB-to-Wi-Fi adapters, thereby providing your Mac with multiple Wi-Fi interfaces.

how-to-reverse-tether-an-iphone-or-ipad-to-your-pc-or-mac-2.jpg

Reverse tethering provides a workaround when direct internet access is unavailable on your iOS device.

Reverse Tethering via Bluetooth

Reverse tethering allows a computer to share its internet connection with an iOS device, like an iPhone or iPad, using a Bluetooth connection. This is particularly helpful when Wi-Fi access is limited or unavailable for the mobile device.

For Windows computers, establishing a Bluetooth Personal Area Network (PAN) is generally unnecessary. Creating a Wi-Fi hotspot and connecting your iPhone or iPad to it is often a more straightforward solution.

Mac OS Configuration

On macOS, utilizing a Bluetooth PAN provides a convenient method for sharing a Wi-Fi internet connection from your Mac. This is especially valuable when your iPhone or iPad cannot connect to Wi-Fi directly.

A common scenario arises with hotel Wi-Fi networks, where a single login credential may restrict simultaneous connections from multiple devices.

To enable this functionality, access the Sharing preferences within System Preferences. Configure your Mac to share its Wi-Fi connection, specifically selecting Bluetooth as the sharing method.

Subsequently, pair your iPhone or iPad with the Mac via Bluetooth. Once paired, the iOS device will gain internet access through the established Bluetooth connection.

Steps for Establishing a Bluetooth PAN on macOS

Open System Preferences.
Navigate to the Sharing panel.
Select the Wi-Fi connection you wish to share.
Choose Bluetooth as the sharing option.
Pair your iOS device with your Mac via Bluetooth settings.

The iOS device should then automatically connect to the internet through the Mac’s Bluetooth connection. This provides a reliable alternative when Wi-Fi is restricted.

how-to-reverse-tether-an-iphone-or-ipad-to-your-pc-or-mac-3.jpg

Utilizing USB Reverse-Tethering: A Jailbreak Requirement

It is possible to connect a Mac or Windows laptop to an iPhone or iPad using a USB cable, enabling internet access on the computer through the mobile device’s connection.

However, the question arises: can the process be reversed, allowing an iPhone or iPad to access the internet connection of a connected Mac or Windows PC via USB? While seemingly feasible, this functionality isn't typically available.

Achieving USB reverse-tethering, like many restricted features on iOS and iPadOS, often necessitates jailbreaking the device and implementing custom modifications.

We advise against pursuing this method. Instead of attempting reverse-tethering through a USB cable, consider establishing a Wi-Fi hotspot or a Bluetooth Personal Area Network (PAN) on your Mac or Windows PC to share its internet connection with your iPhone or iPad. This approach avoids the need for jailbreaking or complex hacks.

Although a wired connection might offer marginally faster speeds, the convenience of a wireless connection is generally sufficient for most users.

The principles outlined above extend to other operating systems as well. For instance, Linux-based computers also provide the capability to create Wi-Fi hotspots.

Your iPhone or iPad can then connect to this hotspot wirelessly.