How to Change iPhone Hotspot to 2.4 GHz

What You’ll Need

An iPhone with Personal Hotspot available through its mobile plan.
The device you want to connect to the hotspot, such as a laptop, tablet, or older Wi-Fi device.
Your iPhone passcode or Face ID/Touch ID if needed to change settings.

The iPhone does not normally offer a manual 2.4 GHz/5 GHz selector for Personal Hotspot. On supported models and software, the setting called Maximize Compatibility is the control to use: Apple says it can limit the hotspot to 2.4 GHz and WPA2. This can help older or smart-home devices that cannot see a 5 GHz network. The exact menu wording and location may differ slightly by iOS version.

Step-by-Step

Open Settings. Unlock your iPhone and tap the Settings app. You can leave Wi-Fi turned on; it is not necessary to join another Wi-Fi network to share your cellular connection.
Open Personal Hotspot. Tap Personal Hotspot. If you do not see it on the main Settings screen, look under Cellular or Mobile Service, then tap Personal Hotspot. Menu paths can differ slightly between iOS versions and carriers.
Turn on compatibility mode. Switch on Maximize Compatibility. If you do not see this control, your iPhone model, iOS version, or carrier configuration may not offer it. Do not look for a separate band selector: iPhone settings generally do not provide one.
Enable the hotspot. Turn on Allow Others to Join if it is not already on. Stay on the Personal Hotspot screen while the other device connects if it has trouble discovering the network. The hotspot name is usually the name of your iPhone.
Reconnect and check the other device. On the device you want to connect, open its Wi-Fi settings, select your iPhone’s hotspot name, and enter the password shown on the iPhone’s Personal Hotspot screen. If it was already connected, disconnect and join again so it picks up the changed hotspot settings.

After connecting, check that the device has internet access. A successful Wi-Fi connection does not guarantee cellular data is available; your iPhone needs a working mobile-data connection, and hotspot use must be supported by your plan.

Common Mistakes

Looking for a 2.4 GHz switch. The setting is usually named Maximize Compatibility, not “2.4 GHz.” Its effect is to prioritize compatibility, rather than expose a band menu.
Expecting the setting on every iPhone. Availability depends on the model and software. If the switch is missing, updating iOS may help on a supported model, but an update cannot add a feature unsupported by the hardware.
Leaving a device on an old connection. A device that was connected before changing the setting may need to disconnect and rejoin. If necessary, forget the saved hotspot network on that device and connect again using the current password.
Confusing Wi-Fi frequency with cellular service. The 2.4 GHz setting applies to the local Wi-Fi link between your iPhone and the connected device. It does not change the iPhone’s mobile-network frequency or improve weak cellular coverage.
Assuming it will always be faster. Compatibility mode may make connection possible for older devices, but 2.4 GHz can be slower or more affected by nearby wireless traffic than a 5 GHz connection.

Tips

Use a clear iPhone name so you can identify the correct hotspot, especially where several networks appear.
Keep the iPhone and the device you are connecting reasonably close together during setup. Once connected, avoid placing the iPhone behind thick walls or inside a closed bag.
Share the password only with people who should use your hotspot. You can view or change it in Personal Hotspot settings; devices with the old password will need the new one.
Turn off Maximize Compatibility when it is not needed if you want to use the iPhone’s default hotspot behavior. The iPhone may then use a faster band when supported, but older devices might not find it.
Remember that hotspot data comes from your mobile service. Monitor data use and battery level if you expect to connect devices for a long time.

Troubleshooting

The option is missing: Check the Personal Hotspot screen and the Cellular or Mobile Service section. Confirm that iOS is up to date and that your iPhone model supports the feature. If Personal Hotspot itself is absent or unavailable, contact your carrier to check whether hotspot service is enabled for your account.

The other device cannot see the network: Confirm Allow Others to Join is on, switch Maximize Compatibility on, and keep the Personal Hotspot screen open while searching. Toggle Wi-Fi off and on on the receiving device, then search again. Restarting both devices can also clear a temporary discovery problem.

The device sees the hotspot but will not connect: Check that you entered the current password exactly, including capitalization. Forget the saved network on the receiving device and reconnect. If the iPhone offers a password change option, set a new password using the on-screen requirements, then try again.

It connects but has no internet: Check that cellular data works on the iPhone itself, confirm airplane mode is off, and verify hotspot availability with your carrier. Move to an area with better cellular reception. If only one connected device has a problem, test another device to distinguish a phone-side issue from a Wi-Fi setting on the first device.

The connection keeps dropping: Keep the iPhone awake and nearby while testing, connect only the device you need, and check that Low Power Mode or other power-saving behavior is not interrupting use. If the issue continues, turn Personal Hotspot off and back on, then restart the iPhone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I choose 2.4 GHz directly on an iPhone?

Usually, no. iPhone Personal Hotspot does not normally provide a direct band picker. On supported devices, turn on Maximize Compatibility to use the compatibility-focused hotspot mode associated with 2.4 GHz.

Does Maximize Compatibility guarantee a 2.4 GHz connection?

Apple describes the setting as limiting Personal Hotspot to 2.4 GHz and WPA2 on supported iPhones. The exact behavior can depend on the device and software, so check the receiving device’s Wi-Fi details if you need to confirm its connection band.

Will 2.4 GHz make my hotspot faster?

Not necessarily. Its main advantage is that more older devices can connect. Speed depends on cellular reception, network conditions, the connected device, and interference; 5 GHz may be faster when both devices support it and conditions are suitable.

Does this change my iPhone’s normal Wi-Fi connection?

No. The setting concerns the Wi-Fi network broadcast by Personal Hotspot for other devices. It does not select the band for your iPhone’s own Wi-Fi connection or change cellular service.

Why can’t my smart device connect even after I turn it on?

Make sure the device supports the hotspot’s security and password requirements, reconnect after changing the setting, and confirm the device is within range. Some devices require setup through their own app or have additional network restrictions.

Can I use Personal Hotspot while the iPhone is connected to Wi-Fi?

Personal Hotspot generally shares the iPhone’s cellular data connection rather than relaying its Wi-Fi connection. Check cellular data and your carrier’s hotspot support if connected devices cannot reach the internet.

Sources: Apple Support. Menus and buttons can differ slightly by version. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.