The latest versions of iOS and iPadOS include a feature that lets you easily see who is using data and which devices are connected to personal hotspots. This is especially useful if you use Personal Hotspot a lot, and maybe you do more bumping or throttling than you do with Personal Hotspot data usage over cellular.
By checking device-specific Personal Hotspot data usage on your iPhone or iPad, you can take the guesswork out of which connected device is consuming data and take appropriate action based on that information.
If you regularly share your iPhone’s data connection with your laptop or iPad, or let family members piggyback on your device’s data, you’ll be happy to know that Apple has made it very easy to keep tabs on who’s burning through your monthly allowance.
In a welcome change with the release of iOS 26.4, Apple moved the Personal Hotspot data usage information from its previously hidden location to a more convenient location.
Before the latest update, the Personal Hotspot crash on one device was secreted in the cellular settings, where it was easy to bypass. Now it’s located right in the Personal Hotspot menu, making it more practical for anyone on a limited data plan who wants to keep an eye on usage.
Here’s how to check it on iOS 26.4 (make sure your device is up to date via Settings ➝ General ➝ Software Update).
How to check iPhone hotspot data usage?
- Open Settings on your iPhone.
- Tap Personal Hotspot.
- Below the “Maximum compatibility” toggle, tap Data usage.
Here you’ll see a list of connected devices, how much data each has consumed, and the total across all devices. Note that Apple devices running iOS 26.4 or macOS 26.4 appear individually by name, while Android phones, Windows PCs, and anything running older Apple software are grouped together under “Other Devices.”
Note that the data usage option only appears if you have recently used Personal Hotspot. If you want, you can remove the numbers and start tracking again by going to Settings ➝ Cellular/Mobile Service and resetting your overall cellular usage statistics (see the option below). This will delete your hotspot numbers at once.
How do I remove someone from Personal Hotspot on my iPhone?
Do not allow others to access the settings
- Open your iPhone’s Settings and go to the Personal Hotspot page.
- Disable the option to allow others to join.
- You can prevent your family members from connecting to your iPhone’s personal hotspot by turning off Family Sharing.
What is iPhone Personal Hotspot?
Personal Hotspot is a feature that allows your iPhone to share its mobile data connection with other devices. In the absence of Wi-Fi, your iPhone can act like a small portable Internet router.
For example, you can join:
- While your laptop is moving to your iPhone hotspot
- Your iPad to your iPhone hotspot when Wi-Fi is not available
- Another phone to your iPhone internet connection
- Your Mac to your iPhone using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or USB
Apple says you can connect to Personal Hotspot using Wi-Fi, USB, or Bluetooth. To use it, you usually go to Settings > Personal Hotspot or Settings > Cellular > Personal Hotspot, and let others join.
How to Check iPhone Personal Hotspot Data Usage
The best way to check how much data your iPhone hotspot has used is through cellular settings.
Follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Tap Cellular or Mobile Data.
- Scroll down and tap System Services.
- Find private hotspots.
- Check how much data is being used by Personal Hotspot.
Apple says iPhone users can view cellular data usage by going to Settings > Cellular and System Service usage under System Services. Personal hotspot data appears as part of system service usage.
This is useful because it shows if your hotspot is using a lot of mobile data. If Personal Hotspot shows high usage, devices connected to your hotspot have used that amount from your mobile data plan.
Can you check hotspot data usage per device?
Unfortunately, the iPhone doesn’t typically show detailed hotspot usage data for each connected device.
For example, if your laptop, iPad, and other phones were using your hotspot, the iPhone may show total personal hotspot usage, but it won’t show it clearly:
- Laptop used 2 GB
- iPad used 500 MB
- Friend’s phone has used 1 GB
This is one limitation of iPhone hotspot tracking. If you need specific data usage per device, you may want to check the data usage of the connected device.
For example:
- On a Mac, check network data usage through third-party monitoring applications or Activity Monitor.
- In Windows, check Settings > Network & Internet > Data usage.
- On Android, check Settings > Network & Internet > Data usage.
- On another iPhone, check Settings > Cellular.
This will help you understand which device used the most data.
How to stop someone from using your iPhone Hotspot?
If you think someone is using your iPhone hotspot without permission, the quickest solution is to turn off Personal Hotspot.
Follow these steps:
- Open settings.
- Tap Personal Hotspot.
- Turn off and let others join.
This will stop new devices from joining your hotspot. It should also disconnect devices currently using your hotspot over Wi-Fi.
Apple explains that turning off Allow others to join Personal Hotspot settings turns off hotspot sharing, and recommends this when you don’t need the feature.
You can temporarily disable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth if you want to quickly stop wireless hotspot connections.
Change your iPhone Hotspot password
If you’ve previously shared your hotspot password with someone else, they’ll be able to reconnect later when your hotspot is activated. The best way to stop old users is to change your hotspot password.
Follow these steps:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Personal Hotspot.
- Tap Wi-Fi password.
- Enter a new strong password.
- Tap Done.
Apple says the Personal Hotspot Wi-Fi password must be at least eight characters long and use ASCII characters such as English letters, numbers, and supported punctuation.
After changing the password, all previously connected devices will need the new password to reconnect. This is one of the easiest ways to remove unknown or unwanted hotspot users.