How to fix endless loading when connecting iPad to iPhone 16 Pro Max's Personal Hotspot?

Try the basics first.......

Power off and then restart your iPhone

Power off and then restart the iPad

If no luck, contact your carrier.....(they are in charge of the Hotspot option)....and ask them to check the connection from their service to your iPhone.

Next.....on the iPad.....

Tap Settings > Wi-Fi

Tap Edit in the upper right corner

Tap the blue circle "i" next to the name of the Hotspot network

Tap Forget This Network

Power off and then restart the iPad

Try to connect to the Hotspot signal again

The network settings (on the iPad) will be reset if you follow the steps that I posted above.