iphone SE (3rd gen) running IOS 26.1 seems to have personal hotspot problem

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Level 1

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iphone SE (3rd gen) running IOS 26.1 seems to have personal hotspot problem

When the personal hotspot is activated, the 'routing' function of the iphone does not seem to work correctly.

Everything works fine for any external device connected to the hotspot, PROVIDED the iphone itself is NOT attempting to send/receive data.

BUT as soon as an iphone app like Whatsapp needs internet access, the data speed for any other device connected via the hotspot is severely restricted.

eg Whatsapp uses only ~64kbps for a voice call, but even with a 4G WAN broadband data throughput of >20Mbps, any external device connected to the hotspot will get very poor data connectivity, sometimes freezing completely, for the duration of the Whatsapp call.

This would suggest there is a problem in the 'router' functionality of the IOS...which is part of the personal hotspot feature.

iPhone SE (3rd generation)

Posted on Nov 10, 2025 9:25 PM

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Answer 1

LD150

Level 10

100,131 points

Nov 11, 2025 4:28 AM in response to EladRab

Ingo2711 is right, Your phone will prioritise the bandwidth over the hotspot. Treat it as an emergency device, not a home router.

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Answer 2

Ingo2711

Level 10

80,163 points

Nov 11, 2025 1:45 AM in response to EladRab

I my opinion this works as expected. The iPhone has to be able to use data for itself, this is the main purpose for the device, sending and receiving data and calls, and not providing the data link for other devices.

If you want Apple to give users more control over the use of the Personal Hotspot, you can tell Apple directly by using the Feedback link:

Feedback - iPhone - Apple

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Answer 3

LD150

Level 10

100,131 points

Nov 11, 2025 2:56 PM in response to EladRab

Get an android then.

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Answer 4

EladRab Author

Level 1

13 points

Nov 11, 2025 4:22 AM in response to Ingo2711

Thanks for your input but I think you missed the point.

With a >50Mbps 4g/5g wan connection, there's heaps of bandwidth for all devices including a whatsapp voice call on the iphone...but during that whatsapp voice call, the IOS router function is blocking devices on the hotspot.

Anyone ?

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Answer 5

EladRab Author

Level 1

13 points

Nov 11, 2025 1:48 PM in response to EladRab

Android works correctly. It gives priority to phone data but shares remaining 4g/5g wan bandwidth with any device connected to the hotspot. Well done Google !

This would suggest that Apple has NOT correctly developped their router code in the Hotspot function.

BTW...it's NOT an emergency feature !

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