Hotspot not working on your eSIM? Five fixes
Hotspot is allowed on every Universal eSIMs plan. When Personal Hotspot is greyed out or devices cannot connect, one of these five settings is the cause.
Quick facts
Hotspot is allowed on every Universal eSIMs plan with no separate cap, so a hotspot that is not working is a settings issue: the data line is still the home SIM, the iPhone hotspot APN is blank, Low Data Mode or Data Saver is on, or the band is set to 5GHz for an older laptop.
Guide reviewed on 25 October 2026 · Hotspot allowed on every plan · Full refund if your phone cannot install the eSIM
Step by step
Set the travel eSIM as the data line
Hotspot shares the data line. iPhone: Settings, Cellular, Cellular Data. Android: SIM manager, Mobile data.
iPhone: fill the hotspot APN if the email lists one
Settings, Cellular, travel line, Cellular Data Network, scroll to Personal Hotspot, enter the same APN as Cellular Data. If it is blank and Personal Hotspot is missing from Settings, this is why.
Turn off Low Data Mode or Data Saver
iPhone: Settings, Cellular, travel line, Low Data Mode off. Android: Settings, Network, Data Saver off.
Use the 2.4GHz band for older laptops
iPhone: Personal Hotspot, Maximise Compatibility on. Android: Hotspot settings, Band, 2.4GHz.
Restart the hotspot
Toggle Personal Hotspot off and on, or forget the network on the laptop and reconnect.
Unlimited plans and hotspot
Unlimited plans give full speed for the first 2GB each day, then 3Mbps until midnight destination time. Hotspot data counts toward that 2GB. For a laptop workday, a 20GB plan is often the better buy.
Battery
Hotspot uses 10 to 15 percent of battery an hour with two devices connected. Plug in or carry a power bank.
Still not working?
Check that data works on the phone itself first; if the phone has no data, follow troubleshooting. Then message WhatsApp support with your phone model and a screenshot of the hotspot screen.
Frequently asked questions
Is hotspot really allowed on every plan?
Yes, including unlimited plans, with no separate cap. Data used by connected devices comes from the plan.
Why is Personal Hotspot missing from my iPhone settings?
The data line is not the eSIM, or the Personal Hotspot APN field is blank for that line. Set the data line and fill the APN if the email lists one.
How many devices can connect?
Five on iPhone and most Android phones.
Does hotspot work on unlimited plans?
Yes. Full speed to 2GB a day, then 3Mbps.
Can I use USB or Bluetooth tethering?
Yes. USB tethering uses less battery and is faster for a laptop.
Does hotspot work on a US eSIM?
Yes on T-Mobile and AT&T partner networks. Some US carriers block hotspot on their own prepaid plans, which is why travellers notice the difference.
Related help
• Troubleshooting
· • eSIM vs pocket Wi-Fi
· • Tablets and laptops
· • USA eSIM
· • Help centre
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Tell us what was missing at hello@universalesims.com or on WhatsApp at [WhatsApp number]. Guides are reviewed monthly by the Universal eSIMs editorial team.
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