Imagine This: You’re Traveling, You Need Wi-Fi… and There's None in Sight
You’ve just landed in a new country, your Airbnb doesn’t have Wi-Fi (surprise!), and the café across the street tells you their internet “sometimes works.” Classic. You look down at your iPhone and realize — wait a minute — doesn’t this thing have a Hotspot?
Yes, it does. But how does it work? And more importantly… will it actually work when you’re in the middle of your next travel adventure?
Let’s uncover one of the most underrated travel hacks for staying online — even in the remotest places — using just your iPhone and a little help from a travel eSIM.
📱 What Even Is a Personal Hotspot?
Before we get to the how, let’s clear up the what. A personal Hotspot is a feature built into your iPhone that lets it act like a mini Wi-Fi router. It shares your mobile internet connection (from your SIM or eSIM) with other devices — like your laptop, tablet, or your friend’s phone that mysteriously has “no service.”
In other words, your iPhone can become your internet hero.
But here's the kicker: not all iPhones have it enabled by default. And even if it’s there, it might not work the way you expect — especially when you’re abroad.
🌍 Traveling? This Is When Hotspot Becomes a Lifesaver
If you're a digital nomad, frequent traveler, or just someone who doesn’t like being disconnected, the iPhone Hotspot feature can be a game-changer.
Need to send an urgent email from your laptop at the airport? Want to upload travel photos from your iPad at a beach café? Need Wi-Fi for your partner’s phone while roaming?
All of that becomes easy — if your Hotspot is set up right. And here’s where things can get tricky.
⚠️ Why Your Hotspot Might Not Be Working (Especially Abroad)
Many travelers discover this the hard way: they try to activate their Hotspot abroad, only to see that it’s grayed out or stuck on “waiting.” Why?
There are a few reasons:
Your mobile provider doesn’t allow Hotspot usage while roaming.
You don’t have the right data plan.
You're using a physical SIM that doesn’t support tethering abroad.
You haven’t enabled the Hotspot feature properly in settings.
The result? You’re stuck with no Wi-Fi… and no idea what to do next.
💡 Here’s Where an eSIM Can Save Your Digital Day
Let’s talk about eSIMs. If you’re not familiar: an eSIM is a digital SIM card you can install directly on your phone — no plastic, no hassle. And best of all: when you travel, you can pick a local or regional eSIM with data plans that support Hotspot sharing.
At heyroamio, we offer travel eSIMs for over 100 countries. Many of them support Hotspot usage right out of the box — meaning you can install the eSIM before your trip, land, activate, and boom: your iPhone Hotspot is good to go.
It’s the modern traveler’s secret weapon.
📶 How to Turn On the Hotspot on Your iPhone (Step-by-Step)
Alright, you’ve waited long enough. Here’s how to actually turn on the personal Hotspot on your iPhone:
Go to Settings > Mobile Data
(On some iPhones, this is called “Cellular.”)Tap “Personal Hotspot”
Toggle “Allow Others to Join” ON
You’ll see your Wi-Fi password below — share it with the device you want to connect.
Make sure mobile data is active and you're connected to a data plan (like a heyroamio travel eSIM!).
That’s it. Your iPhone is now a portable Wi-Fi hotspot. Just like that.
🚀 Pro Tips for a Smooth Hotspot Experience While Traveling
Battery drains fast when Hotspot is active. Always carry a power bank.
Keep your iPhone screen locked — streaming or multitasking can slow things down.
Some data plans throttle Hotspot speed after a limit. Know your limits.
If you have a dual SIM setup (e.g. one eSIM and one physical SIM), make sure the eSIM with data is the one powering the Hotspot.
✈️ The Final Word: Freedom to Roam, Power to Connect
So, can your iPhone Hotspot really keep you connected when you travel?
Yes — but only if your mobile setup is ready for it.
By using a reliable travel eSIM, like the ones from heyroamio, and knowing how to activate your Hotspot the right way, you’re giving yourself the freedom to stay online no matter where your journey takes you.
No more awkward “do you have Wi-Fi?” questions. No more shady cafés with slow internet. Just you, your iPhone, and a strong, secure connection — anywhere in the world.
👉 Ready to explore the world without losing connection?
Check out our travel eSIMs here and turn your iPhone into the ultimate travel companion.
