How to turn on Wifi Hotspot / Tethering in an iPhone 4 or iPhone 3gs

With the iOS4, its now possible to turn on the wifi tethering in an iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS. The best thing is, Apple Developers have retained the Wifi Tethering feature.

What is Wifi Tethering or Wifi Hotspot?

Ans : Converting the GPRS or 3G internet from your mobile service provider to Wifi signal so that your laptop or another smart phone can connect to and use internet.

Image : Wifi tethering visual example

What is the use of Wifi Tethering or Wifi Hotspot?

Ans : You do not need to carry a datacard with you everywhere. Easily convert your iPhone to a wifi hotspot, connect your laptop to the iPhone and start using internet right away.

How do I enable Wifi Hotspot / Tethering in an iPhone 4 or iPhone 3G?

Non Jail Broken iPhone

1) With AT&T and Verizon, you need to purchase a tethering plan. The Dataplan is : DataPro 4GB which costs $45 for 4 GB. If you finish off using the 4GB then you can get 1 GB for $10.

2) Turn on the Wifi tethering in the following sequence

Setting--> General--> Network--> Setup internet tethering

You can choose Bluetooth, Wifi or USB tethering.

Important Update : iOS has officially disabled Wifi tethering via a Software update. The reason might be probably that the device gets heated up a lot while behaving like a Wifi tethering device.

Jail Broken iPhone

The only way left for a official Wifi tethering (without datacable or other tethering) is by following the Jailbroken way..

Method

1) Tap on the "Cydia" icon on the homescreen.

2) In the search bar, type "MyWi". There will be 2 apps displayed. Select the app that does not have "No Rock" next to it.

3) Tap on "install" and then confirm the installation.

4) After the installation is over, tap on "Reload SpringBoard"

5) Launch the App. The app will look like below.

6) Turn on Wifi tethering. Enter an access point and an (optional) password. And Voila, you're ready to use it.

PS : Sometimes, the application doesn't launch properly. You might have to restart your mobile iphone if in case the app hands.

I am unable to share 3G data via Wifi tethering / Hotspot. What should I do?

Ans : Resetting network setting solved the problem for me. Settings --> General --> Reset --> Reset Network Settings. Reboot the iPhone if need be.