It’s actually notable that Apple hasn’t yet equipped the MacBook with 5G connectivity. If there is no WiFi network available, you could use the modem to access the internet. Fortunately, you can use the hotspot function of your iPhone or iPad, and from macOS Tahoe 26 this can now also be done automatically.
The Auto-Join Hotspot feature in macOS allows your Mac to automatically connect to your iPhone’s Personal Hotspot when there isn’t a Wi-Fi network nearby to connect to. This means you no longer have to manually connect or enter passwords if your Mac can’t find a usable Wi-Fi signal.
How does Auto-Join Hotspot work
The hotspot feature on an iPhone allows the device to share its mobile data connection with other devices, such as a MacBook, iPad, or other device. This allows those devices to use the Internet via the iPhone’s cellular network, for example when a Wi-Fi network is not available.
A Mac can also use a hotspot, for this you must select the WiFi network and enter the password to connect. When Auto-Join Hotspot is enabled and the Mac can’t find another Wi-Fi network, it automatically switches to the hotspot of a trusted iPhone or iPad nearby. This includes family members’ devices, as long as you’ve granted access through Family Sharing.
Conditions that you must meet
There are a number of conditions that you must meet in order to use Auto-Join Hotspot:
- Your Mac must have at least macOS Tahoe (version 26) or a later version.
- You’ll need to set up an active shared Personal Hotspot on your iPhone or iPad.
- Both devices are signed in with the same Apple ID or belong to the same family account.
- Make sure that both WiFi and Bluetooth are enabled on both devices.
Set up Auto-Join Hotspot on a Mac
To use the automatic connection via the hotspot function, you must enable the function. By default this is set to “Ask for connection” you can change it by following the steps below:
- Open ▸ System Settings and select WiFi in the left column.
- Scroll down until you see “Ask to connect to hotspots”.
- Choose the “Automatic” option.
With this function you no longer have to manually start the connection and enter the password. Your Mac automatically connects to the hotspot as a backup for your internet connection.