How to Use Your iPhone Internet Connection on a Desktop Computer

By Mario Calhoun

Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable or Bluetooth.
i usb cable image by David Ng from Fotolia.com

Depending on your wireless carrier, your Apple iPhone can also be used as a modem once it is connected to your computer. This feature is called tethering, as it uses your phone's cellular network to send and receive data. In order to connect your desktop computer to your iPhone, you have the option of using a USB cable connected directly to the computer, or you can sync your computer to your iPhone by enabling Bluetooth. Due to heavy bandwidth use from tethering, you are recommended to contact your wireless provider about tethering, as additional charges may occur.

iPhone Tethering Using USB Cable

Tap the "Home" screen on your iPhone and tap the "Settings" icon on the home screen.

Tap the "General" tab and tap "Network." Tap the "Internet Tethering" tab and slide your finger over the switch to change it to "On."

Insert the USB cable into the bottom of the iPhone and plug the other end into your desktop computer's empty USB port.

Click the "Apple" icon at the top of the screen and select "System Preferences" (if you are using a Macintosh computer). Click the "Network" icon and click the "iPhone" icon. Click "Apply."

Click "Start" and "Network" (if you are using a PC). Click "Network and Sharing Center" and select "Connect to a network." Click the iPhone icon and click "OK."

iPhone Tethering with Bluetooth

Press the "Home" button on your iPhone and tap the "Settings" icon on the home screen.

Tap the "General" tab and tap the "Bluetooth" tab. Slide your finger over the switch to turn it on.

Click the "System Preferences" icon on your Macintosh computer's dock and click "Bluetooth" to turn it on. Click the box next to "On" and "Discoverable." Click the "+" button to search for your iPhone's Bluetooth and click "Continue" on the screen. Enter the passcode displayed on your computer's screen onto your iPhone.

Click the "Start" button on your PC and click "Network." Click "Hardware and Sound" and click "Bluetooth Devices." Click the "Add" button and click "My device is set up and ready to be found." Click "Next," "iPhone" and "Next" to continue. Select "Choose a passkey for me" and click "Next." A passkey will appear on your desktop screen. Enter the passkey onto your iPhone and click "Finish" on your desktop screen.

×