How to Use an iPhone as a Bluetooth Adapter for a PC

By Andrew Tennyson

Use your iPhone to connect your PC to the Internet while on the go.
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If you don't have Internet access for your PC, take advantage of the Personal Hotspot feature on your iPhone to turn the phone into a Bluetooth Internet adapter. Personal Hotspot works by sharing the iPhone's cellular data connection with other wireless-capable devices. Note, however, that some mobile phone carriers charge an additional fee to add Personal Hotspot capabilities to your monthly phone plan.

Set Up Personal Hotspot

Step 1

Verify that Bluetooth is enabled on your iPhone. Tap "Settings," and then tap "Bluetooth." Tap the "Bluetooth" button to toggle it on, if necessary. Press the Home button on the iPhone to return to the Home screen.

Step 2

Tap "Settings | General | Cellular | Personal Hotspot."

Step 3

Tap the "Personal Hotspot" button to toggle it to the On position.

Pair iPhone With PC

Step 1

Click the Start button on your Windows PC, and then type the word “Bluetooth” in the search box.

Step 2

Click the “Add a Bluetooth device” link.

Step 3

Click your iPhone on the "Add a Device" dialog box, and then click the “Next” button. The computer provides a pairing code for you and causes a Bluetooth pairing dialog to appear on your iPhone.

Step 4

Enter the pairing code in the Bluetooth pairing dialog on your iPhone, and then click the "Pair" button.

Step 5

Click Start on your computer, and then click "Devices and Printers."

Step 6

Right-click your iPhone on the list of available devices and select "Properties."

Step 7

Uncheck the "Wireless iAP" check box, and then click "OK."

Step 8

Right-click your iPhone again on the "Devices and Printers" dialog, and then click "Create Shortcut" to create a shortcut for your iPhone's Bluetooth connection on your desktop.

Step 9

Right-click the shortcut on your desktop, hover your mouse over "Connect Using," and then click "Access Point" to finish configuring your iPhone for use as a Bluetooth adapter for your PC.

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