Three Hotspot Not Working

How to set up a mobile hotspot on Three

Step	Action	What It Fixes
1	Check Three network status	Confirms if issue is network-wide
2	Toggle aeroplane mode on/off	Re-registers SIM on Three network
3	Restart your phone	Clears temporary network errors
4	Check Three APN settings	Fixes incorrect data configuration
5	Re-insert SIM card	Fixes poor SIM contact issues
6	Contact Three support	Resolves account or SIM faults

A mobile hotspot (also called tethering or personal hotspot) lets you share your EE mobile data connection with other devices via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or USB. This is useful when you need internet on a laptop or tablet but have no Wi-Fi available.

Enable hotspot on Android

Go to Settings → Network & Internet → Hotspot & Tethering → Wi-Fi Hotspot. Toggle it on. Set a name (SSID) and password for your hotspot. Other devices can then find and connect to it in their Wi-Fi settings. On Samsung, go to Settings → Connections → Mobile Hotspot and Tethering.

Enable personal hotspot on iPhone

Go to Settings → Mobile Data → Personal Hotspot. Toggle Allow Others to Join on. Set a Wi-Fi password. Your hotspot name defaults to your iPhone's device name, visible to nearby devices in their Wi-Fi list.

APN settings for Three hotspot

Your hotspot uses the same APN settings as your mobile data connection. If hotspot is not working, first check that your main mobile data is working, then verify your EE APN settings are correct. Some plans restrict hotspot usage — check your EE plan at the EE APN hub to confirm tethering is included.

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Fastest way to apply new APN settings

After saving, turn aeroplane mode ON for 10 seconds, then turn it OFF. This forces an immediate network re-registration — quicker than a full restart and equally effective.

Troubleshooting Three hotspot problems

Hotspot connected but no internet: Restart the hotspot. Check APN settings. Make sure mobile data is working normally on your phone first.

Personal Hotspot missing on iPhone: Go to Settings → Mobile Data → Mobile Data Network and ensure the APN field is filled in. Restart your iPhone.

Slow hotspot speeds: Move to an area with stronger EE signal. Reduce the number of connected devices. Check your plan has sufficient data remaining.

Follow these steps in order — most issues are resolved by step 1 or 2

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Three mobile data not working?

Three mobile data may stop working due to an incorrect APN, a temporary network outage, an expired data plan, or a SIM issue. Follow the steps in this guide to identify and fix the cause.

How do I reset my Three APN settings?

On Android: go to Settings → Network → Mobile Networks → Access Point Names, then tap the menu and select 'Reset to default'. On iPhone: go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset → Reset Network Settings.

Does Three have a network outage in my area?

Check the Three website or their social media channels for real-time outage information. You can also check third-party sites like Downdetector for user-reported Three outages.

Why does Three show signal but no internet?

If Three shows signal but no internet, the APN settings may be incorrect or missing. Check the APN settings on your device and compare them to the correct Three values in our APN guide.

How long does a Three outage usually last?

Most Three network outages are resolved within a few hours. For planned maintenance, Three usually notifies customers in advance. Check the Three status page for current updates.