Automate Phone Wifi Hotspot Tethering in iOS (allow your infotainment apps to work normally without paying for Connect+)

[TXR1S]

I’ve also found that it’s helpful to create a second inverse automation (turn off hotspot when disconnected from Rivian Audio). This helps my phone jump back on known WiFi networks after a drive.

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[Tahoeatx16]

This is probably not an obvious process at all for those of us who have not yet set up a personal automation. Here are the steps I followed to get to the screenshot the OP posted.

1. Start the shortcuts app on your iOS device
2. Make sure you're on the first screen. For me, the app started out inside a folder full of shortcuts and not on the first screen (helpful, isn't it?). If, at the top of your screen, you see "< Shortcuts" then click that to get to the first screen for the shortcuts app. If you're at the first screen, then at the bottom of your screen you'll see icons with the labels "Shortcuts", "Automation", and "Gallery".
3. Click on the Automation icon/text at the bottom of the screen
4. On the Automation screen, click the + icon in the upper right to add a new automation
5. On the Personal Automation screen, scroll down and click on Bluetooth. The gray text below will read "E.g. "When my iPhone connects to Airpods". We're going to make an automation that will happen whenever your phone connects to Rivian Audio via Bluetooth, so this is the one we want.
6. On the When screen where it says "Device" click on "Choose"
7. Under "MY DEVICES" pick "Rivian Audio". You'll get a blue check mark next to that, after which you can click Done
8. Make sure "Is Connected" is selected and not "Is Disconnected"
9. Below that make sure "Run Immediately" is selected and not "Run After Confirmation"
10. Click Next in the upper right
11. On the "When iPhone xxx is connected to "Rivian Audio" enter "Set Personal Hotspot" in the search text. Pick that gadget when the search has found it

That's it. You're done. =)

I wasn't able to find the "Set Personal Hotspot" shortcut by simply typing in the search bar after step 10. Do the following to find it:

After clicking "Next" on step 10, click on a tile called "New Blank Automation". That pulls up another screen with a different search bar. Type "Set Personal Hotspot" in that search bar to find the correct action.

 

[TexasBob]

Needs a bump this morning as C+ trial comes to an end.

 

[hekhl00]

This is fire right now with the ending of the free trial for Connect + ( and it's not working anyway). Love this automation and love that I'm not paying for Connect+.

 

[TexasBob]

Here is a neophyte step-by-step guide to doing the shortcut in case you are like me and never knew there was a shortcut app on the iphone:

Part I Create Shortcut

1. Open Shortcuts app and select shortcuts at the bottom
2. Click + in upper right
3. In Search Actions type "hotspot"
4. Select "Set Personal Hotspot" Make sure it says Turn On
5. Click the down arrow on the to next to "Set Personal Hotspot" in top center and click Rename
6. Rename this to "Hotspot On" or similar
7. Click Done in Upper Right

Part II Automation

1. In the Shortcut app tap automation in bottom center then tap + in upper right
2. Scroll down to Bluetooth and select
3. Click "Choose" next to device and select "Rivian Audio"
4. Select "Is Connected" and Select 'Run Immediately"
5. Click Next and select the Hotspot On shortcut
6. Click Done

All finished with Automated On
Next follow same steps but create a shortcut of Personal Hotspot Off (click off in step I.4) then create an automation for that one when you choose "Is Disconnected" in step II.4

Bonus Tip
Once this is working, you will quickly become annoyed by the notifications. To disable shortcut notifications you need to go to screen time (!). Follow steps in this link:
https://www.howtogeek.com/722717/how-to-disable-notifications-for-the-shortcuts-app-on-iphone/

 

[HaveBlue]

I had no idea Apple had added this. I use Android mostly because of flexibility but really tempting that Apple is fixing omissions.

 

[LeDiable]

I had no idea Apple had added this. I use Android mostly because of flexibility but really tempting that Apple is fixing omissions.

Depending on which Android you are using, you may have options.

I've got a Samsung Galaxy S22 and the "Modes and Routines" settings allowed me to create a routine to turn on my mobile hotspot when I am not home and am connected to the truck, and turns it off (or back to the previous state) when any condition is no longer met.

Critically, don't use a "Mode" for this, because even though it lets you add several conditions for automatically turning on, it triggers if ANY condition is met, not when ALL conditions are met.

 

[HaveBlue]

Depending on which Android you are using, you may have options.

I've got a Samsung Galaxy S22 and the "Modes and Routines" settings allowed me to create a routine to turn on my mobile hotspot when I am not home and am connected to the truck, and turns it off (or back to the previous state) when any condition is no longer met.

Critically, don't use a "Mode" for this, because even though it lets you add several conditions for automatically turning on, it triggers if ANY condition is met, not when ALL conditions are met.

Yes I have a Fold 3 and use Modes and Routines as well as SmartThings for all kinds of automation. Google/Android has actually made things worse in the API for automation over the years. Without root, even apps like Tasker and Automate have become problematic as they can't turn simple things like BT on and off. Luckily Samsung saw fit to add some of this back in. I guess I meant tempting in that I won't switch to Apple due to things missing that I use all the time.

 

[goldburger]

This isn’t working for me because the truck isn’t picking up my hotspot at all.

 

[godfodder0901]

This isn’t working for me because the truck isn’t picking up my hotspot at all.

Make sure your hotspot isn't restricting to WPA3 or combined 2.4/5gHz.

 

[goldburger]

Make sure your hotspot isn't restricting to WPA3 or combined 2.4/5gHz.

How do I do that? That’s not a toggle setting I see in the personal Hotspot section on my iPhone 16 pro

 

[godfodder0901]

How do I do that? That’s not a toggle setting I see in the personal Hotspot section on my iPhone 16 pro

Don't know exactly on iPhone, I use Android, but there should be some advanced settings menu.

 

[goldburger]

Don't know exactly on iPhone, I use Android, but there should be some advanced settings menu.

Ah. Not on iPhone for that setting specifically afaik.

 

[godfodder0901]

Ah. Not on iPhone for that setting specifically afaik.

Maybe try the 'Maximize Compatibility' setting.

 

[goldburger]

Maybe try the 'Maximize Compatibility' setting.

Boom thank you!!

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