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

[evforthewin]

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.

I did something similar after realizing that my iPhone was keeping the hotspot on and connected, causing it to 1) not connect to home wifi and 2) possibly continue to use data for the Rivian therefore possibly using up my hotspot allowance when not necessary.

So, I have 2 automations: 1) Hotspot on when iPhone connected to Rivian Audio (but AFTER confirmation since my iPhone is with me frequently as I go to the garage for various things) and 2) Disconnect hotspot when I arrive home (I use UniFi hotspots at home that connect within about 300 feet) so my R1S does not stay on hotspot, but instead connect to home wifi.

**Edit** After testing more, I changed my Automation triggers to geofencing. Hotspot on upon departing home, off upon arriving. Both are Immediate vs. After Confirmation.

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[Summi99]

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/

For some reason I’m not seeing Rivian audio or sensor options under automation Bluetooth section. It only shows my apple Bluetooth devices as “my devices”
I’m on iOS 18. iPhone 15 pro max

 

[BrianB]

I did something similar after realizing that my iPhone was keeping the hotspot on and connected, causing it to 1) not connect to home wifi and 2) possibly continue to use data for the Rivian therefore possibly using up my hotspot allowance when not necessary.

So, I have 2 automations: 1) Hotspot on when iPhone connected to Rivian Audio (but AFTER confirmation since my iPhone is with me frequently as I go to the garage for various things) and 2) Disconnect hotspot when I arrive home (I use UniFi hotspots at home that connect within about 300 feet) so my R1S does not stay on hotspot, but instead connect to home wifi.

**Edit** After testing more, I changed my Automation triggers to geofencing. Hotspot on upon departing home, off upon arriving. Both are Immediate vs. After Confirmation.

Thank you. I have the connect automation working, but can’t figure out how to disable the hotspot when I leave the Rivian. Would you please post the steps you used to geofence your way through this?

 

[godfodder0901]

Thank you. I have the connect automation working, but can’t figure out how to disable the hotspot when I leave the Rivian. Would you please post the steps you used to geofence your way through this?

I set the trigger on Android as connecting or disconnecting from the Rivian Audio Bluetooth connection. Highly recommended if iPhone is capable.

 

[mmcool]

Curious about how much data and phone battery would this use and if it is worth it?

 

[godfodder0901]

Curious about how much data and phone battery would this use and if it is worth it?

Battery draw is minimal while driving (put the phone on the wireless charger) and the data depends on the app you stream. Most plans have unlimited data overall and 5+Gb of hotspot data. Unless you stream for 4+hrs every day, it likely won't impact you at all.

 

[BrianB]

Curious about how much data and phone battery would this use and if it is worth it?

I’m not concerned about the battery or data usage. On my iPhone when personal hotspot is on, my phone doesn’t connect to my home wifi. When I exit my R1S at home, I want my phone to disable personal hotspot and join my home wifi, for the fast wifi data speeds.

I set up a second iPhone automation to turn personal hotspot off when the phone disconnects from the Rivian Bluetooth, but it doesn’t work consistently.

 

[B Digs]

I’m not concerned about the battery or data usage. On my iPhone when personal hotspot is on, my phone doesn’t connect to my home wifi. When I exit my R1S at home, I want my phone to disable personal hotspot and join my home wifi, for the fast wifi data speeds.

I set up a second iPhone automation to turn personal hotspot off when the phone disconnects from the Rivian Bluetooth, but it doesn’t work consistently.

Hi Brian, I set up an automation to turn the hotspot off when I arrive at home. I started with @TexasBob's excellent instructions and added similar instructions for turning the hotspot Off:

Create Shortcut Hotspot On

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

Automation On

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

Create Shortcut Hotspot Off

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 Off
5. Click the down arrow on the to next to "Set Personal Hotspot" in top center and click Rename
6. Rename this to "Hotspot Off" or similar
7. Click Done in Upper Right

Automation Off

1. In the Shortcut app tap automation in bottom center then tap + in upper right
2. Scroll down to Arrive
3. Location, Choose,
4. Enter address, Done,
5. Click Next
6. Select My Shortcuts, Hotspot Off

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