Using iPhone 14 Hotspot to connect Sky+ HD Box to internet.

[wrb]

Steps:

1. iPhone Hotspot definitely on and working
    - MacBook/iPad/Microsoft Laptop all use it ok.

2. With Sky+ HD Box select:

     - Services | Settings | Network | Connect with Password.

3. Sky+ HD Box searches for local networks.

4. 11 networks are found, including iPhone.

5. Select iPhone from llist of available networks.

6. Enter iPhone's Hotspot Password.

7. Press Select

8. Sky+ HD Box attempts to connect to iPhone.

9. After 1-2 minutes Sky+ HD Box states there has been a problem connecting to network - connection fails.

Points:

*iPhone Hotspot definitely working - 3 other devices use it (NB. no other devices connected when trying to connect Sky+ HD Box)

*Sky+ HD Box newly installed by Sky (TBH. not sure if brand-new or refurbished).

*Sky+ HD Box definitely has WiFi - it finds 11 WiFi networks on searching, including iPhone.

*Sky+ HD Box does connect to an unlocked BTWi-Fi network found in search (NB. not mine, [must be neighbour's] just mention to confirm Sky+ HD Box can and does connect to a WiFi network).

*iPhone 's Hotspot Password definitely entered correctly.

Question:

Can anyone shed any light on why Sky+ HD Box cannot connect to iPhone 14?

[Mark39]

I assume your Sky box has built-in WiFi (does it have a WPS button on the front panel)?

If so, I could only guess at a wifi spec-related incompatibility of some sort, bearing in mind that even the most recent Sky+HD boxes are at least 6 years old. 

[wrb]

Thanks Mark - appreciate your reply and time.

Given that the box find 11 WiFi networks when searching and connects to a non-locked BTwifi, I've taken that to confirm the box does have WiFi.  TBH - because I'm trying to connect to an iPhone, I didn't bother checking if it had a WPS button. But, on reading your reply, I've just checked and it does.

So, I guess it is either a question of compatibility or maybe, Sky+ HD Boxes are somehow prevented from using a hotspot and can only use a WiFi modem?

[Mark39]

---

@wrb wrote:

Thanks Mark - appreciate your reply and time.

Given that the box find 11 WiFi networks when searching and connects to a non-locked BTwifi, I've taken that to confirm the box does have WiFi.  TBH - because I'm trying to connect to an iPhone, I didn't bother checking if it had a WPS button. But, on reading your reply, I've just checked and it does.

So, I guess it is either a question of compatibility or maybe, Sky+ HD Boxes are somehow prevented from using a hotspot and can only use a WiFi modem?

---

Yes, you're right about the box having wifi.

I doubt there's any active prevention of hotshot use, but I do wonder how widespread hotspot avaliability was when the box was developed, probably 8/9 years ago (you might know more about that than I do!).

[wrb]

Thanks again Mark.

Doubt I know more than you!   I think you're probably right about the box being developed before hotspots were as much in use as today.

One thing I do know, is that device/software does actively prevent upload using a hotspot: a MacBook using an iPhone hotspot does not sync such things as photos to iCloud; the Microsoft OneDrive app is the same (although it can be configured to do so, but it doesn't work!).

Unfortunately,  these devices/software hasn't caught up with air time plans.  The main reason to restrict is to avoid using the whole data allowance or to avoid expensive data use.

But, free unlimited mobile data plans are now widely available.  So why have broadband!!

Thanks again for your replies and help.

[Anonymous]

Sky Q boxes only have capability for the 2.4GHz/2.4G WiFi band and not the 5GHz/5G WiFi band.

Make sure the iPhone Hotspot is using the 2.4G band.

(Note: 2.4G and 5G used here are not to be confused with Internet speeds from mobile networks)

This website shows how to enable the 5G WiFi band for hotspots, so I would assume doing the opposite would enable 2.4G. 

To enable 2.4G:

1. Open Settings on your iPhone 12 or later with iOS 14.0.1 or later.
2. Touch “Personal Hotspot” in the root list.
3. Slide the “Maximize Compatibility” toggle to the OFF position.
4. To re-enable 5GHz mobile hotspot, toggle “Maximize Compatibility” toggle to the ON position.

When Maximize Compatibility is OFF, the mobile hotspot is using  the 2.4G band.

When Maximize Compatibility is ON, the mobile hotspot is using the 5G band.

You may need to re-enter your PIN for other devices if using the 2.4G band.

Give us an update if it works. 🙂

[wrb]

Thanks so much for such a detailed reply TattedPupper.

You are absolutely righ but, unfortunately, still doesn't work.

1. First I tried 5G and the Sky+ HD Box does not find the iPhone hotspot on network search.

2. I then switched to 2G. (as you outlined) and now, the Sky+ HD Box does find the iPhone hotspot.

This obviously proves 2G is required and that 5G does not work.

However, even with 2G the Sky+ HD Box still confirms that there is a problem connecting, and the connection fails.

On further investigation, perhaps the security settings are the reason?

I've discovered that the iPhone hotspot uses WPA3 security, which is not available on the Sky+ HD Box.

I don't know enough about security settings to know if this is definitely the problem - but it seems very reasonable that it will be?

[Anonymous]

---

@wrb wrote:

Thanks so much for such a detailed reply TattedPupper.

You are absolutely righ but, unfortunately, still doesn't work.

1. First I tried 5G and the Sky+ HD Box does not find the iPhone hotspot on network search.

2. I then switched to 2G. (as you outlined) and now, the Sky+ HD Box does find the iPhone hotspot.

This obviously proves 2G is required and that 5G does not work.

However, even with 2G the Sky+ HD Box still confirms that there is a problem connecting, and the connection fails.

On further investigation, perhaps the security settings are the reason?

I've discovered that the iPhone hotspot uses WPA3 security, which is not available on the Sky+ HD Box.

I don't know enough about security settings to know if this is definitely the problem - but it seems very reasonable that it will be?

---

I'm sorry this didn't work. I was browsing the Sky Community for other similar issues, and it seems that iPhone hotspots don't work with Sky Q. 

https://helpforum.sky.com/t5/Sky-Q/Trouble-with-hotspot/td-p/4068622

https://helpforum.sky.com/t5/Broadband/Can-you-use-iPhone-hotspot-on-Sky-Q/td-p/4185378

I think you're right about WPA3, Apple deems WPA3 this the best security standand but the most common is WPA2 right now. I also found this:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/253499488.

It outlines that iPhones use WPA3 and seemingly WPA2 is not available for newer iPhones. While I agree with Apple that WPA3 is more secure, it's not a common standard right now.

In my own personal opinion, I think Apple have failed on compatibility, forcing Apple devices to use the 5G band and WPA3 only.

TL;DR: iPhone hotspots cannot connect to Sky Q boxes. Blame Apple. 

[TimmyBGood]

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@wrb wrote:

I've discovered that the iPhone hotspot uses WPA3 security, which is not available on the Sky+ HD Box.

I don't know enough about security settings to know if this is definitely the problem - but it seems very reasonable that it will be?

---

Almost nothing (apart from some iPhones) currently uses WPA3 by default: no Sky hardware even supports it.

You'll need to change the hotspot encryption to WPA2-PSK.

[Anonymous]

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@TimmyBGood wrote:

[...]

---

Almost nothing (apart from some iPhones) currently uses WPA3 by default: no Sky hardware even supports it.

You'll need to change the hotspot encryption to WPA2-PSK.

---

Just FYI, new Androids support it, but default is WPA2. I have Android 13. 

[TimmyBGood]

@Anonymous 

Frankly only Apple is that darned arrogant ; )

[Anonymous]

---

@TimmyBGood wrote:

@Anonymous 

Frankly only Apple is that darned arrogant ; )

---

Yeah, true. Look how Apple made a hullabaloo over the EU saying all charging ports must be USB Type-C by the end of December 2024. 

[wrb]

Thanks TattedPupper and Timmy - much appreciated.

Apple are brilliant idea (in my opinion of course) but there are also a tad arrogant and believe the way they do things is the right way - and the only way!

Unfortunately, there is no way on the iPhone to change the security encryption.  There seems to bean additional app that might allow this but it's not straight forward.

I remember now that I connected a friend's brand new LG Smart TV late last year to my iPhone 13 (I've since upgraded to 14) and that worked ok. But I can't remember if I set the maximum compatibility or not. But it was definitely iOS 15 so would have been using WPA3.  Guess a brand new Smart LG TV has WPA3?

Looks like my great idea of cancelling my broadband and using my unlimited data plan wasn't so great after all LOL

We live and learn.

Once again, thanks for all your help - much appreciated.

[Anonymous]

---

@wrb wrote:

Thanks TattedPupper and Timmy - much appreciated.

Apple are brilliant idea (in my opinion of course) but there are also a tad arrogant and believe the way they do things is the right way - and the only way!

Unfortunately, there is no way on the iPhone to change the security encryption.  There seems to bean additional app that might allow this but it's not straight forward.

I remember now that I connected a friend's brand new LG Smart TV late last year to my iPhone 13 (I've since upgraded to 14) and that worked ok. But I can't remember if I set the maximum compatibility or not. But it was definitely iOS 15 so would have been using WPA3.  Guess a brand new Smart LG TV has WPA3?

Looks like my great idea of cancelling my broadband and using my unlimited data plan wasn't so great after all LOL

We live and learn.

Once again, thanks for all your help - much appreciated.

---

You might be able to use something like a WiFi dongle that supports both WPA2 and WPA3 and insert in into the Sky Q box.

Example: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00ZIS0D2O

I don't know if this would work, but it's definitely worth checking out. 

[wrb]

Thanks TattedPupper

As said, it's actually a Sky+ HD Box not Q.  But it still has a USB socket so maybe I'll try that.