Personal Hotspot, the name Apple gives to the tethering feature for the iOS, is a crucial tool for many people, especially business travelers. With it, you can get your laptop or tablet online anywhere your iPhone has 3G/4G service, regardless of whether or not there's an open Wi-Fi network nearby.

Normally using Personal Hotspot is as simple as turning the feature on (once you've added support for the feature and increased data plan to your monthly iPhone plan, that is).

But some iOS 5 users--either those who have upgraded their devices or who have restored a new device from backup--have found that their Personal Hotspot has disappeared. Here's how to get it back.

The Easy Version

Some cases of disappearing Personal Hotspot can be solved very simply: by just turning Personal Hotspot back on. To do that:

1. Tap the Settings app
2. Tap General
3. Tap Network
4. Tap Personal Hotspot (or Enable Personal Hotspot, depending on which appears)
5. Move the Slider to On.

If That Doesn't Work

In some cases, though, the problem is more complex: the Personal Hotspot menu isn't there at all! In that case, do this:

1. Tap Settings
2. Tap General
3. Scroll all the way to the bottom and tap Reset
4. Tap Reset Network Settings

This will reset any of the networking-related settings on your iPhone that you may have changed. The iPhone will restart and, when it does, Personal Hotspot should once again be available in the Network section of Settings.

If it's not, double check that you've enabled Personal Hotspot for your mobile phone plan (on AT&T and Verizon, this requires an additional US$20/month added to your data plan) or try restoring your iPhone.

 
Want tips like this delivered to your inbox every week? Subscribe to the free weekly iPhone/iPod email newsletter.