Using data while on wi-fi? - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hey people!
I will have mobile data for the first time next week, and I would like to know something.
Basically, as far as I know, mobile data is automatically turned off by Android when connected to a wi-fi. Now, my phone is a nexus 4, and since I have limited storage, I use a wi-fi external hard drive, which means I am always connected to wi-fi on the road. Now, if I want to use mobile data while I'm connected to a wi-fi network, is there a way to make it work?
Thanks a lot!

Yup, using DroidWall (free app) you can decide which apps can connect to the WiFi (you can block them all, and only allow specific apps).

Thanks a lot for the suggestion, going to look into that!

Update: Droidwall doesn't work the way I'd like it to. I can indeed block access to wi-fi for certain apps, but my mobile data remains deactivated. Is there a way to use mobile data if I'm connected to a wi-fi on a rooted n4?

Related

[ISSUE] How to prefer Wi-Fi to 3G

I have a HTC Fuze. The last few ROMS that i have been using (Energy, RRE, Tael), all the Apps always use the 3G internet to do their work even if a much faster Wifi is connected. Is there any way to make all apps(including things like email) globally prefer the Wifi when available? Also I dont want to have to keep changing settings to do this, It simply needs to be "If Wifi available use it, else use 3G"
Thanks in advance.
What i did was to go to start>settings>connections>advanced>select networks and change the default connection to the internet to "My work network", rather than my 3G network. This way, if theres any connection to the internet needed, my phone will use my wifi connection. The problem with this, however, is that when you dont have a wifi connection available, the phone will not connect to the internet unless you change the above setting back to your 3G network. If anyone knows a better way, please let us know
no i cant keep switching. thats too much trouble. there must be a better way.
redskilldough said:
What i did was to go to start>settings>connections>advanced>select networks and change the default connection to the internet to "My work network", rather than my 3G network. This way, if theres any connection to the internet needed, my phone will use my wifi connection. The problem with this, however, is that when you dont have a wifi connection available, the phone will not connect to the internet unless you change the above setting back to your 3G network...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does it automatically connect to WiFi when a known network is within range even when the phone is in sleep? If yes, does it disconnect once not in use for a while?
k.electron said:
no i cant keep switching. thats too much trouble. there must be a better way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as I know there is no way to do it automatically. You can use one or the other but they must be switched manually. All HTC phones have always worked this way. Maybe if the demand was high enough which apparently it is not a Chef could come up with an app that would do it. But for now you must do it manually.
rexian said:
Does it automatically connect to WiFi when a known network is within range even when the phone is in sleep? If yes, does it disconnect once not in use for a while?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no i leave wifi off normally to conserve battery.
Solarenemy68 said:
As far as I know there is no way to do it automatically. You can use one or the other but they must be switched manually. All HTC phones have always worked this way. Maybe if the demand was high enough which apparently it is not a Chef could come up with an app that would do it. But for now you must do it manually.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that is extremely failurous. not preferring the fastest internet connection is major fail. did not know that.
My phone does this automatically. It uses the WiFi whenever it's on. If the WiFi is off, it uses the data connection.
Maybe I'm understanding it wrong?
|Jason8| said:
My phone does this automatically. It uses the WiFi whenever it's on. If the WiFi is off, it uses the data connection.
Maybe I'm understanding it wrong?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what the heck? how? u must help me find out..
i think it does prefer wifi over 3g in WM 6.5...!!
to check it out here is wt i've done....turn data connection off...check that its on in the notification manager "when u click on the task bar"..then run any app that needs internet " opera, msn messenger, email...etc" while this app is online..
now there r two ways to check it
1-the notification manager & see if it turned to 3g data connection...if so u should find a timer running in ur service provider section, if not then its only using wifi
2-check the communication manager & see if it turned the data connection on, if its off then its using wifi...
thats how it is with my touch pro...i'm using energy rom nov. 08 build
Indeed it prefers wifi connections 2 data, but You have to :
1. Have Known wifi spots in range
2. Keep wifi connection on, while in stand by
Keep in mind that if a program starts to use the data connection it wont change to use the wifi one. So firstly connect and then open programs.
wakady said:
i think it does prefer wifi over 3g in WM 6.5...!!
to check it out here is wt i've done....turn data connection off...check that its on in the notification manager "when u click on the task bar"..then run any app that needs internet " opera, msn messenger, email...etc" while this app is online..
now there r two ways to check it
1-the notification manager & see if it turned to 3g data connection...if so u should find a timer running in ur service provider section, if not then its only using wifi
2-check the communication manager & see if it turned the data connection on, if its off then its using wifi...
thats how it is with my touch pro...i'm using energy rom nov. 08 build
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
firiel said:
Indeed it prefers wifi connections 2 data, but You have to :
1. Have Known wifi spots in range
2. Keep wifi connection on, while in stand by
Keep in mind that if a program starts to use the data connection it wont change to use the wifi one. So firstly connect and then open programs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
apparently its some sort of combo of this. i am using 6.5. any apps that have been using 3g continue with it. and i have to go to the comm screen and turn off data to force new apps to consume wifi. which isnt too bad, certainly not as bad as going to the network options. i would wish they made this a bit more seamless like with the desktop technology, i can switch from wired to wireless lan without even dropping a skype call.
firiel said:
Indeed it prefers wifi connections 2 data, but You have to :
1. Have Known wifi spots in range
2. Keep wifi connection on, while in stand by
Keep in mind that if a program starts to use the data connection it wont change to use the wifi one. So firstly connect and then open programs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
now i have discovered a new problem. even if i open the app after i have wifi turned on and data turned off, some apps just dont want to use the wifii.
Bing maps and google maps for example just tell me there is no internet.
this is really pissing me off, whats the point of having wifi on a phone if the apps wont use it. i dont really care about the google location service if the data is through the internet, but atleast turn on.
lame.

[Q] Data switch per app

Hi,
In my data plan I have only little roaming data included. (10mb per month or so)
Anything over that is WAAAY to expensive.
Now, when going abroad I'd like to be able to use my data connection just for selected applications. Now, when I turn on my data, practically every running app is going to try to connect, check for updates, syncronize,...
Is there any way to just switch on data for, say, the email app?
Thanks!
You'll need to be rooted but there are a firewall app like DroidWall should work. It has separate toggles for wifi vs 3G so you can let everything access data when on wifi and block most apps from 3G:
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.googlecode.droidwall.free
Droidwall is a good choice. Another alternative is Avast Mobile Security which also has a built-in firewall that will allow you to toggle wifi, 3g and roaming.
Sorry, I forgot to reply. That is exactly what I was looking for!
Thanks!

turn your android device into a wifi drive?

is there an app that turns your android device into a wifi drive? like air stash.... i have tried on air app but it actually requires you to be connected to a wireless network... what i want is an app that turns your android device into a wifi access point drive (with no wifi network needed in between)
I know you can use Bluetooth to transfer files. But an app to transfer files using your data connection as a "substitute" wifi hotspots and then being able to directly transfer files over the connection? Sounds good but I've never heard of such an app. Obviously u can tether but all that does is share the internet data connection with other devices.
Sent from my SGH-I777 using Tapatalk 2
i actually want the android device to be used exactly as the air stash without a third party network in between... considering the high price of the air stash, i rather buy a cheap Chinese android tablet instead that i could use like the air stash(if an app to do so exists)
this might be helpful
[GUIDE] [biggner] How to share WIFI FTP data with android to PC (xp to win 7)
not really the functionality i need

[Q] Make apps think you're using Wifi

I've searched around for some solid technique or, preferably, app that allows you to trick apps into thinking you are using Wifi when in reality you are still on 3g/4g.
- I am NOT looking for alternatives or workarounds for a specific app
I found it crazy that the iPhone has over a dozen apps, tweaks, etc that can easily do this type of thing, but the only stuff I've found on the subject for android were either ridiculous techniques that don't work, or people questioning WHY you'd want to do this...
If anyone has ANY information on this subject, please tell.
Is there a reason why this is so much harder on Android than on iPhone? I'd be happy to learn exactly what the problem is here.
bump
Im also interested on this. I have unlimited data and i find it ridiculous that devs make apps to only work on wifi. I use to use 3g unrestrictor all the time back when i had my iPhone.
bump
bump again...
Well i know this works with certain android games like zenonia and modern combat which require wifi not data connection so you can try it with other stuff. You have to be rooted.
The first step is to turn your Wi-Fi on and*download Android Wi-Fi tether app*available in Market.
Once you have the app downloaded, launch the app and go to Menu > Settings > Change > Setup Method and select Softap option.
Now start tethering and drag down the notification bar.
In case your Wi-Fi icon is still enabled, it means that you have done it right so far.
Do not press the Wi-Fi toggle icon and launch the game you want to play
-------------
I am a dishonest man, and you can always honestly trust a dishonest man to be dishonest. Honestly it's the honest ones you have to watch out for.
xMrArnoldx said:
Well i know this works with certain android games like zenonia and modern combat which require wifi not data connection so you can try it with other stuff. You have to be rooted.
The first step is to turn your Wi-Fi on and*download Android Wi-Fi tether app*available in Market.
Once you have the app downloaded, launch the app and go to Menu > Settings > Change > Setup Method and select Softap option.
Now start tethering and drag down the notification bar.
In case your Wi-Fi icon is still enabled, it means that you have done it right so far.
Do not press the Wi-Fi toggle icon and launch the game you want to play
-------------
I am a dishonest man, and you can always honestly trust a dishonest man to be dishonest. Honestly it's the honest ones you have to watch out for.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It didn't work.. My wifi is turned off as soon as the tethering starts. What app exactly am I supposed to use?
Thanks!
Try wifi tether for root users.
---------------------
Give me a thanks if i helped
Lg Lucid running Cm10
w/ Cm10 Kernel
Asus Tf700 running Cromi-X 4.6.5
w/ Max's v4 kernel
Some Android games and application require a Wi-Fi connection due to the large amount of data that they use. If you don't have Wi-Fi available, however, you won't be able to use the apps or play the games, even if you have a fast 3G connection. You can trick your phone into believing that the Wi-Fi is connected by saving a small text file to your SD card so the phone will play games and apps as if it's on Wi-Fi when it's only connected to 3G.
Things You'll Need
PC
Data cable
Text editing app
Instructions
1) Launch a text editing program on your computer and type "FALSE" in all caps. Save the file and give it the name "qaWifiOnlyMode.txt" exactly with all the lower-case and capital letters duplicated precisely, otherwise the Android operating system won't see the file. Close the text editing program.
2) Plug your Android device into your computer and drag your finger down from the top of the screen to open the notification area. Tap "USB Connected" and then confirm that you want to mount your SD card as a drive on the computer.
3) Find the qaWifiOnlyMode.txt file on your computer and click to select it. Press "Ctrl" and "C" to copy the file. Browse to the location of your Android device's SD card on your computer. In the base(root) directory, not in any sub-folder, press "Ctrl" and "V" to paste the text file to the card.
4) Drag down the notification area on your Android device and tap the USB connection to disconnect the device from the computer. Unplug the USB cable. Your device will now play games and apps as if it's on Wi-Fi even if it's only on 3G.
Diablo67 said:
Some Android games and application require a Wi-Fi connection due to the large amount of data that they use. If you don't have Wi-Fi available, however, you won't be able to use the apps or play the games, even if you have a fast 3G connection. You can trick your phone into believing that the Wi-Fi is connected by saving a small text file to your SD card so the phone will play games and apps as if it's on Wi-Fi when it's only connected to 3G.
Things You'll Need
PC
Data cable
Text editing app
Instructions
1) Launch a text editing program on your computer and type "FALSE" in all caps. Save the file and give it the name "qaWifiOnlyMode.txt" exactly with all the lower-case and capital letters duplicated precisely, otherwise the Android operating system won't see the file. Close the text editing program.
2) Plug your Android device into your computer and drag your finger down from the top of the screen to open the notification area. Tap "USB Connected" and then confirm that you want to mount your SD card as a drive on the computer.
3) Find the qaWifiOnlyMode.txt file on your computer and click to select it. Press "Ctrl" and "C" to copy the file. Browse to the location of your Android device's SD card on your computer. In the base(root) directory, not in any sub-folder, press "Ctrl" and "V" to paste the text file to the card.
4) Drag down the notification area on your Android device and tap the USB connection to disconnect the device from the computer. Unplug the USB cable. Your device will now play games and apps as if it's on Wi-Fi even if it's only on 3G.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, this whole text file thing didn't work for me. Do you have to be rooted for this to work?
It didn't work for me either and I'm rooted
Work for anyone
Did the above fix work for anyone?
.txt thing didn't work for me either and I'm rooted]
I am having a rooted phone with busybox and this text file trick doesn't work.
Sent from my GT-S5360 Gadget of Mass Destruction using xda-app
Using CWM........Busybox Commands........No I use my hands
I've been searching for a way to fool apps into thinking their on WiFi. No luck.
I hate to beat the dead horse but I switched from an iPhone to a HTC One and its turning out to be a bad deal. Your telling me all these yrs and no one has been able to make one of the most basic apps the iPhone can get via cydia yet.
We should start a bounty ...
I'll throw in 100 to start it off with.
omf05 said:
I've been searching for a way to fool apps into thinking their on WiFi. No luck.
I hate to beat the dead horse but I switched from an iPhone to a HTC One and its turning out to be a bad deal. Your telling me all these yrs and no one has been able to make one of the most basic apps the iPhone can get via cydia yet.
We should start a bounty ...
I'll throw in 100 to start it off with.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's pretty pathetic really
I'll be abroad next week and wanted to catch a bit of the French Open Tennis but one of the TV apps I'm using requires a wifi connection. The fact there is no workaround yet is almost as idiotic as the morons who implement this "feature" in their apps.
Why should I care if someone is dumb enough to rinse their 1GB Data limit when I have unlimited 4G internet?
I asked about this in the Xposed forum, since it seems like an Xposed module might be the way to trick apps into thinking you're on wi-fi.
For me, the issue is with PdaNet+. I have unlimited data with T-Mobile, and I can pair my tablet via bluetooth and use my phone's data on my tablet. However, some apps don't work because they don't detect a data connection (ie: wi-fi), even though there is one. I can browse the internet. I can browse Google Play. But I can't download anything from Google Play, because it keeps waiting for a network connection. I can use Facebook, but I can't use the Facebook Messenger.
The work-around I can use at home is to use a virtual wi-fi router program on my laptop, connect my tablet to my laptop's wifi, and then connect my tablet via PdaNet+ bluetooth. Even there's no data going through the wi-fi, it still "tricks" my tablet into thinking there's a network connection, and it proceeds to download through bluetooth. Of course, this only works at home or if I have my laptop with me.
Yeah, I can always just tether my phone to my laptop and run my tablet off the laptop's virtual wi-fi router (which I typically do), but that's slower, and again, only works when my computer is with me.
Planterz said:
I asked about this in the Xposed forum, since it seems like an Xposed module might be the way to trick apps into thinking you're on wi-fi.
For me, the issue is with PdaNet+. I have unlimited data with T-Mobile, and I can pair my tablet via bluetooth and use my phone's data on my tablet. However, some apps don't work because they don't detect a data connection (ie: wi-fi), even though there is one. I can browse the internet. I can browse Google Play. But I can't download anything from Google Play, because it keeps waiting for a network connection. I can use Facebook, but I can't use the Facebook Messenger.
The work-around I can use at home is to use a virtual wi-fi router program on my laptop, connect my tablet to my laptop's wifi, and then connect my tablet via PdaNet+ bluetooth. Even there's no data going through the wi-fi, it still "tricks" my tablet into thinking there's a network connection, and it proceeds to download through bluetooth. Of course, this only works at home or if I have my laptop with me.
Yeah, I can always just tether my phone to my laptop and run my tablet off the laptop's virtual wi-fi router (which I typically do), but that's slower, and again, only works when my computer is with me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you provide a little more detail in how to do this? What program are you using on your laptop? So the phone is running PDANet and then you connect it to your laptop via Bluetooth. Then after that you connect your tablet to the laptop's virtual wifi router?
Don't know if I understood completely but thanks in advance.
taino211 said:
Could you provide a little more detail in how to do this? What program are you using on your laptop? So the phone is running PDANet and then you connect it to your laptop via Bluetooth. Then after that you connect your tablet to the laptop's virtual wifi router?
Don't know if I understood completely but thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have T-Mobile's Unlimited plan, which has unlimited data and 5gb free hotspot. My phone is a T-Mobile branded Samsung Galaxy Light SGH T399. On my phone I have PdaNet+ installed, with the full unlock key purchased ($8).
There's a free one to try, to make sure it works with your phone; whether it works or not depends on the phone itself, the version of Android it runs, and the provider from which you got it (if you didn't get an unlocked version). For example, a particular phone might work fine with T-Mobile, but the Sprint version of that phone might not. That's why there's the free version - to test before purchasing. The limitation with the free version is that it times out after about ~10 minutes and you have to reconnect.
PdaNet can connect to your computer in 3 ways. Wifi, Bluetooth, or USB tethering. Again, depending on your phone, carrier branding, and Android version, some methods may work while others won't.
Wifi works just like any wifi hotspot. However, depending on the afore mentioned conditions, wifi hotspot might not work the way you want it to. For example, on my T-Mobile branded Samsung Galaxy Light SGH-T399, using the wifi hotspot on PdaNet also loads up the pre-installed T-Mobile hotspot, which drains the 5gb mobile hotspot allotment. I haven't found a way to break that on this phone. On other phones (like Nexus devices), I know there are ways to only use your phone's data, and not the hotspot allotment, but frankly, these are very complicated and need a VPN subscription (ie: more money) to work. Wifi hotspot use is often broken anyway, depending on your carrier and Android version.
Bluetooth and USB tethering work differently than wi-fi, but otherwise work essentially the same way as each other. Both require a companion program to be installed onto your computer. A good idea is to keep a copy of this program on your phone, so you can install it on other people's computers if necessary (and perhaps the USB drivers for your phone as well).
I haven't messed around with Bluetooth much, because the Bluetooth on my laptop (via a dongle) is glitchy as $#@!, and I've never been able to get PdaNet to work with it properly except for a couple times which didn't last. Actually, I've never gotten anything to work properly with Bluetooth on my laptop, so this is probably just a problem with my computer/dongle/drivers, and YMMV. On the few times I've gotten PdaNet or other internet via Bluetooth (which some phones have built-in, and don't require PdaNet at all), speeds have been much, much slower, and I'd rather tether via USB anyway.
I connect my phone's internet to my laptop with USB tether. Make sure USB debugging is enabled, and plug it in. Make sure it's set as a Mass Storage device (4.1 or earlier), or as a Media Device (4.2+). Then on your phone, open PdaNet+ and Activate USB Tether (you can do this before plugging it in, it doesn't matter). On your computer, load PdaNet, and select Connect Internet (USB). If everything has been set up correctly, it should say "Connected", and you can now use your phone's internet on your computer.
Here's the important part:
If you don't have an Unlimited plan, tethering (via any method) will suck down your data. If you do have an unlimited plan, there's an option in PdaNet's settings (on your computer) to "Hide Tether Usage". This uses a proxy or VPN (not sure which) to fool your provider into thinking you're on your phone, and not on your computer. This works for me, with my phone, on T-Mobile. No guarantees that this will work with other phones, or other providers. Try the free version first, monitor your data usage (use your provider's account app, not the built-in Android one), and see if it works for you.
As for the virtual wifi network, there are a couple ways to do this. The PdaNet program for your computer actually has this built into it. Once you're connected, select the "WiFi Share" option, and it'll set up a wi-fi network that you (and others) can use on other devices, like other phones, tablets, computers smart-TVs, etc. Obviously, the computer you're tethered to needs to have wi-fi capability for this to work. But as long as you have a wi-fi modem, it can be turned into a wi-fi router with this option. It's not as strong as a real wi-fi router, but you don't have to buy and network a different piece of equipment either.
There are also stand-alone virtual wi-fi router programs. The one I've used mainly is Virtual Router Manager beta 0.9. A while ago, I tried a newer, non-beta version, but it was extremely unstable, so I went back to the 0.9 beta. I haven't tried any newer version in quite some time. I used this when I had proper internet (cable) in my apartment, but wanted to use wi-fi instead of my phone's data to do downloads or updates on my phone.
Neither the Virtual Router Manager or the WiFi Share option on PdaNet are 100% stable. Every once in a while, something glitches out, and I have to reboot my computer (I usually reboot my phone at the same time, just to be sure). But hey, apart from the $8 for PdaNet+, I get unlimited mobile and home internet for $80/month, so I can't complain.
To recap, I have my phone USB tethered to my laptop (which is plugged into a 42" HDTV) via PdaNet+. I use a virtual wi-fi router option to give wi-fi to my tablet. One internet connection, 3 devices connected.
My problem is that, even though I own a laptop, it practically never goes with my anywhere. It sits on a cooling pad, plugged into 2 external HDDs and my 42" HDTV, and I sit at my couch with a wireless mouse/keyboard. But when I'm away from my apartment, and I have my tablet, there's certain things I can't do on the tablet connected via PdaNet and Bluetooth, because it doesn't have a wi-fi connection, and these certain apps don't detect a network connection.
Planterz said:
I have T-Mobile's Unlimited plan, which has unlimited data and 5gb free hotspot. My phone is a T-Mobile branded Samsung Galaxy Light SGH T399. On my phone I have PdaNet+ installed, with the full unlock key purchased ($8).
There's a free one to try, to make sure it works with your phone; whether it works or not depends on the phone itself, the version of Android it runs, and the provider from which you got it (if you didn't get an unlocked version). For example, a particular phone might work fine with T-Mobile, but the Sprint version of that phone might not. That's why there's the free version - to test before purchasing. The limitation with the free version is that it times out after about ~10 minutes and you have to reconnect.
PdaNet can connect to your computer in 3 ways. Wifi, Bluetooth, or USB tethering. Again, depending on your phone, carrier branding, and Android version, some methods may work while others won't.
Wifi works just like any wifi hotspot. However, depending on the afore mentioned conditions, wifi hotspot might not work the way you want it to. For example, on my T-Mobile branded Samsung Galaxy Light SGH-T399, using the wifi hotspot on PdaNet also loads up the pre-installed T-Mobile hotspot, which drains the 5gb mobile hotspot allotment. I haven't found a way to break that on this phone. On other phones (like Nexus devices), I know there are ways to only use your phone's data, and not the hotspot allotment, but frankly, these are very complicated and need a VPN subscription (ie: more money) to work. Wifi hotspot use is often broken anyway, depending on your carrier and Android version.
Bluetooth and USB tethering work differently than wi-fi, but otherwise work essentially the same way as each other. Both require a companion program to be installed onto your computer. A good idea is to keep a copy of this program on your phone, so you can install it on other people's computers if necessary (and perhaps the USB drivers for your phone as well).
I haven't messed around with Bluetooth much, because the Bluetooth on my laptop (via a dongle) is glitchy as $#@!, and I've never been able to get PdaNet to work with it properly except for a couple times which didn't last. Actually, I've never gotten anything to work properly with Bluetooth on my laptop, so this is probably just a problem with my computer/dongle/drivers, and YMMV. On the few times I've gotten PdaNet or other internet via Bluetooth (which some phones have built-in, and don't require PdaNet at all), speeds have been much, much slower, and I'd rather tether via USB anyway.
I connect my phone's internet to my laptop with USB tether. Make sure USB debugging is enabled, and plug it in. Make sure it's set as a Mass Storage device (4.1 or earlier), or as a Media Device (4.2+). Then on your phone, open PdaNet+ and Activate USB Tether (you can do this before plugging it in, it doesn't matter). On your computer, load PdaNet, and select Connect Internet (USB). If everything has been set up correctly, it should say "Connected", and you can now use your phone's internet on your computer.
Here's the important part:
If you don't have an Unlimited plan, tethering (via any method) will suck down your data. If you do have an unlimited plan, there's an option in PdaNet's settings (on your computer) to "Hide Tether Usage". This uses a proxy or VPN (not sure which) to fool your provider into thinking you're on your phone, and not on your computer. This works for me, with my phone, on T-Mobile. No guarantees that this will work with other phones, or other providers. Try the free version first, monitor your data usage (use your provider's account app, not the built-in Android one), and see if it works for you.
As for the virtual wifi network, there are a couple ways to do this. The PdaNet program for your computer actually has this built into it. Once you're connected, select the "WiFi Share" option, and it'll set up a wi-fi network that you (and others) can use on other devices, like other phones, tablets, computers smart-TVs, etc. Obviously, the computer you're tethered to needs to have wi-fi capability for this to work. But as long as you have a wi-fi modem, it can be turned into a wi-fi router with this option. It's not as strong as a real wi-fi router, but you don't have to buy and network a different piece of equipment either.
There are also stand-alone virtual wi-fi router programs. The one I've used mainly is Virtual Router Manager beta 0.9. A while ago, I tried a newer, non-beta version, but it was extremely unstable, so I went back to the 0.9 beta. I haven't tried any newer version in quite some time. I used this when I had proper internet (cable) in my apartment, but wanted to use wi-fi instead of my phone's data to do downloads or updates on my phone.
Neither the Virtual Router Manager or the WiFi Share option on PdaNet are 100% stable. Every once in a while, something glitches out, and I have to reboot my computer (I usually reboot my phone at the same time, just to be sure). But hey, apart from the $8 for PdaNet+, I get unlimited mobile and home internet for $80/month, so I can't complain.
To recap, I have my phone USB tethered to my laptop (which is plugged into a 42" HDTV) via PdaNet+. I use a virtual wi-fi router option to give wi-fi to my tablet. One internet connection, 3 devices connected.
My problem is that, even though I own a laptop, it practically never goes with my anywhere. It sits on a cooling pad, plugged into 2 external HDDs and my 42" HDTV, and I sit at my couch with a wireless mouse/keyboard. But when I'm away from my apartment, and I have my tablet, there's certain things I can't do on the tablet connected via PdaNet and Bluetooth, because it doesn't have a wi-fi connection, and these certain apps don't detect a network connection.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the great explanation! This helps quite a bit. I'll give this a shot to see how it goes.

[Q] 3G/WiFi data connection access control per App

Hi Guys,
I've been looking for a solution to my problem but found nothing solid so far.
Case looks like this: I'm traveling a lot. In Malaysia (where I live) I have unlimited data package and I don't really care how much data is downloaded by my apps via 3G or WiFi - in short, i don't care.
Problem starts when I'm traveling - if I'm abroad, I'm trying to minimize 3G data usage to save some money. Problem is that many "data hungry" apps start downloading the data as soon as they detect there is internet connection available. Most of the apps doesn't care if it's 3G or WiFi data connection. Some apps allow you to configure if they can use 3G or WiFi only - but not all.
I would like to be able to control if particular app has access to Internet via WiFi only or 3G+WiFi. Is there any way to achieve this?
P.S. O course - it would be a "dream coming true" if there was a way to control if App can use WiFi only or 3G+WiFi or "WiFi+3G (local) and WiFi Only (roaming). I don't this something like this exists but ... it would be nice
Thanks for hints in advance.

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