Hi All,
Bit new to tethering -
As I understand it, it will allow me to tether my laptop to my phone, and enable me to access the internet via my phone if I'm out of a regular WIfi
network. So if I'm in the middle of nowhere ( but have phone signal ) - I can access the net. and emails.
Also - may be possible to share files between phone & laptop ( not sure about this though ).
So on to the running problem.
If I start up WiFi Tether, I press the 'start' button, and in minute or so it appears on my laptop list of wifi networks - as G1 Tether.
When I select it I get a notification on my phone sayin ' Wireless ether Authorized ( connected ) '
On my laptop the usual WiFi symbol changes from its usual fan shaped stripes to a grey fan shape with what looks like a little white TV set inside it .
Thats as far as I get - email and web not working on my laptop.
Any ideas?
ps - on the Wifi Tether screen on my phone - it does indicate Down & Up traffic ( 43 kb & 56 kb ).
BTW your not alone I tried to tether and got the same connects fine, but no interent
Ok, I am very new to the wifi tethering thing (I got mine set up on Monday), but here's what I had to do in order to get online via wifi on my laptop through my phone. Under the security section of setup, I had to disable access-control. Once I did that, I was screaming on the internet. I am using a HTC Hero through Sprint.
I forgot to say that I had done that Muppet.....other than chosing the G1 tether network, did you have to do anything on your laptop - such as changing any network settings?
AFAIK the US Sprint version of the phone has had the standard tethering capability on the Hero disabled. So the only way to tether with a Sprint Hero is to get an app from the Market. Can't remember what it is called but a quick search of past posts in the Hero CDMA forum should easily find it, as it has been covered many times before. I don't know how that works because I have never needed it.
For those of us using the European Hero tethering on a PC (again don't know about Mac) should be easy and does not need any additional app from the Market. First make sure HTCSync is installed on your PC. Even if you do not use it to sync you still need it on the PC because it has the necessary drivers. Then connect the USB cable to both devices. Do not at this stage mount the USB. If it tries to sync automatically, just cancel that.
Then go into menu > settings > wireless controls. Scroll down to the bottom and the last item "Mobile Network Sharing" should now be available to you. Click on it and it should automatically make a connection to the PC which should show in your icon tray (may take a minute or so) with the usual wireless network connection symbol (2 little computer screens with a couple of arcs radiating). After that just use your browser or email programme and it should work fine.
Are you doing the above in the order set out? Is the Mobile Network Sharing option on the phone available or grayed out? What OS are you running on the laptop? It works fine with my Windows XP, but have heard of problems with Vista, and especially in 64bit.
One more thing. You do need to have 3G phone signal to make it work - GPS will take forever. And you obviously need data switched on on the phone.
So judging by the quick search, many people have this problem on many different phones, and no solution was found.
I know I've had this problem with my old SGS 1, and even Nexus One.
Same problem on my SGS II, tethering to many different desktops and laptops.
So it seems to be android-specific, or Windows specific problem, really.
Basically, when you tether with USB, first several minutes all is well and speed is good, but in about 5-10 minutes, traffic from the phone just stops.
Phone still shows tethering ON, PC still thinks it's connected, but nothing loads, it doesn't disconnect, it just drops to speed or 0 kbps.
The only way to restore it is to disable tether and reconnect.
Anybody has any idea why would this occur and how to prevent it?
Does it say no internet connection on the network indicator on the bottom right of the notification center? My guess is your carrier has an issue with tethering. I see your on AT&T. Do they have a plan that is specifically for tethering?
Braidonh said:
Does it say no internet connection on the network indicator on the bottom right of the notification center? My guess is your carrier has an issue with tethering. I see your on AT&T. Do they have a plan that is specifically for tethering?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No internet connectivity loss is indicated in windows, it still thinks it has a good internet connection. I'm assuming that after a while, it will detect that although there's a connection, there's no actual traffic flowing through it, and will say that there's an issue... but for a long time, it's simply as if I'm connected, but actual speed is at 0kbps.
Browser tries to load pages and times out in 10-30 seconds.
Unfortunately (or fortunately) this definitely doesn't have anything to do with AT&T. I have unlimited grandfathered plan with AT&T and a custom rom, AT&T has no idea that I'm tethering. Internet on the phone is still working fine.
I kinda feels as if the usb tether drivers in windows (RDIS or whatever it's called) simply gives up after a while. Or maybe it's the android tether process that "forgets" what it's supposed to be doing.
you are running a stock ROM right?
RorixRebel said:
you are running a stock ROM right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, latest CheckROM.
But as I've said, I had same problem with Captivate and other ROMs on SGS2 =(
i haven't found a custom rom where tethering fully works....thats why i went back to stock
Have the same problem on BOTH my Huawei ideos U8150 and my HTC sensation.
My wirelessly tethered devices still work flawlessly but my USB tethered desktop disconnects after a few minutes. Screen time out set to Max in case something in the phone went to sleep but no difference. Definitely not a network problem as my operator confirmed but an android (or windows problem) .
I even set USB Port power settings to always stay awake.
Hope we can find a solution to this.
Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e
i got the same problem under ICS. tried on stock ZSLPE and custom XXLPQ firmwares. both do not work!
my stock gingerbread was able to work flawlessly without disconnection problem on the same pc. wtf is happening?!
I have Samsung Galaxy S Plus.
I am facing exactly the same problem.
Have tried different ROM's around 5, 3 were custom ROM's.
Looks like Android OS issue.
abhijit_net said:
I have Samsung Galaxy S Plus.
I am facing exactly the same problem.
Have tried different ROM's around 5, 3 were custom ROM's.
Looks like Android OS issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had this problem on both my Samsung Charge(Stock app 2.3.6), and my Motorola Razr(Stock app 4.0.4). I believe it is a driver issue inside windows. It seems less of a problem on the Motorola phone as I get a few hours of USB tether before it exhibits the same problem whereas the charge started after a couple of minutes. ie. Phone has data and can access web, computer thinks its connected to the web and okay, but any attempts to connect to the internet from the pc fails.
The wireless tether works fine and does not exhibit the same issues so I would suggest you use wifi tether. I don't know if wifi tether uses more or less power than usb tether (assuming your phone is connected to computer and charging). If I get some more free time in the next few weeks I might try and do an analysis.
listlessloki said:
I had this problem on both my Samsung Charge(Stock app 2.3.6), and my Motorola Razr(Stock app 4.0.4). I believe it is a driver issue inside windows. It seems less of a problem on the Motorola phone as I get a few hours of USB tether before it exhibits the same problem whereas the charge started after a couple of minutes. ie. Phone has data and can access web, computer thinks its connected to the web and okay, but any attempts to connect to the internet from the pc fails.
The wireless tether works fine and does not exhibit the same issues so I would suggest you use wifi tether. I don't know if wifi tether uses more or less power than usb tether (assuming your phone is connected to computer and charging). If I get some more free time in the next few weeks I might try and do an analysis.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've had this problems with pretty much every Samsung phone I had.
I have HTC One X now, and it doesn't have this problem. So something with Samsung drivers, I think.
Cool fact - HTC even has a one-click reverse tethering. So cool.
I have the same problem, but can't find out, where (windows or android) is it.
What I have:
Motorola Atrix (rooted with SuperOneClick, stock ROM)
PC with Windows XP x64 without WIFI
The only RNDIS drivers I could find was HTC RNDIS (for XPx64)
Situation:
I'm living in hostel for one month, and there is only WIFI internet here, so I tried to get my phone WIFI to tether into USB
What have I done:
Connected to WIFI over phone.
Turned USB tethering ON.
By default WIFI is not tethered to USB, so I found that turning USB tethering ON creates usb1 network and WIFI is eth0. Then I configured NAT by iptables on my phone to accept and forward connection from PC (usb1) to WIFI (eth0). [usb0 on Atrix is for Motorola Portal, didn't try yet to connect to internet throught portal connection, not USB tethering]
The problem in short:
At the begining everything works fine. But when many connection threads are opened (didn't look for that many count) connection stops. As it was already mensioned, PC thinks it is connected, on phone USB tethering is still ON, even more - ifconfig still shows the connection. The only diffrenece is that "ping 192.168.42.129 -t" on PC (192.168.42.129 is usb1 IP on phone) starts showing "Request timed out" messages. On the other side - from my phone, I cannot ping my PC either. So connection is like broken, no traffic can be passed, but both sides sees they are ON.
After turning off USB tethering, PC sees connection is off immediately and the Local Area Connection #23 is gone. After turning on USB tethering everything comes back to the beginning.
Current workaround (for me):
I am using VPS service, so I open dynamic SSH tunnel over putty, and use it as my SOCKS5 proxy. The worst thing is that not all programs can use proxies, and when I use such program it tries to crash my connection.
Sorry for my english, it is foreign language for me, if anything is not understandable or you need more test from me, please ask, I will try to do my best.
Power Tether Off
DarkDvr said:
So judging by the quick search, many people have this problem on many different phones, and no solution was found.
I know I've had this problem with my old SGS 1, and even Nexus One.
Same problem on my SGS II, tethering to many different desktops and laptops.
So it seems to be android-specific, or Windows specific problem, really.
Basically, when you tether with USB, first several minutes all is well and speed is good, but in about 5-10 minutes, traffic from the phone just stops.
Phone still shows tethering ON, PC still thinks it's connected, but nothing loads, it doesn't disconnect, it just drops to speed or 0 kbps.
The only way to restore it is to disable tether and reconnect.
Anybody has any idea why would this occur and how to prevent it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
I had the same problem with my Android Phone - P999 running Cyanogenmod 7.2
I had to go into usb debugging screen to adjust the Display power Settings to - Always ON when Charging - Option.
There is probably some power setting in your device that allows you to do that as well.
Basically Power Saving (Screen Off) Powers OFF the Tether.
Ensuring the Screen is ON while Charging (it charges while plugged into a usb port) ensures the Tether stays ON ALL the TIME!
Hope this helps you.
Took me quite awhile of messing around to find the right option.
I do have a similar problem but it's not time-dependant.
Phone:
Nexus 4 mako
AOKP JB-MR1 Build 6
franco kernel 3.4.0 build #121
Situation:
I use FolderSync to backup my sdcard to my Windows 7 FTP server. The reason for doing this over USB Tether is that I get speeds at around 14MB/s instead of 1,2MB/s over WiFi.
I noticed that it doesn't really matter how long tether is connected and nothing really happens as long as FolderSync is scanning the folders on the ftp server at low bandwidth. However once a larger file is transferred the connection is almost sure to break and show the symptoms described by the other posters (interface still up, just no packets being received at either end).
So I assume that some driver (either on Android or Windows) chokes on certain packets and then just dies. Anyone got an Idea how to tell which device causes the problem to investigate further?
I also noticed that if I had ADB enabled before starting USB Tether that the tether connection on the android will be disabled once the failure occurs.
I have problem with my realme c2 when i connect it to pc via usb tethering, it connects it running ok. if i make screen on by playing youtube or any video on it run but as soon as screen sleep it disconnect after some time
I'm a bit late to this, but for anyone else still having this problem:
in Developer options of my phone(Redmi note 11) under Networking, there is an option called "Always keep mobile data on". Turning this on should fix the issue
@Denav
This doesn't work for me. I have a Moto G Power 2021 and that option is already checked.
flyingpreacher said:
@Denav
This doesn't work for me. I have a Moto G Power 2021 and that option is already checked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Were you able to figure out the issue? I'm having trouble as well. Mine disconnects after a certain time period and the times seems to be random. I've played around with the dev options and other cables and still having same issue. It seems to happen with mac and windows laptops.
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.
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Thanks for the great explanation! This helps quite a bit. I'll give this a shot to see how it goes.