Sharing Your Android Phone’s Internet Connection (Tethering)

1. Introduction to Tethering and Its Benefits

In other words, if you're somewhere without Wi-Fi and without any way to get internet elsewhere, you can just tether your 3G or 4G connection to another device that can get on the internet through Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. For me, it's not something that I would want to pay for, but it's sure handy to know that I have a backup. It's the connection that you're most likely using to read this. When you make your handset into a Wi-Fi hotspot, the other Wi-Fi-enabled devices can wirelessly connect to it and use the main phone's data connection. This is accomplished by setting up a local Wi-Fi network that other devices can join. There could be a few advantages to using Wi-Fi over Bluetooth, too.

The first thing to do is to connect your device to a computer. A USB cable works with both of the most popular methods, although it isn't overly long and may not work with all devices. A mobile hotspot uses your 3G or 4G mobile broadband connection to create a portable Wi-Fi hotspot that can share the internet connection through both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for up to five devices. Most phones can also share through a USB cable, but the ability may not be enabled by default.

2. Different Methods of Tethering on Android Phones

There are several ways to tether on different phone models. One of the most simple and reliable methods is to enter the plan you want and pay your carrier for tethering. This almost always costs extra unless you have an unlimited data plan anyway. But this number also unlocks the relevant software that typically gets included with your stock OS. Often downloaded apps get turned off with a warning to pay for tethering. Other methods include USB tethering, Bluetooth tethering, and turning your phone into a Wi-Fi hotspot.

This section covers much of what is found in the previous discussion of Wi-Fi hotspot tethering, including that mode: USB tethering, Bluetooth tethering, and Wi-Fi hotspot tethering. The difference is that the instructions here are more specific to the Google Android OS. First, let’s review the various methods of tethering on an Android phone.

3. Setting Up Tethering on Popular Android Devices

1) Setting up wireless hotspot functionality for Windows Phones running Windows 8 and 8.1 is just as easy. 2) Open settings by clicking on the settings button. You can also swipe down when the phone screen clears after you’ve pressed the Windows logo button. 3) Click on "internet sharing," and you’re good to go. 4) If not, you need to change "For devices that connect using:" from Bluetooth to Wi-Fi, and some settings under the "Internet sharing settings" submenu.

Windows Phones

The instructions on your device could differ if your device runs a different OS version. Be sure to check your device manufacturer’s site for more accurate instructions before proceeding.

You can share your Wi-Fi connection too. Restart your Wi-Fi, if it’s off, and then tether using the same steps outlined.

Share Your Wi-Fi Connection as a Hotspot

1) Open the settings from your Sony phone’s home screen. 2) USB tethering can be found under the wireless and network settings. Click USB tethering to enable tethering. 3) To disconnect, click USB tethering to turn it off.

Sony Phones

1) If you have an HTC phone, you can turn on USB tethering in the tethering & portable hotspot section from settings, which you’ll typically find under the more section. 2) USB tethering can be initiated by tapping on USB network setting and then turning on USB tethering.

HTC Phones

1) On Huawei and Honor Phones, open settings and find the More section. You can usually bring it to the front in the Wireless and Network section by clicking All. 2) Click on the "Tethering & portable hotspot" option. 3) Select the "USB tethering" option to turn on tethering. 4) You can switch off USB tethering by clicking the USB tethering switch off button.

Huawei and Honor Phones

1) To start using USB tethering, open your phone’s settings and find the Mobile Hotspot and Tethering section. If you don’t see it there, click on Connections to find it. 2) Then, set up USB tethering by clicking on "USB tethering." 3) When enabled, you’ll see a connected computer or device under the Chosen USB Configuration. 4) To disconnect, slide "USB tethering" to the off position.

Samsung Phones

To share your Android phone’s internet connection, you need to install the manufacturer’s drivers first.

Setting Up Tethering on Popular Android Devices

A Comprehensive Guide to Sharing Your Android Phone’s Internet Connection (Tethering) Introduction Sharing Your Internet Connection (Tethering) Explained The Different Kinds of Tethering Setting Up Tethering on Popular Android Devices Testing and Troubleshooting Tethering Conclusion

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4. Troubleshooting Common Issues with Tethering

In Bluetooth Tethering setups, there’s no local area network to consider. Devices connected through Bluetooth Tethering are simply paired, and data is shared between them as if the phone was a cable device on the computer. This is why you generally won’t have devices connecting through Bluetooth with any data connectivity issues – if they are paired, they will work. However, before you add a Bluetooth Tethering network, you typically need to install and configure both a Bluetooth driver and Dial-Up Networking device profile on the computer. If you delete Bluetooth Tethering on the phone, your computer will probably need reinstallation – a complete disconnect and reconnect. So, if you see a computer icon with a yellow question mark next to it, don’t panic. Just try connecting to the phone and reconfigure the Bluetooth connection as needed on the PC properties.

In wireless tethering setups, you need to change the IP range of Tether (the local area network) and turn off DHCP for the local area network. This way, devices connecting to the Wifi tethering network will connect to the internet through the phone’s cellular network. Without these settings change, Tether is going to try, and fail, at connecting the phone through a nonexistent internet connection. Failure to connect your devices connected to the Wifi network is the most common failure when wireless tethering.

To start off with, since wireless tethering creates a network over Wifi, it won’t route local DNS lookups for devices connected to the Wifi network to the cellular network. That means devices connecting to the Wifi tethering network may have issues with browsing the web, getting their emails or otherwise using the data connection – even though they will be able to connect to the Internet just fine.

For most people, tethering works one way - they simply pay for the service and turn it on. However, just like any piece of technology, tethering, especially wireless tethering, is trickier than plugging in a USB cable and turning a switch. Because tethering actually creates a local area network, it often plays adversely with other devices and operating systems. And wireless tethering exposes your Android phone’s internet connection over the air to just about anyone who is near enough (within 100 – 300 feet of the phone). All of this spells potential issues with getting your tethering settings working – but this guide is here to help!

5. Best Practices for Secure and Efficient Tethering

Don't assume that you're constantly checking your email; if your software slips and gives up more access, or somebody war driving outside your home has cause to run a brute-force tool on your connection, you might exceed your 5 GB limit before you know it. Always use a password with your mobile hotspot connection. That way, only people who see your password can connect to your phone and start sharing your tethering link. Use WPA2, if possible, and make your password a good mix of numbers, letters (upper and lower case), and even special characters (if you can handle typing them on your laptop).

First, the most important of all: turn off your tethering when you're done. This is most important for mobile hotspot tethering, the one your phone uses to share its 3G or 4G connection with computers and other devices. Mobile hotspots can drain your battery power too, but if you leave it on – or you have it on, but you don't use a password – you're inviting all and sundry to share that 3G/4G link.

Tethering does come with its own issues – chief among them its impact on battery power and security risks – so you'll want to have a plan in place so that tethering doesn't leave you stranded. Here are some tips on staying secure and making the most of your tethering connection.