Smartphone To Laptop Tethering?

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Sun Dec 16, 2012 7:01 pm

Is there a better way to tether a computer to a Verizon Android smartphone (tiered data plan) than the ClockworkMod tethering app for Android? Such as Pdanet for example? I don't need/want a hotspot, just remote internet for my laptop when WiFi isn't available.

I just installed it on my laptop and will use my existing 4GB "tiered" data plan which I think got to about 1GB one month. No additional Verizon charges. See the cnet link and the Play store for more info. According to cnet this is now absolutely legit.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-574...ns-to-you-faq/

Clockwork seems to have a really good reputation for other apps.

Testing at home worked well. Fingers crossed. Phone is a Galaxy Nexus currently on 4.1.1 (not rooted).

Thanks!

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

Wifi tethering is built in to android 4.1 and later. Unless Verizon somehow disabled it, which would be a shame.

Check your settings. "More" under wireless and networks.

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Sun Dec 16, 2012 9:05 pm

MikeWhitney wrote:

Wifi tethering is built in to android 4.1 and later. Unless Verizon somehow disabled it, which would be a shame.

Check your settings. "More" under wireless and networks.

Mike,

I just checked (thanks for the suggestion).

My phone says that I need to subscribe to "Mobile Hotspot/Mobile Broadband". I think this is a $20 per month fee. Plus whatever I would have to do, if anything, for data under the tiered data plan that I have from last December.

ClockworkMod tethering will cost $4.99 once when the 14 day trial is over, assuming I want more than 20 MB on any given day when I use it.

Les Davis · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 2:04 pm **Posts:** 2059

I use Easy Tether. Its free unless you need to visit secure sites, then its $9.99 Not sure if its any better/worse than what you are using, but its worked fine for me for the past couple years.

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

Dick, do some google searches. Seems that there are a lot of simple workarounds to this. I say SwitchPro and FoxFi mentioned. It sounds like if you find any alternate method to turning wifi tethering on other than the stock settings, it bypasses Vzw's crazy charge-you screens.

http://emuneee.com/2012/04/tether-witho ... axy-nexus/

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Mon Dec 17, 2012 9:13 am

MikeWhitney wrote:

Dick, do some google searches. Seems that there are a lot of simple workarounds to this. I say SwitchPro and FoxFi mentioned. It sounds like if you find any alternate method to turning wifi tethering on other than the stock settings, it bypasses Vzw's crazy charge-you screens.

http://emuneee.com/2012/04/tether-witho ... axy-nexus/

Mike,

Thanks. I had already found several options including FoxFi via Google and Google Play. Looks like FoxFi is the best if WiFi is needed . . . BUT Android 4.1.1 is still "iffy" with FoxFi and so far no 4.2 per the web site. I expect Verizon to push 4.2 "soon" (i.e. "someday when I least expect it") and I want 4.2 more than WiFi tethering since the laptop is our only WiFi device for the foreseeable future.

I have no problem with usb tethering since it will charge the phone at the same time. Usually when I would want laptop internet access it will be connected to AC power (i.e. hotels with crappy internet but MAYBE at least 3G Verizon).

Dick

Zach Hill · **Posted:** Mon Dec 17, 2012 7:05 pm

Flash a custom (or modified stock) ROM that has the OS built-in tethering enabled. Carriers can and absolutely do modify Android to remove the built in-tethering (or have it redirect to their "subscribe" page).

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