Use an Android phone for Mobile Hotspot / Tethering to computer or tablet? (1 Viewer)

[e9999]

Right now I can use my old Nokia as a modem for my computer when I need the bigger screen. Not bad but a bit impractical. A wifi or BT connection would be better.

I also want to switch to a faster Android Smartphone to keep up with the times a bit more. And no, an iphone is not an option. But I'd like to use my current tablet or a laptop to do GPS tracking and the like, as well as getting internet access on the road. And I don't want to buy another tablet or laptop with SIM provision, or a separate mobile hotspot.

So, I'd like to make sure the phone I get will allow me to use it as a modem or mobile hotspot and that I can use it on any service provider where it's OK to do so. To ensure that, a factory unlocked phone might be better than a phone obtained through a provider, I'm guessing (but not sure).

So are there things to know about what phones or what OS or what cell companies would allow the tethering use? FWIW, I'm considering the Galaxy S3, S4, Note2, or Nexus4 right now. I've read that the S3 at least will allow wifi tethering but I don't know anything more than that.

So, is that generally possible with current Android smartphones? And is there good software or apps out there that would make that easy to do?

Any other advice or thoughts about the notion?


and -it goes without saying- I would only do that when it's OK and legal to do so.

 

[RobRed]

Sprint or VZW seem to be the most liberal about tethering. YOu will need a plan for it in addition to the data plan on the smartphone typically.

All of those handsets have a hot spot ability.

Unlocked Galaxy 3 would set you back 600+

 

[Rambrush]

Go take a look at this website as I find it very useful for decisions like this.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/?nocache=1

 

[supercarrera]

Tethering works fine on my Nexus S with Jelly Bean and I don't need any special apps. But my phone is rooted and the rom is customized. I'm not sure, but I think if the phone were just running standard Jelly Bean then AT&T would block it from tethering.

 

[fabriwelder]

Check out Pdanet. I think the website is junefabrics.

 

[jcardona1]

I'm on Verizon, and have been an Android user since the first real Android phone came out, the original Motorola Droid. That was late 2009. I've been tethering with every single phone since then and never had any issues, currently using the HTC Rezound. Just root your phone and use this app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.googlecode.android.wifi.tether&hl=en

It's always been the easiest to use and most stable for me. There's other apps that use Bluetooth or USB tethering and don't require root but they're slow and wonky.

FWIW, I'm on the old legacy unlimited data plans. I believe Verizon's new shared data plans allow you to use the built in hotspot for no extra fee, but I'm not 100% sure...

 

[Mr Cimarron]

I have the shared plan with AT&T which is pretty comparable with Verizon. For $10 extra a month you can add another device to your plan. I got a wifi hot shop for free for singing another two year agreement. As long as you like your carrier it seems like a good deal. Only drawback is I lost my unlimited data plan that I had grandfathered in. Been using it with my wifi only iPad along with the Dual bluetooth GPS receiver. Works great.

 

[BrotherRob]

Check out Pdanet. I think the website is junefabrics.

X2, it's been my only internet for 2 years. It runs thru a different ISP and masks it from the carrier. I'm on Sprint w/unlimited data. I've broken 10G a few times and they've never questioned it.

 

[Hugh Heifer]

Check out Pdanet. I think the website is junefabrics.

Been using that for years on my sprint phones including my old Palms and now the Android Galaxy I have had for a few years. I have unlimited data with Sprint and have found it very useful and a quality interface.

Heifer-net

 

[Tapage]

I'm on Verizon, and have been an Android user since the first real Android phone came out, the original Motorola Droid. .

wasn't the first Nexus One from HTC .?

 

[AimCOtaco]

On Verizon 4G you don't need to root or pay (per a fed judge). Download and install FoxFi on a VZW 4G phone and you're done. We use it all the time while traveling.

 

[4x4mike]

I'm with VZW and use Android devices. I tether with my Galaxy 3 and Samsung Tab 2.0 7" using pdanet and foxfi.

Mine works best with foxfi on the phone and pdanet on the tablet.

 

[77 Mike]

Thanks for the suggestion guys. I just installed FoxFi on my Galaxy S4 (Verizon) and tested it out successfully with my Nexus 7 (V2).

 

[Flight2k5]

On verizon with my iPhone it's super easy to make a hot spot. I don't have to download an app it's part of the phone.

Molon Labe

 

[e9999]

since you guys brought that back up, I should add that I got a Note2 (awesome) but Tmobile has locked the tethering capability on it (unless you pay extra). Even though it's Unlocked network wise. Not a huge problem though cuz the phone can do most if not all I'd want a computer to do on the road.

 

[Elbert]

supposdly there are apps that let you tether / have a wireless hot spot irrespective of the carrier locking the feature.

 

[abruzzi]

When Verizon bought their spectrum that they use for LTE, they agreed to an open access clause. The FCC took them to court over that and won. As a result, any Verizon device with LTE data service has to allow tethering. On Android, it means Verizon doesn't block tethering apps, on iOS it means they allow iOSs built in tethering to be turned on. Sadly, this doesn't apply to other carriers where you have to pay the ~$20 or so a month, or root/jailbreak, and risk the carrier's wrath.

Geof

 

[StaleAle]

No longer limited to VZN, AT&T mobile sharing plan allows hot spot now. Works great with my Moto X and Galaxy Tab 2 7.0

 

[RobRed]

No longer limited to VZN, AT&T mobile sharing plan allows hot spot now. Works great with my Moto X and Galaxy Tab 2 7.0

Plan specific on AT&T.

Vzw on any data plan.

 

[jonheld]

And no, an iphone is not an option.

Glad to know I'm not the only one who refuses to drink the Cool-Aid.
FoxFi is a free download, but all the available roms out there have wifi tethering built in. I've used several of the JB roms and KitKat roms, and have yet to find one that doesn't have it.

I have an old VZW Galaxy Nexus that I just love. Can't see the need to upgrade with all the support this device gets.