Your work is on a laptop, but you don’t have internet connection to access all of your cloud based files. This is where Android tethering comes in handy. Tethering is a process that lets you use your smartphone’s internet connection on other devices like your PC so that you can access internet on your PC even if you don’t have a local internet connection. If you want to use some PC apps that require an internet connection or if you just want to browse the web on a bigger screen, you can easily tether the internet connection from your Android device to your PC. Here are the methods that you can use to tether your Android device.
Method 1: Default Way (Carrier)
This is probably the easiest and most reliable method for tethering your Android device as you don’t need any third party apps. This method should work with most Android devices and this is Google’s own default way for tethering your Android device. This method will only work if your carrier allows the tethering service, usually charged for in the subscription fee.
Step 1
Go to the Settings app on your phone and open the Wireless and Networks section.
Step 2
Next, click on Tethering and portable hotspot and make sure that Portable Wi-Fi hotspot is checked. After you enable Wi-Fi hotspot, you’ll get a popup message saying that tethering will consume your battery and that your Wi-Fi connection won’t be accessible while tethering.
Step 3
After you accept the popup message, you will get the Wi-Fi hotspot setup screen. Here you can configure the network connection that other devices will use through your device. You can edit the network SSID, security type and can set a password. Click Save once you are done configuring the settings. The work on your Android device is done!
Step 4
In order to use the network connection on other devices, scan for available wireless connections on the other device and select the connection that you created using your Android device. You’ll need to enter the password if you set it up while creating the connection.
Method 2: FoxFi
The is a third party app which does a fantastic job at tethering your Android device. Downloaded by millions of users, this is one of the best tethering apps available on the Google Play store. You don’t need root access in order to use the app and this is not limited to your carrier’s conditions, meaning that you don’t need to have a tethering plan in order to tether your Android device. Aside from that, the app also features USB and Bluetooth tethering options.
Step 1
Download and install the FoxFi app on your Android device. You can get the app through the Google Play button below.
Step 2
Open the app and check the Activate Wi-Fi Hotspot option.
Step 3
Now, you can select your desired network name and you can set a password for the network connection.
Step 4
Once you are done configuring the settings, your network connection will be ready and you’ll be able to use it on another device. Follow Step 4 of Method 1 in order to use the internet connection on another device.
Method 3: ClockworkMod Tether
This is another great way of tethering your Android device and this a really effective and reliable third party app that doesn’t require root access. You won’t find many tethering apps on the Play Store that don’t require root access and are able to tether your device without a tethering contract or plan with your carrier. Even though the app is extremely easy to use and is quite effective, you will need to install an app on your PC as well. This method focuses on the traditional way of tethering where you can access your phone’s internet connection through a USB cable.
Step 1
Firstly, download the tether software for your Windows PC here. The app also has a versions for Mac and Linux.
Step 2
Once downloaded, run the installer file and install the app on your PC. The installation wizard might also install drivers for your device automatically if they’re not already installed on your device. Alternatively, you can manually install the drivers for your device.
Step 3
Now, go to the Settings app on your Android device and enable USB Debugging by going to the Developer Options section.
Step 4
Download and install the ClockworkMod Tether app on your Android device. You can download it using the Google Play button below.
Step 5
Now open the Tether app on your PC that you installed earlier and connect your Android device to your PC using a micro USB cable.
Step 6
Once connected to your PC, open the Tether app on your Android device and click on the Start button in the Tether app on your PC. That’s it! Your PC should now be connected to your Android phone’s internet connection and you will be able to browse the internet on your PC.
Conclusion
Android offers a lot of what users can do on their PCs, and you really don’t need to use your PC for most of the stuff that you want to do on the internet. However, you might want to enjoy surfing the web or using a particular app on the big screen, with a physical keyboard and a mouse. For this, you can easily use Android’s default way for tethering if you are subscribed to a tethering plan or if your carrier allows the tethering service. If, however, your carrier doesn’t support the service or if you don’t want to subscribe to a tethering plan, then you can use Method 2 or 3 to tether your Android device, without the permission of your carrier. You might also be interested in looking at the top 10 tethering apps for Android to open up your possibilities. Make sure that you follow all the instructions correctly and feel free to shoot any questions below.
