Free USB tether?

**werx** · 07-07-2010, 07:20 PM

I have been using PDAnet and now the trial ran out. It costs like $20 but I figure there has to be a free option. Can I root it or something and somehow get it to USB tether? I know there is a way to get the 3g wireless tether but I just need USB tethering for now. Any ideas?

**trooper54** · 07-07-2010, 07:24 PM

yes, you can root and get a free usb tether . You can also tether through wifi.

**werx** · 07-07-2010, 07:28 PM

Is it a program I need to install or does it just automatically work if I go to tethering when I plugin my phone to my computer?

**PWBarrett** · 07-07-2010, 09:41 PM

Uh, what's the deal? You just plug in, select Internet Sharing from the screen that pops up, and you're tethered. I guess you have to install the HTC Sync app on your PC, but that came with the phone.

**JoshK** · 07-07-2010, 10:24 PM

Originally Posted by PWBarrett

Uh, what's the deal? You just plug in, select Internet Sharing from the screen that pops up, and you're tethered. I guess you have to install the HTC Sync app on your PC, but that came with the phone.

That's never worked on my phone, and I have tried numerous times over the last month. Am i doing something wrong?

**CB BL** · 07-07-2010, 11:16 PM

Just do the root, so much easier

**superm1** · 07-07-2010, 11:32 PM

Originally Posted by JoshK

That's never worked on my phone, and I have tried numerous times over the last month. Am i doing something wrong?

Only works on 4G.

**OnePalmAddict** · 07-07-2010, 11:59 PM

Originally Posted by liquidjesus

yes, you can root and get a free usb tether . You can also tether through wifi.

Maybe I'm missing something, but if you have WiFi, why do you need to tether?

Anyone try EasyTether? Looks like a free download.

ME

**Kedar** · 07-08-2010, 12:14 AM

Wow, this thread needs answers.

Wifi tether means your phone becomes a wifi hotspot. Your laptop doesn't need to be connected to your phone via usb, but instead the wifi network it creates. It's easy as opening the wifi tether app and pressing one button. Then just go on your computer and connect to the right network.

Rooting will take some knowledge, especially if you installed the latest update. However, after root you can do free wifi tether.
But there's another option:
If you're patient, you can wait for an easy half-root method by unrEVOked. This simple root method semi-roots your phone with one tap. It allows you to get superuser permissions (not flash roms and all that stuff though).

By doing that easy root method, you can get free wifi tether without having to do full root, which may be too painful.

**JoshK** · 07-08-2010, 12:44 AM

Originally Posted by supermario

Only works on 4G.

Thanks. I'm in Hell so I don't get 4G.

**Kedar** · 07-08-2010, 01:05 AM

Originally Posted by JoshK

Thanks. I'm in Hell so I don't get 4G.

I think the "Share connection" option only works if you have it enabled from Sprint. That's the $30/month fee.
It can work on 3g/4g as far as I know.

Again, like I said on page 1... there's a way to get free tethering... This thread has so many misunderstandings and just plain out wrong answers.

**Scorpion747** · 07-08-2010, 01:10 PM

UsbTethering with PdaNet still work after updates, for example is another Ota update came out or android 2.2?

**werx** · 07-08-2010, 01:12 PM

That's the thing is I don't pay the $30 month bullcrap charge. How do you do USB tethering NOT WIFI tethering? Any free programs cuz PDANET is pissing me off with 50 ads a second

**digmys** · 07-08-2010, 01:22 PM

Originally Posted by Kedar

I think the "Share connection" option only works if you have it enabled from Sprint. That's the $30/month fee.
It can work on 3g/4g as far as I know.

Again, like I said on page 1... there's a way to get free tethering... This thread has so many misunderstandings and just plain out wrong answers.

No, the $30 a month charge is for WiFi tethering for up to 8 devices, NOT USB tethering which still works for free on 4G and some are reporting on 3G since the OTA update but i have not tested it yet.

**Caitlyn McKenzie** · 07-08-2010, 01:27 PM

Originally Posted by modplan

No, the $30 a month charge is for WiFi tethering for up to 8 devices, NOT USB tethering which still works for free on 4G and some are reporting on 3G since the OTA update but i have not tested it yet.

As mentioned on the other thread, 4G is a bug (or a trial if you want to call it that, but there's been multiple statements of it being a bug by Sprint), and the hotspot option is the only way to get a tethering service on your plan, period. Since the USB tether requires a tethering service on your plan, that is your only choice.

**digmys** · 07-08-2010, 01:31 PM

Originally Posted by Vincent Law

As mentioned on the other thread, 4G is a bug (or a trial if you want to call it that, but there's been multiple statements of it being a bug by Sprint), and the hotspot option is the only way to get a tethering service on your plan, period. Since the USB tether requires a tethering service on your plan, that is your only choice.

The Wifi 4G Tethering no longer works for me (trial expired) but the USB Internet Sharing, on 4G, STILL WORKS, I have not tested 3G. I have no tethering on my plan what so ever.

**werx** · 07-08-2010, 01:33 PM

I hate u 2. GTFO of my topic.

**digmys** · 07-08-2010, 01:36 PM

Originally Posted by werx

I hate u 2. GTFO of my topic.

I hope that was not directed at me, since I was trying to tell you that USB Tethering works fine over 4G (for me atleast) and is free with the built in option. How is that not answering your question?

**xorbe** · 07-08-2010, 05:11 PM

Wait, how does one use USB tether with root? I only know about root+WiFi tether and pdanet/easytether over USB.

**Andrew Ruffolo** · 07-08-2010, 05:26 PM

will someone with a rooted evo do something for me?

Take that file, rename it to something shorter, like usbt or something and put it in the tools folder of your sdk. Do a nandroid backup, then fire up terminal/command prompt

Type in the following:

Code:

cd c:\android-sdk-windows\tools
adb remount
adb push usbt.dat /system/xbin
adb shell
cd /system/xbin/
chmod 0755 usbt

Then fire up a terminal emulator on the phone or continue using adb shell
on the emulator, type su, accept the superuser permissions and then type usbt

check to see if this allows you to tether, best bet would be to unplug any connection you had, then follow all these steps.
I have been trying to work on this and putting this into an app, but I'm having some trouble learning/understanding java/dalvik and what I can and cannot do. If any developers out there feels like letting me pick their brain, I'd greatly appreciate it.
This works on the Hero, curious as to if it will work on the Evo, too. No need to select internet sharing, typing usbt would run the file. Thanks. Please PM me if you are a developer with decent knowledge of building Android apps.

Also, this is just for Windows and Linux, does not work with Mac due to a Mac permission issue.

**chaosrecords** · 07-08-2010, 05:35 PM

I rooted and use the wifi tether app from market which is free. works on 3g.

The one built into the phone is for if you have the 30.00 tethering plan.
Havent had a need for it because i have a MIFI.

**sean.kendrick@att.net** · 07-09-2010, 04:40 PM

I miss wifi sharing with my touch pro 2 !

**PWBarrett** · 07-09-2010, 05:26 PM

Ok - It looks like 3g USB tethering no longer works, although 4g works like a champ.

My office network is pitifully slow - I can 4g tether on USB and get about 5x the speed.
It charges the phone rather than running the battery down fast, so you can stay tethered as long as you want.

**xorbe** · 07-10-2010, 10:25 AM

You can always plug the phone into USB but still use WiFi tether ...

**Mustachio** · 04-05-2011, 08:36 PM

I'm rooted but am not satisfied with the WiFi tethering solultions currently available...they all tend to give me crappy connections that disconnect between 5-10 minutes after connecting.

What I want, basically, is a freeware version of Easy Tether or PDAnet. There probably isn't one available or I'd have found it by now (I've been looking...)

Anyone have one to recommend?