Root For Hotspot

[mort3770]

The only (Immediate) reason I have for wanting to root my phone is to get the hotspot feature working again without paying the ransom to Verizon for it. I only need an occasional connection, but not enough to justify the $30 a month. I know there is a TON of stuff her about that, but many threads are pages and pages long.

I just want to know, at this point, as of this date, what is the easiest way to root my TB so that I can get the hotspot working? After the phone is rooted, how will I get the phone to get the hotspot feature working?

Just point me in the right direction.

Thanks!

ps:
Android Ver: 2.2.1
Baseband Ver: 1.39.00.0627r, 0.01.69.0625r
Kernal: 2.6.32.21-g0606a3a
Build: 1.70.605.0
Software Number: 1.70.605.0

 

[FrankXS]

I just want to know, at this point, as of this date, what is the easiest way to root my TB so that I can get the hotspot working? After the phone is rooted, how will I get the phone to get the hotspot feature working?

"The Hotspot" will never work unless you pay for it via VZW.

If you root, you can use one of various programs to do what you want with a USB cable, not the wireless hotspot. If you don't root you can use PDANet to do what you want via a USB cable and/or Bluetooth, but not a wireless hotspot. Check out the Market using Wifi (or your PC) to see everything available (the Market blocks certain tethering programs if you connect to it via 1x/3G/4G.

-Frank

 

[yodatom10]

U can use wireless tether

sent though the force via my Thunderbolt

 

[thinknate]

"The Hotspot" will never work unless you pay for it via VZW.

If you root, you can use one of various programs to do what you want with a USB cable, not the wireless hotspot. If you don't root you can use PDANet to do what you want via a USB cable and/or Bluetooth, but not a wireless hotspot. Check out the Market using Wifi (or your PC) to see everything available (the Market blocks certain tethering programs if you connect to it via 1x/3G/4G.

-Frank

Pretty sure that's not correct. Once rooted, you can download & use wireless tether apps from the market (such as Barnacle Wifi Tether) or a basic app like this - android-wifi-tether - Wireless Tether for Root Users - Google Project Hosting

 

[thinknate]

As far as rooting, there are two main methods for the Thunderbolt - each one has a thread in the Rooting subforum. I used the manual ADB process successfully this weekend: http://forums.androidcentral.com/th...ocedure-how-root-thunderbolt-adb-windows.html

The other option is Auto-Root: http://forums.androidcentral.com/th...unroot-windows-updated-5-20-w-mr1-update.html

There is some uncertainty with each method if you have the latest OTA MR2 update. But some people are still reporting success with these methods.

After rooting, many people flash custom ROMs and/or Radios. But these are optional steps, and not required if you only want to tether. The thing to watch out for is to not accept any future OTA updates if you root and remain on the stock OS.

 

[FrankXS]

Pretty sure that's not correct. Once rooted, you can download & use wireless tether apps from the market (such as Barnacle Wifi Tether) or a basic app like this - android-wifi-tether - Wireless Tether for Root Users - Google Project Hosting

I only meant to say that the "Mobile Hotspot" that the O.P. refered to (a VZW product) will never work without paying. Also, the link you provided shows the specs of the product and it is not a "hotspot". It connects via wireless "ad-hoc" mode. Not like a router such as VZW's Mobile Hotspot.

-Frank

 

[wildman]

I only meant to say that the "Mobile Hotspot" that the O.P. refered to (a VZW product) will never work without paying. Also, the link you provided shows the specs of the product and it is not a "hotspot". It connects via wireless "ad-hoc" mode. Not like a router such as VZW's Mobile Hotspot.

-Frank

Actually with a number of the Sense 3.0 roms don't have Mobile Hotspot working even if you are paying. Just something to consider when picking roms..

 

[FrankXS]

Actually with a number of the Sense 3.0 roms don't have Mobile Hotspot working even if you are paying. Just something to consider when picking roms..

Very good point. I never thought about that. That is an important consideration to many. Thanks.

-Frank

 

[thinknate]

I only meant to say that the "Mobile Hotspot" that the O.P. refered to (a VZW product) will never work without paying. Also, the link you provided shows the specs of the product and it is not a "hotspot". It connects via wireless "ad-hoc" mode. Not like a router such as VZW's Mobile Hotspot.

-Frank

Ok, it could be that android wifi tether is limited to one connection, but Barnacle does advertise itself as a "hotspot" - https://market.android.com/details?id=net.szym.barnacle

 

[paintdrinkingpete]

I only meant to say that the "Mobile Hotspot" that the O.P. refered to (a VZW product) will never work without paying. Also, the link you provided shows the specs of the product and it is not a "hotspot". It connects via wireless "ad-hoc" mode. Not like a router such as VZW's Mobile Hotspot.

-Frank

I'm actually not 100% sure about that either. I had read that wireless tether uses ad-hoc mode, and that is why people over on the Galaxy tab forum were saying you couldn't use it with the tab (because the tab doesn't work on ad-hoc networks), however I was able to use wireless tether app and connect my galaxy tab just fine.

Keep in mind, I literally just downloaded and tested the app, but have really not *used* it all, but it did appear that the Thunderbolt was broadcasting an infrastructure network via the tether app, as opposed to an ad-hoc one...

Not really sure, just sharing my experience. My thought process was that while the tether app uses ad-hoc mode on many phones, it is able to broadcast in infrastructure mode on the TB because the hardware supports it...?

Rooted, running BAMF 1.8.6 w/ MR2 OTA radio.

EDIT: Just checked again on my windows laptop, and the wireless "AndroidTether" network definitely displays as a standard network, and NOT an ad-hoc network, for what it's worth.

 

[FrankXS]

Ok, it could be that android wifi tether is limited to one connection, but Barnacle does advertise itself as a "hotspot" - https://market.android.com/details?id=net.szym.barnacle

Actually the term they use is "Ad-hoc HotSpot". Marketing bologna. I'm not disputing that you can connect two simple wireless devices together in ad-hoc mode, just like two PCs, but it simply is not what the term "Hotspot" infers.

-Frank

 

[paintdrinkingpete]

Oh, and for the OP, if you're on the fence about rooting, you may want to check out this FAQ I put together...

http://forums.androidcentral.com/th.../103522-faq-should-i-root-my-thunderbolt.html

 

[Hotweelz]

I know that on a Incredible 2 you can dial ##778# and change a few of the settings to get hotspot to work. Has anyone tried that on the Tbolt or is it different because of the 4g?