Tethering...?

[brettt777]

What exactly is tethering and how is it done? It seems like a way to connect a wi-fi or USB or Bluetooth only device to the internet through a 4G/LTE device like a smartphone. Is this about right? First and foremost, does it cost anything other than the obvious data usage? Is it legal? I read that a couple years ago Verizon made tethering not only possible but free. What app does it take? I would love to be able to tether my Android tablet which is wi-fi and Bluetooth only to my LG G2 but not really sure how to go about it.

 

[zedorda]

Tethering is like you said using your mobile device as a internet access point for your other devices. Some carriers require an additional fee for access but others like Verizon now include it with all their current contracts. For most devices you can access the tethering menu through you Settings/More... directly under the "Data usage" selection called Tethering & portable hotspot. It maybe alittle different on devices that are not stock android. You would then name your access point plus set the password and then search for the SSID on your tablets wifi connection select screen(the one you see all the near-by wifi access points listed). Bluetooth tethering is really only done with devices that only have Bluetooth or your trying to avoid paying for the tethering feature. Because Bluetooth is alot slower with shorter range.

There is also USB wired tethering but that is more special purpose and I will leave it out for now.

 

[brettt777]

Tethering is like you said using your mobile device as a internet access point for your other devices. Some carriers require an additional fee for access but others like Verizon now include it with all their current contracts. For most devices you can access the tethering menu through you Settings/More... directly under the "Data usage" selection called Tethering & portable hotspot. It maybe alittle different on devices that are not stock android. You would then name your access point plus set the password and then search for the SSID on your tablets wifi connection select screen(the one you see all the near-by wifi access points listed). Bluetooth tethering is really only done with devices that only have Bluetooth or your trying to avoid paying for the tethering feature. Because Bluetooth is alot slower with shorter range.

There is also USB wired tethering but that is more special purpose and I will leave it out for now.

Hmmmm.... tried all modes on my LG G2 (Verizon) and all of them said I needed to set up a subscription to mobile hotspot or mobile broadband connection. I just redid this Verizon contract about three months ago. Shouldn't that be included in my new contract?

 

[zedorda]

You should call Verizon. Unlimited data does not include tethering.