How to share internet without a hotspot
Whether you have an Android phone or an iPhone, you can share your cellular data with other devices wirelessly or by using a wired connection. In this article, we shall look at how to share the internet without a hotspot.
In a perfect world, you can connect all your devices to a single Wi-Fi network and instantly access the internet. However, not all places have a stable and fast Wi-Fi connection. As a result, you will want to share the data on your device with other devices, such as laptops, other phones, or tablets. While using a mobile hotspot is effective and can connect to multiple devices, you can also share your internet using Bluetooth or a USB cable.
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How to share internet through Bluetooth
Many iOS, Android, and Windows devices come with an in-built Bluetooth feature. Using the Bluetooth tethering feature, you can cut down the need for separate internet plans for your different mobile devices. It is advisable to consult your network carrier as some of them charge extra costs for tethering.
If you want to use the Bluetooth tethering feature on your Windows computer, click the Start button and select the Control panel option from the menu. In the search box, type Adapter and click View Network connections under the Network and Sharing Center option. Choose the internet connection you want to share and right-click on its Properties. If prompted, type in the password and click the sharing tab to enable the box that says Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s connection. Once completed, pair your devices and instantly begin enjoying internet access.
Android phones and iOS devices have similar procedures but with varying terms. Generally, open the Settings icon and navigate to the Wireless &Networks option. On iOS devices, you will have to open the General option and then tap Network to access the Personal Hotspot option. On the other hand, android users will open the Tethering & Portable Hotspot to access the Bluetooth tethering option. Once you find the tethering options, toggle on the Bluetooth tethering box to allow internet sharing through Bluetooth. Proceed to pair other Bluetooth devices with the internet sharing device and enjoy reliable internet connectivity.
How to share internet through a USB cable
You can share your internet data connection on your smartphone with your computer or laptop through USB tethering. By using your smartphone as a router or modem, you can connect any computer or laptop to it via a USB cable and access its cellular data.
If you want to use USB tethering to share your internet, begin by switching on your internet connection on your phone. Usually, it is quite easy as it involves accessing that option from the drop-down menu on your home screen and toggling it on. The cellular data of your phone will be the internet source for the USB tethering. However, you can also use a wireless network and broadcast it to other devices.
Once you have enabled your internet source, proceed to connect your computer and your phone using the USB cable. It is advisable to use the original USB cable that came with the phone for better results. Likewise, it is best to use the back USB ports on your desktop or PC to plug in the USB cable as they are faster and more reliable than those on the front.
After connecting the two devices, open the Settings icon on your phone, click on the Mobile Network option to access the Tethering & Mobile Hotspot setting. Tap on the USB tethering option on the list and wait for your computer or laptop to install the relevant drivers to enable the USB tethering to work. It only happens when you initially use the USB tethering option and it only takes a few moments. Upon completion, you will enjoy fast and reliable internet connectivity on your laptop, computer, or PC.
How to share internet through third-party applications
If tethering is disabled on your phone by your carrier, you can use various third-party tethering applications. These applications are easy to download and install from Google Play for Android devices and the Apple store for iOS devices. Likewise, some of them require root access, while others require payment.
For instance, PdaNet+ provides Bluetooth and USB tethering for all android phones and Wi-Fi tethering on specific phones. The free version of the application automatically switches off after a while, requiring you to turn it back on when you need to use it. However, when you pay for the full version, you can turn on and off the app’s tethering features at free will. Other popular mobile apps for tethering include the FoxFi app or Magisk/Xposed module.
Method |
Via third-party apps |
Via Bluetooth |
Via USB cabling |
How to tether |
Download an efficient tethering third-party application from Google Play or Apple Store |
By pairing your devices and making one of them discoverable, while the other one searches for it on its Bluetooth settings |
Connect your devices using a USB cable, and enable the USB tethering option on the quick notification prompt |
Conclusion
Depending on your internet sharing device, you can share the internet with other devices through the ways listed above. Nowadays, most phones can share their cellular data in all ways, including creating a mobile hotspot. However, it is essential to note that tethering may result in additional costs, depending on your carrier’s terms and conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you connect your mobile android internet plan to your laptop without using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi?
USB tethering allows you to connect to your device to the internet using your cellular data.
Is it possible to use internet data available on a PC on a smartphone through a USB cable?
You can use reverse tethering, which involves sharing a LAN connection wirelessly or through software like Connectify, to broadcast your internet to your smartphone.
