TETHERING WITH YOUR ANDROID PHONE
You can use your Android phone as an internet dongle to connect a laptop or tablet to the internet.
You'll need an Android phone with the 2.2 (Froyo) operating system - or a more up to date version.
To get started, either look at our quick guide on how to set up your Android phone as a mobile hotspot
or read the following instructions.
What you need
You'll need an Android phone with the 2.2 (Froyo) operating system - or a more up to date version.
Setting it up
1. Go to your Android phone's on-screen Menu
2. Look for Settings, then Wireless & Networks, then Portable WiFi hotspot
3. Open the Portable WiFi hotspot settings to set up a password and name your phone’s hotspot.
Using a USB cable
You'll need a laptop or tablet running Windows XP SP2 or later, Vista, Windows 7 or Mac OS 10.5.7 or later. Plus make sure you have a free USB port on your laptop or tablet, and a USB cable.
Plug the USB cable into your phone and connect it to your laptop or tablet. You'll be shown on screen whether a new network connection needs setting up on your laptop or tablet - then just follow the simple step-by-step instructions.
Using a Portable WiFi hotspot
This requires a computer running Windows XP SP2 or later, Windows Vista, 7 or Mac OS 10.4.11 or later, with WiFi.
Connect your laptop or tablet to your phone via WiFi, the same way you would connect your phone to your home WiFi... just enter your WiFi password when asked for it.
Using Bluetooth
You'll need a laptop or tablet running windows XP SP2 or later, Vista, Windows 7 or Mac OS 10.4.11 or later. And it must be able to use Bluetooth 2.0.
Turning it off
To avoid any unexpected call charges, it's best to switch off internet tethering when you're not using your Android phone to connect your laptop or tablet to the internet.
1. To do this, just click on your Android phone's Menu
2. Look for Settings. Now click on Wireless & Networks
3. Then click on Portable Wi-Fi hotspot to switch tethering off.
Making calls while you’re tethering
If you're using the 3G or 4G network, you can make calls on your mobile phone and use tethering at the same time.
If you're using the 2G network, your tethering session will be stopped when you make a phone call.