Root Howto: Free 3G Mobile Hotspot, AP Mode Tethering

[zarraza]

I'm trying this on sprint does anyone have any exprience with that or am I on my own? Ill test again when I get home and see if the steps work again

 

[cbanning]

stupid question #439, how can I tell if it's working for free?

 

[Deleted User]

stupid question #439, how can I tell if it's working for free?

...because it's working

If you launch the Wifi hotspot and connect to it on the laptop WITHOUT toggling the cell radio, you'll see the Verizon self-provisioning page where it offers to let you buy the service. Toggle the radio, and boom, no self-provisioning.

 

[cbanning]

OMG, like it really worked! Now, I can keep my X, and not have to go back to the incredible. Anyone want to buy it?

 

[Piiman]

OMG, like it really worked! Now, I can keep my X, and not have to go back to the incredible. Anyone want to buy it?

how much?

 

[sleepsafe]

Well that works, pretty cool. Thanks! It shows up like any other network and you just click on it. I know I didn't get the VZW page when I tried this. How it works....fricking magic for all I know. I haven't been able to get root to work on 2.2. So yeah, this is REALLY simple.

 

[Piiman]

I'd be Leary you may find some unexpected charges on your bill next month.

 

[FreeWELL]

I'd be Leary you may find some unexpected charges on your bill next month.

As long as you cycle the radio, you won't be sucking data down VZ's "mobile_dun" pay pipe... If you're really worried, login to VZW online, or call 611 and verify what features you have for your phone. As long as you aren't provisioned for tethering, you won't be able to get a connection through "mobile_dun" which is the pipe that the 2GB quota limit is on... Toggling the radio off/on puts you back on the Unlimited "mobile" connection.

 

[sund0wn]

thanks for sharing this discovery FreeWell. With P3's patch on the horizon, you may have started something really big. your little discovery may save a bunch of people a bunch of money.

although, i do need to say, this is a clear violation of Verizon's TOS, so even though this should go without saying:

everyone: use this at your own risk. dont hold FreeWell responsible when bad things happen because you got caught using this exploit. i doubt anything bad could/would happen, but you never know.

 

[Outlaw71]

I can vouch for it working. If you want to test it out first of all fire up your hotspot, then run a speed test before doing anything else. When you are hooked up through Verizon it will show you your ping and your download speed, but as soon as it starts the upload test it will stop and tell you there is an error in the test (this is because you can't upload anything before signing up for the service with Verizon). And don't worry about being charged to run this test, you have to sign up for the service before they start billing you.

Now toggle the radio as is instructed and run the speed test again. When it runs through the entire test including the upload test, then you know you're running on the hotspot, and since you haven't signed up for it you won't be getting charged (at least you shouldn't... if you do then I'm screwed too because I've been using it since yesterday ) for it.

I'm still curious how it fools them, but it's a super cool discovery forsure. I bet they patch this little loophole up in 3.0 though!

 

[Steven58]

I'm writing from 3g mobile hotpspot, now. It seems quite easy. As I understand it, I only will see the "provisioning" page the first time I log in to a browser page. Each subequent time, I do not get that page. (This is what I'm experiencing). Additionally, after I connect with mobile hotspot, I have to turn the radio off and then on again.

Is this correct? If I get a bill for this, heads are gonna roll!!!!!

 

[Steven58]

thanks for sharing this discovery FreeWell. With P3's patch on the horizon, you may have started something really big. your little discovery may save a bunch of people a bunch of money.

although, i do need to say, this is a clear violation of Verizon's TOS, so even though this should go without saying:

everyone: use this at your own risk. dont hold FreeWell responsible when bad things happen because you got caught using this exploit. i doubt anything bad could/would happen, but you never know.

Isn't using wireless teather a violation of the TOS, as well? What makes this particularly worse?

 

[Outlaw71]

Yeah well I figure if I see a $20 dollar charge on my next bill I can handle that. I'll just go back to Wifi Tether for Root Users.

 

[WalmartSecurity]

It worked for me yesterday, but I can't seem to get it to work today. I fire up 3g mobile hotspot and I never get the icon in the notification bar...it just seems to turn itself off. Toggling radio doesn't do anything.

 

[Steven58]

works fine for me

 

[wxman2003]

Works great for me! I decided to purchase it.

 

[FreeWELL]

Works great for me! I decided to purchase it.

Glad you got it working... What did you purchase?

 

[wxman2003]

I purchased (donated) easyswitch instead of using the trial verison. Figure since it allows me to tether via wifi, it's worth the donation.

 

[FreeWELL]

I purchased (donated) easyswitch instead of using the trial verison. Figure since it allows me to tether via wifi, it's worth the donation.

Cool. EasySwitch is probably the currently the best option for the unr00ted, average users to take advantage of this.

Tasker has some cool possibilities as well, for those with a little more tech savvy, and willing to spend a little more.

And really, $3 vs nearly how much over a 2 year period?

 

[wxman2003]

Cool. EasySwitch is probably the currently the best option for the unr00ted, average users to take advantage of this.

Tasker has some cool possibilities as well, for those with a little more tech savvy, and willing to spend a little more.

And really, $3 vs nearly how much over a 2 year period?

Agreed! Even if 3.0 closes this door, it is well worth $3, even if for a few months.

 

[sleepsafe]

Can't make this work today....anyone having success?

 

[Outlaw71]

Have they already patched it? This was working for me for the past two days, today it says, "can not connect the data link, please see your service provider"... man, that was fast!


Wireless Tether still works.

 

[sleepsafe]

I get the same message.Wireless tether still works for me as well.

 

[sleepsafe]

I installed the Easy Switch update from the market...working now. Not sure what to think of this.

 

[sund0wn]

I installed the Easy Switch update from the market...working now. Not sure what to think of this.

i know how you feel. it is esentially stealing. no two ways about it. it's like having a card that tricks a gas pump into thinking there had been a credit card approval, and then filling up your car.
as much as i would love free gas, i just wouldnt feel right about using the exploit.