Root Free wifi tether? Oh yes.. here's how

[mx7]

I'm switching from iPhone to the EVO. Someone mentioned that free tethering can be enabled after rooting. Any thoughts of when or if this is possible?

 

[SprintFun]

Usually you have to install a program which requires root access.

Barnacle is one.

PdaNet has an app you can buy for like $20 that does NOT require rooting and you can tether.

 

[mx7]

Has anyone tried Barnacle with Sprint? Or is tethering essentially the same on all networks?

 

[neodorian]

I'm no Android expert but essentially, tethering apps all do essentially the same thing, albeit by different methods sometimes. They basically are bridging your cellular connection (or someday, your Wimax connection) with your Wifi or bluetooth or USB connection.

Long story short, all it does is allow your computer to connect to the phone and use various network services that are shared by the phone. To the carrier, it shows up as "data". Typically the concern was that a person running through 20gb a month on their phone would raise a flag that you were tethering and incur a charge. Pretty sure the networks could handle it for the most part but phone-as-modem plans are not cheap and I think they liked keeping that as a more premium feature as they are doing with the Evo's Wimax hotspot app.

 

[CRPercodani]

For PDAnet you do not need root but you do need to use either Bluetooth or a USB cable to share the data connection, Barnacle you do need root but not a modified kernel. WiFi Tethering is the app that requires root and a modified kernel and it is what most people are talking about when they say free tethering with root. As far as ethics go I'm not going to pass any judgment but just beware that they can sniff out packets and if they see something suspicious like a software update for your computer OS then they might monitor your usage. This probably wouldn't happen if you only use it for emergencies and whatnot.

 

[Clock]

For PDAnet you do not need root but you do need to use either Bluetooth or a USB cable to share the data connection, Barnacle you do need root but not a modified kernel. WiFi Tethering is the app that requires root and a modified kernel and it is what most people are talking about when they say free tethering with root. As far as ethics go I'm not going to pass any judgment but just beware that they can sniff out packets and if they see something suspicious like a software update for your computer OS then they might monitor your usage. This probably wouldn't happen if you only use it for emergencies and whatnot.

First of all, to whomever set up the new subforum, thanks. This will be huge since I'll probably spending most of my time here after the phone is released.

Second - so Sprint can tell if you updated the software on your phone? That's interesting. Has anyone gotten "in trouble" (e.g. have their accounts canceled or received a nasty mail or charge) for wifi tethering before?

I probably won't use the feature that much, but this is good stuff to know.

 

[dandm4life]

First of all, to whomever set up the new subforum, thanks. This will be huge since I'll probably spending most of my time here after the phone is released.

Second - so Sprint can tell if you updated the software on your phone? That's interesting. Has anyone gotten "in trouble" (e.g. have their accounts canceled or received a nasty mail or charge) for wifi tethering before?

I probably won't use the feature that much, but this is good stuff to know.

I think he meant computer OS update, which is somehting you would not normally see over a 3g cell phone connection, so if they see somehting like this they may become suspiscious.

 

[TheBiles]

Wireless Tether for Root Users. Works flawlessly. That's what I use now, and that's what I will use until a working Froyo is ported to the EVO.

 

[mx7]

Wireless Tether for Root Users. Works flawlessly. That's what I use now, and that's what I will use until a working Froyo is ported to the EVO.

There does not seem to be a version for EVO. Can you use a version of this program made for another phone?

 

[mx7]

I'm no Android expert but essentially, tethering apps all do essentially the same thing, albeit by different methods sometimes. They basically are bridging your cellular connection (or someday, your Wimax connection) with your Wifi or bluetooth or USB connection.

Long story short, all it does is allow your computer to connect to the phone and use various network services that are shared by the phone. To the carrier, it shows up as "data". Typically the concern was that a person running through 20gb a month on their phone would raise a flag that you were tethering and incur a charge. Pretty sure the networks could handle it for the most part but phone-as-modem plans are not cheap and I think they liked keeping that as a more premium feature as they are doing with the Evo's Wimax hotspot app.

Makes a lot of sense. However, with the extra $10 4G fee, data is "truly" unlimited. I wonder how Sprint will deal with super-heavy data users who don't pay the $30 tethering fee but have suspicious data packets (ie OS updates).

 

[TheBiles]

There does not seem to be a version for EVO. Can you use a version of this program made for another phone?

I actually haven't gotten my EVO yet, but I plan on trying it out tomorrow. If it isn't compatible, I'm sure the devs will be on it quickly.

 

[mx7]

I actually haven't gotten my EVO yet, but I plan on trying it out tomorrow. If it isn't compatible, I'm sure the devs will be on it quickly.

Cool! Keep us posted on the rooting and tethering process. Are you in a 4G area?

 

[CRPercodani]

It should work with the EVO, the only thing I wonder is will 4G/Wimax work for tethering.

 

[TheBiles]

Cool! Keep us posted on the rooting and tethering process. Are you in a 4G area?

Not at the moment, but I may be heading to Charlotte or Atlanta sometime this summer just to try it out.

 

[SprintFun]

It should work with the EVO, the only thing I wonder is will 4G/Wimax work for tethering.

My big question too

 

[ShadowDrake]

Makes a lot of sense. However, with the extra $10 4G fee, data is "truly" unlimited. I wonder how Sprint will deal with super-heavy data users who don't pay the $30 tethering fee but have suspicious data packets (ie OS updates).

I doubt there's a whole lot to worry about.

Sprint is very relaxed when it comes to data usage. I tether all of the time using my TP2 - and I do all sorts of things that wouldn't be data on the phone. I've regularly gone over the 5GB cap and have never had Sprint say anything to me, nor have they billed me any extra.

The case isn't any different on WinMo as it would be here on Android. You honestly wouldn't have much to worry about unless Sprint suddenly starts to be huge d-bags about the whole thing.

 

[Wynder]

Just as a point of order, I currently have the HTC Hero and, with the 2.1 update, tethering is built into the OS... once you hook in the USB cable into the PC, it comes up with an option to share the data connection with the host PC.

I believe this will be the same with EVO as well, making rooting the device or installing specialized applications no longer necessary.

 

[TheBiles]

Just as a point of order, I currently have the HTC Hero and, with the 2.1 update, tethering is built into the OS... once you hook in the USB cable into the PC, it comes up with an option to share the data connection with the host PC.

I believe this will be the same with EVO as well, making rooting the device or installing specialized applications no longer necessary.

Unless you want to tether wirelessly.

 

[ab500]

Just as a point of order, I currently have the HTC Hero and, with the 2.1 update, tethering is built into the OS... once you hook in the USB cable into the PC, it comes up with an option to share the data connection with the host PC.

I believe this will be the same with EVO as well, making rooting the device or installing specialized applications no longer necessary.

Can anyone confirm this? If this is true it seems like this whole argument of "will I get in trouble??" is negated.

If there is already a method built into the operating system with the HTC Sync software to share internet with your computer when connected with a USB cable then non of this other stuff really makes a difference. Sprint will not be able to differentiate this usage from rooted phones / pdanet and obviously is allowing it.

I'm curious why this doesn't pop up in discussion more often. Sure WiFi tethering is great but my phone will never be more than a few feet from my laptop and it's one less radio to run...

 

[mx7]

Can anyone confirm this? If this is true it seems like this whole argument of "will I get in trouble??" is negated.

If there is already a method built into the operating system with the HTC Sync software to share internet with your computer when connected with a USB cable then non of this other stuff really makes a difference. Sprint will not be able to differentiate this usage from rooted phones / pdanet and obviously is allowing it.

I'm curious why this doesn't pop up in discussion more often. Sure WiFi tethering is great but my phone will never be more than a few feet from my laptop and it's one less radio to run...

The EVOs released so far have unlimited calling and data (including tethering) for 30 days. So when you purchase the phone or switch to a regular plan after the 30 days, you'll have to pay extra $30 for tethering.

 

[Bek]

When referring to tethering, please be specific and stop just saying "tethering." There are distinct differences (and costs) for WIRED tethering vs WIRELESS/WIFI tethering.

 

[ab500]

Alright, I guess it's all unverified right now. I dug up the original place I read that USB tethering would be free:

Tethering Question About My EVO - Android Central Forums

Whether it's accurate or not remains to be seen. I'll definitely be testing it out on launch day to see what happens, it would be nice if they threw this in as part of the $10 add-on... however I stopped believing in the kindness of corporations long long ago.

 

[mx7]

When referring to tethering, please be specific and stop just saying "tethering." There are distinct differences (and costs) for WIRED tethering vs WIRELESS/WIFI tethering.

What's the price difference between the two?

 

[Bek]

Alright, I guess it's all unverified right now. I dug up the original place I read that USB tethering would be free:

Tethering Question About My EVO - Android Central Forums

Whether it's accurate or not remains to be seen. I'll definitely be testing it out on launch day to see what happens, it would be nice if they threw this in as part of the $10 add-on... however I stopped believing in the kindness of corporations long long ago.

How is it up in the air? That thread points back to a thread here:

http://androidforums.com/htc-evo-4g/85263-anyone-evo-try-tethering-vita-pdanet.html

And if you look in that thread, I posted a follow-up thread with detailed test results of USB WIRED tethering over 3G and 4G.

To set the record straight:

1. You CAN tether via WIRED/USB on the Evo FOR FREE

2. To tether WIRELESSLY/Wifi, you will have to pay an additional $30 Mobile Hotspot fee.

 

[ab500]

My apologizes, did not see that post Bek, thank you for the well-done write up!

Funny, the word tether traditionally means "wired connection", now we have to make the distinction between wireless tether and USB tether.

So, for the record, I'll be able to connect my EVO via USB to a PC and use it, a'la phone-as-modem.

This is a pretty big divergence from traditional Sprint data plans, even on my Blackberry to USB tether costs another some odd number of dollars.