1 Dec 21 security update disabled USB tethering

[medusa193]

My Moto G Power (XT2041-6) uses Android 11 via Consumer Cellular (which resells ATT service). I just today [25 Jan] downloaded and installed the latest Android security and Google Play System updates dated December 1, 2021 (Software Version RPMS31.Q1-54-13.3-7). Immediately thereafter, my mobile hotspot and USB tethering functions would not work. They are my only means of connecting to the Internet.

Consumer Cellular reps had no solution other than a factory reset. I'm searching the Web with a borrowed WiFi connection but cannot yet find a fix. If you can recommend any source of information that might help me restore these functions, please do. Thanks!

 

[puppykickr]

A reset would most likely do nothing.

In my experience, so-called 'security updates' are nothing of the sort- only updates to worthless Google apps that I do not use and do not want.

These can be reversed, but it is tedious.

As for a legitimate system update, there is no reversing that as far as I know.

Hopefully the answer lies in those pestilence Google apps, and not in the system itself.

First, what were you hoping for when you decided to update?

After it happened to me, I avoid these things like The Plague.

Second, if you want to try, I may be able to help you get the Google apps back to their original state, bit I doubt that they are causing this issue.
This sounds like a system issue.

Have you tried restarting (not resetting) the device?

 

[mikedt]

I don't know Consumer Cellular, but is tethering actually allowed in your data plan? I've read on AF a few times that with some US carriers, you may need to have tethering enabled by them as part of your plan, which might be an extra fee.

 

[ozonetrooper]

Updates!

Like taking away the option to block my outgoing caller ID, which came with the last one, for my Moto G7!

 

[puppykickr]

Updates!

Like taking away the option to block my outgoing caller ID, which came with the last one, for my Moto G7!

Exactly!

These 'updates' are nothing of the sort!

'updates', 'boosters' - what's the difference?

 

[mikedt]

Updates!

Like taking away the option to block my outgoing caller ID, which came with the last one, for my Moto G7!

Maybe you need to talk with Consumer Cellular's customer service? That and your tethering issue I presume this is a carrier version phone you've got there.

 

[mikedt]

Exactly!

These 'updates' are nothing of the sort!

'updates', 'boosters' - what's the difference?

Fortunately I'm not in the US, and so I never have to deal with things like no tethering,(unless you pay extra $$$). One pays for say 50GB as part of a data plan, you should be able to use it how you like, on the phone, on your computer, on a TV box etc.


This blocking caller ID, I presume the OP's carrier(Consumer Cellular) is not allowing it?

 

[medusa193]

I don't know Consumer Cellular, but is tethering actually allowed in your data plan? I've read on AF a few times that with some US carriers, you may need to have tethering enabled by them as part of your plan, which might be an extra fee.

Yes, I enabled tethering a few years ago and have used it from my previous Moto phone to my current one.

 

[medusa193]

A reset would most likely do nothing.

In my experience, so-called 'security updates' are nothing of the sort- only updates to worthless Google apps that I do not use and do not want.

--(I'll intersperse my reply.)

These can be reversed, but it is tedious.

--If they are the cause of the broken tether and hotspot, I'm more than willing to try something tedious.

As for a legitimate system update, there is no reversing that as far as I know.

--These were simply Android security and Google Play System patches as best I can tell. My phone isn't slated for an upgrade from Android 11 to 12.

Hopefully the answer lies in those pestilence Google apps, and not in the system itself.

First, what were you hoping for when you decided to update?

--I hope so, too! I just wonder which apps are the culprit. Since I'm not aware (yet) of the apps affected, I would assume that (1) the problem doesn't involve the Android security patches, which means that (2) whatever constitute the "Google Play System" patches created this issue.

After it happened to me, I avoid these things like The Plague.

Second, if you want to try, I may be able to help you get the Google apps back to their original state, bit I doubt that they are causing this issue.

--I think it's worth a try just for experimental reasons. If it restores tethering, we'll know more about this problem. (And by the way, I had CC unsubscribe and resubscribe me to tethering/hotspot yesterday, but it had no effect). I'd appreciate any help.

This sounds like a system issue.

Have you tried restarting (not resetting) the device?

--[Please see my interspersed answers above by expanding; I didn't realize that they would be in the identical font to your quoted message. What's below is simply my answer to your last question.]

--Yes, I did so early on without effect. I'm planning to call Motorola customer service today in case they have any ideas or fixes.

 

[medusa193]

Maybe you need to talk with Consumer Cellular's customer service? That and your tethering issue I presume this is a carrier version phone you've got there.

That's what I thought, and I called them immediately. Three Consumer Cellular reps had no solution other than a factory reset. Unsubscribing and resubscribing to tethering/hotspot didn't repaid the problem.

 

[mikedt]

Exactly!

These 'updates' are nothing of the sort!

'updates', 'boosters' - what's the difference?

We have had posts like this before, like "My Sprint phone or whatever tethering was working, the phone updated, and now tethering is disabled.". And it has been those updates are apparently to enable the carrier restrictions.