Help Nexus 6 Tethering

hiya83 · Dec 8, 2014

Hi, does anyone know if tethering (using SVTP or FoxFi) works on Nexus 6? I've read some article saying tethering is restricted unless approved by carrier on Nexus 6; is that true? I am currently a pretty big user of SVTP and was hoping to carry that on with Nexus 6 when it comes out for Verizon. Also non-rooted options (like SVTP) is preferable if possible.

Thanks

TheAmazingDave · Dec 8, 2014

Nexus 6 on T-Mo here. I haven't tried a USB tether, but built-in portable hotspot works a treat.

Rxpert83 · Dec 8, 2014

I know it works with root, but from what I've read ATT is actively blocking non-root tethering on their nexus devices.

http://www.androidpolice.com/2014/1...for-tethering-and-has-the-carriers-ringtones/

With Verizon yet to announce anything, they may also be blocking it.

EDIT: It looks like theres some verizon specific verbiage in the AOSP ROM, but as I'm not a developer I have no clue what that really means.
https://android.googlesource.com/device/moto/shamu/+/c1109e92e2765111e4e17c5766fde42a6bd19784

I'm on Sprint, and out of the box it doesn't work without root. Didn't try any of the non-root apps as I root my devices anyway.

hiya83 · Dec 8, 2014

TheAmazingDave: So it works for you out of the box even without rooting or third party apps?

Rxpert83: that's unfortunately to hear that about ATT/Sprint. Considering verizon's history, I am guessing I probably will have to end up rooting as well

Hope I am wrong

Guess it's only T-Mo that's giving you free reign of your device so far...

TheAmazingDave · Dec 8, 2014

hiya83 said:
TheAmazingDave: So it works for you out of the box even without rooting or third party apps?

That is correct. My device is unlocked, but otherwise unmodified. I used the built-in WiFi hotspot feature found in the system menu under Wireless & Networks>More>Tethering & Portable Hotspot

Just to make sure I wasn't hallucinating, just posted this from my N6 hotspot.

Geese1 · Dec 9, 2014

Rxpert83 said:
I know it works with root, but from what I've read ATT is actively blocking non-root tethering on their nexus devices.

http://www.androidpolice.com/2014/1...for-tethering-and-has-the-carriers-ringtones/

With Verizon yet to announce anything, they may also be blocking it.

EDIT: It looks like theres some verizon specific verbiage in the AOSP ROM, but as I'm not a developer I have no clue what that really means.
https://android.googlesource.com/device/moto/shamu/ /c1109e92e2765111e4e17c5766fde42a6bd19784

I'm on Sprint, and out of the box it doesn't work without root. Didn't try any of the non-root apps as I root my devices anyway.

Verizon had the hotspot blocked as well. I don't have the hotspot feature with them, but when I tried it out it gave me an error message. Since I'm rooted, I did the same fix that was listed for AT&T, and now the hotspot functionality works.

I really don't see myself ever really using the feature, but I like it to be available to me should I ever need it down the road.

shalemail · Dec 9, 2014

I am on AT&T and my plan includes hot spot, I have had no issues.

hiya83 · Dec 12, 2014

@Geese1: "Since I'm rooted, I did the same fix that was listed for AT&T, and now the hotspot functionality works."
Can you share the link for that?

Geese1 · Dec 13, 2014

hiya83 said:
@Geese1: "Since I'm rooted, I did the same fix that was listed for AT&T, and now the hotspot functionality works."
Can you share the link for that?

Got it from the XDA thread here:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6/general/carrier-crap-phone-t2944994/page6

Want to look at post #60 on page 6. I used text editor in ES File Explorer myself rather than Root Explorer, but any file explorer with a text editor should work fine, I imagine. In fact, I just had to do this process again today after I updated the phone to Android 5.0.1 and it still works perfectly.

lunatic59 · Dec 13, 2014

Just a little word of caution here ... editing your build.prop will allow you to tether (wifi hotspot), but all it does is not force the phone to check for a tethering plan before establishing the connection. It doesn't mean AT&T won't know you're tethering. If you tether occasionally, AT&T usually looks the other way, but if you constantly tether large amounts of data without an appropriate plan, they might just tack it on to your account.

Just sayin'.

clairez · Dec 14, 2014

Geese1 said:
Got it from the XDA thread here:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6/general/carrier-crap-phone-t2944994/page6

Want to look at post #60 on page 6. I used text editor in ES File Explorer myself rather than Root Explorer, but any file explorer with a text editor should work fine, I imagine. In fact, I just had to do this process again today after I updated the phone to Android 5.0.1 and it still works perfectly.

Will this procedure allow future OTAs?

lunatic59 · Dec 14, 2014

I've found the biggest obstacles to OTA's is custom recovery ... specifically CWM. TWRP seems to have less problems, but it still can bork an OTA. Removing the AT&T stuff shouldn't affect OTA's at all, but they will overwrite your build.prop most likely.

jj14x · Dec 14, 2014

clairez said:
Will this procedure allow future OTAs?

lunatic59 said:
I've found the biggest obstacles to OTA's is custom recovery ... specifically CWM. TWRP seems to have less problems, but it still can bork an OTA. Removing the AT&T stuff shouldn't affect OTA's at all, but they will overwrite your build.prop most likely.

Actually, with Lollipop, Google has changed the way it checks the system partition for OTA. Now, it checks to see if ANYTHING on the system partition was changed (even if it was reverted back). It doesn't just check the files that are being updated - it checks the entire block. So, any change to the system partition (including build.prop edits or even rooting) will likely cause OTA failure.

Geese1 · Dec 14, 2014

jj14x said:
Actually, with Lollipop, Google has changed the way it checks the system partition for OTA. Now, it checks to see if ANYTHING on the system partition was changed (even if it was reverted back). It doesn't just check the files that are being updated - it checks the entire block. So, any change to the system partition (including build.prop edits or even rooting) will likely cause OTA failure.

Yeah, I had to manually do the update to 5.0.1. I'm used to doing updates manually due to my 2013 Nexus 7 tablet being rooted as well. It was a different procedure to manually update the Nexus 6, but I found some step by step instructions on XDA and it was pretty simple to do. I did have to re-apply the wi-fi hotspot feature as I mentioned, and will probably have to do it every time I apply a system update, but it only takes a few seconds and isn't that big of a deal.

clairez · Dec 15, 2014

Geese1 said:
Yeah, I had to manually do the update to 5.0.1. I'm used to doing updates manually due to my 2013 Nexus 7 tablet being rooted as well. It was a different procedure to manually update the Nexus 6, but I found some step by step instructions on XDA and it was pretty simple to do. I did have to re-apply the wi-fi hotspot feature as I mentioned, and will probably have to do it every time I apply a system update, but it only takes a few seconds and isn't that big of a deal.

Can u provide a link to the XDA Step-by-Step? Also using this manual update procedure, do you have to wipe the user data and all settings?

Geese1 · Dec 15, 2014

clairez said:
Can u provide a link to the XDA Step-by-Step? Also using this manual update procedure, do you have to wipe the user data and all settings?

Here's a link to the thread. You want to specifically look at post #3:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6/help/flashing-5-0-1-t2969888

Be sure to download the actual factory image from Google if you want to make the file names match up exactly with the instructions. A direct link to the factory images can be found in post #18.

I followed these instructions and it worked out perfectly. Didn't loose any data other than the build.prop addition I had made (as I said, simple enough to add back in), and I had to restart the AdAway ad block service I have on the device (although the app was still there - the service just got turned off during the update). Other than that, everything else was pretty smooth sailing.

papoose34328 · Jan 3, 2015

i just tested using easy tether and didnt have any issues or checks. vzw udp.

Droid Ninja · Jan 9, 2015

papoose34328 said:
i just tested using easy tether and didnt have any issues or checks. vzw udp.

which version of easy tether you running? Play store has like 5 versions.

papoose34328 · Jan 13, 2015

Droid Ninja said:
which version of easy tether you running? Play store has like 5 versions.

v. 1.1.12 its the one from the amazon app store.

TexasBadger · Mar 21, 2015

I used to depend on my FoxFi hotspot, but with my Nexus 6 that is now history. Also, FoxFi is now part of PDAnet+, which in my view is crap. However, I found a pretty decent alternative today and, right now, it is free. The Amazon Appstore currently offers Easy Tether Pro for free (normally $9.99) as part of its anniversary sale. Go download it to your Nexus 6. Then download the always free Easy Tether Tablet app to your Android tablet. Just follow the wizards to run your tablet though your phone using either Bluetooth or USB. The latter is much faster. With Wi-Fi turned off, my Asus TF700T tested above 30 Mbps both ways. Also, the tablet charges the phone while the phone provides Internet access to the tablet. My Nexus 6 is stock 5.01. Bottom line: Go grab Easy Tether Pro today, while it is still free.

bcltoys · Mar 22, 2015

Does anyone know if there is a built in hotspot on the Verizon N6 and does it work for the people on more everything plan. As I understand it does but may or may not work for people with unlimited service. This could be a problem for me.

Help Nexus 6 Tethering

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