Reverse Tether Android to PC: A Complete Guide
Reverse Tethering: Sharing Your PC's Internet Connection
A common practice involves connecting laptops to Android phones for internet access, leveraging the phone’s data connection for connectivity on the go.
However, a less frequently utilized option exists: reverse tethering. This allows you to share your computer’s internet connection with an Android phone or tablet.
Methods for Reverse Tethering
Several methods can be employed to achieve reverse tethering. These include establishing a Wi-Fi hotspot, utilizing a Bluetooth connection, or even implementing a direct connection via a USB cable.
This functionality proves particularly valuable in scenarios where a computer possesses internet access, while the Android device lacks a connection.
- Wi-Fi Hotspot: Your PC can act as a wireless access point.
- Bluetooth: A wireless connection, though potentially slower.
- USB Cable: A wired connection offering stability and speed.
The choice of method depends on your specific needs and available resources. A USB cable generally provides the most reliable and fastest connection for reverse tethering.
Ultimately, reverse tethering offers a convenient solution for extending your computer’s internet access to your Android devices when a direct connection isn't available on the phone or tablet.
Establish a Wi-Fi Access Point
Related: Methods for Utilizing Your Windows PC as a Wi-Fi Hotspot
One of the most straightforward approaches involves establishing a Wi-Fi hotspot. This process mirrors creating a hotspot on a smartphone to share its mobile data with a computer. However, in this case, a Wi-Fi hotspot will be generated on your computer, enabling internet connectivity for your Android phone or tablet.
Naturally, compatible Wi-Fi hardware is essential. Most laptops are adequately equipped for this purpose. Should you need to tether an Android device to a desktop lacking Wi-Fi, a cost-effective USB-to-Wi-Fi adapter can be utilized to facilitate sharing a wired Ethernet connection.
Android devices do not natively support ad-hoc networks. Therefore, software like Virtual Router is necessary to create a Wi-Fi hotspot that operates as a true access point, allowing Android devices to connect seamlessly. Ensure any alternative solution you employ functions as an access point, rather than an ad-hoc network.
For Windows PCs, we suggest Virtual Router for hotspot creation. It provides a user-friendly interface to Windows’ built-in Wi-Fi hotspot and Internet Connection Sharing capabilities. This allows you to share a wired Ethernet connection wirelessly, or even redistribute an existing Wi-Fi connection by creating a new hotspot. This is particularly useful when limited to a single login for a Wi-Fi network, such as in a hotel setting.
While Mac OS X includes an Internet Sharing feature, it unfortunately creates an ad-hoc network, which is incompatible with Android devices.
Bluetooth PAN
Related: How to Turn Your Mac Into a Wi-Fi Hotspot
An alternative method for internet connectivity involves utilizing Bluetooth technology. Devices running Android 4.0 or a later version can be paired via Bluetooth and leverage a Bluetooth PAN – Personal Area Network.
Generally, establishing a Wi-Fi hotspot is the preferred approach when using Windows for internet access, due to its speed and simplified configuration. However, a Bluetooth PAN proves especially beneficial with Macs.
If the goal is to share a Mac’s Wi-Fi connection with an Android smartphone or tablet, employing a Bluetooth PAN is necessary. Alternatively, a second physical Wi-Fi adapter, such as a USB-to-Wi-Fi adapter, could be used.
This requirement stems from the need for two distinct network interfaces to facilitate this type of connection.
To proceed, activate Internet Sharing via Bluetooth on your Mac. Subsequently, pair your Android phone with the Mac.
Within your Android device’s Bluetooth settings, select the connected device. Then, activate the "Internet access" checkbox to enable data sharing.
USB Cable - Root Access Required
Related: A guide on how to reverse tether your PC's internet connection to an Android device.
Connecting your computer to an Android phone via USB to access the internet through the phone is achievable. A common question arises regarding the possibility of reverse-tethering – enabling an Android phone or tablet to utilize a computer’s network connection over USB.
This functionality is indeed possible, but necessitates root access on the Android device. We have previously detailed a method for reverse-tethering an Android phone or tablet to a computer using a USB cable and a Windows application. Alternative approaches employing different tools or command-line instructions also exist.
The USB cable method proves most advantageous in scenarios where Wi-Fi or Bluetooth reverse-tethering are unavailable. However, it is often considered cumbersome due to the prerequisite of root access and the supplementary tools needed for successful implementation. Furthermore, certain Android applications may fail to recognize the established internet connection.
Limitations and Alternatives
When feasible, establishing a Wi-Fi access point or utilizing a Bluetooth Personal Area Network (PAN) for reverse-tethering is generally preferable.
It’s important to note that these methods are not compatible with Chromebook devices.
Despite Google’s efforts to integrate Chrome OS and Android, Chromebooks currently lack the capability to create a Wi-Fi hotspot or Bluetooth PAN for sharing their internet connection.
- A potential workaround involves enabling developer mode on the Chromebook.
- This allows for the installation of a complete Linux system.
- The Linux system then provides access to standard Wi-Fi hotspot creation tools.
Image Credit: Johan Larsson on Flickr