How to tether and turn the Motorola Droid into a Wi-Fi hotspot, or even enable Bluetooth tethering using the simple way
Silviu Serban- February 9, 2010
- Mobile How To
Motorola Droid is the smartphone from Motorola that is based on the Android OS. Although used for multimedia and internet access, users are denied to experience a simple Wi-Fi Hotspot for free. Although Verizon and Android OS platforms have taking some precautions, smart guys found a simple way that you can enable tethering on a Motorola Droid, for free.
Just like the jailbreak community on the iPhone, there’s a group of Android developers determined to grant any Google-powered phone free access to every feature imaginable. And they’re able to accomplish this task more legitimately than underground iPhone hackers, since Android’s source code is completely open to developers.
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Motorola Droid Tethering
If you are sure that tethering is the thing you need, and not just root access to Motorola Droid (read HERE), follow the steps bellow:
What you’ll need:
1. USB Driver – HERE or HERE(Mirror)
2. Tethering Software – [PDANet] HERE
First, install the PDANet software on your desktop and on the Motorola Droid. The moment you install it on desktop, it will automatically install the USB driver for you, if it doesn’t, you can use the USB driver link above to install.
Make sure you have USB Debugging still enabled. Connect your Motorola Droid to the USB and, on the smartphone, launch the PDANet software. Click on “Turn PdaNet On“.
Once it is turned on, you can then go to your PC and “Connect” on the PDANet software on your taskbar.
You have Tethered Droid successfully; enjoy the High speed wireless Internet.
(Optional, only for Bluetooth) If you need Bluetooth Tethering for the Motorola Droid, first thing you need to do is pair your phone with your PC via Bluetooth connection.
Once successful, create a Dial-up Networking Connection (DUN). When asked what modem to use, select the Bluetooth Modem Driver. It will ask you for a username and password, select you won’t need to use one. It will ask you to for a phone number to use to dial out. Use “123? as the phone number.
57 Responses
This is an abuse of the term “WiFi Hotspot”, which means an open Wireless Ethernet access point that multiple PCs can connect to. This is just tethering. Don’t get me wrong – it’s very cool and I use it with pleasure, but it’s a connectivity solution for a single PC, and has nothing to do with wireless ethernet – it uses the phone network. Note that although Verizon is allowing this use for no extra charge at the moment, there’s talk of them cracking down on this when they offer their for-pay tethering package RSN.
The ability to actually create a WiFi Hotspot would also be very cool (although it only has 4.5 Mbit bandwidth to offer), but this ain’t it.
This works only to connect the phone and laptop it does not get past having to pay Verizon for the internet access once tethered. It may work for a few minutes but the next time you try it the only web page that loads is from Verizon telling you to pay the monthly fee…
Wow. Totally misleading. The title of this article should be, “How to tether your Android smartphone”. This does NOT turn your phone into a “Wifi hotspot”, it just enables tethering. If you do this, your phone does not turn into a MiFi.
I am Tethering my Blackberry to my iMac and yes!! I can get WiFi from it by sharing my connection and turning on airport. After that I can Connect my ibook and my iPod Touch, all at the same time.
That doesn’t make it a wifi hotspot, it’s still just tethering.
How doesn’t it ? If I am not directly tethering to my iPod touch and iBook. it is a hotspot to whatever I want to connect too.
I understand the difference between “tethering” and a “hotspot”… now that I have read this article.
But as a non-technical person, this article showed up on Google, using language I understand, and gave clear, easy to use directions for exactly what I needed to do.
So, this article has done a service, just not to you folks who already know how to do this anyway!
Give the author a break. Really! You losers are trying to get something for free and they showed you how. Moan and groan about free internet access somewhere else. You’re probably the reason everyone is locking down their routers. A bunch of slackers wandering around looking for free internet access to play video games. Get a job and pay for it like everyone else.
Ummmm, no. Verizon does not sell tetheriing for the Android phone but I paid for tethering on my last phone. I make plenty of money and will pay for this service if Verizon offered it.
What I need is a wifi hotspot built into my Droid just like on the new Palm devices. This simplifies tethering by using a universal standard used by cameras, phones, pcs, etc. USB tethering just doesn’t cut it and this post is just spamming a keyword.
FAIL.
Are you mentally challenged? The title is misleading and that’s all there is to it. Whatever I decide to do with my internet service is my problem only. By the way, have you ever tried driving around with a PS3 in tow just to get free internet? If you have, that first question should be an statement.
On another note, the article itself was very informative regarding tethering.
Whether they want something for nothing has nothing to do with the misleading title. Wifi tethering and wifi hotspot are two distinct and very different things. This article is either SEO spam or simply ignorant.
Miss leading to 10th degree….. im sorry but it is… it is a great article about tethering…. so it should be titled “tethering”.
You can turn it into a hotspot. All you have to do, it connect it to your mac via blue tooth. After that, go into system prefs>internet>Sharing>internet tab, Check to box. Then Connect to the network with your device, and voa la!
Ummm…That’s still tethering, dude.
actually you CAN turn it into a hotspot..download the wireless tethering for root users app, go into setup and enable wifi encryption..setup your passphrase and change SSID if you want, don’t plug your phone to your pc though, scan for the network signal on your pc and you’ll be able to connect multiple devices to your phone..i got my iPod, and my laptop connected at the same time..oH, and leave alone the whole bluetooth connection crap..just mess with the wifi settings in the app and you’ll have yourself a hotspot!
yes i did that with my pc but do we get charged for this????
Quit your bitching. It’s free internet. Want a hotspot? Pay for it.
u hit it on the head! U guys need to shut the fuck up and enjoy it while its free DAMN!!!! I work in a place where there is no internet, but i uploaded this on my laptop and now i got it for FREE!!! u muhfuggas would mess up a wet dream!
The author provided a good solution for those of us with a Droid and a Verizon data plan to get internet anywhere on our Macbooks or Ipads. That’s cool – and I’m not cheating anyone.
On a different note – why all the abusive language? If you don’t agree with someone, say it in a civil tone, the same way you’d say it to their face. And if you feel the need to be abusive in person, I feel sorry for you.
I agree EMS! I just did this and can’t believe how much money I could have saved on my internet service for the last year. Hundreds! In this economy this is free internet and I love it! Verizon has already forced me to pay the extra $29.99 a month on a 2 year contract for my data package, so I think that compensates them just fine! I was also misinformed by a Verizon Dealer when I got my Motorola Droid that I would be able to use it for an internet connetion and then later found out that they haven’t come out with it yet. (so far only with the Blackberry or Palm.) I thought that would enable me to cancel my $59.99 a month broadband I’ve been paying for years, so was ok doing a 2 year data package for $29.99. I was screwed, so am ecstatic about canceling my internet service and finally saving some money!
I’ve also been paying $59.99 for the 5GB broadband plan. I plan on getting a Droid X, but I’m concerned I won’t be able to talk on the phone and use the Internet (on my phone, or my laptop if tethered via PDAnet) at the same time.
My job requires that I answer cell phone calls .. and I still need Internet access at the same time. The Verizon lady told me I can’t use data and voice at the same time … But if I use PDAnet to tether to my laptop, will that allow me to use both at the same time?
Aaron,
All I know is I am able to answer and talk on my Motorola Droid while tethered to my laptop. Another plus!
Aaron,
Just tested this out further. I can answer and make calls, but have to stop surfing the net. Can’t change web pages as long as the call is in progress, just stay on the same page. Once the call over, I can resume surfing. Hope this helps.
Guys it is possible in fact the screen shot is correct… what you want is called wifi tether for root users
not pdanet. So don’t get to cocky macintrash users.
OR …just wait till android 2.2 (froyo) comes out in june!!! and its part of the update. includes mobile hotspot up to 8 devices and wifi tethering via USB
I believe there is a thing with Verizon, if you tether (i.e. USB Cable) they charge and track data usage. If your phone has a WIFI signal they do not charge for data usage.
WIFI enable phones are capable of this. I have tested HTC phones with Windows mobile, enabling wifi. This worked successfully, and no data charges. It appears as a router as any wifi signal, and Multiple PC’s can connect.
The people whom think sharing a connection is HotSpot. I could do the same with linux and windows. Of course you will still have to have the phone connected or tethered. This is not a simple solution, creating a DUN Bluettooth connection can be a pain.
(I did this with my ATT Razor Phone for some time)….
And to the guy who says your losers?))(@ JOe)
I live on a mountain, in the middle of nowhere, my options are Satellite, or Dial up (no cable, no dsl, no fiber optic )or the expensive metered verizon air card.
I would use ATT, there is no ATT signal here.
I am only seeking an alternative to dial up, which will not cost a ridiculous price.
Not every one is “wandering around looking for free internet to play video games” I should hope people are locking down their routers. That would be a security issue beyond giving away free internet. Where I live, my router is the only one for a few miles. Thank for your encouraging words thou.. It was a real help…
http://www.wmwifirouter.com/
No, it IS a hotspot. My rooted phone came with the tethering, and it’s a hotspot, if by hotspot, you mean able to broadcast and route more than one IP.
It comes with a configurable DHCP server, as well as the ability to authenticate the WiFi connection (or leave it completely open).
This phone does it. I get about 300kbps. Anyone know how to get torrents working USB tethered? Guess that’s for another thread.. and yes froyo is amazing
This works USB tethered. I understand this, Bluetooth tethered. again tethered. I can get my Motorola Razor to act as a modem and go online with a 3g connection! I have no doubt I can use this as an internet connection. My question is will this phone act as a wireless router without tethering? The HTC running windows will do it? Can the droid version do it?
I understand you can configure it as a router, but can it broadcast a wireless signal, such as a wireless router would, without tethering. The HTC with windows can.
It seems this cant do it so I will most likely go with the HTC with Windows option running WMWIFIF http://www.wmwifirouter.com
I think some folks might need to clarify the definition of a HotSpot. Sure I can share a connection and create a Hotspot in a round about way, will this phone broadcast a wireless connection?
Owell, there is no real clear answer here, I will go the HTC windows way..
Thanks Anyway
Why is everyone using the term tethering? PDAnet is just a data program that transmits data from the Android phone to the computer. It tricks the computer in thinking it’s tethered. That’s why Verizon has no clue that you’ve tethered your phone to the laptop. This does not break or violate the terms and conditions. It uses your “Unlimited” data plan which in reality is really a 5GB 3-G plan. After 5GB, they kick you off the 3G network and give you the dreaded 1X (40kbps) speed. Remember, PDAnet is just a data communication software for your phone and computer.
Actually, only the cards are limited to 5GB before any changes happen (which with the cards it’s charging by the MB). When using your cell phone, there is no limit and they don’t downgrade you to 1X. I’ve been using my cell for a while now “tethered” and have went waaaaay over my 5GB and still hitting the good ol 3G speeds. I’m pretty sure they don’t cap the cell phones because if you are using them the way they are ment to be used, they are very difficult to even come close to 5GB.
A Verizon tech told me today that they do not charge a “connect fee” for the Palm Pre Plus which has wifi hotspot capability (up to 5 devices). This is because there is a special discount (temporarily) for that phone giving free lifetime “no charge” for use of the wifi. Asked why, they said “to encourage the use of wifi tethering”.
I asked if this discount would extend to the wifi hotspot in the Moto Droid X coming out next month. She said they wouldn’t know until the release date of 15 July 2010. Without the discount the charge would be $40/month. She said “normal” hardwired USB tethering is $30/month, but wifi tethering is $40/month – in addition to the $30/month 5GB data usage/month.
Does anyone know if Verizon can detect the usage of of wifi tethering on a hotspot enabled phone? If so, could I set up wifi tethcring via a rooted Droid X with ROM changes without them detecting it?
Thanks.
This was misleading, but never the less. It works great! I am still thinking of getting the Droid X and get it rooted.
The Droid X also sucks on balls. Go ahead and buy one and enjoy it for 2 months, let the “newness ” wear off, and you’ll say its a piece of crap. Cell phones are so stupid! We love them but we don’t. Its like a rich mans hobby we want it so bad, then we get it and its like eh!
Do you wipe with corn cobs? Tell your mom hi for me.
I dont wipe.
Why is it legal for cellular companies to charge you twice for the same connection just because you’re tethering to a PC? 15 years ago you could use your 56K modem on your telephone line to get on the Internet. What makes 3G any different that they can charge you extra for tethering your PC to your phone when the smartphone uses the connection for Internet anyways?
The old excuse goes that a PC would use more bandwidth doesn’t make sense when they can throttle your speed anyways. Heck we might even get closer to the advertised “up to” speed we pay for if we could use the PC through the phone.
Well here it is august, and if you want flash 10.1 you have to install 2.2, and if you do that tethering is blocked, so beware, because this tehtering isn’t supposed to be possible with 2.2, with out the payment, and hotspot is canceled for my phone, they lied on 2 of 4 points.
I searched “hotspot” for Droid and ended up on this page. I saw the Droid wi-fi connection display and thought I would check mine as I have no checked it since getting my FRG22D upgrade. Low and behold 6 boxes down is “tethering”. Share your phone’s mobile data connection via USB.
Original stock Droid shipped with 2.1, upgraded to 2.2 FRG018b and then FRG22D and Flash 10.1 I used to use my MotoQ to run my laptop on the road and now will use my Droid. Better than the “unsecured” weak wi-fi found at most hotels and motels Cheers
Here it is August. Verizon installed 2.2- no flash. Tethering is not blocked. But you still have to have a USB cord to do it. Horse shit. The biggest disappointment I think besides the wifi hotspot is the YouTube app. Total piece of aids infested piece of shit.
YouTube app sucks dog sperm
You can create a mobile hotspot on the Droid 2 or Droid X (allowing multiple devices to connect to the phone’s internet connection) without paying the $20/month charge, which is totally ridiculous. All you have to do is root your Droid 2 and install “Mobile Hotspot for Root Users” from the Android Market. It’s easy and works great, and there is no way for Verizon to know that you are doing it.
@nobody precisely…there is no app in the android market call mobile hotspot for root users
the app is called “wireless tether for root”. i curently use it and can say it works.
Think green how do I root my Droid
I have rooted and have wireless tether for root, laptop sees it but will not connect. Is there something I have to download to the computer? I am lost
well i have the tether..and it seems to work fine. But to get the wireless one for the droid eris would be great. Does anyone know how to do that?
Ouch. Not to be a snit, I am unable to get my xp laptop online to download even a simple .inf file to allow tethering (inet). I can access the droids tether to access the chip, not internet. The phone is not mine so cannot dload just anything I want. I am not in a place to use my laptop with wifi, it has the capability tho no nearby access. I need to make the droid be a hotspot so I can dload “tether.inf” to my laptop so I may then use the droid as a tether. Any help? Please???
“I need to make the droid be a hotspot so I can dload “tether.inf” to my laptop so I may then use the droid as a tether.”
“I can access the droids tether to access the chip”
Really?…I’m sure you’ve figured this out by now, but have you thought about
(step 1)downloading the file you need to your droid’s “CHIP!!!” (since the droid connects to the internet and all).
(step 2) Move the file from droid to laptop. (since the laptop connects to the droid and all).
(step 3) Install the file.
(step 4) Connect to internet.
I do use rooted droidx wifi software with a 30 dollar “unlimited” plan. When I used video or audio the wifi software shows the megabyte bandwidth go by faster than a gasoline gauge.
Verizon still tracks the bandwidth usage so they do have a way to track it. I only use IRC chat and a browser for surfing. Friends are using PDAnet and watching movies all week. They are running up 3 and 4 gigs of bandwidth usage and ruining this for the rest of us.
Verizon is’nt stupid and I am waiting for the other shoe to drop. I am grateful I only have the one year contract.
earlwallace
Thank you for your post, I have a fitness expo to run in a few weeks and need mobile access. Your instructions are easy to follow and understand.
Droid has been my effin phone for two years now, and its taken this long for it to be updated to run correctly and guess what? Still no 3g or wifi hotspot without rooting, after my new every two expires fuc/ android I’m getting an iphone. or anything but motorola.
I agree. Laws and rules that wind up restricting everyone result from the abuses of a few people who refuse to manage themselves.
Am I getting charged for this using Easy tether or by using my bluetooth to connect to the internet please help me