How to turn on the modem on Android. Using an Android phone as a modem. A universal method: how to connect a laptop or computer to the mobile Internet of a smartphone

To access mobile internet It is common to use 3G or 4G modems from various telecom operators. On the one hand, this is very convenient, but on the other hand, the modem sticking out of the laptop is easy to break, along with the USB port itself. The problem is solved with mobile phones, replacing modems and allowing you to access the Internet. How to use your phone as a modem?

There are three ways to connect your phone in this mode:

  • By cable;
  • Via Bluetooth;
  • Via Wi-Fi.

Let's see what this looks like in practice.

Connection via cable

In order to use the phone as a modem, we can connect it to the computer using a suitable cable. Next, drivers are installed into the system - they are available for download on the manufacturers’ official websites. During the installation of drivers, a modem should appear in the list of devices, which is a mobile phone. After this you need to do the following:

  • Write the initialization string;
  • Create a connection;
  • Place the shortcut on your desktop and connect to the network.

Next, go to “Control Panel – Phone and Modem”. The window that opens will require you to specify the city code and dialing type. Enter your city code here, although we won’t need it, and check the “Tone dialing” box - after that you will be taken to the next window, in which we select the “Modems” tab. On this tab you will see the modem (aka mobile phone) previously installed in the system. Next, we need to write the modem initialization line, for which we call the context menu by clicking right click via the selected modem.

After that, select the “Properties” item and go to the “ Extra options connections." Here we specify the initialization string AT+CGDCONT=1,"IP","access_point". For example, for the telecom operator MTS the line will look like AT+CGDCONT=1,"IP","mts".

You can find out the access point for your telecom operator on the website of the corresponding operator or on our website using the search.

After this, we proceed to create a connection - go to “Control Panel - Network and Sharing Center” shared access– Creating and configuring a new network connection.” Select “Internet Connection”, select a modem and enter the connection parameters:

  • Name – any;
  • Phone number - *99#;
  • Username – mts;
  • Password – mts.

After saving the parameters, you can start testing the connection. Using the phone as a modem for a computer via USB, we provide not only Internet access, but also battery charging.

The username and password depend on the operator used. For some mobile phones the dial-in number may be different, for example *99***1#. For detailed help, please visit your operator's website, in the help section.

But that’s not all - in smartphones of recent years it is possible to activate the “USB modem” function, which works without additional settings. Connect the device to the PC with a cable, activate the function - after a few seconds the computer will be connected to the Internet.

Connection via Bluetooth

A wired connection is inconvenient because there is a wire that gets in the way. And since almost every phone has Bluetooth, we can set up a connection through it. We turn on the modules on the phone and computer, connect, and wait for the drivers to be installed. Next, we configure the modem that appears in the system and create a connection- all by analogy with the above scheme.

The disadvantage of this method is the need for a Bluetooth module on the computer or laptop - most often they are not there. If there is no module, you can buy it separately by choosing a small-sized model. Another disadvantage will be the rapid discharge of the battery during intensive data transfer.

Connection via Wi-FI

Using the phone as a modem, connected via USB or Bluetooth, we are faced with the difficulty of setting up the connection. Even if there is step by step instructions Not all users will be able to cope with this task. Therefore, we will look at the process of connecting via Wi-Fi − This feature is present in almost all modern smartphones.

To do this you need to do the following:

  • Disable Wi-Fi on your phone and activate the mobile Internet connection;
  • Go to your phone settings and activate the access point;
  • Turn on Wi-Fi on your laptop/computer and find an access point;
  • Enter the password for the access point and wait for connection.

There is no need to configure anything here, which is already a big plus. If your smartphone does not have the ability to create an access point, try to use third party programs – they can be downloaded from the app store for your mobile platform.

This connection method has two disadvantages. The first disadvantage is fast discharge battery, and the second is the lack of Wi-FI modules in most desktop PCs (must be purchased separately).

There are several ways to connect your smartphone and other devices to access the network: using a USB cable, via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

Wi-Fi hotspot

This is one of the simplest in setting up Internet distribution options from an Android device. It consists of using a smartphone as a wireless router, which can be useful if you need to connect several devices to the Internet at once, maximum amount connected devices is ten.

To switch your smartphone to modem mode, you need to activate this function in the phone settings. Find the item in the settings, then mobile hotspot and activate it.


Here you can see the name of your access point and the password that will need to be entered in the connecting device, The password can be changed if desired.

On a device that needs the Internet, look for a point Wi-Fi access by device name, enter the password and connect.

On a smartphone that distributes the Internet, we can see the number of connected devices.

If the other device does not connect to the network, check that you are entering the password correctly.

Advantages: no need to install drivers or use a wire; the Internet can be distributed to 10 devices at the same time.
Flaws: The connection speed is slower than when connecting via a USB cable and depends on the distance between devices; the device will discharge quickly.

Connection via USB cable

The device must be connected to the computer using a cable. The operating system will begin installing drivers if they have not been installed previously. Then open the settings on the phone and select the modem mode and activate the item USB modem.

When the feature is enabled, one of the icons will appear in the quick settings panel of the phone (either the usb icon, which means that the connection is established, or a dot in a circle, which means several connected devices). The network connection icon will also appear in the notification panel of the computer. Once the connection is complete, you can start using the Internet.

It is best to establish this connection using the original cable with which the smartphone was sold. This will provide you with a quality connection.

Advantages: the phone is recharged from a laptop or computer, the connection speed is higher than when connected via Wi-Fi.
Flaws: When using a non-original cable, the connection speed may decrease; only one computer uses the Internet at a time.

Connection via Bluetooth

If you want to use your phone as a Bluetooth modem, you first need to add the device (pair) in Windows. Bluetooth, of course, must be turned on both on the smartphone and on the computer or laptop.
Right-click the Bluetooth icon in the notification area and select “Add a Bluetooth device.”

Then create a pair. It will appear on the screen of your phone and computer secret code, if it matches you need to confirm, then the devices will connect via Bluetooth.



After the pair has been successfully created, you need to connect to the Internet via your smartphone's hotspot. To do this, go to the “devices and printers” menu on the computer, find the iPhone we need there, right-click and connect.

An icon indicating a connection will appear at the top on the phone, and the same on the computer in the bottom panel.


Need to know that while the Internet is being distributed, the phone remains connected and has the ability to receive SMS messages and incoming calls. During a conversation, the Internet connection is interrupted and automatically restored after it ends.
Working in modem mode, the device is much more discharges faster, so after finishing work you need to turn off the “Modem Mode” function, and you are you giving away yours? mobile traffic , don’t overdo it, unless you have unlimited internet, of course. Tariffing is carried out based on the amount of information downloaded and transmitted, which will quickly bring your balance to zero.

If on a computer errors occur, contact the Windows operating system developer (Microsoft) or your computer manufacturer for assistance.
If the network connection icon appears, but the Internet does not work, check the mobile Internet settings on your smartphone. Don't forget to check your SIM card balance and network signal strength.
If the setting is correct, but the Internet does not work, restart your smartphone and computer and try again.

Enjoy your use.

In modern realities, access to the Internet is necessary for most users even more than, say, a mug of water. After all, we all communicate in in social networks, we constantly post photos taken a few minutes ago, watch movies if we’re bored, for example, in class. But what to do if you need to access the Internet from a computer, but, unfortunately, there is no modem or the provider is carrying out some engineering works? Or, in fact, you are somewhere outside the city with a laptop and you urgently need to talk on Skype.

In this case, you can connect your phone and use it as an external modem. In this material we will describe in detail how to connect Android as a modem in various ways.

The instructions are, in principle, suitable for most Android versions, however, menu items and some tabs may have different names.

How to use Android as a modem via USB

If you have a USB cable from your phone with you, you can connect it to your computer and use it as an external modem.

  1. To do this, first go to the settings of your device and select the “Other networks” tab.
  2. Go to "Modem and Access Point". The system will notify you that you need to connect the device to the computer.
  3. Take a USB cable and connect your smartphone to your computer.
  4. As soon as the device is connected, the active “USB modem” tab will appear on the screen. Click on it to enable your smartphone to activate modem mode.
  5. Now you can open your browser and check that the Internet is working correctly.

How to use Android as a modem over Wi-Fi

One of the most useful and truly necessary options in the Android operating system is the distribution of the Internet via a Wi-Fi access point. The idea is that your phone acts as a Wi-Fi hotspot, and other devices can connect to it and use the Internet to access the network. All technologies are supported, both 3G and 4G.

  1. To set up traffic distribution via Wi-Fi, you will need to go to “Settings” on your device, select the “Other networks” menu item and go to the “Modem and access point” tab.
  2. Here you need to create new point access by setting parameters for it: point name, security level, password, etc. Once you fill in all the data, save the point and turn on Wi-Fi.
  3. Now, to connect to your point, you need to activate Wi-Fi from a computer or other device, find an access point and enter a password. Remember that you specify the password yourself in the settings, and then give it to the person who will connect to your device.

Setting up the EasyTether Lite program to operate the modem on Android

If you have difficulties connecting the device using the methods described above, then use the EasyTether Lite program, which allows you to turn any smartphone into a full-fledged modem for accessing the Internet in a matter of minutes.

  1. And so, you need to download the EasyTether Lite program to your device specifically for Android, and a separate version to your personal computer.
  2. Once the programs are installed, take the USB cable and connect your smartphone to the computer. The system will require the installation of additional drivers. Be sure to install them for correct and stable operation of the application.
  3. Now enable USB debugging mode on your device. To do this, you will need to go to “Settings”, select the “Applications” tab, then click on the “Development” and “USB Debugging” menu item.
  4. On your computer, find the EasyTether Lite shortcut and right-click on it. In the appeared context menu select Connect Via Android.
  5. In just a few seconds, your device will be activated and you will be able to access the Internet from your computer.

How to use a Samsung phone as a modem

If you have an Android smartphone from Samsung, then you can use another method. As a rule, Samsung devices also come with a CD containing the Samsung Kies program.

  1. If Kies app is missing, then download it from the company’s official website and install it on your computer.
  2. Once the program is installed, go to your Android settings and disable the “USB storage” option.
  3. Next, connect the device using a USB cable and install the driver, if necessary. As a rule, in Windows 7 and higher, the system automatically installs the required driver for connected devices.
  4. Now go to the “Settings” of your device and select the “ Wireless network" Next, click the “Modem and access point” menu item and check the boxes next to the “USB modem” and Mobile AP items.
  5. Now on personal computer go to the “Control Panel” and click on the “Connection” item. Here you will need to display everything network connections, and find your device. If it is in the list, it means the device is connected and working correctly. Now you can access the Internet via your computer.

Possible connection problems

Statistics show that very often novice users encounter big amount problems, even if they already know how to connect their Android as a modem on a laptop, personal computer or any other device.

Below we have listed the main list possible problems and their solution:

  1. No access to 3G, 4G network– you cannot connect and use the device as a modem, because there is no access to 3G, 4G wireless technologies. The solution is to move to another place in an open area, check the correct operation wireless technology, contact the operator cellular communication(perhaps you have restrictions on the transmission and reception of data over the Internet).
  2. The device does not connect via USB– the computer does not see the phone, cannot use it as a modem, and does not install drivers. The solution is to check your PC for viruses and latest updates Windows, try using a different one USB port for connecting the cable, in manual mode install drivers for your smartphone by downloading them from the manufacturer’s official website or CD, if one was included.

If you have any other problems when connecting your device to a computer or using your smartphone as a modem, leave a comment with detailed description problems, and our specialists will help you as soon as possible.

The question of how to use your phone as a modem for a computer via USB is a logical continuation of many interesting ways to connect to the Internet, which we have been discussing for a long time on the pages of this blog. The possibilities of modern technology are so wide that there are practically no limits to imagination. It’s especially fun to explore the possibilities mobile connections- these days we always have to go somewhere, move around, so the less tied we are to our desktop, the more ability we have to be online at the exact moment when we really need it.

How to make a modem from a phone?

Pro, connected via laptop usb I already wrote. However, not everyone has the opportunity to connect such a device exactly when it is absolutely necessary - they forgot to take it with them, ran out of money, forgot it, didn’t buy it, or simply your gadget does not have a USB connector. Today I will show you a way to access the network from any device and from anywhere - we will use the phone as a modem for a laptop and any other gadget. Yes, yes, the most ordinary phone or smartphone with a working SIM card, which will become a wired modem for us or wifi router.

To use your phone as a modem, you will need to make some settings on your computer, which can be a little difficult for a beginner. Therefore, the easiest way is to use it as a router that distributes wifi. Moreover, in this mode it can work both on Android and iOS, which is widespread today. By the way, the iPhone already has a built-in function to connect the phone as a modem and distribute the Internet from it. We are talking specifically about devices (it can be not just a phone, but a smartphone or even a tablet) with support for SIM cards, and therefore GPRS/3G/4G communications.

But it also happens that a laptop, and especially a desktop PC, does not have a built-in or external wifi adapter. It is in this case that the function of connecting your phone as a modem via USB cable.

How to use your phone as a modem for a laptop or computer?

Now let's take a closer look at these few schemes:

I don’t see the point in talking about the router mode here for a long time, since there are already two excellent articles that tell in great detail with pictures about its work on or - just read it and everything will work out.

Phone as a modem via Bluetooth

Now we will talk about another technology wireless transmission data, designed for shorter distances and less information - Bluetooth. It makes sense to use it if you have a normal old phone(not even a smartphone) with any moderately outdated mobile operating system, such as Symbian or Windows Mobile, with support for Bluetooth and Dial-Up Network technology, but, as was the case with models of previous years, there is no WiFi module. In this case, the Internet will be distributed to the one who receives this phone via SIM card from mobile operator.

For this method to work, a Bluetooth module must also be installed on the computer - it is usually built into modern laptops by default, so let’s look at how this is done on Windows system 7.


Before starting work, make sure that the Bluetooth adapter on your computer or laptop is turned on and in good condition.

First of all, we need to activate the tethering function on the phone. To do this, in the “Settings” section we find the “Wireless networks - More” section and activate the “Bluetooth modem” mode.

After this, you will need to add your phone to your computer as a modem. Go to the “Control Panel”, set the menu to display in the form of icons and find the “Devices and Printers” item and in the new window click on “Add a device”.

It will begin searching for devices available in this moment to connect via Bluetooth. When your phone is detected, click on the icon. A new window will open with an 8-digit code. It must be entered on the phone for pairing.


After adding the phone, wait until the drivers are installed.

When this process is completed successfully, the Internet will work on the computer.

Android phone as a modem via USB cable

If in the previous block we were talking about distribution by Internet WiFi, now let’s talk about the possibilities of using your phone as a modem via a USB cable in case your computer does not support wireless data transfer. Moreover, it can distribute both the Internet received by a mobile phone via WiFi, and from a cellular operator via 3G/4G.


In my example everything will happen on Xiaomi smartphone in the MIUI 9 firmware, but in bare Android this is done in exactly the same way - only the name and location of menu items can be changed. We connect the phone to the computer via a USB cable and go to its settings in the “Additional functions” section

Turn on the USB modem

At this time, a window will pop up on the computer in which we will be asked to allow access to its resources for the phone - this is not necessary, but can be confirmed.

After this, if necessary, drivers will be installed on the smartphone and the Internet will work. This will be confirmed by a new connection, which can be seen in “Network and Sharing Center - Changing adapter settings”

Today we have looked at different options for connecting your phone as a Bluetooth or USB modem, which are suitable for absolutely different devices, but in which there is one undeniable advantage- mobility, especially since now everyone has mobile operators there are very attractive rates for unlimited internet. For starters, the promised video about the iPhone, about how to make the phone a modem by connecting it to USB computers cable, as well as a detailed lesson on how to access the Internet in various ways from a tablet.

Instructions for using the Internet from an Android phone to a computer via USB are given in order of increasing complexity of application. So we advise you to start understanding this issue in the order in which they are located.

Instructions for Android phones and other devices that support USB modem mode

Suitable for official firmware phones from Samsung, LG, HTC, Sony, Huawei, as well as for Cyanоgenmod and MIUI firmware. You can also check the functionality of this instruction on your device, even if it does not meet the above criteria.

Path to settings for different models phones

Phone manufacturer

Settings

Samsung Settings / Network / Modem and access point / USB tethering
NTS Settings / Wireless network / Modem mode we find / USB modem
CyanogenMod Settings / Wireless network / Tethering mode / USB tethering
MIUI Settings / System / Modem mode / USB modem

After that, you can use the Internet from Android on your computer via USB.

A universal method: how to connect a laptop or computer to the mobile Internet of a smartphone

First, make sure that the first option does not suit you. In this case, you need to use the PdaNet program. First, install the phone drivers on your PC, and also make sure that all firewalls installed on the phone are turned off.


The classic way for a PC: connect using a USB modem

The classic option for connecting to a network is the already described method of using a USB modem, but with manually specifying the settings on the computer.

Phone setup:

Disable all installed firewalls. Go to settings / Wireless networks / Modem mode and turn on the USB modem. Next, turn on the Internet, install drivers for the phone on the computer, and connect to the computer via USB.