How to connect a mobile phone as a modem. How to use your phone as a modem for a computer

How to connect a mobile phone as a modem. How to use your phone as a modem for a computer

19.03.2021

Mobile technologies do not stand still, gadgets become obsolete, and the needs of network users for fast data exchange are growing. What to do if the phone does not support modern communication standards? Buy a new one or put up with lagging behind progress? It turns out that through a portable communication device, you can access the network not only from a computer. Consider how to connect a USB modem to an Android smartphone.

The task is not as simple as it seems at first glance. The following errors may occur:

  1. There is no "Mobile networks" item in the settings of the Android device. You need to look for other firmware versions, otherwise you will not be able to connect the modem.
  2. Not enough food. As an option - use with a fully charged battery, buy a better cable or USB-hub with external power.

Necessary equipment

Is it possible to connect a modem to the phone without buying additional equipment? Only if the device has a USB port. This is more typical for tablets. In other cases, you will have to purchase an adapter from USB to your phone's connector. And it should not be an ordinary cable, but an OTG so-called host adapter. It is designed specifically for external devices, and not just pairing a mobile phone with a computer.

You also need to purchase the USB modem itself, which consists of a communication module (3G or faster 4G) and a flash drive where the connection settings are recorded.

Modem setup

Before we tell you how to connect a USB modem to your phone, let's figure out how to configure the modem mode itself. If this is not done, then it will be recognized by the Android system simply as a carrier of information.

For Huawei and ZTE phones, the task is easier, a special software. It is enough to run it and put the necessary checkmark. For all other phones, do the following:


The pre-configuration is completed, now let's move on to how to connect to Android phone 3G modem.

IMPORTANT. If you want to use the device on a computer, then the changed settings must be returned back. Repeat all the instructions, but enter the following command in the terminal: AT^U2DIAG=255.

Smartphone setup

After preliminary preparation, you can proceed to setting up your Android smartphone.


If all the points are completed successfully, then it was possible to connect the modem to the smartphone. However, mobile device manufacturers are not happy with the situation when, instead of buying a more expensive and modern gadget, a potential consumer finds how to reconfigure a 3G modem so that it can be connected to an Android phone. And it creates software obstacles for this, artificial restriction of access.

To get around these restrictions, you need to get root rights on the system. Almost the same as administrator rights in Windows. The presence of such rights allows you to change or delete system files devices. To install root, download special application and follow the instructions to set it up.

IMPORTANT. Getting root rights often threatens to void the warranty of the smartphone manufacturer. Think carefully before you decide on such manipulations with your gadget.

Here, perhaps, are all the nuances of how to connect a USB modem to a phone, set it up for correct work using special software.

If you intend to leave the city for a short time to the country, while you are going to take a laptop with you to work or watch movies, then you should definitely take care of connecting to the Internet. Without a doubt, mobile operators offer many ways to surf the Internet from any access point, but for this you need to purchase a special device, a separate SIM card, register at the office and much more - do we need this? Of course not!

Thus, it is much more profitable and more convenient to use the capabilities of the phone, unless, of course, you have a push-button phone, but a device under Android control or iOS. If so, then continue reading the article, today we will talk in detail about how to use the phone as a modem for a computer via USB, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

Phone as a modem for a computer - is it possible?

In fact, there is nothing difficult in implementing a phone as a modem for a computer. Most mobile devices running Android and iOS provide the ability to convert your phone into a modem (via USB connection, as well as through a Wi-Fi hotspot and Bluetooth connection).

Again, this depends on your computer, if it is a desktop computer, then the phone will need to be connected via a USB cable to activate the modem function. In the event that you have a laptop, then the most in a simple way Internet connection will be the activation of the Wi-Fi hotspot on the phone. In words, everything seems quite easy and simple, but in reality it requires some skills in working with phone settings and a desktop computer or laptop.

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

For many users, the idea of ​​using the phone as a modem may seem awkward and silly. However, to date, mobile devices provide three ways "give out" the Internet:

  • By connecting the phone via USB cable to a desktop computer or laptop.
  • By creating a Wi-Fi hotspot.
  • Through Bluetooth connection between computer and mobile phone.

Phone as a modem via USB cable

If you need to connect to the Internet on desktop computer, then use this particular method, as it is the simplest and most convenient. In addition, desktop computers do not come standard with an adapter that allows you to connect to Wi-Fi wireless access points, and connecting to the Internet via a Bluetooth connection is also not possible due to the lack of a Bluetooth adapter.

  • "Settings".
  • "Modem and hotspot" and then click on it.

  • In a new window, you should look for the item "USB modem"

  • Now wait until the connection between the computer and the mobile phone via the USB cable takes place.

  • As a result of connecting the phone with a USB cable and activating the USB tethering function on the mobile device, you will see that an Internet connection has been made. Now you can safely use the Internet!

Phone as a modem via Wi-Fi hotspot

This method is the most modern and convenient. The only disadvantage of this method is that it is mainly suitable for laptops and netbooks, since a Wi-Fi adapter is rarely found on stationary computers.

However, if your device is suitable for this method, then proceed with the instructions for its implementation, since unlike the method of connecting the Internet to a computer from a phone via a USB cable or Blueotooth connection, using a Wi-Fi hotspot provides great opportunities both in terms of speed and versatility.

  • First of all, find and open the menu "Settings".
  • After that, you need to find the tab "Modem and hotspot" and then click on it.

  • Then it is very important to set up a Wi-Fi hotspot. To do this, click on the item "WLAN hotspot". Specify a name, security type, and password for the Wi-Fi hotspot, and then click the button "Save".

  • Now try to connect to a Wi-Fi hotspot. In the taskbar, click on the Wi-Fi antenna and click on your access point in the pop-up menu, and then click on the button "Connection".

  • After that, you will need to enter the password for the Wi-Fi access point, and then click on the button OK.

  • As a result of the connection, you will notice the appearance of white antennas in the taskbar, and you will also see in the status of current Internet connections - your device with the inscription "Internet access".

Phone as a modem via Bluetooth connection

This method is great only for laptops and netbooks, due to the fact that such gadgets have a built-in Bluetooth adapter. However, if your desktop computer has the ability to connect and synchronize with devices via Bluetooth, then feel free to use this method!

  • In our example we used mobile phone Meizu MX6, however, on any other Android device, the steps will be similar. Let's move on to the instructions.
  • Connect your mobile phone with a USB cable to your computer, and then search for and open "Settings".
  • After that, you need to find the tab "Modem and hotspot" and then click on it.

  • In a new window, you need to find the item "Bluetooth modem", then activate this item by simply moving the slider to the right.

  • Now open Bluetooth settings on your computer. To do this, click on the menu "Start", click on the item "All programs".

  • Then find a folder called "Bluetooth Kit", left-click on the folder, then open the application "Bluetooth Kit".

  • You will see a new window with Bluetooth devices, but in our case, you need to click on the button "Adding a device".

  • A new window will search for Bluetooth devices, find your device and click on it.

  • After that, a request will be made to connect the computer to the mobile phone. Both the computer and the phone will need to accept this request. Click on the button "Further" on a computer, and on a mobile device, click on the button in the pop-up window "To plug".

  • When the computer and mobile phone are successfully connected via Bluetooth, a window will appear. In the left part of this window, you need to click on the inscription "Show Bluetooth Devices".

  • Then a window with Bluetooth devices will appear, find your device, and then right-click on it, select "Connect via" and then click on the button "Access point".

  • As a result, you will see that your computer or laptop has been successfully connected to the Internet. Now you can enjoy Internet access!

Thanks to new technologies, smartphone owners can use them as real modems. This suggests that you can connect your smartphone to a PC and then connect this computer to the mobile Internet. To do this, the device is set to modem mode, which gives the right to connect to the global connection.

Phone as a hotspot

The mode described above are special settings that are activated when this option is enabled. This makes it possible to use the smartphone as a mobile 3G modem. Of course, a modern gadget can play a role without any problems. WiFi hotspots, but it happens that this option is not entirely suitable. So how does it happen android setup smartphone into tethering mode?

Connection modes

At the very beginning, you need to figure out what a modem is. This is a device that makes it possible to connect to a local or other network. It's worth saying that mobile device can work as a modem in several modes:
  1. Across USB port.
  2. Via Bluetooth connection.
This suggests that you can connect your smartphone via wire or over the air. Each of these methods has its pros and cons. For example, wireless mode has hard limits in terms of speed. Depending on the type of Bluetooth, the speed will "hang" in the range from 720 kbps to 3 Mbps. At the same time, the USB method, although it is more fast way, but severely restricts free movement.

Smartphone as a Bluetooth modem

As you can understand, this function works on a similar principle as a Wi-Fi access point. To enable Bluetooth tethering on your smartphone, follow these steps:
  1. Activate simultaneously on your laptop and smartphone. Scan available devices. This is done in the module settings. On the PC itself, look for the Bluetooth sign in the lower right corner of the monitor. Tap on it by calling "Properties", and find the "Open Settings" section.
  2. In the Settings section, check the box for Allow third-party devices to discover this computer.

  3. On your phone, go to the Bluetooth section and check the box "Allow discovery", or in the visibility settings.


  4. On the this step we need to pair the two devices. To do this, right-click on the Bluetooth icon on the PC again. In the menu shown, find the "Add device" item and click on it.

  5. After that, a window will pop up in which a complete list of available equipment will appear. Select your device and click on the "Next" button.

  6. The system will then generate an access code. It must match on a pair of paired devices. You only need to confirm the creation of the connection. To do this, click on the "OK" button, both on the smartphone and on the PC. Now the system itself will download and install the necessary drivers.


  7. Next turn on Mobile Internet or Wi-Fi on your smartphone.

  8. After that, you need to go to the phone settings and find the "Other networks" section, after which you should find "Tethering and access point".

  9. On older devices, you need to go to: "Device Settings" - " Wireless networks» - «Modem and hotspot». Here you just need to check the box in the "Bluetooth modem" section.


  10. Now let's move on to PC. Tap on the symbol again and look for the "Show Devices" item.

  11. The window will show all the devices paired with this PC (tablets, smartphones, etc.).

  12. Click on the desired device. You will need an item called "Connect via" and then select the "Access Point" category.

After all the steps, your computer will have access to the mobile Internet. The main thing here is to follow the correct sequence of manipulations. In this case, all steps will need to be performed once. In the future, you will not need to configure all systems, but only turn on the wireless communication module on your computer and smartphone, and perform manipulations from the third point. It must be remembered that this mode significantly reduces the operating time of your smartphone.

Connecting via USB cable

A USB/microUSB cable is always supplied with the smartphone. With it, you can connect your smartphone to a PC to transfer files, as well as to update the system and other work with the device. This cable can also be used to use your smartphone as a USB modem. To do this, connect the device to the PC via a USB cable. On the smartphone itself, you need to turn on the Internet. Next, go to the settings and find the "Other networks" section (on newer systems - the "More" section). Enter the "Modem and hotspot" menu. It remains only to check the box in the "USB modem" section.

As you can see, this option is much easier. At the same time, both in the past and in the present case, to access the Internet, you can use not only mobile, but also wifi network. It turns out that you can connect your computer to the network, which does not have a built-in wireless module. I must say that, unlike the initial version, when working with a USB cable, the smartphone's battery will be constantly charged, so you can surf the Internet for an unlimited amount of time. But with frequent use of the smartphone in this mode, the battery capacity will noticeably drop in two weeks.

The question of how to use the phone as a router or modem for a computer via USB is a logical continuation of many interesting ways to connect to the Internet, which we have long been analyzing on the pages of this blog. It is especially interesting to analyze the possibilities of mobile connections on Android - these days you have to go somewhere and move around all the time. Therefore, the less we are tied to our desktop, the greater the ability to be online at the exact moment when it is really needed.

How to make a modem from an Android phone?

From additional features there is an opportunity to limit the amount of traffic consumed through the Android mobile hotspot.

And turn off the wifi signal when the allowed limit is reached

Plus, you can further limit the number of connected devices, as well as blacklist unwanted users.

Today we have analyzed 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 indisputable advantage - mobility, especially since now everyone has mobile operators there are very attractive rates for unlimited internet. For a snack, the promised video about iPhone, about how to make a 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.

Thanks! Did not help

Modern phones are multifunctional devices capable of performing a huge number of tasks that users are not even aware of. One of the popular features is the use of a smartphone as a modem between the Internet and a computer, laptop, TV, etc. Next, we will tell you how to use your phone as a modem, describe the connection and settings process.

This type of data transfer is slower than via fiber optic cables. It will help out if the provider temporarily turned off the Internet, or you are in a region where there are problems with the Internet or it is not connected at all.

To begin with, we will analyze a few terms that will be used in the text, but the meaning of which is not known to everyone.

Modem- a device for pairing the signal with the place of its reception. Now you can turn almost any Android device into it.

router- a gadget designed to connect several tablets, laptops, smartphones, etc. to the network at the same time. Our mobile will act as a router when we turn it into a modem.

Access point- base for wireless connection to a new or existing WI-FI network.

Below we will look at all the available options on how to use the phone as a modem.

Option number 1. Creating a USB modem

This does not require any special devices, in just a couple of minutes the task will be completed. Let's look at two simple instructions.

First way

Do the following:

Be sure to enable data transfer so that the phone can distribute the Internet to the computer. You can do this through the menu. quick settings in a curtain.

Second way

In it you will come to the same result, but in a different way, shorter. It is suitable if you often transform your smartphone into a modem. To do this, follow the instructions:

  • plug the cord into the phone and the jack on the computer;
  • swipe the curtain down, find "USB tethering" in the quick settings menu (if it's not there, add it through the curtain icon list editing tool).

After that, a message will appear in the curtain stating that the connection has been established, and you will be prompted to configure the connection.

There is only one disadvantage of this method: the data transfer rate is limited by the USB speed. This is not so noticeable if you use 3G, but when you connect your phone to fourth generation networks, there will be losses.

Option number 2. Turn your phone into a WI-FI router

This is convenient if you are in an area where there is no WI-FI and want to access the Internet through a tablet that does not have a SIM card. In this way, you can distribute Internet from your smartphone to a laptop, tablet and desktop PC if it has a Wi-Fi module. Follow these steps:

  • in the phone settings, click "More";
  • go to "Modem mode";
  • click on the menu "Point WI-FI access”And remember the name of the network, and most importantly, the password that you will have to enter from the device (this way you can broadcast the network even for a TV).

For convenience, network data configuration is provided, where you can:

  • change the password so that it is more convenient to enter it in the future;
  • change protection, but we do not recommend choosing something instead of WPA2 PSK - it provides the highest security;
  • change the name of the network;
  • adjust the number of people who can use the Internet at the same time;
  • restore factory settings.

V Play market there are plenty of apps that replace stock services, but you won't get much improvement using them, as the built-in features offer settings that will satisfy most users.

Option number 3. Connecting devices via Bluetooth

This tool still does its job perfectly. With the help of the "blue tooth" it is possible to connect a laptop and a phone, after which you can use your smartphone as a Bluetooth modem. It's very easy to do this:

  • find out if the Bluetooth module is built into the PC or laptop, if not, you can resort to using an external adapter;
  • open the "Settings" of the mobile, activate the "sinezub";
  • find your computer in the list of devices and select it to pair.

After these three steps, the phone became a Bluetooth modem. The same can be done in the opposite direction, that is, from a PC to a mobile device. For this:

Video on how to connect your phone as a modem

We have analyzed the popular methods of turning a phone into a modem in order to distribute mobile Internet for a computer and other devices. The most optimal and multifunctional is the “Access Point”, because there is no speed limit, Wi-Fi has decent stability, and several devices can be connected to a smartphone at once without wires. But what use of a mobile phone as a modem to choose is up to you.

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