How to connect a laptop to the Internet via phone

Prices for mobile Internet in 3G and 4G networks have almost come down to earth from sky-high heights and will soon be expected to equal the cost of traditional cable communications. And then, you see, they will completely supplant it, because using the Internet, which you always have with you (in your cell phone), is much more convenient than being tied to its stationary source.

Switching from landline Internet to 3G/4G is a matter of a couple of minutes. It is enough to have an agreement with a cellular operator (access to the global web is included in almost any tariff plan today) and a certain amount on your balance. Well, the mobile phone itself, which will be the connection point.

Let's talk about how to connect the Internet to a computer using an Android smartphone as a modem.

Connecting a laptop via a smartphone on Android 8

You can distribute the Internet to other devices via Wi-Fi. In this case, you can use it even from another phone. In addition, Android 8 has the function of distributing via Bluetooth and a USB cable. This option is suitable for owners of desktop computers or laptops without Wi-Fi modules.

However, before doing this, you should familiarize yourself with the more detailed terms of the tariff plan. Some starter packages have restrictions, due to which traffic may be pumped beyond the limit. Therefore, additional charges will apply.

In addition, on version 8 of Android you can activate the modem function. In this case, the signal is transmitted using a USB cable. The advantages of this method: long operating time, stable connection, high speed. The device will also charge if it has a low battery level.

Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspot

On most phones with version 8 of Android installed, the connection algorithm is the same. The main sections may have different names. It all depends on the shell that is installed on the device. How to distribute Wi-Fi on Android 8:

Open the top curtain and activate data transfer. This can also be done in the settings. On Samsung, just hold down the power button, after which the necessary function will appear.
Go to phone settings. There, open the “Connections” section.
Next, find the item “Access point and modem”. In the menu that appears, enable Wi-Fi distribution. This item will be called “Mobile Hotspot”. Then the message “Enabled” will appear.

The smartphone has settings that are set by default. This is the name and password for the network. The user can change this data. Also in the mobile hotspot section, devices connected to the smartphone are displayed. The password must be at least 8 characters long.

To stop distributing Wi-Fi, you should toggle the switch next to the “Mobile hotspot” section. However, the Internet itself on the smartphone will remain active. It can be turned off by pulling the top curtain. There will be a “Data transfer” item that needs to be deactivated.

Mobile hotspot via USB modem

If the user requires a cable connection, then other functions must be enabled. To do this, open the “Access Points” section and check the box next to the “USB modem” section. However, before doing this, you should connect your phone to your computer using a cable.

After this, the device will automatically switch to the desired mode. The phone software will begin to install on your laptop. After which you will be able to access the Internet from your computer.

On some laptops, if there are problems with the drivers, it will be impossible to connect. To fix this error, you can download DPS software. It will allow you to find the missing drivers in the system. You can also find them manually. Just go to “Device Manager”. A checkmark with a yellow triangle will indicate that the drivers need to be updated.

Connect via USB

To connect the Internet to a computer, no matter what OS is installed on your smartphone, use a USB cable to connect the turned on phone to the PC/laptop. With the correct settings of the mobile phone, after installing the drivers, the operating system itself identifies it as a modem.

Android

In the settings menu, select the “More” tab.
Go to the “Modem Mode” subcategory.
In the “USB modem” item, drag the slider to the active position.
After this, the settings for connecting the gadget to the computer will indicate that it is connected as a modem.

iOS

Apple products connect via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or USB cable in the same way. The only difference will be in the last action. With this type of connection, your smart device will consume a minimal amount of energy.

After activating the modem mode, the operating system will offer you a connection method.
You should select the one you need from it.
In this case it is a USB cable.

Just remember to turn off tethering mode when you're not using it, as your phone will waste energy searching for paired devices.

Windows Phone

On devices with Windows Phone OS there is no function of using it as a USB modem. But you can connect it in any other way: by creating an access point and joining via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

PC/laptop setup

To connect to the telephone Internet via a computer in Windows OS, you first need to install drivers on your phone. They can be included on the disk that came with the gadget. If the disk was not available, the software can be downloaded on the Internet from the manufacturer’s website.

As in the previous method, all connection settings are made through the “Network and Sharing Center”.
Go to the “Local Area Network Connection” subsection.
As in the previous method, we check that the automatic parameters are configured correctly.

To connect an Android smartphone to a MacBook, you need to download the driver and install it. To do this, simply follow the instructions on the screen. If everything is configured correctly, your gadget will see the modem and connect to the network.

How to transfer Internet to a laptop via a smartphone on Android 7 and lower

On such devices it is easier to connect to the network using a USB cable. It comes with most modern gadgets. This is a very simple and fast way. Also, the smartphone will still be charging. To do this you need:

Check that Internet access is active on your phone. This information is displayed at the top of the work panel.
Open your smartphone settings. On newer versions of Android, click on the “More” tab. On others, scroll down and go to the special “Wireless Networks” menu.
Find the tab labeled “Modem”.
The function must be activated.

After this, the Internet will appear on the laptop automatically. In some cases, you will need to wait for the software to install. After which you can start using the Internet.

Also, some older versions of the Android platform have a Wi-Fi sharing feature. You need to check your connection to the Internet itself. Then go to settings and open the “Network” section. In it, go to the “Modem” tab. After that, click “Activate access points”. Next, come up with a name and password for the created network.

We distribute WiFi from the phone to the computer

If you don’t have a USB cable or router at hand and your PC has a WI-FI module, then you can use your smartphone as a router. You just need to configure it correctly and connect your computer to the created access point. The main thing is not to forget to set a strong password so that attackers do not hack your network (it is advisable to change it regularly).

Setting up the phone

To use your smartphone as a router, you must:

First of all, turn on data transfer on your phone.
Open the settings in the device, and then select “More...” or “Modem and access point” (the name depends on the system version and model of the mobile device).
Next, select the “Modem Mode” tab from the list provided.
Then move the slider next to “Access Point” to the active position.
Then it is best to configure the wireless connection settings. To do this, click on the “Access Point” tab. Then select the line “Setting up a Wi-Fi access point” in the proposed list, then specify the appropriate network name, the optimal type of wireless network security and a strong password for it.

At this point, the setup of the smartphone can be considered complete, after which you can connect a PC to it to access the global network.

On different versions of Android OS, the sequence of actions and the names of menu items may differ slightly, but in general, these instructions are suitable for all devices.

Setting up the computer

To receive a Wi-Fi signal, the PC must be equipped with an internal or external Wi-Fi module. In addition, you need to install the appropriate driver for it. It is best to download software for the adapter from the official website of the equipment manufacturer. You can also use special software that automatically searches for missing drivers and updates outdated software to newer ones.

After connecting the device to the computer and installing the necessary software, you need to:

Click the network icon in the notification area on the notification panel, which is located in the lower right corner of the monitor.
Select the required Wi-Fi network to connect to, which was previously created on the phone.
Enter the password for the network if it is secure.
Next, the PC will connect to the wireless network, after which it will have access to the smartphone’s mobile Internet. Subsequently, it will automatically connect with it when the gadget is in sight.

Pros:

high data transfer speed;
You can move around your apartment or private house with your phone, the main thing is that it does not disappear from visibility;
quick setup;
Quite a long range.

Flaws:

rapid discharge of the device battery;
network hacking is possible;
drop in traffic speed when several devices are connected simultaneously.

When using a mobile phone as a PC modem, you need to install a higher-speed 3G or 4 G network type on it. You need to test which network mode has the highest speed, and then set it as a priority on your smartphone.

Android in MIUI shell

This firmware is available on all Xiaomi devices except the MiA1 phone. On the MIUI shell you can distribute the Internet at any speed. The speed of the created network will still be very high. The laptop will be able to watch videos, download files and use instant messengers. This can be done either without the use of various wires, or via the USB cable that comes with the kit.

Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspot

From each gadget on which the MIUI shell is installed, you can distribute the Internet. You don't have to use wires for this. Since Xiaomi has the ability to distribute Wi-Fi. To do this you need:

Open the gadget menu and go to “Options”.
Find an item with wireless networks where there is a “Access Points” section.
Set the switch to the active position.
Open “Wi-Fi Settings”, where you write the name and password.

After this, the wireless Internet will start working. In its settings you can set a traffic limit for a specific computer. It is also possible to add unwanted devices to the “emergency situation”.

Mobile hotspot via USB

This method should be used if the PC does not support wireless Internet technology. At the very beginning, the smartphone must be connected to the laptop. It is best to take the original cable from your smartphone. Since through it the speed will be higher. After this you need:

Go to the phone settings and open the “Advanced” item.
In the next menu, select “USB modem”.
A menu will appear on the computer where you need to click on “Local Area Connection”.
Click on “Activate” or “Enable”.

After this, the Internet will appear on the laptop. To make its speed higher, you can place the phone near the window.

We use Bluetooth

If the Wi-Fi module does not work on your phone or you don’t have a USB cable at hand, you can distribute the Internet from it to your PC via a Bluetooth channel. This method is suitable for a temporary connection, because it is not very pleasant to work with a slow Internet.

Setting up the phone

You must enable data transfer on your smartphone.
Then open the phone settings, and then select the line “Modem and access point” or “More...”.
Next, you need to sequentially click on the line “Modem mode” → “Bluetooth modem” and activate this function. To do this, you just need to check the box.
Then you need to enable “Gadget Detection” or “Visibility Timeout” (it is best to select without timeout) on the device. This will allow other devices to find it to pair with.

Setting up the computer

For normal operation of the Bluetooth module, you must install the appropriate driver on your PC. Most often, manufacturers complete them with disks with drivers and other useful software. The driver built into the operating system may also work. As a last resort, you can download it from the official website of the PC or Bluetooth board manufacturer.

After installing the necessary software, you need to pair your PC with your phone.

This requires:

Click the blue tooth icon in the notification panel.
Select “Add device” there.
Then select the desired gadget in the small window that appears.
Next, a window with a pairing code will appear on the PC and phone; you need to check it, and then click “Next”. This prevents unauthorized connection of other devices. After this, the phone will appear in the list of connected devices for quick connection.
To connect to a gadget, you need to find it in the list of connected devices, right-click on its icon and select “Connect via” → “Access Point” in the proposed menu. Then a successful connection message should appear on the display and the network icon in the notification area will become active.

If the pairing request comes from the phone, then additionally you need to enable “Detection” on the computer. To do this, click the “Bluetooth” icon in the tray, and then select the “Open settings” item. Next, check the box next to the “Allow devices to see this PC” option.

Pros:

the presence of the module on almost all phones.
You don’t need to keep your phone near your computer all the time.

Flaws:

low data transfer speed;
small range of action.

Attention! If older versions of Bluetooth are installed on your PC, the data transfer speed will be low, although it may be enough for simple surfing. For example, for communicating in instant messengers, browsing websites, working with mail, etc. To download large files, it is advisable to use a different type of connection.

Android in EMUI shell

This firmware is installed on most Huawei devices. From such devices, a person will be able to distribute the Internet over the air or use the phone as a regular modem. In the first case, other computers and even phones will be able to connect to it.

Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspot

Before you start setting up, you should activate the connection to the Internet itself. Then go to the parameters. Next, click on the “Advanced/More” link and open the “Modem Modes” section. A link will appear that says “Wi-Fi Access Points.” You need to start the distribution itself by pressing the switch. After which laptops or phones will be able to connect to the phone. You can also set your own name with a password.

Mobile hotspot via USB

This method should only be used on one PC. You will need the USB cable that came with your phone. First you need to connect to the Internet on the phone itself. Then connect the cord to your smartphone and computer. It should lie on the table so that the connection is not broken in the future.

Next go to your phone settings. Open the "Wireless Networks" menu. In this section, select “Modem mode” and activate the switch next to “USB modem”. Next, drivers will begin to be installed on the PC. After that, the Internet will automatically appear on the laptop.

When do you need to connect the Internet to your computer via Android?

Problems often arise with cable Internet, ADSL or USB modem. In addition, in many areas there is a complete lack of regular communications. In these cases, a mobile phone based on Android OS will come to your aid, with which you can distribute traffic to your PC in three ways.

This allows you to access various resources. For example, use government services, study or work remotely. In addition, the global web allows you to communicate daily with relatives who live in other cities or countries. Thanks to this, you can also expand your social circle. Internet access also allows you to update drivers, operating system and installed software, so your computer will work better. However, before connecting, you need to make sure that your tariff has enough traffic, since many of them provide packages of a certain volume. Therefore, it is advisable to have unlimited data, since big brother pumps a lot of information per day.

Internet distribution to a laptop with IOS

An iPhone can only connect to the Internet via Wi-Fi. This cannot be done via a USB cable; the operating system does not have such capabilities. It will be possible to distribute the Internet on all versions of iOS. Even on iPhone 4S. However, before doing this, you should activate data transfer.

Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspot

If the iPhone is distributing the Internet, its battery will quickly drain. In this case, it is better to connect it to a charger. After which you can start distributing Wi-Fi. To do this, the user needs to go to “Settings”. Next, go to the “Cellular” menu.

If the Internet is not activated, then you need to turn it on. Then click on the “Modem Mode” item. It will need to be activated. Additionally, the device will offer to activate Wi-Fi itself. After which you will be able to use the Internet. Users also have the opportunity to configure the access point, namely change the password. Then you can use the Internet from your laptop.

Internet distribution using third-party software

You can also distribute traffic from your phone using special software. It can be downloaded for free from Google Play. For example, you can use the utilities FoxFi, NetShare and Free Wifi Hotspot. However, you need to take into account that to use some programs of this type, Root rights are required. In addition, third-party applications allow you to get rid of some restrictions that are provided by Android OS in “Modem Mode”.

Using the FoxFi program

To distribute the Internet via Wi-Fi using this program you need:

Download and install it from the Play Market.
Launch the utility.
Activate “Wi-Fi Hotspot” in the application menu.
Leave or change the wireless network name.
After which it is advisable to set a WPA2 password, otherwise the network will be unsecured, so anyone can connect to it.

Using the NetShare utility

To share the Internet on a smartphone using the NetShare utility, you need:

Install this program from the Play Market.
Launch it.
Activate the WiFi Hotspot checkbox and password to protect the network.

Internet distribution using the Free Wifi Hotspot application

Using this program, traffic is distributed like this:

The application is installed on the device from Google Play.
Then the utility starts.
Then you can change the “Network name” and “Password” for it.
Next, you need to click the network icon at the bottom of the main program window to launch the access point.

Applications simplify working with the device and expand its capabilities.

These programs require Root on the cell phone, otherwise it will not distribute traffic. The application interface is quite clear, so even an inexperienced user can figure it out on his own and quickly.

We connect the laptop to the Internet via a Windows Phone

You can activate Wi-Fi distribution on your smartphone. To do this, the user will first need to enable data transfer on the device itself. You can distribute the Internet on 2G, 3G and even 4G networks.

First you need to go to “Settings”. Then find the item “Data transfer” and click “Enable”. After this, you will need to go to the network settings. There, select the “Internet Sharing” section and click “Enable”. Then click on “Install”. Thanks to these steps, Wi-Fi will be distributed on WindowsPhone. To make it faster, you can put the phone near the window.

How to connect your computer to Wi-Fi from your phone

Much will depend on the quality of the connection. If the Internet transmission speed is high, then access to the World Wide Web will be much faster.

Advice! You need to check with your Internet provider in advance about the conditions for providing traffic. At best, it is unlimited, but it is not always allowed to distribute gigabytes. Often, there is an additional fee for this.

The easiest way is to distribute the Internet via Wi-Fi. To do this, just lower the top curtain, where there is a special icon. It can rarely be confused with anything else. It looks like waves emanating from a point (brackets) and a signature below - WiFi.

Settings (optional):

Press the button and hold it.
You can specify your name and password, as well as the encryption type, if required.
If you wish, you can set a distribution limit to automatically disconnect from the network when it is exceeded. This is especially often used if there are traffic restrictions.
To prevent a large number of foreign devices from connecting to the network, it is recommended to set the maximum number. This will be correct so as not to overload the network, for a better Internet connection.

Need to know! In modem mode, the gadget spends its battery power faster.

Methods for creating an access point from a mobile phone

There are several ways to set up a mobile hotspot using a smartphone:

the most convenient is via Wi-Fi;
the fastest and safest way is using a USB cable;
If there are problems with the Wi-Fi connection, connect via Bluetooth.

If the computer is not equipped with a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi module, or this board is faulty, you can use an external transmitter that connects to a PC or laptop via a USB port.

Additional Information. Connecting with a cable will help you access the Internet even if the radio range is polluted (for example, next to a TV tower or other powerful transmitting equipment).

How to access the Internet from a computer using a smartphone's Bluetooth connection

The principle of distributing the Internet from a smartphone via Bluetooth is similar to connecting via Wi-Fi. In general, to create an access point, you need:

Open the mobile device settings section.
Go to the modem menu (the name of the item will differ depending on the brand and firmware of the smartphone).
Activate the “Bluetooth modem” slider (it can also be called a Bluetooth access point).
Right-click on the Bluetooth icon in the notification area and select the line “Show Bluetooth devices”.
In the menu that opens, select the desired mobile phone and create a connection.
Sometimes, in order to enter the network, you need to enter the digital code displayed on the smartphone screen on your PC.

Connecting via Bluetooth has a number of disadvantages that a Wi-Fi access point does not have:

Only one computer or netbook can be connected to a mobile phone;
Internet signal speed will be slower than via Wi-Fi;
attackers can connect to the transmitting device;
Bluetooth signal can be easily jammed or intercepted;
Desktop computers may not have the required board, and you will have to purchase an external modem separately.

Activating a Bluetooth modem on a smartphone

Note! Before connecting via Bluetooth, it is important to make sure that the adapter is enabled on both devices.

Via AirDroid

This application allows you to fully connect your computer and mobile phone. The connection is carried out in stages as follows:

The AirDroid program downloads and launches.
An address appears in the application to go to your computer and establish a Wi-Fi connection.
The provided address is entered into the browser line.
The phone confirms the Wi-Fi connection.

The mobile device and PC must be connected to the same network.

Once the connection is established, you can perform almost any remote action via Wi-Fi. The application interface looks like a desktop.

Transferring files and folders is done through the control panel. Moreover, the connection is two-way: you can delete documents on your computer, and a similar action will be performed on your phone.

Through your computer you can send SMS and call numbers saved in your phone. You can watch the video, but there may be a slight delay. Also, AirDroid, like ES Explorer, provides the ability to fully monitor the file system of a mobile device.

How to connect your phone to a computer using AirDroid is shown in this video: