How to Use Your Cell Phone to Connect a Laptop to the Internet
Using your cell phone to access the Internet on the go, also known as tethering, can eliminate the hassle of trying to find a free Wi-Fi hotspot. Using your cell phone as a modem can be achieved by either connecting your phone to the laptop with a USB cable or via Bluetooth, if both the laptop and cell phone have Bluetooth capabilities. The service is not free, however. You must have a tether-capable phone and an appropriate tethering plan from your cell phone provider.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Tether-capable cell phone (Check with your phone carrier to find out if your cell phone has tether capabilities.)
- USB/mini USB cable or Bluetooth enabled laptop and cellphone
- Laptop
- Smartphone managing software
Instructions
-
-
1
Set up a tethering plan with your cell phone provider by calling customer service. Verizon, Sprint, and AT&T are carriers that offer tethering plans.
-
2
Install the computer software that came with your cell phone. There are files and information on the software that will be needed to tether your phone to the laptop properly. The software should have come in the cell phone package with your manuals.
-
-
3
Connect the phone to the laptop via USB cable. All smartphones have a mini USB port. So you need to connect your phone to the laptop with a USB/mini USB wire.
If you want to connect to the laptop via Bluetooth, enable Bluetooth on the cell phone. The computer should detect the Bluetooth connection like it would a USB connection. If it does not, you may have to configure the connection within the device managing software that came with your cell phone (see Step 2).
-
4
Set up the internet connection as you would if you were to add a new modem to the computer. The process will vary depending on your operating system. On a Windows Vista system you have to go to "Control Panel," "Network and Internet," "Network and Sharing Center," and hit "Set up connection or network." Follow the instructions to set up your new modem.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
If you have any issues connecting to the internet with your cell phone after you purchase the tethering plan, call your cell phone provider's technical support line.
