Instructions for Tethering My Mobile Phone to a Laptop

People in urban areas of the United States have little problem finding a Wi-Fi hot spot to connect to the Internet with a laptop or tablet computer. However, in a rural area, Wi-Fi is a luxury that can be hard to find. As an alternative, use your mobile phone as a modem for your laptop if you have a wireless data plan. Depending on the phone and laptop you own, you may need cables or adapters to tether the devices and start surfing the Web.

Things You'll Need

• USB data cable or USB Bluetooth adapter

Instructions

1. Connect a USB Bluetooth adapter to an empty USB port on the notebook if the computer does not have native Bluetooth support. Wait for Windows to recognize and configure the Bluetooth adapter. In most cases, Windows does not require additional software to configure USB Bluetooth drivers. However, if Windows prompts you for a driver, insert the installation disc for the adapter and follow the instructions on the pop-up window.

2. Use the menu keys on the phone to set the Bluetooth-enabled phone to "Discover" or "Find Me" mode. On many phones, the path to the Bluetooth connection is "Settings," "Connection," "Bluetooth," then "Setup" or something similar.

3. Click "Start," then "Control Panel" on the laptop. Click "Add a Device," under the "Hardware and Sound" link in Control Panel. Wait a few minutes for Windows to search for new devices.

4. Click "Bluetooth Devices," then the name of your phone or "Bluetooth-enabled mobile device." Click the "Next" button.

5. Wait a few seconds for Windows to establish a wireless connection with the Bluetooth-enabled phone. If prompted to enter a passcode or key, enter the default code for your phone. If you don't know the default code, try "0000." If that does not work, refer to the user guide for your phone. After Windows establishes the connection, click "Finish" and close the "Add a device" window.

6. Click "Start," then "Control Panel" and then "Network and Internet." Click the "Connect to a network" link. Highlight the "GSM," "3G" or "Bluetooth Connection" listing in the list of network connections, and then click "Connect." Wait a few seconds for Windows to establish an Internet connection.

7. Open your Web browser and surf the Web as you normally would.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have an older mobile phone without Bluetooth support, use a USB cable to connect to the laptop. Download the USB connection and driver software from the phone manufacturer's website and install it on your laptop. After you install the software and connect the phone, use the "Connection Manager" application supplied by the manufacturer to access the Internet.

• If the phone manufacturer does not offer connection software for your mobile phone, check the website of the company that provides your wireless phone service. Most of the major mobile phone service providers provide connection software for customers with data plans.

• You must have a compatible data plan with your phone service provider before you can use your mobile phone to access the Internet. If you do not have a tethering or data plan, you cannot establish an Internet connection on your laptop using the phone.

References

• Technology for the Masses; Tethering: Use Your Cell Phone Internet for Your Laptop; James Wright
• ActiveCaptain; Connecting Your Laptop to the Internet; Karen Siegel, et al.; March 2010
• Microsoft Windows: Connect to Bluetooth and Other Wireless or Network Devices
• Microsoft Windows: Add a Bluetooth or Other Wireless or Network device -- Frequently Asked Questions