Hi!
In german boards there are several speculations about how the N1's WiFi tethering works and how carriers might detect it. But there are no real facts, it seems like there is no one, who really knows about it.
Maybe here are some kind of "cracks", who really know what they are talking about and can provide some real information about it.
How does N1-tethering work? I guess it uses NAT-routing. Is this right? And the probably most important part: How do carriers detect tethering? They officially claim, they could detect it. But the question is, which way do they do this? Can they only detect if you use tethering at all, or do they also have the ability to separate between tethered data and phone's data? Only in that case they would be capable to bill the tethered data (here in Germany some carriers do not prohibit tethering, they can only charge about 50 cent per MB).
Is it possible, that the carrier only detect several devices, that connect to the internet using tethering? I'm a vodafone-customer and I've tried tethering my iPad and my Linux-Netbook several times. Nothing has been charged. Other customers, having the same data-plan, reported, that they habe been charged for tethering within minutes.
Maybe someone can answer my questions.
I dont know how it works but "I would imagine the request headers are what the provider is reading in order to determine the device/browser that is making the request."
http://talk.maemo.org/archive/index.php/t-3757.html
If it really is like that, then I would just have to use Cisco-VPN on my iPad and they would not be able to read any requests anymore.
But someone in the official German vodafone-board said, the user-agent doesn't matter. And he seemed to be very sure about that. But unfortunately he didn't tell anything else. If you think of Dolphin for Android, which allows you to change the browser-identification, it really looks like this is nothing the carrier could make use of.
cymru said:
I dont know how it works but "I would imagine the request headers are what the provider is reading in order to determine the device/browser that is making the request."
http://talk.maemo.org/archive/index.php/t-3757.html
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I don't believe this to be accurate as phones are capable of changing their user agent to mimic a desktop browser, so it wouldn't be a reliable way of identifying a tethered connection.
IMO, there is no 100% fool proof way as it sits. The carrier can look at the traffic patterns though and might be able to figure it out though. Remember when you're connected to your carrier everything you do is going through their gateway, so they can see everything you're doing.
I agree that if you're wanting to make 100% sure they don't know, a VPN tunneling traffic would work. Once the traffic is encrypted, they have no way to tell what is happening, aside from the actual amount of data being transferred, which is why a lot of carriers in the USA or switching away from unlimited data plans and offering only limited ones (i.e. a 2gb or 5gb limit on plans).
It was discussed here a couple of months ago, I remember..
The discussion ended in - if the phone specifically didn't send the carrier any sign that it's tethering, detection of tethering would require heuristic scan patterns on the data that's being transferred - and would violate some "internet openness" rules in the process, and possibly allow a legal case against the carrier.
So, do you by any chance have custom ROM and your friends have official carrier ROMs? That might explain the difference.
People in spain have reported being charged more by vodafone (they charge you more if you tether and your plan doesnt cover it) by simply using an app on the phone that changed the browser's user agent to mimic a desktop one.
I dont know whether it is or it isnt legal to read the 'headers' of HTTP messages. It's more to do with the protocol than with the content, and both ends need to be able to read these things to actually work, some routers may even scoop just to adjust to different QoS patterns or whatever. So it might be legal after all.
Port activity can tell you're tethering or not; moreover, tethering does likely bypass proxy server which is used for phone only.
Ok, to find out more I've made a little research about how to generally detect Network Address Translation and I've made some tests.
As it seems, the Browser-Identification won't work. Maybe in spain there are some data-plans which only allow browsing with the special phone's browser and only using HTTP-Connections. But that's not suitable for a real data plan, which allows you, to send every data you like from your phone. On the other hand, at least in Germany, I think they wouldn't be allowed to read the data content of TCP-packets.
Then I've used a packet sniffer to find out, how different devices (N1, iPad and Kubuntu10.04) handle things like outgoing ports and packet IDs.
Both won't be very likely to use by the carrier, because Android doesn't increment them, but uses it by shuffle. The iPad also shuffles the packet IDs, but increments the ports. I think this will not matter, because the NAT will redirect the ports anyway. Only Kubuntu increments packet IDs and as they normally aren't changed by NAT, carriers could detect that. In general, all of the devices used outgoing ports between 35,000 and 55,000.
Possibly they could look at the time to live of the packets. The interesting question is, how the N1's NAT handels the TTL. Normally, a router decrements the TTL by 1. But it doesn't have to.
All of my tested devices use a TTL of 64 for outgoing packets (no one will wonder about that, because all those system are based on UNIX or Linux). So, if the NAT decrements the TTL, the carrier could detect tethered packets quite easily. Normal packets would reach the carrier's gateway with TTL 64, tethered packets with TTL 63. Maybe, the NAT doesn't decrement the TTL. Then the carrier wouldn't be able to detect it this way, except of this: As I read, Windows-Systems use a TTL of 128, so the carrier ould detect this immediately, no matter if it's decremented or not. This would explain why some people tell they could tether other phones without being billed, but getting charged when tethering their PC. This could only be covered, if the NAT would rewrite the TTL with 64. It don't think it does.
Maybe someone, who has a rooted phone (mine is not rooted, it's a normal FRF91), could install packet sniffer from the market and then catch some packets while tethering. Then we could have a look at the packet's headers and maybe find out, what the NAT does with the TTL.
FYI this isn't technically a problem in the US - it's illegal for carriers to monitor the actual data streams without a warrant.
My understanding is that tethering (WiFi/USB) can be accomplished in two different fashions.
1) The phone (in this case the Nexus One) acts as the modem and router and re-requests whatever the tethered device requested. Thus, the mobile operator sees the Nexus One as using the DATA rather than the actual device requesting the DATA.
2) The phone simply passes the requests to mobile operator along with some identifying info about the requesting device. (the preferred method by the mobile operators)
I have no idea which method the Nexus One (FroYo) employs, but I have a suspicion that it is method 1.
Dan
i Will say it does work as a wifi hotspot, so i connected using my ipad up to the ssid the nexus made, and connected fine, but un sure if charges will appear, i will keep a eye out on my next bill.. but they dont detect then that saves me $25/mon for the 3g data, if i can just use my phone $30 unlimited..
I was wondering about this as well. I have the current $25/mo 2gb plan and I sometimes need to use my laptop to check things that I need a larger screen for (Mostly graphic design attachments like illustrator and photoshop files). Would AT&T detect my using the Nexus One as a hotspot, and if so, would they charge?
I think the whole tethering thing is kind of ridiculous on AT&T. You're paying an extra $20+ per month to use the data you're already paying for except on your computer. They've been dealing with Apple for far too long...
In UK 3 know I'm tethering...
On using my Laptop tethered I get a 3 splash screen on first opening up a browser (IE or Firefox). There don't seem to be any other issues (everything else then works fine & dandy) ... yet...
Can't be that long before some carrier decides to clamp down on tethering some more...
Lodger
theartfullodger said:
In UK 3 know I'm tethering...
On using my Laptop tethered I get a 3 splash screen on first opening up a browser (IE or Firefox). There don't seem to be any other issues (everything else then works fine & dandy) ... yet...
Can't be that long before some carrier decides to clamp down on tethering some more...
Lodger
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Nexus bought from their network? Rooted? What ROM?
The only viable (and probably legal) way for an operator to detech tethering is via looking data consumptions, other methods discussed over here although technically possible, would be administratively expensive even if legally allowed... I suggest if you are on an unlimited data plan and want to be heavy on tethering do it from the start not later on in order not to raise any flags on the operator side.
Cheers, sub
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
unknownrebelx said:
I was wondering about this as well. I have the current $25/mo 2gb plan and I sometimes need to use my laptop to check things that I need a larger screen for (Mostly graphic design attachments like illustrator and photoshop files). Would AT&T detect my using the Nexus One as a hotspot, and if so, would they charge?
I think the whole tethering thing is kind of ridiculous on AT&T. You're paying an extra $20+ per month to use the data you're already paying for except on your computer. They've been dealing with Apple for far too long...
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I've been using my N1 on AT&T to tether a pretty good amount and had no complaints. I even stream netflix movies and haven't heard a word.
obviously our phones send and receive data over wifi. when tethering, the phone is still sending and receiving data over wifi, it's just connecting to another device. not to be rude but it is a pretty easy concept. it is an amazing thing though.
right now i am on a camping trip, and i of course brought my phone and laptop with me so i have been tethering a bit. i just happened to be in an area with fantastic signal strength and speedtest.net shows that i am getting up to 2.5Mbps down, and about 1Mbps or so up. it's working GREAT! it's still not cable or fios fast, but it's fast.
Tethering on Talkmobile
I've recently get an unlimited data Talkmobile contract (UK) and I'm thinking of tethering (it's against T&Cs). Has anyone else done this? If they don't detect it, it's a great deal at only £12 month (though the unlimited deal which I have got is no longer available).
I was thinking, the mentioned methods of detecting tethering, even if they are viable and legal, might not be enough for the operators to prove that I was tethering, and hence they couldn't legally do anything about it. I don't know if this is the case or not (but I think I'll choose to believe that).
If I can tether, it means I can buy the PS Vita WiFi only and have as much connectivity as the 3G version!
Sounds like a good project for this weekend. I'll do some packet sniffing and post if I find anything. TMO in US, though.
would the carrier (Three in the uk) be able to detect tethering if i connected my phone to a vpn. because then surely all data would look identical?
HTC Desire, cm7.1
I have a Captivate and I'm considering gretting a tablet... The Cappy is at&t and as free wifi-hotspot service. The Tablet I want to get is wifi-only...
I know I can connect to the wifi-hotspot with my cappy.. Can I tether the tablet to the cappy via bluetooth or some other means so I can use the at&t wifi-hotspot that I already pay for with the cappy?
Tether captivate connect to wifi hotspot
Let me try that again..
I have a Captivate and I'm considering getting a tablet... The Cappy is at&t and has free wifi-hotspot service. The Tablet I want to get is wifi-only...
I know I can connect to the wifi-hotspot with my cappy.. Can I tether the tablet to the cappy via bluetooth or some other means so I can use the at&t wifi-hotspot that I already pay for with the cappy?
of course, why can't you? if you pay for tethering - tether, but the client will be not laptop but tablet. there is no difference for AT&T AFAIK. only lower data usage + higher battery, cos you might wanna to have internet on tablet al time?
Yuna said:
of course, why can't you? if you pay for tethering - tether, but the client will be not laptop but tablet. there is no difference for AT&T AFAIK. only lower data usage + higher battery, cos you might wanna to have internet on tablet al time?
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You missed OP's point entirely. For AT&T smartphone with paid data plans, you can use AT&T wi-fi hot spot for free (otherwise, you need to pay for it). In order to do that AT&T adds its own special software to its Smartphone so that it will auto-authentiate with the hot-spot and use it for free.
So to answer OP's question, no you will not be able to use your tab on hot-spot for free. Only the AT&T smartphone are allowed. And no, Cappy does not have bluetooth tethering capability.
Besides, the only place I saw AT&T hot spot is McDonalds. If you bought anything in McDonalds, you can already use the hot spot for free (just ask them). So, I don't see this helps much.
Cappy does have wi-fi hot spot feature built-in (Froyo or later) so that you can share the cell data connection with your tab. But it requires you to subscribe to tethering plan. If you already rooted your phone, you can easily remove that restiction.
Hey all, I been reading all kinds of methods to tether with the Nexus 5 (also during the Nexus 4 prime), and helped a couple of members here at XDA how I got to tether my T-Mobile's truly unlimited data with 5 GB sharing (it used to be 500, then 2.5GB, now 5GB) connection to my PS3, PC, and other smartphones. Many have PM'd me to explain it further for them how to get it to work, and I figured "I should just make a thread on how I got it to work". In this thread, I will explain to you how I got tethering to work on my phone using T-Mobile's service (it might work for At&T and other carriers). I will tell you the three apps I use and the pros and cons of each app when it comes to tethering a specific device.
Please note:I am not responsible for any consequences you will face with your carrier using my method, nor will I be held responsible if you use my method without having a sharing data plan. This method is for use of a sharing plan that YOU pay for. If you decide to use this method without having a sharing plan, then do what you want, it's your plan, and your money. I have spent a lot of time doing trial and error in order for my tethering to work 100%. I even went over my 5GB of sharing data and I still was able to tether. I think I know why, read the last paragraph of this post. Again, THIS IS FOR MEMBERS WHO PAID FOR TETHERING SERVICE.
Without further ado, you will first need to edit a database located in /data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases/settings.db. You need to add a new entry that is called "tether_dun_required" with a value of 0. Google and T-Mobile decided to team up and provide a way for T-Mobile to sniff what devices you are tethering to, thus sometimes redirecting you to the T-Mobile page saying you need to add a sharing plan. You can either edit the database with a sqlite app/program, or simply install the install zip (thanks to yakman66). There is an uninstaller if you wish to revert back. I have no idea if you should reflash the zip after you install a new ROM or update it, but I did it anyway. If you need a deeper explanation, refer to the first 4 posts from this thread here:http://forum.xda-developers.com/google-nexus-5/general/fix-nexus-5-tethering-block-t2581035
Installer:https://github.com/marcandrews/hammerhead-hotspot-fix/releases/tag/v1.0
Uninstaller:https://github.com/marcandrews/hammerhead-hotspot-fix/releases/tag/v1.0u
Now we get to the apps. The three apps I use to tether are PDANET+/Foxfi, Clockworkmod Tether, and WiFi Tether Router
PDANET+/Foxfi: Note: There is a free version of PDANET/FOXFI, but you will be kicked off the tethered connection every 20-30 minutes,and I believe there is an a limit of how much MB you share daily. Purchasing the app is only $7.97.
Download from Play Store. Link:PDANET Foxfi:Foxfi Foxfi for At&T and Sprint:Foxfi (Sprint/AT&T Only)
Please make sure you download the correct Foxfi for you carrier. PDANET is for connecting via USB and Foxfi is for bluetooth and wireless. You must install the PC program located here. This app is pretty much self-explanatory. You just set up the network name and password if you decide to use wireless, or plug your phone in PC via USB with PDANET+ for Windows installed.
Pros:
No need to root.
Tethering for your computer: Pretty much instant. Easy setup. Just to be safe install a user switch agent and change it to IE 7.
Tethering for gaming: Using my PS3, I am able to play online with my friends. I am running around 30-40 ms ping, which is not bad for wireless. Smooth.
Tethering for other smartphones and tablets: Easy setup also.
Cons:
You have to pay the app in order to use the app for its full potential.
Computer: For some reason, I get kicked off for a couple seconds from my tethered connection and then connected again. I even enable "Hide Tether Usage" on the options with Google DNS checked on the settings. I think because T-Mobile blacklisted Google DNS (idk?)
Gaming: Your NAT type will never be opened. That means if you join a party that also does not have an open NAT, expect not to be able to join that person. If anyone knows a way to port forward your carriers IP address, please let me know.
Smartphones and tablets: Haven't experienced nothing wrong.
WiFi Tether Router:
Download: WiFi Tether Router
Configure your Network Name SSID, encryption type (whatever works best for you, I use wpa2-psk)m WiFi password, and then enable the tether.
Pros:
Much cheaper than PDA/FOXFI. Only $2.50
There are more setups you can do for this app. You can change the interface, method, drivers, WiFi Mode. There are also tweaks especially for consoles like MTU adjust, enabling DMZ, DMZ Port Forwarding, and DCHP settings. Perhaps you can port forward and have your Nat open with this app, but I'm not expert when it comes to these, perhaps someone out there can find a solution? Let us know!
Computer: Haven't tested it to be honest. If someone is willing to try please let us know how it went.
Gaming: Easy setup. Works just as good as Foxfi
Smartphones and tablets: Works just as good as Foxfi
Cons:
You can only use wireless, there is no USB.
Gaming: Same as Foxfi, Nat is not open.
Smartphones and tablets: None.
Clockworkmod Tether:
Download from Play Store: Clockworkmod Tether (no root)
After that install the drivers of your phone located here
Last but not least, install the tether software on your computer.
Mac: http://download.clockworkmod.com/tether/tether-mac.zip
Linux: http://download.clockworkmod.com/tether/tether-linux.tgz
Windows: http://download.clockworkmod.com/tether/TetherWindowsSetup.msi
Once installed, allow debugging on your phone to PC via usb and start the tether connection.
Pros:
Free, you just need root.
Computers: I don't get kicked out whatsoever tethering on my PC. Not once did I get disconnected for a second and reconnected. Like I said as a precaution switch user agent to IE7.
Cons:
Gaming: Won't accept USB.
Smartphone and tablets: it only uses USB tethering.
So there you go guys, these are the apps I use to tether my devices. You can choose whatever works best for you. When it comes to me playing online or sharing my net to smartphones and tablets, I use Foxfi because it is simple to set up. WiFi Tether Router I just use it as a backup. When it comes to tethering my PC, I use clockworkmod tether because I don't get disconnected from my computer.
I have been using these apps since Nexus 4 and not one time I got temporarily banned from sharing my net. Well actually I did, but it was the first time I ever tried it. Ever since then, I was able to use my tethering to its full potential.I use my data to play online (my home net sucks), and I have not been flagged. Playing online does not consume a lot of data (about 20-30 mb an hour).Here are a couple of ways to keep using your tether without being flagged by your carrier.
1. DO NOT DOWNLOAD BIG FILES ON YOUR GAME CONSOLES. Guys, please use your home internet to update your console version or downloading a patch. As soon as you download a file on your console you will be flagged. I have not tried it with the new 5GB sharing limit but I have tried it on 2.5 and I immediately got flagged, even though I was not close to my sharing limit.
2. Don't download torrents or pronz on your PC using your data. If you want to do that, I suggest going on your phone and downloading it via your phones browser or torrent app. This way your carrier will know you are downloading straight from your phone and not from a tethered device.
Other than that, use your tether how ever you like, but with responsibility. Tethering to other smartphones and tablets seem to not red flag T-Mobile at all. I shared 10gb of data to my coworkers and all they do is stream Pandora and YouTube. I hope this will clear things up and hopefully there will be better alternatives, but I think these methods should let you use your tethering service.
Sort of confused here, I use the built in WiFi tethering in my non rooted nexus 5 on T-Mobile without issue. Why does one need this?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk
Wait, what?
I've never had an issue using native tethering in stock Android on my Nexus 5.
So, are you saying enabling Tethering & Hotspot in the Settings menu doesn't work for you, and apparently many others?
I use built in tethering with the hot spot fix. No redirects to T-Mobile.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Never had an issue with tethering here
tethering using the default tether options work great for me with tmobile, without any modifications.
dmz not working with wifi tether router...
am i doing anything wrong?
You got tethering too work despite your network, you mean? The n5 tethers wireless, bluetooth, wired, perfectly. The restrictions of your data plan or network are another thing that is nothing to do with an unlocked n5
I have a Samsung Ativ S which I have been using as a WiFi hotspot to connect my laptop and Nexus 7 to while I am working away. Recently got a text to tell me if I carry on I will be cut off on my mobile contract. I have a sim only deal that gives me unlimited calls, text and 3G internet so I'm a bit brassed off. It took an hour of searching to find the no teathering in the conditions of use.
Any way what I want to know are there any Windows Phone apps that will hide the teathering from my supplier? I am hung off a T Mobile/ Orange network.
Daedalus1
ATIV S can use wired tethering (search the forum for it, I posted instructions and drivers sometime last year). Even though my plan supports tethering, it's data-limited and when I use the wired tethering they don't list the data usage for it so I'm guessing it's not detectable, or at least not easily.
There's also an app called TetherX or something like that, which will act as a SOCKS proxy server on the phone; you then set your PC to use the phone as its proxy server. Won't work for non-proxy-aware apps but otherwise should do the trick.
Of course, this all assumes they're checking whether or not you're using the phone's tethering feature somehow, rather than doing something more nefarious like deep packet inspection. If they're checking "are you using the 'Internet Sharing' feature?" then I would expect them to just limit its usage; the phone has the capability to test whether or not tethering is permitted on your plan, and does so test by default. If they're using DPI and noticing traffic to/from PC clients (based on user-agent strings or something) then you're in trouble unless you can route all your traffic over SSL, which mostly thwarts packet inspection.
Is there any app or "fix" to enable wifi tethering on a G870A running 5.1.1 using Straight Talk? Tried FoxF, PdaNet+ and a host of playstore junk. Nothing.
I don't think if there is a native wifi tethering fix anymore. However USB tethering seems to work (tested on G900A). Have you tried ClockworkMod Tether? You will need to install the a client on the PC as well as the APK on the phone.
Can't use the USB tethering for the application I need it for.
719c6 said:
Can't use the USB tethering for the application I need it for.
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What application is it? EasyTether can handle some complex setups.
I need Wi-Fi for the car radio. No USB option there.
Assuming the phone is not rooted, you might be out of luck at the moment. I'm guessing that you want to share your unlimited data plan. Have you looked at how much data you have used in the past few months? Just wondering if a different service provider might be a better choice in your case.
Really don't use that much data even though its unlimited. I have an aftermarket radio that I would like to use the phone's data. Works great with my "retired S4" but have since started using the S5.
719c6 said:
Really don't use that much data even though its unlimited. I have an aftermarket radio that I would like to use the phone's data. Works great with my "retired S4" but have since started using the S5.
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You may want to consider looking into ProjectFi and getting a Nexus phone for the service, that is my plan for my next phone which includes tethering by design. When I did the math, it turned out that my bill will go down and the savings would pay for the Nexus phone. $20 for the line + a penny for each megabyte.