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[Q] can AT&T tell that I'm tethering?

So I'm running a rom (Cognition) which enabled tethering and mobile AP.... but I haven't tried using them yet... does anyone know if there's any way for AT&T to see that I'm using tethering without a tethering plan, and bill me for it? I heard about iphone owners using jailbreak tether getting texts from AT&T telling them to buy a tethering plan... does anyone know if on Android they're able to do the same thing?

kodos96 said:
So I'm running a rom (Cognition) which enabled tethering and mobile AP.... but I haven't tried using them yet... does anyone know if there's any way for AT&T to see that I'm using tethering without a tethering plan, and bill me for it? I heard about iphone owners using jailbreak tether getting texts from AT&T telling them to buy a tethering plan... does anyone know if on Android they're able to do the same thing?
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i doubt it .. but to be sure we would need a pay to inspect packets .

No, at&t cannot tell the difference of packets being passed on their network.
No carrier has that capability. The amount of resources needed to monitor packets in a way that is effective, at an effective rate, is basically not cost effective at this point.
The tethering notices are completely based off of data usage. It's been determined that most carriers take notice of you if you exceed 5gb. So if you manage to use over 5gb of data without tethering, you could very well receive one of these texts.
With that said, they can see packet routes. So if your already being watched, and are tethering, and happen to be using it for say...pirating, it could lead to further action. I've only heard one case of this, but still worth noting.
Also, contract prevents at&t, or any carrier for that matter, from adding tethering to your bill. Their work around for that is that if you exceed a data limit, or a fair use limit, they can and will charge you for that.
I tether causally; causally being non-data heavy lurking. I've owned a blackberry bold 9000, an iphone 3g, and now my captivate...all were made tether capable. All were used for tethering. None had received a notice.
Hope this is helps!
tl;dr- no, at&t can't tell if you're tethering.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

If you download gigs and gigs because you use your phone as your primary internet they'll get on your case.
they do break your contract if they add tethering charges. You can end it without an early termination penalty within 30 days.
Sent from my SGH-I897 using XDA App

KritikSS nailed it spot on. Some anecdotal evidence, but I've been lightly tethering (usually less than 1GB/month) for years now and haven't heard anything.

i think the kb1 and jj4 roms have a way to inform att if you are tethering but should not be an issue if you are using a custom rom sepecially if the rom is a port.

Dani897 said:
i think the kb1 and jj4 roms have a way to inform att if you are tethering but should not be an issue if you are using a custom rom sepecially if the rom is a port.
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Yes, this is what I was worried about... I know that actual deep packet inspection is unlikely (and could be defeated with vpn), but it doesn't help if there's actually a 'phone-home' mechanism telling them you're tethering. My understanding was that this is what's going on with the iphones, though I could be wrong.
I'm running cognition, which is a kb1 based rom... should I be worried?

As far as a "phone-home" system, the only notification of tethering that would be sent to at&t would be by their own tethering app on the phone. If you happen to flash another ROM, as you've stated that you've already done so, this app should no longer be on your phone and functioning, thus unable to "phone-home."
And even then, that app wont allow tethering until it receives notice from at&t that you've purchased the package needed to do so.
Simply put, just use an app such as "wireless tether" to do your tethering and you'll be completely fine.

I would like to bring this back from the dead. AT&T KNOWS! They sent me a text that stated something like: from your recent activity you will be upgraded to the tethering plan..... I believe it referenced tether specifically though

If I got that text, I would call and say they violated the contact and end the contract.
They cannot alter the contract without you agreeing to the terms.

infyx said:
If I got that text, I would call and say they violated the contact and end the contract.
They cannot alter the contract without you agreeing to the terms.
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Wrong. From the TOS:
AT&T data plans are designed for use with only one of the following distinct device types: (1) Smartphones, (2) basic and Quick Messaging phones, (3) tablets, and (4) LaptopConnect cards, and (5) stand-alone Mobile Hotspot devices. A data plan designated for one type of device may not be used with another type of device. For example, a data plan designated for use with a basic phone or a Smartphone may not be used with a LaptopConnect card, tablet, or stand-alone Mobile Hotspot device, by tethering devices together, by SIM card transfer, or any other means. A data tethering plan, however, may be purchased for an additional fee to enable tethering on a compatible device. An Activation Fee may apply for each data line.
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This has been rehashed many times. The no unauthorized tethering has been in the TOS for years.

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Moving to Q&A

Tether on unlimited AT&T plan with Developer Edition?

Does anyone know if we will be able to utilize cellular data tethering using the HTC One developer edition on an unlimited AT&T plan? That could put the developer edition over the top for me compared to the subsidized device from AT&T. Thanks.

Its the same device, if its not in your contract that you can tether then no you can't without violating your contract.
There are various ways to tether if you wish to, but the device isn't going to magically trick at&t that you aren't tethering
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

superchilpil said:
Its the same device, if its not in your contract that you can tether then no you can't without violating your contract.
There are various ways to tether if you wish to, but the device isn't going to magically trick at&t that you aren't tethering
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
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When I got the unlocked galaxy nexus tethering wasn't disabled like it has been on every subsidized android device I've owned. Wasn't sure if that was a nexus thing or an unlocked/unbranded device thing.

So does anyone know if tethering would be enabled or is it something that AT&T has the ability to block from the carrier end?

On the developer edition it should work without having to pay extra. AT&T branded phones have addition software that ties into your account to allow or disallow tethering. This won't have that software obviously.

NextNexus said:
So does anyone know if tethering would be enabled or is it something that AT&T has the ability to block from the carrier end?
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It's likely that you will be able to tether, since the phone will not check with the carrier if the tethering feature is enabled. Regardless, AT&T will still notice that you are tethering, because they can differentiate packets originating from other devices. If you use a lot of data, even just a short tether will raise a flag and you'll get a text or a letter from AT&T, saying that they want to switch your unlimited plan to a capped one.

I bet HTC would or will be providing the dev imei's to att since they all are in bed with the useless carriers.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

mgxplyr said:
It's likely that you will be able to tether, since the phone will not check with the carrier if the tethering feature is enabled. Regardless, AT&T will still notice that you are tethering, because they can differentiate packets originating from other devices. If you use a lot of data, even just a short tether will raise a flag and you'll get a text or a letter from AT&T, saying that they want to switch your unlimited plan to a capped one.
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I've literally been using tethering without paying for it on my unlimited plan for years by buying unlocked phones. They have never noticed. I don't go crazy with it though. I use around 500MB via tethering each month when I'm on the go and need to get some work done.

This is very good news if true. I'll be going with the dev edition.

I'm using a new plan they have called 'mobile share' and it has tethering included for free. I use so little data I went with the 1GB plan (I'm almost always on wifi) but an upgrade isn't terribly expensive.
I had been using a 550 minute, 300MB data plan with no texting for my wife and I but this new plan only costs $15 more and gives us unlimited calls and texting with free tethering on 1GB shared data.

Honestly, if ATT does it like VZW, they have a built-in "entitlement check" in the database of the phone that tells it to talk to the mobile carrier for authentication.
I'm not sure if this phone will try to handshake with ATT for verification, but if it doesn't that is a huge boost to people who'd normally have to pay for it or change plans.

kirdroid said:
I bet HTC would or will be providing the dev imei's to att since they all are in bed with the useless carriers.
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Tethering has nothing to do with your IMEI. I've been tethering on a AT&T branded One X (purchased directly from AT&T) practically since it was released last May. The phone will tether properly with any custom or stock rooted ROM, except for AT&T based ROMs; and on the AT&T based ROMs, it will tether with the proper hack.
My bet is that the unlocked One will be able to tether out of the box. But we won't know for certain until the devices are delivered, and somebody tries it.
The other thing to note, as another mentioned, AT&T can (and does) check on the network side for tethering. The exact methods and policies are unknown to probably anyone outside AT&T. But from what folks on XDA suspect, is that if your network usage is high, it will put you under scrutiny by AT&T. They will then look at the data packets, and see you are tethering. They give you one warning by SMS, and if they catch you tethering again, they will add a tethering plan on your account.
However, the monitoring process seems far from consistent. A few XDA users have reported receiving the tethering warning, despite swearing up and down that they never tethering even once. On the other hand, as I mentioned, I've tethered occasionally for years, and never received a warning. But I only use it for limited times, and for limited data amounts. Typically only while traveling, in a hotel where WiFi is not available, WiFi signal is too crappy, or WiFi charge by the hotel is excessively expensive. And then, I usually only tether to down/upload work emails and files, then disconnect.
Keep your usage low, and stay under the radar (so to speak) and you may be okay. But there are no guarantees.

[Q] Does ATT look for tether the same as TMobile?

I will be moving to ATT by the end of the month, currently using the untether mod through exposed, working great. I was wondering if this method will work after I switch to ATT..searched around, but didnt see this anywhere recently discussed
KCJunkman

KCJunkman said:
I will be moving to ATT by the end of the month, currently using the untether mod through exposed, working great. I was wondering if this method will work after I switch to ATT..searched around, but didnt see this anywhere recently discussed
KCJunkman
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I have XT1053 DE with unlocked bootloader and rooted on AT&T GoPhone. I can confirm that built-in USB and WiFi tethering work fine but I only used them for a short while just to see that it works. I don't know if AT&T detects it and if it does - what it will do. I also don't know if postpaid AT&T any different.

KCJunkman said:
I will be moving to ATT by the end of the month, currently using the untether mod through exposed, working great. I was wondering if this method will work after I switch to ATT..searched around, but didnt see this anywhere recently discussed
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I read on another site that there is some sort of tether cloaker for ATT if you are rooted but I can't remember where I read it.

To tether on TMobile you need to be rooted? I'm switching over and would like to know before I do.

Well, I am on the unlimited plan, which started to come with a 2.5 gig hotspot. When I wasn't rooted, obviously my data rose on the hotspot when is tethered my iPad, but after rooting and using exposed etc. my hotspot data has stayed at .1 meg for that last 2 weeks
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I got a slap on the wrist from AT&T after I used tethering for about a week. I called them for something and they essentially said "if you keep doing that, we'll start charging you for a tethering plan."

AT&T Mobile Share plans have a bucket of data, and it can be used on the device or tethering ... doesn't matter how you use it.

morehush said:
I got a slap on the wrist from AT&T after I used tethering for about a week. I called them for something and they essentially said "if you keep doing that, we'll start charging you for a tethering plan."
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do you have a grandfathered unlimited data plan.

Nope, at the time I had a 2gb data plan.

Tether

Is it possible to tether this to a another device...i.e a rooted samsung galaxy s4?

JNasty said:
Is it possible to tether this to a another device...i.e a rooted samsung galaxy s4?
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I am not sure why you would need to. It has WiFi and 3G onboard... unless you mean the other way round, in which case YES you can by going into settings/wireless and networks

apprentice said:
I am not sure why you would need to. It has WiFi and 3G onboard... unless you mean the other way round, in which case YES you can by going into settings/wireless and networks
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Well, The Verizon model is cheaper, I'm with AT&T and I don't want a 3G plan but I want to be able to tether it to my phone so that I can still get instant upload and all the benefits while I'm away from "Wifi"

JNasty said:
Well, The Verizon model is cheaper, I'm with AT&T and I don't want a 3G plan but I want to be able to tether it to my phone so that I can still get instant upload and all the benefits while I'm away from "Wifi"
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Foxfi should work.
I have a Galaxy Cam 2 and Bluetooth is also an option.

Most current models of Samsung phones have the "hacked" tether blocked, even if rooted. I found that the Wifi Tether Router app by Fabio Grasso in the Play store works perfectly and I gave up on waiting for the hack to be fixed. It's not free, but it's only a few $ (and worth it).

[Q] Moto X VZW Unrooted Tether

Is there a way to tether an unrooted vzw moto x? I searched and just ended up getting more confused and I've heard yes and no. So I figured I'd just ask. Sorry if it's been asked time and time again.
Thanks!

If you are on 4.4.2, yes. You can use towelpieroot and a script to enable native tethering. Both can be found in the forum. If you are on 4.4.4 and have unlimited data, not without shelling out more money to Big Red. If you have limited data, you should be able to tether with no problems

marzak said:
If you are on 4.4.2, yes. You can use towelpieroot and a script to enable native tethering. Both can be found in the forum. If you are on 4.4.4 and have unlimited data, not without shelling out more money to Big Red. If you have limited data, you should be able to tether with no problems
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I asked big red, they said I cant even add tethering without losing unlimited data. I'm unrooted on 4.4.4
I've heard that there are methods with USB or bluetooth unrooted on 4.4.4 though, but I'm unsure. Was hoping there would be, apparently not though.

blueice5249 said:
I asked big red, they said I cant even add tethering without losing unlimited data. I'm unrooted on 4.4.4
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Yes you can. Just log onto verizon online and add it by clicking on manage products and apps. The Verizon reps are clueless half of the time.
You can even turn it on and off as much as you like during the month. It is $1/day for each day it is on, and if it is on for any part of the day you get charged the full $1.
blueice5249 said:
I've heard that there are methods with USB or bluetooth unrooted on 4.4.4 though, but I'm unsure. Was hoping there would be, apparently not though.
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PDAnet works with USB tether and bluetooth tether, just not WiFi tether.
You can get a new Verizon Moto X Dev Ed for cheap on ebay if you want to root and WiFi tether for free.

JulesJam said:
Yes you can. Just log onto verizon online and add it by clicking on manage products and apps. The Verizon reps are clueless half of the time.
You can even turn it on and off as much as you like during the month. It is $1/day for each day it is on, and if it is on for any part of the day you get charged the full $1.
PDAnet works with USB tether and bluetooth tether, just not WiFi tether.
You can get a new Verizon Moto X Dev Ed for cheap on ebay if you want to root and WiFi tether for free.
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Thanks, I got PDAnet working! I'm gonna stick with this phone for now. I run 2 businesses off this phone now, so rooting it and possibly being without it for awhile isn't worth the risk for me.
Stupid real life always getting in the way.