Tethering – How Does it Work?

Sharing your mobile device’s internet connection with other devices is known as tethering. It enables you to utilize your tablet or phone as a router or modem. For the second device, such as a laptop or tablet, to access the internet using your phone’s mobile data, tethering involves connecting your mobile device to it.

There are several ways to tether, including Bluetooth, USB, and Wi-Fi. Depending on the circumstances and the equipment being utilized, each method offers pros and cons of its own. Here is a detailed explanation of the many setup methods for tethering and how it functions. 

Types of Tethering

There are three main ways to tether: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and USB. Each method works slightly differently but serves the same purpose: sharing your mobile data connection.

1. Wi-Fi Tethering

The easiest and most popular way is Wi-Fi tethering. It creates a miniature Wi-Fi hotspot on your mobile device. This hotspot can be accessed by other devices, such as laptops and tablets, in the same way as a standard Wi-Fi network.

Go into your phone’s settings, locate the “Hotspot” or “Mobile Hotspot” option, and turn it on to enable Wi-Fi tethering. After choosing the mobile hotspot from the list of accessible Wi-Fi networks and entering the password (if needed), you can connect to another device.

How does it Work?

Your phone generates a Wi-Fi signal by using its mobile data. When other gadgets pick up that signal, they can access the internet using the data on your phone.

Pros:

• Quick and simple to assemble.
• Able to connect many devices simultaneously.

Cons:

• Drains battery quickly.
• Uses a lot of data if multiple devices are connected.

2. Bluetooth Tethering

Bluetooth tethering is another option, though it’s slower than Wi-Fi. It works by pairing your phone with another device via Bluetooth and then sharing the internet connection over that connection.

Pair your phone with the second device via Bluetooth settings before using Bluetooth tethering. Next, go into your phone’s settings, allow Bluetooth tethering, and select the associated device to share your connection with.

How does it Work?

Your phone uses its mobile data and shares it over a Bluetooth connection. The paired device can then access the internet using that connection.

Pros:

• Uses less battery than Wi-Fi.
• Good for connecting one device at a time.

Cons:

• Comparatively slower than WiFi.
• At a time, only one device can connect.

3. USB Tethering

The third tethering technique is USB tethering. It entails using a USB cable to connect your phone to a laptop or computer. Due to its connected connection, this method is the fastest and most dependable.

Use a USB cord to link your phone to the other device to activate USB tethering. Next, go into the settings on your phone and enable USB tethering. After that, the gadget will be able to use the data connection on your phone to access the internet.

How did it Work?

Your phone shares its mobile data connection over a physical USB cable. The computer can then use that connection to go online.

Pros:

• Fastest and most stable connection.
• Does not drain the phone’s battery as quickly since the phone is charging while tethering.

Cons:

• Requires a USB cable.
• Only works for connecting one device at a time.

Data Usage in Tethering

When you tether your mobile data, the device you are sharing the connection with will use your phone’s data plan. It’s important to monitor how much data you’re using, as some apps or websites can quickly eat up your data allowance. Streaming videos, downloading large files, and online gaming can use large amounts of data, which may result in overage charges if you exceed your plan’s limit.

Battery Drain in Tethering

Tethering can drain your phone’s battery quickly, especially when using Wi-Fi tethering. This happens because your phone is doing multiple things at once: maintaining a mobile data connection, creating a Wi-Fi signal, and communicating with the connected device. If you’re planning to tether for a long time, it’s a good idea to keep your phone plugged in to charge, especially if you’re using Wi-Fi tethering.

USB tethering does not have this issue, as the phone is charged through the USB connection. Bluetooth tethering drains the battery less quickly than Wi-Fi but is still slower and less efficient.

Tethering vs. Portable Hotspots

Many people confuse tethering with using a portable hotspot device. A portable hotspot is a separate device that connects to a mobile data network and creates a Wi-Fi hotspot. It functions similarly to Wi-Fi tethering but doesn’t rely on your phone’s battery or data connection. Tethering, on the other hand, uses your phone or tablet’s data connection. While portable hotspots are more expensive, they provide a dedicated option for mobile internet without draining your phone’s battery or using its data.

Security in Tethering

When tethering, it’s important to make sure that your connection is secure. For Wi-Fi tethering, always set a strong password so that strangers cannot connect to your mobile hotspot and use your data. If you’re tethering through Bluetooth or USB, the connection is generally more secure because the range is shorter (Bluetooth) or physical (USB).

Using encryption and security settings provided by your phone can help ensure that your data is safe while tethering. Always make sure you’re using a secure network and not sharing your data with unknown devices.

Conclusion

Tethering is a convenient way to share your mobile data with other devices when you don’t have access to Wi-Fi. There are three main methods of tethering: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and USB, each with its advantages. Wi-Fi is the most common and allows multiple devices to connect, while USB offers the fastest and most reliable connection. Bluetooth is slower but saves battery power. While tethering is helpful, it’s essential to keep an eye on your data usage and battery life to avoid extra charges or a dead phone.

FAQs

1. Is Tethering Free?

Your data plan and cell carrier will determine this. While some carriers charge extra for tethering, others offer it for free. For specifics, speak with your provider.

2. Can I Tether Multiple Devices at Once?

Yes, with Wi-Fi tethering, you can connect multiple devices at once. Bluetooth and USB tethering usually only support one device at a time.

3. Does Tethering Use a Lot of Data?

Indeed, tethering can consume a significant amount of data, particularly when downloading big files or streaming videos. Keeping an eye on your data consumption is crucial to not overspending on your plan.

4. Does Tethering Affect My Phone’s Battery?

Tethering, especially through Wi-Fi, can drain your phone’s battery quickly. The phone charges while connected, thus USB tethering is less problematic.

5. Can I Use Tethering While Travelling Abroad?

Yes, but be careful. International data rates can be very high, so it’s a good idea to check with your mobile carrier about international tethering rates before travelling.