ClockworkMod Tether (no root) – Get Internet on Laptop from Android Phone with No Carrier Fees
by Antonio Wells
Feb 8, 2012 7:28 AM –
Install
ClockworkMod Tether (no root) is an essential app that allows you to tether your phone’s Internet connection to your laptop, you can ditch having to pay carrier “Mobile Hotspot” fees, even goes virtually undetected by most wireless carriers, and it doesn’t require you to root your phone. Easy to setup and easy use, lets get into the review!
Price: Free 14 Day Trial, $4.99
Tested on: LG Nitro HD
Content Rating: Everyone
Pros & Cons:
Pros
- Tether Internet from phone without carrier fees!
- No root required!
- Easy to setup and use!
Video Android App Review:
Watch on Mobile
Features:
An app brought to us by the same developer of popular root app, ROM Manager, this time creating an app that does not require root access on your phone to tether Internet from your phone to laptop or desktop via USB (not wireless). ClockworkMod Tether debut in the headlines as it claims it can go virtually undetected by most carriers, as they want to impose a monthly “Mobile Hotspot” fee atop of your data fee you’re already paying. I could rant on that for days 
but alas a suitable solution around it. 
Like most tether apps it has a one-two combo, meaning you install a companion app on your computer, retrievable from the developer’s website (in PC and Mac flavors) plus install the app onto your phone or tablet. It’s a full trial free two weeks then limited to 20MB a day thereafter or pay a mere $4.99 one-time in-app. Note: some carriers even block access to the app from Google’s Android Market. For example, on my LG Nitro HD with AT&T I could not find it in the Market, but not to fret, the direct download can be sought directly from the description on the web-based version of the Market. Now that you’ve past that hiccup, be sure to have “Unknown Sources” checked in the Settings > Manage Applications menu so that you can install Android apps outside the Android Market.
Once both desktop and phone apps are installed, simply plug in your USB cable, tap the phone’s icon, finally click “Start” on the desktop app and you’re off!
Having Issues? Need Help ClockworkMod Tether?
If you experience issues here are a few tips:
- Disable Firewalls and Anti-virus software.
- Make sure you area not connected to the Internet on wireless or Ethernet.
- Make sure you are using your OEM’s USB data cable (and not just a charge cable).
- If still not working, please contact koush@clockworkmod.com and provide the log from the Tether log window!
Tether speeds slow? Your USB speed is limited to the speed of the *slowest* peripheral you have connected. It is recommended you unplug any unnecessary/slow USB peripherals to get maximum Tether speeds.
If your PC does NOT have an Internet connection at the moment, start Tether for Android and use the Help button to easily download the PC software to your phone. You can then copy it to your PC and install!
Windows users will also need to install the USB/ADB driver for their phone. Tether’s setup process will assist you through that step by step, or you can use the link below!
http://www.clockworkmod.com/tether/drivers
Applications that may interfere or cause installation issues with Tether on Windows:
- VirtualBox
- OpenVPN
- Easy Tether
- PDANet
- TeamViewer VPN
Applications that may interfere with Tether on Mac:
- PDANet
- EasyTether
- Hamachi
- Viscosity
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Clockworkmod Tether
Usefulness:
For myself personally, I travel often and always in need of an Internet connection for my laptop. Sometimes relying on hotel Wi-Fi is a crap-shoot so I tend to rely on the trusty Android phone I always carry. Therefore, a no-nonsense tethering app is essential for me. And if you are like me, you will find it infinitely valuable too! Plus you get an added bonus of high speed Internet if your phone is a 4G LTE device.
Ease of Use:
The app combo is straight-forward and really easy to use once installed; it gets as simple as plugging your phone up and tapping the phone icon and starting the desktop application and viola.
If you do have complications with phone drivers, installations, no Internet connection, etc. see our help section above.
Frequently Used:
I can see varied use cases; from those that need this when they travel occasionally on to creative and frugal folks that use it extensively by tethering that phone’s Internet saving multiple Internet access accounts.
Interface:
The user interface is simple, yet to the point; featuring a large connection icon followed by download/upload statistics on your data consumption. Especially useful for those not on unlimited data plans.
Tags:
Android App,
Android Apps,
Android Tethering,
AndroidTapp.com App Review,
ClockworkMod Tether,
No Root Required,
Tethering,
Tethering Apps,
Tethering Plan Not Required,
USB Tethering
Categorised in: Tools
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