I am looking for an app that automatically switches off the cellular radio when wifi is connected and switches it back on when wifi loses connection. I'm not talking about the APN data connection which already does that, I'm talking about the regular cell phone connection.
According to my lack of results searching through the forums, Market, and Google, such an app does not exist yet. Currently the best app I've found to do anything remotely like this is the Airplane Mode Wi-Fi app, which is a manual switch and a slightly cumbersome one at that, not nearly good enough for how often I go in and out of wifi.
The reason I ask for this is because I use Google Voice with SIP and a prepaid plan. I want to use SIP as much as possible to save my prepaid minutes for when I really need them. When wifi and cell are both connected with Sipdroid running and I receive a call, they both ring at the same time. To be sure I don't accidentally use prepaid, I usually reject the call and call back over SIP, which is slightly annoying for both me and the caller.
Might someone be willing to create this app? Or better yet, does it already exist and I just wasn't doing the right searches?
You can turn the phone radio off with code but you need to use non-public apis and probably extra permissions. For anyone interested, have a look at RadioInfo.java (Phone Info when selecting an activity with AnyCut).
I'll add the option to the Airplane Mode Wi-fi Tool.
It was simple, I'm testing it right now, then I'll update it in the market as soon as it works properly.
UPDATE: Done, go download "Airplane Mode Wi-Fi Tool" (free) from the market if you'd like to stay updated from there, otherwise install it from the attachment here.
It only enables airplane mode if it successfully connects to a Wi-fi network, if it disconnects, connection gets dropped, or wi-fi gets disabled from the settings or widget, the phone goes back to regular radio mode.
Make sure to check the Preferences and enable/disable it according to your preferences. It's disabled as default.
Enjoy!
Perfect! Airplane Mode Wi-Fi Tool has become one of my top favorite apps with this feature. Thanks!
cant' find it on the market
sorry: I needed to search for the translated name
zorxd said:
is this app still available on market? Can't find it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is, Market link -- Airplane Mode Wi-fi Tool
Also, you might be interested in this one, Market link - AutoAP
I found the application on the market, however it doesn't behave as expected. I have to manually switch to airplane mode, and then enable wifi.
What I would like is a single switch to enable wifi AND disable the cellular radio.
And then a single switch to switch back to cell radio with wifi off.
I will try autoAP, thanks
How hard is it on the battery if I always leave wi-fi on even when not used?
autoap seems just fine, I just have to disable wifi to automatically enable cell radio
thanks
However I think, from a marketing point of view, you should consider a better name. Auto AP sounds like Automatic Access Point to me.
Yeah, works fine on tablets without internal 3G. This provides a battery saver.
You may have noticed, especially if you've got the new Free Wifi Calling feature from T-Mobile, that WiFi Calling is a BATTERY HOG. Worse, it hogs battery even when disabled. You can verify it's Hogginess even when disabled by noting it will almost always be the top APP in history using SystemPanel. It's incredibly badly coded, and if you've got a Rom with Wifi Calling on it, and you've had bad battery life, now you know WHY.
But, really, with the new Free Wifi Calling feature, we shouldn't have to kill it entirely.
You can freeze it with Titanium Backup, but that's a hassle. Likewise using Bloater to uninstall/reinstall it all the time. Wouldn't it be nice just to have a desktop widget to do it for you? Or be able to hook it into your "Home Wifi" profile, so it's always enabled at home, and then have it turned off as soon as you're no longer near your home wifi?
Thanks to user AntonX in this thread , I came across a method to simply kill the app at the system level until needed. Still not convenient. So, I whipped up some Tasker scripts which will help the situation.
This assumes you have Tasker, as well as a basic knowledge of how to use it. Here are your the TASKS to create (Don't create any profiles unless you want to)
You also need to have the Locale Execute plugin, which is free.
NOTE: For this to work correctly, leave the slider set to ENABLE in the wifi calling app, and disable the feature using the Tasker widget and not inside the app!
Create a Task "Disable Wifi Calling"
1. Variable Set %WIFIWASON to YES If %WIFI ~ on
2. Wifi Set Off
3. Wait 5 Seconds If %WIFIWASON ~ YES
4. Execute @!pm disable com.android.kineto
5. Wifi Set On If %WIFIWASON ~YES
6. Variable Clear %WIFIWASON
7. Variable Clear %WIFICALLING
Create a Task: "Enable Wifi Calling"
1. WiFi Set On
2. Plugin:Execute @!pm enable com.android.kineto
3. Wait 5 Seconds
4. Load App Wifi Calling
5. Variable Set %WIFICALLING to YES
Create a Task "Toggle Wifi Calling"
1. Perform Task Disable WIFI Calling If %WIFICALLING ~ YES
2. Perform Task Enable WIFI Calling If %WIFICALLING |~ YES
TO USE:
Add a Tasker Widget to your homescreen for the "Toggle Wifi Calling" task.
What is going on:
Disable script will check if wifi is on at the time it is executed. It has to turn Wifi OFF so we get a clean disconnect from the network and the taskbar Icon goes away before killing the Wifi Calling app. If Wifi was on beforehand, it turns it back on.
Enable script will make sure wifi is enabled, and give it time to connect, and then load the application since sometimes it won't activate on its own without loading manually.
These tasks are intended to be linked to Tasker widgets on your homescreen, but you can call them from location based profiles or whatever.
Now, when Wifi Calling is OFF, it is REALLY off, and not just sitting around, unused, sucking up your battery. With a little more work, this could probably be turned into a single "Toggle" task, but that's an exercise for someone who has slept and doesn't have work in 5 hours. Comments/Improvements welcome.
Update 1:
Added instructions for creating a Toggle widget at the same time.
Streamlined Tasks.
Planned Features:
1. Automatically disable WIFI calling app once WIFI has been disconnected to save battery. Seems to need a block to prevent the state from triggering during processing of the disable/enable tasks, as it breaks functionality. I'm sure it is trivial but I have a limited attention span.
2. Automatically enable WIFI calling app if currently connected to WIFI *and* cell has no signal for longer than a set time. (%CELLSIG)
3. [not possible?] - Audible warning that WIFI signal is getting low and you are currently on a call. Is there any way to read current WIFI signal strength with Tasker?
Very good guide and a great idea.. if only we could get a better coded wifi calling app... or one for cm7
Sent from a cell tower to the XDA server to you.
I love the idea, but I can't quite seem to get it working. When I run the "disable" task, it eventually turns WiFi back on and WiFi calling gets re-enabled.
Then, a while later I get an "app not responding" warning from the Android system for the execute locale plugin (I can select Force Close or Wait).
Also, what is the best way to grant SU permissions to the plugin in the SU application? I have never been prompted to allow it. To test it out, I just temporarily granted access to everything...
Thanks!
lotherius,
I follow on the G2X forums. And you know how the G2x & MIUI Roms can't seem to get Wifi Calling to work consistently. I noticed that if I can get the Wifi Calling app to stay turned OFF it allowed my Sim card to not get the "Invalid Sim" error and then I was able to get wifi calling to work again even after reboots. Do you think by any chance that this script could help cure our Wifi Calling issue with MIUI Roms??? And is there a way to make a flashable zip of this for us Noobs? Thanks Again.
GFam4 said:
lotherius,
I follow on the G2X forums. And you know how the G2x & MIUI Roms can't seem to get Wifi Calling to work consistently. I noticed that if I can get the Wifi Calling app to stay turned OFF it allowed my Sim card to not get the "Invalid Sim" error and then I was able to get wifi calling to work again even after reboots. Do you think by any chance that this script could help cure our Wifi Calling issue with MIUI Roms??? And is there a way to make a flashable zip of this for us Noobs? Thanks Again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, this script wouldn't help with that. The problem on MIUI roms on the G2X is due to the operator (T-Mobile for most) not sending the phone # directly to the SIM card when it is activated. Some SIM cards have it, typically older ones, so it works. Those without, however, find that it doesn't work.
Supposedly you can manually program the SIM by using a phone that supports doing so, but I haven't checked to see if that would fix the problem.
Also I no longer bother with this on the G2X as it appears that while wifi calling still uses *some* battery when not active, it's not the battery hog it was back on the Vibrant.
Lotherius,
I had an HD2 running MIUI with Wifi Calling working before the G2X. The is the hack/mod that this guy TyTung did to get wifi calling to work for the HD2. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1038784 You think something like this can be used for the G2X to get wifi calling working?
GFam4 said:
Lotherius,
I had an HD2 running MIUI with Wifi Calling working before the G2X. The is the hack/mod that this guy TyTung did to get wifi calling to work for the HD2. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1038784 You think something like this can be used for the G2X to get wifi calling working?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WiFi Calling is really picky about the network information being accurate. I'm surprised that they got it working on the HD2...
The best fix for it on MIUI on the G2X would depend on fixing MIUI itself, since the RIL is correct -- the G2X doesn't allow you to change the RIL so it isn't affected. In the case of MIUI, older SIM cards typically work better than new ones.
The issue comes down to the ability to read the network information from the SIM card. If that data has been programmed to your SIM card, then it might work. If it has not been programmed to your SIM card, then it won't work.
So basically... not saying it's impossible to get it working on G2X/MIUI, but it is more likely to require a fix to MIUI rather than to Wifi Calling.
lotherius said:
WiFi Calling is really picky about the network information being accurate. I'm surprised that they got it working on the HD2...
The best fix for it on MIUI on the G2X would depend on fixing MIUI itself, since the RIL is correct -- the G2X doesn't allow you to change the RIL so it isn't affected. In the case of MIUI, older SIM cards typically work better than new ones.
The issue comes down to the ability to read the network information from the SIM card. If that data has been programmed to your SIM card, then it might work. If it has not been programmed to your SIM card, then it won't work.
So basically... not saying it's impossible to get it working on G2X/MIUI, but it is more likely to require a fix to MIUI rather than to Wifi Calling.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wish i knew what Lib's and RIL's that I can swap from a CM7 Rom (Weapon G2X, Eaglesblood, or TSUGI) and push it via Root Explorer. I did this on my Hd2 and had wifi calling working. Can't this method work to get wifi calling working on G2X. Sorry I know this is off topic. But I even had Wifi Calling on your TSUGI ROM. You wouldn't happen to know what Lib's & Ril's on your TSUGI Rom are responsible for Wifi Calling to be enabled?
Is battery life really bad with wifi calling for you guys? I use it nearly 24/7 on my phone, and get fantastic battery life. Like way better than I did without it.
Of course, I'm on the clearly superior HTC G2, but still
I've been toying with this, but anytime I force Wifi calling to disable (by killing the app or disabling kineto), restarting Wifi calling says I'm not registered with the T-Mobile network (sure) and won't connect (even after clicking Register) until I reboot the phone.
Any tips?
I've searched around for some solid technique or, preferably, app that allows you to trick apps into thinking you are using Wifi when in reality you are still on 3g/4g.
- I am NOT looking for alternatives or workarounds for a specific app
I found it crazy that the iPhone has over a dozen apps, tweaks, etc that can easily do this type of thing, but the only stuff I've found on the subject for android were either ridiculous techniques that don't work, or people questioning WHY you'd want to do this...
If anyone has ANY information on this subject, please tell.
Is there a reason why this is so much harder on Android than on iPhone? I'd be happy to learn exactly what the problem is here.
bump
Im also interested on this. I have unlimited data and i find it ridiculous that devs make apps to only work on wifi. I use to use 3g unrestrictor all the time back when i had my iPhone.
bump
bump again...
Well i know this works with certain android games like zenonia and modern combat which require wifi not data connection so you can try it with other stuff. You have to be rooted.
The first step is to turn your Wi-Fi on and*download Android Wi-Fi tether app*available in Market.
Once you have the app downloaded, launch the app and go to Menu > Settings > Change > Setup Method and select Softap option.
Now start tethering and drag down the notification bar.
In case your Wi-Fi icon is still enabled, it means that you have done it right so far.
Do not press the Wi-Fi toggle icon and launch the game you want to play
-------------
I am a dishonest man, and you can always honestly trust a dishonest man to be dishonest. Honestly it's the honest ones you have to watch out for.
xMrArnoldx said:
Well i know this works with certain android games like zenonia and modern combat which require wifi not data connection so you can try it with other stuff. You have to be rooted.
The first step is to turn your Wi-Fi on and*download Android Wi-Fi tether app*available in Market.
Once you have the app downloaded, launch the app and go to Menu > Settings > Change > Setup Method and select Softap option.
Now start tethering and drag down the notification bar.
In case your Wi-Fi icon is still enabled, it means that you have done it right so far.
Do not press the Wi-Fi toggle icon and launch the game you want to play
-------------
I am a dishonest man, and you can always honestly trust a dishonest man to be dishonest. Honestly it's the honest ones you have to watch out for.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It didn't work.. My wifi is turned off as soon as the tethering starts. What app exactly am I supposed to use?
Thanks!
Try wifi tether for root users.
---------------------
Give me a thanks if i helped
Lg Lucid running Cm10
w/ Cm10 Kernel
Asus Tf700 running Cromi-X 4.6.5
w/ Max's v4 kernel
Some Android games and application require a Wi-Fi connection due to the large amount of data that they use. If you don't have Wi-Fi available, however, you won't be able to use the apps or play the games, even if you have a fast 3G connection. You can trick your phone into believing that the Wi-Fi is connected by saving a small text file to your SD card so the phone will play games and apps as if it's on Wi-Fi when it's only connected to 3G.
Things You'll Need
PC
Data cable
Text editing app
Instructions
1) Launch a text editing program on your computer and type "FALSE" in all caps. Save the file and give it the name "qaWifiOnlyMode.txt" exactly with all the lower-case and capital letters duplicated precisely, otherwise the Android operating system won't see the file. Close the text editing program.
2) Plug your Android device into your computer and drag your finger down from the top of the screen to open the notification area. Tap "USB Connected" and then confirm that you want to mount your SD card as a drive on the computer.
3) Find the qaWifiOnlyMode.txt file on your computer and click to select it. Press "Ctrl" and "C" to copy the file. Browse to the location of your Android device's SD card on your computer. In the base(root) directory, not in any sub-folder, press "Ctrl" and "V" to paste the text file to the card.
4) Drag down the notification area on your Android device and tap the USB connection to disconnect the device from the computer. Unplug the USB cable. Your device will now play games and apps as if it's on Wi-Fi even if it's only on 3G.
Diablo67 said:
Some Android games and application require a Wi-Fi connection due to the large amount of data that they use. If you don't have Wi-Fi available, however, you won't be able to use the apps or play the games, even if you have a fast 3G connection. You can trick your phone into believing that the Wi-Fi is connected by saving a small text file to your SD card so the phone will play games and apps as if it's on Wi-Fi when it's only connected to 3G.
Things You'll Need
PC
Data cable
Text editing app
Instructions
1) Launch a text editing program on your computer and type "FALSE" in all caps. Save the file and give it the name "qaWifiOnlyMode.txt" exactly with all the lower-case and capital letters duplicated precisely, otherwise the Android operating system won't see the file. Close the text editing program.
2) Plug your Android device into your computer and drag your finger down from the top of the screen to open the notification area. Tap "USB Connected" and then confirm that you want to mount your SD card as a drive on the computer.
3) Find the qaWifiOnlyMode.txt file on your computer and click to select it. Press "Ctrl" and "C" to copy the file. Browse to the location of your Android device's SD card on your computer. In the base(root) directory, not in any sub-folder, press "Ctrl" and "V" to paste the text file to the card.
4) Drag down the notification area on your Android device and tap the USB connection to disconnect the device from the computer. Unplug the USB cable. Your device will now play games and apps as if it's on Wi-Fi even if it's only on 3G.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, this whole text file thing didn't work for me. Do you have to be rooted for this to work?
It didn't work for me either and I'm rooted
Work for anyone
Did the above fix work for anyone?
.txt thing didn't work for me either and I'm rooted]
I am having a rooted phone with busybox and this text file trick doesn't work.
Sent from my GT-S5360 Gadget of Mass Destruction using xda-app
Using CWM........Busybox Commands........No I use my hands
I've been searching for a way to fool apps into thinking their on WiFi. No luck.
I hate to beat the dead horse but I switched from an iPhone to a HTC One and its turning out to be a bad deal. Your telling me all these yrs and no one has been able to make one of the most basic apps the iPhone can get via cydia yet.
We should start a bounty ...
I'll throw in 100 to start it off with.
omf05 said:
I've been searching for a way to fool apps into thinking their on WiFi. No luck.
I hate to beat the dead horse but I switched from an iPhone to a HTC One and its turning out to be a bad deal. Your telling me all these yrs and no one has been able to make one of the most basic apps the iPhone can get via cydia yet.
We should start a bounty ...
I'll throw in 100 to start it off with.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's pretty pathetic really
I'll be abroad next week and wanted to catch a bit of the French Open Tennis but one of the TV apps I'm using requires a wifi connection. The fact there is no workaround yet is almost as idiotic as the morons who implement this "feature" in their apps.
Why should I care if someone is dumb enough to rinse their 1GB Data limit when I have unlimited 4G internet?
I asked about this in the Xposed forum, since it seems like an Xposed module might be the way to trick apps into thinking you're on wi-fi.
For me, the issue is with PdaNet+. I have unlimited data with T-Mobile, and I can pair my tablet via bluetooth and use my phone's data on my tablet. However, some apps don't work because they don't detect a data connection (ie: wi-fi), even though there is one. I can browse the internet. I can browse Google Play. But I can't download anything from Google Play, because it keeps waiting for a network connection. I can use Facebook, but I can't use the Facebook Messenger.
The work-around I can use at home is to use a virtual wi-fi router program on my laptop, connect my tablet to my laptop's wifi, and then connect my tablet via PdaNet+ bluetooth. Even there's no data going through the wi-fi, it still "tricks" my tablet into thinking there's a network connection, and it proceeds to download through bluetooth. Of course, this only works at home or if I have my laptop with me.
Yeah, I can always just tether my phone to my laptop and run my tablet off the laptop's virtual wi-fi router (which I typically do), but that's slower, and again, only works when my computer is with me.
Planterz said:
I asked about this in the Xposed forum, since it seems like an Xposed module might be the way to trick apps into thinking you're on wi-fi.
For me, the issue is with PdaNet+. I have unlimited data with T-Mobile, and I can pair my tablet via bluetooth and use my phone's data on my tablet. However, some apps don't work because they don't detect a data connection (ie: wi-fi), even though there is one. I can browse the internet. I can browse Google Play. But I can't download anything from Google Play, because it keeps waiting for a network connection. I can use Facebook, but I can't use the Facebook Messenger.
The work-around I can use at home is to use a virtual wi-fi router program on my laptop, connect my tablet to my laptop's wifi, and then connect my tablet via PdaNet+ bluetooth. Even there's no data going through the wi-fi, it still "tricks" my tablet into thinking there's a network connection, and it proceeds to download through bluetooth. Of course, this only works at home or if I have my laptop with me.
Yeah, I can always just tether my phone to my laptop and run my tablet off the laptop's virtual wi-fi router (which I typically do), but that's slower, and again, only works when my computer is with me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you provide a little more detail in how to do this? What program are you using on your laptop? So the phone is running PDANet and then you connect it to your laptop via Bluetooth. Then after that you connect your tablet to the laptop's virtual wifi router?
Don't know if I understood completely but thanks in advance.
taino211 said:
Could you provide a little more detail in how to do this? What program are you using on your laptop? So the phone is running PDANet and then you connect it to your laptop via Bluetooth. Then after that you connect your tablet to the laptop's virtual wifi router?
Don't know if I understood completely but thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have T-Mobile's Unlimited plan, which has unlimited data and 5gb free hotspot. My phone is a T-Mobile branded Samsung Galaxy Light SGH T399. On my phone I have PdaNet+ installed, with the full unlock key purchased ($8).
There's a free one to try, to make sure it works with your phone; whether it works or not depends on the phone itself, the version of Android it runs, and the provider from which you got it (if you didn't get an unlocked version). For example, a particular phone might work fine with T-Mobile, but the Sprint version of that phone might not. That's why there's the free version - to test before purchasing. The limitation with the free version is that it times out after about ~10 minutes and you have to reconnect.
PdaNet can connect to your computer in 3 ways. Wifi, Bluetooth, or USB tethering. Again, depending on your phone, carrier branding, and Android version, some methods may work while others won't.
Wifi works just like any wifi hotspot. However, depending on the afore mentioned conditions, wifi hotspot might not work the way you want it to. For example, on my T-Mobile branded Samsung Galaxy Light SGH-T399, using the wifi hotspot on PdaNet also loads up the pre-installed T-Mobile hotspot, which drains the 5gb mobile hotspot allotment. I haven't found a way to break that on this phone. On other phones (like Nexus devices), I know there are ways to only use your phone's data, and not the hotspot allotment, but frankly, these are very complicated and need a VPN subscription (ie: more money) to work. Wifi hotspot use is often broken anyway, depending on your carrier and Android version.
Bluetooth and USB tethering work differently than wi-fi, but otherwise work essentially the same way as each other. Both require a companion program to be installed onto your computer. A good idea is to keep a copy of this program on your phone, so you can install it on other people's computers if necessary (and perhaps the USB drivers for your phone as well).
I haven't messed around with Bluetooth much, because the Bluetooth on my laptop (via a dongle) is glitchy as $#@!, and I've never been able to get PdaNet to work with it properly except for a couple times which didn't last. Actually, I've never gotten anything to work properly with Bluetooth on my laptop, so this is probably just a problem with my computer/dongle/drivers, and YMMV. On the few times I've gotten PdaNet or other internet via Bluetooth (which some phones have built-in, and don't require PdaNet at all), speeds have been much, much slower, and I'd rather tether via USB anyway.
I connect my phone's internet to my laptop with USB tether. Make sure USB debugging is enabled, and plug it in. Make sure it's set as a Mass Storage device (4.1 or earlier), or as a Media Device (4.2+). Then on your phone, open PdaNet+ and Activate USB Tether (you can do this before plugging it in, it doesn't matter). On your computer, load PdaNet, and select Connect Internet (USB). If everything has been set up correctly, it should say "Connected", and you can now use your phone's internet on your computer.
Here's the important part:
If you don't have an Unlimited plan, tethering (via any method) will suck down your data. If you do have an unlimited plan, there's an option in PdaNet's settings (on your computer) to "Hide Tether Usage". This uses a proxy or VPN (not sure which) to fool your provider into thinking you're on your phone, and not on your computer. This works for me, with my phone, on T-Mobile. No guarantees that this will work with other phones, or other providers. Try the free version first, monitor your data usage (use your provider's account app, not the built-in Android one), and see if it works for you.
As for the virtual wifi network, there are a couple ways to do this. The PdaNet program for your computer actually has this built into it. Once you're connected, select the "WiFi Share" option, and it'll set up a wi-fi network that you (and others) can use on other devices, like other phones, tablets, computers smart-TVs, etc. Obviously, the computer you're tethered to needs to have wi-fi capability for this to work. But as long as you have a wi-fi modem, it can be turned into a wi-fi router with this option. It's not as strong as a real wi-fi router, but you don't have to buy and network a different piece of equipment either.
There are also stand-alone virtual wi-fi router programs. The one I've used mainly is Virtual Router Manager beta 0.9. A while ago, I tried a newer, non-beta version, but it was extremely unstable, so I went back to the 0.9 beta. I haven't tried any newer version in quite some time. I used this when I had proper internet (cable) in my apartment, but wanted to use wi-fi instead of my phone's data to do downloads or updates on my phone.
Neither the Virtual Router Manager or the WiFi Share option on PdaNet are 100% stable. Every once in a while, something glitches out, and I have to reboot my computer (I usually reboot my phone at the same time, just to be sure). But hey, apart from the $8 for PdaNet+, I get unlimited mobile and home internet for $80/month, so I can't complain.
To recap, I have my phone USB tethered to my laptop (which is plugged into a 42" HDTV) via PdaNet+. I use a virtual wi-fi router option to give wi-fi to my tablet. One internet connection, 3 devices connected.
My problem is that, even though I own a laptop, it practically never goes with my anywhere. It sits on a cooling pad, plugged into 2 external HDDs and my 42" HDTV, and I sit at my couch with a wireless mouse/keyboard. But when I'm away from my apartment, and I have my tablet, there's certain things I can't do on the tablet connected via PdaNet and Bluetooth, because it doesn't have a wi-fi connection, and these certain apps don't detect a network connection.
Planterz said:
I have T-Mobile's Unlimited plan, which has unlimited data and 5gb free hotspot. My phone is a T-Mobile branded Samsung Galaxy Light SGH T399. On my phone I have PdaNet+ installed, with the full unlock key purchased ($8).
There's a free one to try, to make sure it works with your phone; whether it works or not depends on the phone itself, the version of Android it runs, and the provider from which you got it (if you didn't get an unlocked version). For example, a particular phone might work fine with T-Mobile, but the Sprint version of that phone might not. That's why there's the free version - to test before purchasing. The limitation with the free version is that it times out after about ~10 minutes and you have to reconnect.
PdaNet can connect to your computer in 3 ways. Wifi, Bluetooth, or USB tethering. Again, depending on your phone, carrier branding, and Android version, some methods may work while others won't.
Wifi works just like any wifi hotspot. However, depending on the afore mentioned conditions, wifi hotspot might not work the way you want it to. For example, on my T-Mobile branded Samsung Galaxy Light SGH-T399, using the wifi hotspot on PdaNet also loads up the pre-installed T-Mobile hotspot, which drains the 5gb mobile hotspot allotment. I haven't found a way to break that on this phone. On other phones (like Nexus devices), I know there are ways to only use your phone's data, and not the hotspot allotment, but frankly, these are very complicated and need a VPN subscription (ie: more money) to work. Wifi hotspot use is often broken anyway, depending on your carrier and Android version.
Bluetooth and USB tethering work differently than wi-fi, but otherwise work essentially the same way as each other. Both require a companion program to be installed onto your computer. A good idea is to keep a copy of this program on your phone, so you can install it on other people's computers if necessary (and perhaps the USB drivers for your phone as well).
I haven't messed around with Bluetooth much, because the Bluetooth on my laptop (via a dongle) is glitchy as $#@!, and I've never been able to get PdaNet to work with it properly except for a couple times which didn't last. Actually, I've never gotten anything to work properly with Bluetooth on my laptop, so this is probably just a problem with my computer/dongle/drivers, and YMMV. On the few times I've gotten PdaNet or other internet via Bluetooth (which some phones have built-in, and don't require PdaNet at all), speeds have been much, much slower, and I'd rather tether via USB anyway.
I connect my phone's internet to my laptop with USB tether. Make sure USB debugging is enabled, and plug it in. Make sure it's set as a Mass Storage device (4.1 or earlier), or as a Media Device (4.2+). Then on your phone, open PdaNet+ and Activate USB Tether (you can do this before plugging it in, it doesn't matter). On your computer, load PdaNet, and select Connect Internet (USB). If everything has been set up correctly, it should say "Connected", and you can now use your phone's internet on your computer.
Here's the important part:
If you don't have an Unlimited plan, tethering (via any method) will suck down your data. If you do have an unlimited plan, there's an option in PdaNet's settings (on your computer) to "Hide Tether Usage". This uses a proxy or VPN (not sure which) to fool your provider into thinking you're on your phone, and not on your computer. This works for me, with my phone, on T-Mobile. No guarantees that this will work with other phones, or other providers. Try the free version first, monitor your data usage (use your provider's account app, not the built-in Android one), and see if it works for you.
As for the virtual wifi network, there are a couple ways to do this. The PdaNet program for your computer actually has this built into it. Once you're connected, select the "WiFi Share" option, and it'll set up a wi-fi network that you (and others) can use on other devices, like other phones, tablets, computers smart-TVs, etc. Obviously, the computer you're tethered to needs to have wi-fi capability for this to work. But as long as you have a wi-fi modem, it can be turned into a wi-fi router with this option. It's not as strong as a real wi-fi router, but you don't have to buy and network a different piece of equipment either.
There are also stand-alone virtual wi-fi router programs. The one I've used mainly is Virtual Router Manager beta 0.9. A while ago, I tried a newer, non-beta version, but it was extremely unstable, so I went back to the 0.9 beta. I haven't tried any newer version in quite some time. I used this when I had proper internet (cable) in my apartment, but wanted to use wi-fi instead of my phone's data to do downloads or updates on my phone.
Neither the Virtual Router Manager or the WiFi Share option on PdaNet are 100% stable. Every once in a while, something glitches out, and I have to reboot my computer (I usually reboot my phone at the same time, just to be sure). But hey, apart from the $8 for PdaNet+, I get unlimited mobile and home internet for $80/month, so I can't complain.
To recap, I have my phone USB tethered to my laptop (which is plugged into a 42" HDTV) via PdaNet+. I use a virtual wi-fi router option to give wi-fi to my tablet. One internet connection, 3 devices connected.
My problem is that, even though I own a laptop, it practically never goes with my anywhere. It sits on a cooling pad, plugged into 2 external HDDs and my 42" HDTV, and I sit at my couch with a wireless mouse/keyboard. But when I'm away from my apartment, and I have my tablet, there's certain things I can't do on the tablet connected via PdaNet and Bluetooth, because it doesn't have a wi-fi connection, and these certain apps don't detect a network connection.
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Thanks for the great explanation! This helps quite a bit. I'll give this a shot to see how it goes.