[Q] T-Mobile Hotspot Tethering - VPN Workaround Dead - T-Mobile HTC One (M7)

Not sure whats going on, but my go-to way for avoiding hotspot paywalls recently stopped working.
Nothing on my side has changed. I'm still using my same personal OpenVPN server with the same config files.
I did change laptops recently, but I double checked with Wireshark, all packets coming in and out are OpenVPN packets with a few TCP packets sprinkled in there. No way you T-Mobile can tell what the packets are really for.
Has anyone else noticed this? I'm thinking T-Mobile has switched to tracking tether usage by using the phone itself to report it.
If thats the case, I could probably get around it by rooting and using a custom ROM with its own hotspot app (like CM). Right?
But meh... I'm happy with the phone as it is right now.

All the Carriers are cracking done on tethering. And I don't think switching to CM will help. I'm with you I love Sense to switch to CM

If you have the T-Mobile my account app installed it's tracking what your doing. As for tethering, I have the truly unlimited, no tether included plan, and tether with out a problem.
HTC One

So if I uninstall the my account app, they cant track it?

fmedrano1977 said:
If you have the T-Mobile my account app installed it's tracking what your doing. As for tethering, I have the truly unlimited, no tether included plan, and tether with out a problem.
HTC One
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The tracking function requires user permission, which I have not done...

You could try paying for a service that you use

That's an option or use the work around and get it for free, after all you are paying for the data. Why not use it as you please.
HTC One

Related

Are 3rd party tethering apps detectable by ATT?

I was thinking about using the app wifi tether and was wondering about ATT detecting it. I am on unlimited data and don't want to get the boot...if I used it once in a great while.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using XDA
I have been using the stock tethering by rooting and deleting some tethering apk (look for it somewhere in the forums). But I have not had any issues or messages about tethering. They will give you a warning if you are detected though and that'll give you time to stop tethering. In other words they're not gonna just take you off unlimited instantly.
If you're still on gingerbread root the phone and download titanium backup and delete tethering manager then boom. Don't have to pay for tethering services
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using XDA
Ok, so back on topic here.
They can and they can't.
If you just browse the net and do normal things like that, no, they can't.
But, you start sucking up bandwidth playing MMO's and downloading torrents, then yeah, they will get you eventually.
The amount of Bandwidth you use will get you before they seek you out for tethering is what I am trying to say. Just be reasonable and responsible is all.
On my cappy I was running saurom and tethered alot of the day to my laptop. Never got anything from ATT. Now I have the Note and its stock. Installed FoxFi and within a few days of just normal browsing I got a text from ATT so I had to call them and stop tethering, don't want to lose my unlimited data plan.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using XDA
I have unlimited data and used to tether my laptop to my Infuse when my internet was down at my college house. My roommates also would tether to it and use their laptops and our internet connected bluray player to watch netflix. I never had any problems, until I installed a ROM that didn't have the tetheringmanager.apk removed, because the developer thought free tethering was wrong...ugh. I didn't bother to check for it being uninstalled, as most custom ROMs have it removed, and I got a text from AT&T about an hour later.
I was really pissed when I went and read that the dev didn't remove it, because it caused me to lose my tethering ability since I want to keep my unlimited data, but it was also my fault for not checking. Long story short, make sure the apk is reoved, and you should be good to go. They may still catch you if you use enormous amounts of data as others have said, but they will warn you before changing your unlimited plan to a tiered tethering one.
My suggestion, do it while you can, and just stop if you get warned! =]
Ok pretty much what I was expecting. I have a few questions but first I want to clarify that I'm on Saurom VII, does anyone know if this ROM had the APK removed and what's the name of it so I can remove with titanium if need be? Thanks in advance.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note™
Edit: I found two apps named wifi share 1.0 and wifi sharing manager 1.0...bingo?
No bingo, though I don't think it would hurt to remove those either, as those could also tip off att, not sure though. The one you need to make sure of is tetheringmanager.apk. Go into root explorer: system > app > and delete tetheringmanager.apk
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk
I couldst find anything name tethering manager, but I found like 3 other apps that the wifi icon but not sure what they do lol. Here a screen shot..., well apparently I can't upload a screen shot because the JPEG had an invalid file extension (using the XDA app)
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note™
Disabling TetheringManager
This thread is very helpful. Thanks!
Posters have suggested that you delete the TetheringManager apk. Could you just freeze it (in Titanium Backup) instead?
backup then remove
You can freeze it if you have the Premium Titanium Backup. If you don't you can back it up then uninstall it. That way you can restore it if need.
Yes. Freezing works.
Sent from a Galaxy far, far away!
I'm really curious as to how exactly AT&T figures out who tethers. In the past, I tethered all the time whenever I needed to use my laptop in the field. Never a problem, and I never abused it. Then I got my international SGSII (GT-I9100). I was trying to download a wi-fi driver to my home PC so I could connect with my Cox Cable internet home network. I probably had tethering on for maybe 5 minutes, and I know I had to have consumed <5megs of data. A couple hours later I got the email and text from AT&T telling me they were moving me off the unlimited plan to the limited plan.
How'd they know? The phone isn't available on AT&T, and didn't have any of AT&T's tething apk's like tetheringmanager.apk. I've tried Googling to see if anybody knows exactly how they know, but nobody seems to know.
ClockworkMod Tether is supposed to be invisible to the phone company. I'm just afraid to test it now! Tether link: http://goo.gl/7Ay6w
diomed said:
How'd they know? The phone isn't available on AT&T, and didn't have any of AT&T's tething apk's like tetheringmanager.apk. I've tried Googling to see if anybody knows exactly how they know, but nobody seems to know.
ClockworkMod Tether is supposed to be invisible to the phone company. I'm just afraid to test it now! Tether link: http://goo.gl/7Ay6w
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's been a lot of discussion about how AT&T detects tethering. From everything I've read, I believe that they look at the TTL parameter in the packets to see if there's an extra hop. When you tether, packets originate on the tethered device and the TTL gets changed. Apparently, some of the USB tether apps like ClockworkMod Tether don't change the TTL, so they avoid detection.
I haven't tested this myself, so I don't know for sure that ClockworkMod Tether is safe to use. Maybe other people have used it and can report here.
kevinallen4325 said:
If you're still on gingerbread root the phone and download titanium backup and delete tethering manager then boom. Don't have to pay for tethering services
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Isn't the Tethering Manager app needed for 3rd party Tethering to work? When I start FoxFi, Tethering Manager also got started immediately. I am on stock rooted.
I got the text from AT&T saying that I had to stop tethering so I called and tried to lie about but they said they were tipped off because I accessed the apple store multiple time and since I was on WM at the time it would be impossible for me to do that on my device. They were correct I was tethering to an ipod touch and they somehow knew. The women told me sometimes they get tips from their security system that tells them different things about the likelyhood of what customers are tethering and when their system gathers enough information to prove someone is tethering it automatically sends a text to that customer. I felt stupid for tryin to lie after she told me their records show I never switched my sim to an iphone and was still able to access the apple store several times. I never got caught tethering until I tethered the ipod.
porkenhimer said:
I got the text from AT&T saying that I had to stop tethering so I called and tried to lie about but they said they were tipped off because I accessed the apple store multiple time and since I was on WM at the time it would be impossible for me to do that on my device. They were correct I was tethering to an ipod touch and they somehow knew. The women told me sometimes they get tips from their security system that tells them different things about the likelyhood of what customers are tethering and when their system gathers enough information to prove someone is tethering it automatically sends a text to that customer. I felt stupid for tryin to lie after she told me their records show I never switched my sim to an iphone and was still able to access the apple store several times. I never got caught tethering until I tethered the ipod.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same thing here, never got busted until I tethered my iPad from my iPhone. So far so good with the note...
_________________________________
www.TheShortBusRiders.com

[Q] Tethering without detection

I am very good at searching before I post questions, but I keep getting an error saying search is currently not available.
On my S3 there were ways to tether via WiFi and USB without being detected on my grandfathered in unlimited data play. Can anyone confirm that there is proven method via the LGOG. Ny phone is rooted, unlocked, custom kernel, snow rom, and various other mods.
If someone can confirm a working way of doing this, I will provide them with file hosting and subdomain on my server, with full ftp access... etc. Thanks!
Sent from my LG-E970 using xda premium
Also, let me know if this is in the wrong section
I used the native tethering on SnowJB fairly heavily without issue and as far as I can tell it was never detected.
I was rooted and running various ROMs on my Samsung Infuse a few months ago, and I got an email saying they would add the tethering service to my plan if I continued to use it.
A couple years ago I had a jailbroken iPhone and tethered a lot of data and never had an issue.
I have not yet tried on the LGOG in fear of getting a $40/month service automatically added to my bill.
Sorry I don't have an answer, just sharing my experience I've encountered while tethering.
Sent from my LG-E970 using xda app-developers app
Script said:
I am very good at searching before I post questions, but I keep getting an error saying search is currently not available.
On my S3 there were ways to tether via WiFi and USB without being detected on my grandfathered in unlimited data play. Can anyone confirm that there is proven method via the LGOG. Ny phone is rooted, unlocked, custom kernel, snow rom, and various other mods.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
avoiding detection would probably mean using a method that doesn't rewrite the TTL's on the outbound packets. I've used wifi-tether w/o issue as have many others, I'm sure. I suspect that wifi-tether doesn't preserve the TTL's, but people get away with it because the cost/benefit to carriers is to pick the top 1% of bandwidth users and examine their usage for good reason to stop them somehow, illegal tethering being a good convenient one.
I'm sorry I don't have a solution for you, as I've also searched for just such a thin and not found it. I am curious what others are doing for tethering on this device, though.
If used sparingly, you PROBABLY won't get caught. I used foxfi on my old phone on different occasions and never recieved any notifications about tethering.
jonasl (if you don't recognize the name, he is very good at what he does) had a post in the SnowJB thread a while back about fixing the tethering issues people were having. From what I understand of it, the tethering checks to see if AT&T customers have the entitlement to tether, but since this is a ported ROM, it isn't able to find out if you are entitled (the code doesn't exist to finish the check). His fix circumvents the check (which as he says "This will as a sideeffect also give you tethering even if you aren't paying for it").
I have implemented the fix in case I needed it, but have not had a need to tether since, so I can't vouch for it in that regard, I can say everything still works as expected.
jonasl's post
If you really want to avoid detection, you could run a socks proxy on your phone that forwards to another socks proxy on the internet. Then you need a way to use the socks proxy on your phone. On the client side it can be easy (web browsers have a socks proxy setting, and there are wrappers to socksify anything on your pc) or harder (if you're tethering a tablet or game console or something). Finally, you need a way to bring up both your wireless and mobile data connections at the same time - you could use wifi tether for this if you only need to tether wireless clients, or a more manual method if you need your phone to be a regular wifi client on your network.

tethering ap for rooted S4

Hi All,
I'm interested in wifi tethering for my cellphone, but the information provided for the various tethering aps on google playstore website is somewhat incomplete.
I have a Samsung Galaxy S4 cellphone with a Verizon unlimited talk, text and data plan. I pay an extra charge each month to allow very limited wifi tethering, but it limits my tethering usage to 4 GB per month. MY PHONE IS ROOTED!!
I notice ALL wifi tethering aps require me to enable wifi tethering in my cellphone's settings menu. This is unsuitable because Verizon knows I am using the phone for tethering. I looked in the free and the paid aps listings.
I'm looking for an ap that does not use the phone to set enable wifi tethering from the phones setting menu. In other words, I do NOT want Verizon to know I am using their phone to do tethering for my other wifi devices.
Any suggestions are appreciated, perhaps I'm not searching for relevant keywords??
Thanks,
AG
I've been using foxfi to tether for at least a year now. I use at least 100 gigs every month watch Hulu and Netflix. I've haven't heard anything from them about it. I dont know if they can tell. I've never heard of anybody getting any hassle about foxfi. I think there is an xposed module that might work I can't think of the name of it. Might check it out. Good luck

WiFI Tether/hotspot Options

Hello everyone,
I am trying to gain some general knowledge about the current state of tethering on android in general but more specifically for my situation on a unlimited data plan on Verizon on a Samsung S4 i545. I'm currently at Android 5.0.1 on OF1.
From what I have gathered so far there are two basic ways of doing wifi tethering these days.
1) Mod the built in tethering application so not to check with Verizon for the tethering plan.
2) Install an app that uses it's own or iptables type of network routing to do the tethering.
3) tethering apps that don't need root (ie FoxFi)
First off if there are more options that I'm not aware of please let me know.
I would like to "fly under the radar" as much as possible being that I'm on a grandfathered unlimited plan. This leads me to believe that using a app that does routing would be a better option. I have tried many of the free apps in the app store and most do not work with my setup.
I believe the following apps are apps that actually do routing.
"WiFi Tether Router", "WiFi Tethering by OpenGarden", "Barnacle WiFi Tether", "WiFi tether" (also known as Wireless tether for Root Users or android-wifi-tether)
I have root but I can't get any of these to work. (with the exception of WiFi Tether Router as I haven't actually tried that app because it's a pay app)
Other options are installing mods that modify the built in app tether app like
I545_OF1_tetherAddOn.zip
And last the option of running an app like FoxFi that doesn't require root. and looks like it is using some kind of VPN to get around tethering? not sure how this works or where it stands but I think it's also using the built in tethering app and just somehow bypassing the Verizon server that checks for a tethering subscription.
if anyone could help shed some light on how these apps are working I could then decide at what level of exposure I was comfortable with. As of right now and my limited knowledge of how they work I think an app like WiFi Tether Router (if it works would be worth the purchase)
Thanks,
Chris
cdeleoxda said:
Hello everyone,
I am trying to gain some general knowledge about the current state of tethering on android in general but more specifically for my situation on a unlimited data plan on Verizon on a Samsung S4 i545. I'm currently at Android 5.0.1 on OF1.
From what I have gathered so far there are two basic ways of doing wifi tethering these days.
1) Mod the built in tethering application so not to check with Verizon for the tethering plan.
2) Install an app that uses it's own or iptables type of network routing to do the tethering.
3) tethering apps that don't need root (ie FoxFi)
First off if there are more options that I'm not aware of please let me know.
I would like to "fly under the radar" as much as possible being that I'm on a grandfathered unlimited plan. This leads me to believe that using a app that does routing would be a better option. I have tried many of the free apps in the app store and most do not work with my setup.
I believe the following apps are apps that actually do routing.
"WiFi Tether Router", "WiFi Tethering by OpenGarden", "Barnacle WiFi Tether", "WiFi tether" (also known as Wireless tether for Root Users or android-wifi-tether)
I have root but I can't get any of these to work. (with the exception of WiFi Tether Router as I haven't actually tried that app because it's a pay app)
Other options are installing mods that modify the built in app tether app like
I545_OF1_tetherAddOn.zip
And last the option of running an app like FoxFi that doesn't require root. and looks like it is using some kind of VPN to get around tethering? not sure how this works or where it stands but I think it's also using the built in tethering app and just somehow bypassing the Verizon server that checks for a tethering subscription.
if anyone could help shed some light on how these apps are working I could then decide at what level of exposure I was comfortable with. As of right now and my limited knowledge of how they work I think an app like WiFi Tether Router (if it works would be worth the purchase)
Thanks,
Chris
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should look for the WiFi Tether Router paid app apk online, i have the same problem with WiFi Tether, and also flashed the I545_OF1_tetherAddOn.zip and still no result, so I'm going to look for the app's downloadable apk link and share it with you, I'm also going to try it ☺☺
Sent from my stang5litre Edition 5.0 using Tapatalk
cdeleoxda said:
Hello everyone,
I am trying to gain some general knowledge about the current state of tethering on android in general but more specifically for my situation on a unlimited data plan on Verizon on a Samsung S4 i545. I'm currently at Android 5.0.1 on OF1.
From what I have gathered so far there are two basic ways of doing wifi tethering these days.
1) Mod the built in tethering application so not to check with Verizon for the tethering plan.
2) Install an app that uses it's own or iptables type of network routing to do the tethering.
3) tethering apps that don't need root (ie FoxFi)
First off if there are more options that I'm not aware of please let me know.
I would like to "fly under the radar" as much as possible being that I'm on a grandfathered unlimited plan. This leads me to believe that using a app that does routing would be a better option. I have tried many of the free apps in the app store and most do not work with my setup.
I believe the following apps are apps that actually do routing.
"WiFi Tether Router", "WiFi Tethering by OpenGarden", "Barnacle WiFi Tether", "WiFi tether" (also known as Wireless tether for Root Users or android-wifi-tether)
I have root but I can't get any of these to work. (with the exception of WiFi Tether Router as I haven't actually tried that app because it's a pay app)
Other options are installing mods that modify the built in app tether app like
I545_OF1_tetherAddOn.zip
And last the option of running an app like FoxFi that doesn't require root. and looks like it is using some kind of VPN to get around tethering? not sure how this works or where it stands but I think it's also using the built in tethering app and just somehow bypassing the Verizon server that checks for a tethering subscription.
if anyone could help shed some light on how these apps are working I could then decide at what level of exposure I was comfortable with. As of right now and my limited knowledge of how they work I think an app like WiFi Tether Router (if it works would be worth the purchase)
Thanks,
Chris
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm wondering what can help us with WiFi Tethering too, so I tried a lot of apps and methods and nothing worked, the only tethering I was able to get was USB with FoxFi, tbh works really nice, even better than my home internet, I'm foreign so I cannot enjoy 4g on this phone but still got a pretty much decent speed, it's not WiFi tether but it doesn't bother me because works really nice. Still will try to find any other alternative to get WiFi tether but for now FoxFi USB tether seems to be our best option
thanks for getting back to me on this.
Again I'm not just looking for a solution to my specific situation but rather trying to gather information on how the different methods and approaches work. I feel as if I only have a slight understanding of how each approach works. I'm pretty curious to what all the VPN stuff is about that some of the non root apps are doing.
WiFi tether router by Fabio works also for USB tethering KLINK works with option "mimic mobile device" set to on both paid for apps.
A little feedback about Foxfi:
I didn't wanted to connect my galaxy to the pc so I decided to try WiFi tethering and it worked! just follow the instructions it gives you and it will work, if you wanna change WiFi name or password do it from Foxfi, default tether manager just turn off tether and doesn't change anything
Thanks mahn
---------- Post added at 10:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:42 PM ----------
Pls any solution??...when trying to switch on mobile hotspot on samsung galaxy s4 Verizon sch-i545 on lolipop. it keeps saying either mdn or iccid missing.....pls need urgent solution
When trying to switch on hotspot on Verizon galaxy s4 on lollipop OF1 kernel i get this error message saying either mdn or iccid not valid
Or getting a rom with it built in

Is it possble to Wifi tether without root?

Hey guys,
I have a very good legacy plan with Sprint/TMobile that does not include wifi tether. There have been ways to do that with my past devices.
Can this be done with the note 20 Ultra without root?
You could try PDANet.
Share smart phone Internet with computers or tablets, no rooting needed.
Version 5.10 has major changes, MUST read below before updating.
1. Windows side also need updating from http://pdanet.co/install
2. Original WiFi Hotspot feature remains in the separate FoxFi app if you still need it, just install from Play Store. You can also find previous (4.19) version of PdaNet+ at http://pdanet.co/install/old
3. New location permission required by Android due to WiFi scan API call.
Please be aware that with no root access there are technical limitations of what an app can do. We try our best to offer the "most convenient solution possible" for sharing phone Internet but it may not be an "ideal" or "universal" solution (e.g. a normal WiFi Hotspot). It may not work for particular devices.
=====WiFi Direct mode (new!) ====
PdaNet+ now comes with a completely new "WiFi Direct Hotspot" feature that works on all Android phones 4.1 or later. It allows you to connect computers and tablets to your phone using WiFi BUT it will require you to either install our client app or setup proxy depending on what device you are connecting to the phone. You can activate "WiFi Direct Hotspot" in PdaNet+ then tap the "Help!" button for detail instructions.
*If your Windows computer does not see the hotspot during pairing please do two things: 1. Restart Hotspot on the phone.
2. Click on "Show All WiFi Direct Hotspot". It will verify if your adapter supports 5Ghz.
====FoxFi/WiFi Hotspot Mode (the old) ====
The original WiFi Hotspot feature remains in the separate FoxFi app if you still need it. It has ceased to function on many newer phone models due to carrier updates. Even when it works, your hotspot usage may still be metered (see plan 2 below). WiFi Direct Hotspot could solve both issues. However the new feature is not meant to support game devices, TVs or TV streaming devices.
=====USB Mode=====
USB mode works on all Android phones (except for some ZTE/Alcatel models). It allows connection from Windows or Mac. In addition, there is a "WiFi Share" feature that can further turn Windows into a WiFi Hotspot so that you share PdaNet Internet with other devices.
*If your phone is not recognized by your computer after connecting USB, please see http://pdanet.co/driver
=====Bluetooth Mode=====
You can use Bluetooth mode to connect Windows. Although WiFi Direct mode is preferred.
=====Do I need this software?=====
The PdaNet software has been around since the first Treo smart phone in 2003. With over 30 million downloads in total, it must be something that everyone needs, right? Well...it really depends on the kind of data plan you have for your phone. There are 4 kinds of data plans from most carriers:
1. Your data plan (limited or unlimited) does not allow you to turn on the mobile hotspot feature on the phone (it prompts you to call your carrier).
2. Your data plan is unlimited and you can turn on mobile hotspot from your phone to use it. But hotspot usage is "metered" against a cap (say 5G/month). After that the speed will be throttled to a crawl. (FoxFi can't avoid this!)
3. Your data plan is unlimited, and you can turn on mobile hotspot from your phone with unlimited LTE usage and no throttling cap. This plan does NOT exist or not intended. But we have seen loopholes on some phone models to allow it.
4. You data plan is limited and it allows you to turn on mobile hotspot from your phone. The mobile hotspot usage goes under the same data plan limit.
If your plan falls under 1 or 2, you will need to use PdaNet+. If your plan belongs to 3 or 4 then PdaNet+ will not make any difference. If you are unsure what plan you have, it won't harm to always use PdaNet+.
=======================
Free edition of PdaNet+ will have timed usage limit, otherwise it is same as full version.
Sprint and AT&T may not allow you to install our app from Play Store, please install the apk file directly from http://pdanet.co/install or install from the computer side.
Just up to a newer plan?
I mean, this is like signing a contract with your cable provider, and you opt out of the premium channels like HBO and Starz... and now you are looking for a way to sneak those channels in without paying for them? lol
SquireSCA said:
Just up to a newer plan?
I mean, this is like signing a contract with your cable provider, and you opt out of the premium channels like HBO and Starz... and now you are looking for a way to sneak those channels in without paying for them? lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Newer plans suck. I have a legacy SERO plan with Sprint which has actual true unlimited data with no caps. At the time of this plan, there were no tether options. When they were later added, it was about the same price of the plan itself to add. So, it wasn't an "opt" out as you think.
We simply enabled the native tether via root or used a different app to allow us to use the unlimited data we already had for tether. This was way back with the Note 4 time and possibly the HTC EVO LTE phones if I am not mistaken.
GastonC said:
You could try PDANet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I tried it and it didn't work.
I get it, but at the end of the day, you signed a contract that doesn't include something, and you are trying to get a service for free, that everyone else has to pay for. Hence my comment about a cable plan... Getting basic cable, and then trying to find a descrambler box to steal the premium channels that you aren't paying for... haha
With root its easy, obviously... But Samsung phones have gotten harder and harder to root, unless you have the international variants with the Samsung CPU?
This has me thinking that from here on out, I may just stick to Pixels or OnePlus... something more stock android that doesn't have all the carrier restrictions on them... I have Unlimited data and tethering, plus my truck itself is an unlimited 4G hotspot for like $20 a month.... But I do tire of the bloat, slow updates, etc...

Categories

Resources