iOS Personal hotspot via USB

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RunningMan

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#112812 21-Dec-2012 13:28

I've been trying to set up personal hotspot (tethering) from an iPhone to a MacBook Pro. It works OK using WiFi, but I want to use USB to lower the power requirements, let the phone charge, and make it easier for the user, so it's just a matter of plugging in the USB cable to make it all go.

The problem I'm having is the iPhone doesn't show up as a network interface in the Network System Prefs pane.

-Tried an iPhone 4 and a 4s - both running iOS 6.0.1
-MBP is running OS X 10.6.8 (Snow Leopard), all system updates up to date.
-iTunes 11.0.1, which installs AppleUSBEthernetHost.kext 2.3.6 (which comes up several time on the web as a possible problem, but doesn't seem to have fixed it in my case).
-Tried PRAM Zap, Permissions repair, fsck
-Both phones are on Vodafone, one post pay, one pre pay.

I'm out of ideas. Has anyone done this successfully? Have I missed something really obvious?

clicknz

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#736027 21-Dec-2012 14:21

Hi - I'm sure I've done this previously with a very similar set-up (iP 4 but on iOS 5.0.1 & MBP on Snow Leopard)... but I just tried to reproduce it and it's behaving oddly. I suspect it's due to my being in my devices' usual wifi range.
If I turn off wifi on the iPhone, turn Hotspot on and plug in via USB the MBP wouldn't see the phone, but if I had wifi on the phone turned on, the MBP would see the phone & connect... It will charge via the USB cable, but the connection is via wifi.
.... so I just turned off my wifi router and I can connect via the personal hotspot... but once again, it seems to be using it's own wifi rather than USB only, as if I turn off wifi on the phone it drops the connection...

Cheers,
Mike

Photographer/Videographer clickmedia.nz

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RunningMan

7969 posts

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#736034 21-Dec-2012 14:30

Thanks for that - it looks to be doing the same thing that I'm seeing.

As I understand it, with hotspot turned on, then connected via USB, the Mac should auto detect a new [iPhone] network interface...

gzt

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#736046 21-Dec-2012 14:51

What you want is called reverse tether. I used SSH and a 3rd party USB interface to achieve this on my 3G (with a jailbreak) because there was no other way. Also if you jailbreak there are third party apps to achieve the same thing non-technically.

Actually there were Apple Store apps which allowed this on 3G but Apple removed them. You could search for reverse tether in the store and see if this situation has changed for 4x/iOS6.

I do not know if reverse tether over USB is supported for iPhone 4x. I saw these instructions. They seem comical to me and might just be written for clicks but no harm in trying them.

Behodar

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#736048 21-Dec-2012 14:55

Same issue here; I tried to connect using USB a couple of weeks ago and it didn't show up as an interface in System Preferences. It's definitely supported; it's listed in the instructions that appear when you enable tethering. I'm sure that I had it working last Christmas though...

RunningMan

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#736051 21-Dec-2012 15:03

[snip] gzt: What you want is called reverse tether.

Not quite, but thanks, I'd never thought of that! it is normal tethering that I'm after - i.e. the phone has a network connection via 3G (or even GSM sometimes), and I want the computer to use that connection.

Apple says it can be done via WiFi, Bluetooth or USB (which is what I am trying to do).

RunningMan

7969 posts

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#736054 21-Dec-2012 15:04

Behodar: Same issue here; I tried to connect using USB a couple of weeks ago and it didn't show up as an interface in System Preferences. It's definitely supported; it's listed in the instructions that appear when you enable tethering. I'm sure that I had it working last Christmas though...

I'm beginning to see a pattern forming here - glad it's not just me ;-)

clicknz

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#736058 21-Dec-2012 15:18

Hi again - just to be clear - with my set-up (as above) once I enable Personal Hotspot on the phone I can see and connect to the phone via the wifi icon on my Macs status bar. It can take 20 or 30 seconds to see the network, but it does auto detect the new interface and I can just click on it to join it (after typing in the password, when enabled) - once this connection has been made once the computer remebers the network and will auto-connect next time.
The only thing with this is that it seems that the connection is being made via wifi rather than soley thru' the USB cable - not really a problem as the phone can still be charging while tethered.
Is the OP's set-up not able to make a connection at all?

Cheers,
Mike

Photographer/Videographer clickmedia.nz

Behodar

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#736060 21-Dec-2012 15:21

If you're using the Wi-Fi icon then yes, you'll be using Wi-Fi. It's supposed to show up as an interface in System Preferences > Network when you're using USB.

Edit: Hmm, it shows up on my desktop (10.8.2) but not my laptop (10.6.8).

geocom

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#736064 21-Dec-2012 15:28

Try this. Turn off the Wi-Fi on the iPhone but leave personal hotspot turned on. Plug it into your computer. See if that works.

I have not tried doing this but have my wi-fi turned off most of the time and I have the interface for USB iPhone on a computer where I have only ever connected my iPhone Wi-Fi off once.

Geoff E

gzt

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#736066 21-Dec-2012 15:35

RunningMan:
[snip] gzt: What you want is called reverse tether.

Not quite, but thanks, I'd never thought of that! it is normal tethering that I'm after - i.e. the phone has a network connection via 3G (or even GSM sometimes), and I want the computer to use that connection.

Apple says it can be done via WiFi, Bluetooth or USB (which is what I am trying to do).

Oops. My mistake. You are not looking for reverse tether at all.

On the off chance you purchased the 4S in the last 90 days or if you have Apple Care purchased in the last two years for either phone you can give Apple a call directly about normal tether.

RunningMan

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#736068 21-Dec-2012 15:37

@clicknz: yep, WiFi works fine

@Behodar: ah, so it can work then!

@geocom: pretty sure I've tried that combination, and it didn't work, but will give it another go shortly.

RunningMan

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#736130 21-Dec-2012 18:33

geocom: Try this. Turn off the Wi-Fi on the iPhone but leave personal hotspot turned on. Plug it into your computer. See if that works.

I have not tried doing this but have my wi-fi turned off most of the time and I have the interface for USB iPhone on a computer where I have only ever connected my iPhone Wi-Fi off once.

Just double checked this - the phone reminds you that WiFi is off, and that tethering will be available by USB or Bluetooth only - looks like it means bluetooth only, because USB still doesn't work.

RunningMan

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#736161 21-Dec-2012 20:57

Firstly, thanks for everyone's suggestions.

I've now got it going. Basically, using the instructions in this thread, and it seems to be going OK.

tdgeek

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#736182 21-Dec-2012 23:00

My iPhone 5 is on charge to my laptop as I read this

Turned off wifi on the laptop and iPhone, turned on PH, it told me to turn on Wifi, otherwise it will be USB, and it works. Took quite a few seconds to install the driver, locate the phone connection, and finally to get internet access.