Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

joy_ng

macrumors member
Original poster
Sep 24, 2015
47
38
I am under the impression that T-mobile can track tethering to a laptop based on the types of websites/data that is accessed while on a laptop. If I tether my phone to a wifi only iPad will it detect it? I'm confused because iPads seem to act more like a mobile device than a laptop in my mind.
 
Your data plan doesn't include tethering?
Why not switch plans? They have many available with tethering for good prices?

My plan includes 14 gigs of tethering, but during the workday I tether my macbook and am worried about running out of gigs by also tethering my iPad.
 
Yes my plan with them comes with the 14gb tethering.
You're afraid you'll go over?
Are you jb right now to be able to tether more past their 14gb limitation?
yes, I'm afraid that by tethering both I will hit the high speed limit. No jb
 
If you're not jb you will not be able to tether or use the personal hotspot past the 14gb amount.
It will shut off once the limit is reached and will be able to be enabled only when your billing cycle resets.
There is no high speed limit or throttling on tethering. It's always high speed until you hit the max then it's disabled.
 
I am under the impression that T-mobile can track tethering to a laptop based on the types of websites/data that is accessed while on a laptop. If I tether my phone to a wifi only iPad will it detect it? I'm confused because iPads seem to act more like a mobile device than a laptop in my mind.
Yes they are capable of detecting tethering.

Will they do something to you because you go over? Who knows.

But John Legere has stated publicly that T-Mobile is pursuing the worst data abusers. I am not saying you are one of those, but the fact that he makes that statement means they have a method to detect who those people are.

Whether you should be concerned about this based on how much data you use above your limit only you can answer.
 
If you're not jb you will not be able to tether or use the personal hotspot past the 14gb amount.
It will shut off once the limit is reached and will be able to be enabled only when your billing cycle resets.
There is no high speed limit or throttling on tethering. It's always high speed until you hit the max then it's disabled.

Last month i went over my then limit of 7 gigs and I was able to surf on my laptop, just verrrry, verrry slowly. It's not the end of the world, but I would like to avoid having that happen again, if possible. :)
[doublepost=1456282025][/doublepost]
Yes they are capable of detecting tethering.

Will they do something to you because you go over? Who knows.

But John Legere has stated publicly that T-Mobile is pursuing the worst data abusers. I am not saying you are one of those, but the fact that he makes that statement means they have a method to detect who those people are.

Whether you should be concerned about this based on how much data you use above your limit only you can answer.

Thanks for your opinion. I am checking because I am trying to avoid a slowdown, if possible.
 
Interesting.
I have no experience on it but they allowed you to continue tethering past the limited tethering plans amount?
Just throttled your tethering speed instead of disabling it?
Yeah, that's been my understanding of how it works. Prevents overages.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Applejuiced
T-Mobile is a bit confusing when it comes to tethering. When I was recently looking at our usage there is a tethering section that says "X used out of 0MB". I've never had an issue with tethering though, and it looks like tethering is included in all simple choice plans.

I think it's only unlimited data plans that have tethering limits to prevent abuse. For all the other plans tethering counts towards you data as normal, if you go over they just throttle.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Applejuiced
:) or yes, i'm with t-mo now, and this is my next to do list to download as much as possible, JL promised to call every abuser, i want to talk to him :)

they even published a formula: 2Tb= JL's phone call

:)))

Seriuosly, don't worry. If you cross the line the first time they just give you a notice with a serious voice.
 
T-Mobile is a bit confusing when it comes to tethering. When I was recently looking at our usage there is a tethering section that says "X used out of 0MB". I've never had an issue with tethering though, and it looks like tethering is included in all simple choice plans.

I think it's only unlimited data plans that have tethering limits to prevent abuse. For all the other plans tethering counts towards you data as normal, if you go over they just throttle.

This is what I was told by a T-Mobile rep at their store. Data use is just data use and it doesn't matter if it's through the phone alone or through tethering.

Unlimited plans are likely a different story.
 
Once you hit your tethering allotment, it does in fact slow down. Last night I hit the 14GB limit while watching the new OJ show in FX live (using phone hotspot to aTV) and as soon as I hit the limit, the stream pretty much stopped. It would buffer, start again and then stop after about a minute or so...so it def throttles after the cap, but isn't shut off completely. I was able to call cust care, up my plan to 22GB of hotspot and also have them backdate the change so there would be no prorated charges. I have 7 days left in my cycle and currently use my phones hotspot in conjunction with Binge On and an Apple TV. 22GB should def last a month. YouTube, FX and one or two other streaming services that aren't a part of the Binge On program are what's killing me. I'm trying to eliminate the need for a separate home wifi connection, but not sure this is a perfect solution just yet.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Applejuiced
Once you hit your tethering allotment, it does in fact slow down. Last night I hit the 14GB limit while watching the new OJ show in FX live (using phone hotspot to aTV) and as soon as I hit the limit, the stream pretty much stopped. It would buffer, start again and then stop after about a minute or so...so it def throttles after the cap, but isn't shut off completely. I was able to call cust care, up my plan to 22GB of hotspot and also have them backdate the change so there would be no prorated charges. I have 7 days left in my cycle and currently use my phones hotspot in conjunction with Binge On and an Apple TV. 22GB should def last a month. YouTube, FX and one or two other streaming services that aren't a part of the Binge On program are what's killing me. I'm trying to eliminate the need for a separate home wifi connection, but not sure this is a perfect solution just yet.
For future reference you can apply binge on to your tether. I realize fx might not be on this and that it may not even apply to your needs, but I figured I would respond in case someone comes by and wonders. In theory, had you been watching something like Nerflix, you could manually enable binge and then continue watching in the manner you were.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Applejuiced
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.