USB Tethering with Android?

Discussion in 'MacBook Pro' started by Azathoth, Aug 17, 2010.

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  1. Azathoth, Aug 17, 2010

    Azathoth macrumors 6502a

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    Sep 16, 2009
    #1
    I'd like to tether my MBP to my HTC Desire / (Google Nexus One) via USB for work.

    I have Android 2.2 ( Froyo ). Unfortunately the Macbook recognises the phone, but I'm unable to "connect" as a modem - with the standard #99* callout.

    Anyone got this to work, it apparently runs fine in Windows and Linux, but I heard something about the RNDIS drivers on OS X being only partially supported.

    Annoyingly, my old Nokia N79 could do it (without extra SW)

    Thanks in advance.

    PS before I get a bunch of replies that are slightly off-target:
    *No I don't want to do Wifi-tethering - this works but is non optimal for battery life
    *No I dont want to use PDAnet
    *Yes tethering is legal according to my mobile service provider (I only have a 1GB/month limit in any case)
     
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  2. chameleon1, Aug 17, 2010

    chameleon1 macrumors newbie

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    Oct 20, 2007
    #2
    no, it doesn't work. i checked. there's something in google's froyo faq that makes this clear.

    on the other hand, if you were to use usb, your phone would charge itself anyway.

    right now i am connected through the wifi hotspot to my nexus one, with the phone connected to the computer and charging (and firefox running), and my mac (fully charged) is telling me i have almost seven hours of battery life - so using the hotspot is clearly no massive power drain...
     
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  3. Azathoth, Aug 17, 2010

    Azathoth thread starter macrumors 6502a

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    #3
    Ok, thanks for confirming.

    I just wonder what the battery life is once you really start to hit the data transfer - It's just wasteful want to avoid having wifi on on both the Desire and the MBP, when it could be done with wires...
     
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  4. Psyclism, Aug 17, 2010

    Psyclism macrumors newbie

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    #4
    Think of it this way.. it's a hell of a lot less wear and tear on your USB ports, especially for those on your phone, to use WiFi over wired tethering.
     
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  5. Azathoth, Aug 17, 2010

    Azathoth thread starter macrumors 6502a

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    #5
    Well I only need it about 50-100 times per year. Microusb ports are rated up to 10 000 mating cycles (normal USB are rated to 1500)... so that wasn't really a consideration ;)
     
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