Are there any tethering apps that will hide my usage? - Samsung Galaxy Nexus

Hey everyone. I'm currently on the T-mobile unlmt 4G data plan and while I have unlimited data (which is awesome) they caught on to my tethering when I tried using Wireless Tether App for a few days.
Are there any tethering apps that don't view the phone as tethering?

What about built-in tethering app?

So did they block ports or what? I always used the built in WiFi hotspot and the android wireless tethering app and never been "caught", to my knowing
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

T-Mobile detects the browser UAstring and uses that to "catch" tethering. This means that no matter how you use tethering (apps, w/e), they'll still see that when you point your browser at a page it'll report that it's a "desktop", and T-Mobile will block it. It seems to generally be on a case-by-case and use-by-use basis with T-Mobile. It was always very random for me when they decided to just start redirecting my browser. There's no reason to be using the wireless tether app btw, the built in tethering on the Nexus works just fine, and since it's not a carrier phone they don't have any special hook into the OS for them to "know" you're tethering. All they do is check UAstring.
You can try out a UAstring switcher. Its not the most elegant solution, but it's worked for me in the past. I use this one in Chrome.

Related

Sprint to nix 'unlimited' from mobile broadband and hotspot plans

so i understand that this change only applies to hotspot tethering devices and not the smartphone data usage but what if you are using hotspot hack and running sprint hotspot app to tether?
icexige said:
so i understand that this change only applies to hotspot tethering devices and not the smartphone data usage but what if you are using hotspot hack and running sprint hotspot app to tether?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the hotspot app works like wifi tether in which it tries to mask your tether data as coming from your phone it will seem like to me that it won't be counted against you. But if the hotspot hack just allows you to use the app without paying for it then you may have the limits.
icexige said:
so i understand that this change only applies to hotspot tethering devices and not the smartphone data usage but what if you are using hotspot hack and running sprint hotspot app to tether?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Naw, the way the stock wifi tether works is that it disconnects and connects to a different realm whenever you turn on the hotspot (so you have two different data meters). If you don't pay for the hotspot, you can't connect to the modem realm. However, the wifi tether just stays connected to the phone realm.
That said, they can tell if you are tethering, and if you data hog and tether you'll probably getting a polite letter from them telling you to pay or get cancelled and pay ETF
this have any effect on being rooted and using wifi tether app?

|Q| Stock tethering?

Does the GSM Galaxy Nexus come stock with built-in settings for Wifi and USB tethering that allow tethering on networks such as T-Mobile? I know these settings should be a part of the stock android experience, but I haven't been able to find any information definitively saying a stock new nexus includes this out of the box.
My Play Store gNex has settings for WiFi hot spot & bluetooth tethering
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2, never used it though.
The GSM Nexus from the Play Store has options for USB tethering and WiFi hotspotting, and they do work without purchasing the option from T-Mobile, but if you do it and TMo finds out about it they will disable it for a period of time.
EmoEskimo said:
Does the GSM Galaxy Nexus come stock with built-in settings for Wifi and USB tethering that allow tethering on networks such as T-Mobile? I know these settings should be a part of the stock android experience, but I haven't been able to find any information definitively saying a stock new nexus includes this out of the box.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes the Play Store Nexus has tethering out of the box. WiFi, USB and Bluetooth are all there and not blocked.
hongzhou94 said:
The GSM Nexus from the Play Store has options for USB tethering and WiFi hotspotting, and they do work without purchasing the option from T-Mobile, but if you do it and TMo finds out about it they will disable it for a period of time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, T-Mobile can't do anything to disable your tethering because they don't run the software/firmware on your phone. You buy your data and they will let you use it.
What T-Mobile likes to do is detect your browser's UAstring and if they see that it's a desktop one (like Chrome), they will redirect all websites to a tethering up-sell page. If this does happen, it is extremely easy to get around by using a Chrome extension to change your UAstring. It seems pretty sporadic though, as some months they like to do it and others they don't. YMMV.
That's what I meant about disabling, the redirect thing. Up until now I had no idea that you can get around it. I'll have to check out the fix you talked about.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app

[Q] Tethering Using the Nexus on T-Mobile's New Unlimited (No Data Caps) 4G Internet

according to this article:
http://www.tmonews.com/2012/08/t-mo...d-nationwide-4g-data-plan-with-press-release/
T-Mobile will finally allow you to have an unlimited data plan (with no throttling, and no data caps) in other words, this is real unlimited not pseudo-unlimited.
however if you read the article i posted above, it says tethering hotspot not allowed.
So here is the question.
how many of you on the GSM version Samsung Galaxy Nexus have successfully used the stock tethering feature of the galaxy nexus WHILE BEING ON t-mobile's new unlimited 4G data plan where tethering is not allowed?
I have a HTC sensation and can use stock hotspots with a custom apn unlock for tmo
Grogg is the developer
Sent from my Sensation using xda premium
are you on t-mobile's new unlimited 4G plan I mentioned in that article I posted?
I dont know what a "custom apn unlock for tmo" is.
right now, this is how i tether,i go to the tethering menu in system settings, and i checkmark "portable w-fi hotspot"
and that's it , i'm done.
would upgrading to t-mobile's new fancy unlimited no data caps no throttling 4G internet cause me to have to jump through hoops just to tether?
Has ANYONE taken advantage of t-mobile's new unlimited 4G data plans? the ones with no throttling and no data caps? i assume this would be easy enough for anyone to test their tethering feature if they've signed up for the new data plan. if you have the new data plan please let me know.
The GNex won't ask T-Mobile for permission to tether, and the traffic will look like mobile traffic. So the only way they can stop you is if they are sniffing out red flags like browser user agent strings. If they do that you might be able to punch through if you have access to a VPN.
You could always try it for a month and see. If you aren't happy, change back to another plan.
Or you could decide not to go breaking T-Mobile's T&C.
I've done it w my unlocked Gnex with success. Was linked up to 4 devices yesterday took up 2.3 GBs once done.
#Galaxy Nexus HSPA+
I've tethered on my Gnex with success also. but my dilemma is that i'm on a grandfathered $20 per month unlimited 4G internet plan as an add-on to my minutes plan, and it works great for tethering.
luckylui, you are on the new $30 unlimited data plan right?
i would like it if someone would not only confirm that they could tether successfully, but if they are also using t-mobile's new no-tethering allowed 4G internet to tether.
There's nothing T-Mobile can do to stop tethering on the unlimited plan that they can't already do on any of their other plans. You're using a Nexus, so they don't have custom firmware to block. The only thing they can do is block certain UAstrings of desktop browsers (which they're shying away from since Chrome for Android came out), or cancel your plan for abuse.
slickromeo said:
are you on t-mobile's new unlimited 4G plan I mentioned in that article I posted?
I dont know what a "custom apn unlock for tmo" is.
right now, this is how i tether,i go to the tethering menu in system settings, and i checkmark "portable w-fi hotspot"
and that's it , i'm done.
would upgrading to t-mobile's new fancy unlimited no data caps no throttling 4G internet cause me to have to jump through hoops just to tether?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I.am.on tmobiles.new.unlimited value plan. I had it.working for.my sensation for 3 days. Since that time thry have blocked.me from tethering. The funny.thing is that my girlfrinds newly unlocked.cm10 rom nexus wont tether from the stqrt. Sorry so sloppy.....in a hurry
slickromeo said:
I've tethered on my Gnex with success also. but my dilemma is that i'm on a grandfathered $20 per month unlimited 4G internet plan as an add-on to my minutes plan, and it works great for tethering.
luckylui, you are on the new $30 unlimited data plan right?
i would like it if someone would not only confirm that they could tether successfully, but if they are also using t-mobile's new no-tethering allowed 4G internet to tether.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm on the $30 UNLTD. I've used it for days without being blocked. I just downloaded a whole factory image off Google from my desktop tethering via USB. DL at 7mbps. No issues with my side at all.
#Galaxy Nexus HSPA+
I have the new no-throttling plan and I'm currently tethering via Wi-Fi hotspot. This is actually the first time I've ever used it (tried before and it nothing happened; guess I wasn't patient enough). So far, I've done a few speed tests and some light browsing without issue. My data is also $20/month, btw.
I have the nexus s, on the past I had the gradgathered not truly unlimited 5gb plan that one worked good for tethering the only problem that it had 5gb restriction then it slowed down no were it was really unpleasant to see youtube videos. Now I have the new unlimited plan for tethering is weird when I try to use it on my computer it tells me local access apps like messenger don't connect until I use firefox then they're able to connect and it works fine on firefox. On the other hand when I try to connect it on internet explorer this weird t-mobile's page comes up not letting me connect to the internet offering the hotspot add on for $15/month. Also when I tether to my ps3 is not working anymore the same t-mobile page comes up, and of course the fu**ing rooted tether app does not work with ps3 wifi so right now I'm on the look up of an app that lets my rooted nexus s tether to my ps3 or a way to tether normally without that t-mobile page coming up. Oooh and a tip you can get a monthly discount of about $10 fldollars if you been with t-mobile for a long time just ask for it.
juan_carlos__007 said:
I have the nexus s, on the past I had the gradgathered not truly unlimited 5gb plan that one worked good for tethering the only problem that it had 5gb restriction then it slowed down no were it was really unpleasant to see youtube videos. Now I have the new unlimited plan for tethering is weird when I try to use it on my computer it tells me local access apps like messenger don't connect until I use firefox then they're able to connect and it works fine on firefox. On the other hand when I try to connect it on internet explorer this weird t-mobile's page comes up not letting me connect to the internet offering the hotspot add on for $15/month. Also when I tether to my ps3 is not working anymore the same t-mobile page comes up, and of course the fu**ing rooted tether app does not work with ps3 wifi so right now I'm on the look up of an app that lets my rooted nexus s tether to my ps3 or a way to tether normally without that t-mobile page coming up. Oooh and a tip you can get a monthly discount of about $10 fldollars if you been with t-mobile for a long time just ask for it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
T-Mobile is detecting the UAstring of the browser, seeing one that isn't available via the Android handset itself, and blocking. That's why when you browse on IE (or the PS3 browser) it knows that you're not on your phone.
You can try using a UAstring switcher extension/addon for Chrome/Firefox, its worked for me.
martonikaj said:
T-Mobile is detecting the UAstring of the browser, seeing one that isn't available via the Android handset itself, and blocking. That's why when you browse on IE (or the PS3 browser) it knows that you're not on your phone.
You can try using a UAstring switcher extension/addon for Chrome/Firefox, its worked for me.
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Click to collapse
It's weird now even with the wi-fi tether app the tethering is not working now they'r catching my speed and blovking my tethering? What's the point on rooting and installing wifi tether if it's not gonna work either?
Sent from my Nexus S using xda app-developers app
juan_carlos__007 said:
It's weird now even with the wi-fi tether app the tethering is not working now they'r catching my speed and blovking my tethering? What's the point on rooting and installing wifi tether if it's not gonna work either?
Sent from my Nexus S using xda app-developers app
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Click to collapse
Because like I said, they detect tethering based on UAstring, which is how your browser tells pages what device it is. So it doesn't matter what program, ROM, or anything you use because when you eventually get to the site you'll identify as a desktop and they'll block it.
I had a HTC Sensation and now have a S3, both of which have been rooted and AOSP ROMs flashed. That has been working fine for me. Don't use Chrome. My girls Nexus S with any combo of ROMs doesn't tether anymore.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
martonikaj said:
Because like I said, they detect tethering based on UAstring, which is how your browser tells pages what device it is. So it doesn't matter what program, ROM, or anything you use because when you eventually get to the site you'll identify as a desktop and they'll block it.
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Click to collapse
I just got onto Tmobile from verizon for the unlimited data. If this is the case (the UAstring is what's preventing tethering) then using a VPN connection should fix that right?
Set up the VPN on your phone, connect to it, then set up your tethering. Then Tmobile should have no idea what you're doing, or where the data is being used, other than the fact that all the data is being pushed through a VPN server.
I haven't tried tethering yet just because i wanna know the full extent to which tmobile is able to monitor tethering techniques.
Standard practice is that when a phone is connected to VPN and tethering, the tether bypasses the VPN.
So really the VPN should be initiated from the device that is connected to the phone, not from the phone.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
To answer the OP's original question. I just switched over to T-Mobiles new unlimited everything plan and can confirm that tethering still works and is unaffected.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
Don't some mobile providers sniff for pings to Windows update server? I remember reading that if you didn't have a tethering plan and they saw pings to the widows update server they would tell you to stop. Otherwise they would add a tethering plan to your account.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

Switching from Verizon to T-Mobile. . .

I am coming over to T-Mobile from Verizon. I had unlimited data and am getting the same here. My only question is, can I use an app like FoxFi to tether without throttling?
I understand that I'm getting 2.5GB of tethering off the bat. But if I choose to tether more than that on a given month (which I probably won't, but I'd still like to know), can I use Foxfi and not get throttled?
From what I have seen tmo will still see it as tethering. You can try to spoof your browser to be seen as an android device, but that kinda defeats the issue as website will revert to their mobile counter part. But then again sk e people have had success with the spoofing of browsers. Your other option is to use a vpn as tmo will not be able to read the packets being sent so then no need to spoof the browser. But if you are tethering to an ipad/iphone, android tablet/phone then you can tether till your hearts desire without any issue. I tethered my transformer tablet for about 20GB (netflix at work, they have no wifi there) without any issues.
Sent from my SM-N900T using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
blakkheartt12 said:
From what I have seen tmo will still see it as tethering. You can try to spoof your browser to be seen as an android device, but that kinda defeats the issue as website will revert to their mobile counter part. But then again sk e people have had success with the spoofing of browsers. Your other option is to use a vpn as tmo will not be able to read the packets being sent so then no need to spoof the browser. But if you are tethering to an ipad/iphone, android tablet/phone then you can tether till your hearts desire without any issue. I tethered my transformer tablet for about 20GB (netflix at work, they have no wifi there) without any issues.
Sent from my SM-N900T using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not true
Han Solo 1 said:
I am coming over to T-Mobile from Verizon. I had unlimited data and am getting the same here. My only question is, can I use an app like FoxFi to tether without throttling?
I understand that I'm getting 2.5GB of tethering off the bat. But if I choose to tether more than that on a given month (which I probably won't, but I'd still like to know), can I use Foxfi and not get throttled?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i use FoxFi and use usb tethering and t-mobile doesnt see any tethering activity just normal activity if it were just using my phone normally.
XxLostSoulxX said:
Not true
i use FoxFi and use usb tethering and t-mobile doesnt see any tethering activity just normal activity if it were just using my phone normally.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, cool. I used FoxFi on my Verizon Note 3 without any problems. Have you used it in wifi mode?
XxLostSoulxX said:
Not true
i use FoxFi and use usb tethering and t-mobile doesnt see any tethering activity just normal activity if it were just using my phone normally.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you can use usb mode and hide tether usage but if you use wifi mode tmobile will be able to tell. There is no way to hide it without vpn or browser spoofing if you use wifi tethering.
Sent from my SM-N900T using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Han Solo 1 said:
Ok, cool. I used FoxFi on my Verizon Note 3 without any problems. Have you used it in wifi mode?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
as in normal wifi hotspot? if so i just use standard t-mobile app for that but it does work it just activates t-mobile hotspot so why run 2 applications lol.
blakkheartt12 said:
Yes you can use usb mode and hide tether usage but if you use wifi mode tmobile will be able to tell. There is no way to hide it without vpn or browser spoofing if you use wifi tethering.
Sent from my SM-N900T using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
again no, because i used more than 2.5GB and even under my T-MO account it shows no MHS usage.
XxLostSoulxX said:
as in normal wifi hotspot? if so i just use standard t-mobile app for that but it does work it just activates t-mobile hotspot so why run 2 applications lol.
again no, because i used more than 2.5GB and even under my T-MO account it shows no MHS usage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure if you have 4G unlimited or not, but I do. On the unlimited 4g (not capped 4g then Edge afterwards) they will not let you go past the 2.5 GB hotspot usage. If you have a limit of highspeed data then you have to spoof or vpn. Look at all the threads in the note 2 and note 3 threads about tethering. All of them with unlimited 4g data are having to spoof or vpn to use it as a hotspot. It works for a little while without spoofing or vpn then all of a sudden they get the upsale page. That's with any method they say is suppose to be a work around.
blakkheartt12 said:
Not sure if you have 4G unlimited or not, but I do. On the unlimited 4g (not capped 4g then Edge afterwards) they will not let you go past the 2.5 GB hotspot usage. If you have a limit of highspeed data then you have to spoof or vpn. Look at all the threads in the note 2 and note 3 threads about tethering. All of them with unlimited 4g data are having to spoof or vpn to use it as a hotspot. It works for a little while without spoofing or vpn then all of a sudden they get the upsale page. That's with any method they say is suppose to be a work around.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no i have the truly unlimited i use more than 30GBs a month
XxLostSoulxX said:
no i have the truly unlimited i use more than 30GBs a month
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess you are one of the lucky one's. Numbers dont lie. Like I said look in the note 2 &3 forums at all the tethering threads. The majority of people cannot tether to their laptops and pcs without spoofing otherwise they get the upsale page. I myself tried all the "fixes" and it works for a few minutes then the upsale page pops up. I tried with both wifi tether for root users and foxfi. My android tablet on the other hand needs no spoofing or vpn just because tmobile sees it as a mobile device and so just sees mobile data. Like I said lucky you and the other few in your position, but for the majority of us yeah spoofing or vpn to a laptop or desktop is needed to keep tmobile from blocking tethering after the initial 2.5 GB is used.
Sent from my SM-N900T using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Mobile Hotspot Usage

I'm currently on the $70 PrePaid. Recently, TMO has enabled free hotspot up to 2.5GB.
I don't tether much, only on a few occasions.
However, I oftentime check the My-TMO Account app, and it shows that I'm using the hotspot considerably.
As I investigate further, I've determined that TMO thinks I'm tethering when I'm using Dolphin Browser (even when the native hotspot isn't turned on).
Hence, I've been avoid using Dolphin Browser, and reverted back to Chrome.
Has anyone experience similar predicament? Or, know of any other apps that erroneously deplete the hotspot allocation?
I have read this before throughout the forums. It's a known bug I guess on tmobile end I think. Try searching and you'll find some threads about it because I know I've r e ad about this before somewhere here.
Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk

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