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Did the obligatory searches - didn't see anyone else in my shoes.
AT&T sent me a text and a letter in the mail telling me that they'd detected me tethering and that they would be changing my plan automatically to a tethering plan if I didn't stop.
I'm not sure how they figured it out, as I am pretty sure from past research on this forum that both tethering and cell data use the same APN. My only guess is that while on vacation, a massive data spike gave it away, as my phone was my only connection to the outside world.
This is fair warning to everyone that it seems AT&T is after tetherers.
Home from vacation, my data usage has gone way, way down so:
Was this a bluff by A&T based oin data usage?
Does anyone know the means which AT&T discerns who is/isn't tethering?
Has anyone else gotten this warning?
Well if you went over their cap it probably set of a few alarms.
It's possible to detect heuristically, if you're looking for it. If you're using deep packet inspection (which they probably aren't), it's dead easy (look for things like desktop browser user agents).
kenikh said:
Did the obligatory searches - didn't see anyone else in my shoes.
AT&T sent me a text and a letter in the mail telling me that they'd detected me tethering and that they would be changing my plan automatically to a tethering plan if I didn't stop.
I'm not sure how they figured it out, as I am pretty sure from past research on this forum that both tethering and cell data use the same APN. My only guess is that while on vacation, a massive data spike gave it away, as my phone was my only connection to the outside world.
This is fair warning to everyone that it seems AT&T is after tetherers.
Home from vacation, my data usage has gone way, way down so:
Was this a bluff by A&T based oin data usage?
Does anyone know the means which AT&T discerns who is/isn't tethering?
Has anyone else gotten this warning?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is an issue that has been coming up in a lot of android/ios threads, and everyone has their own theory, but my guess is they're conducting individual (automated) audits when they detect subscribers with high usage. It would take a ridiculous amount of computing power to look at the IP packets & track every TTL hop of every subscriber with a data plan, but if your usage is over a certain amount, or in the arbitrary "top 5% of consumers", they're probably flagging your account for an audit of TTL hops.
That's the only way I can think of that would affect iOS, Android, Blackberry and WP7 all in the same way. Some people have been saying it's mostly iOS users, and others say its mainly Android or WP7 or whatever, but there's no evidence for any particular platform versus the others. I'm sure they're capable of figuring out each platform's standard TTL, so if they know what device you're using, they can easily identify any device you connect via your phone.
The only exception to this seems to be the Blackberry Playbook bridge feature, which is essentially just projecting the phone's browser session onto the Playbook's screen (albeit quite effectively). As far as I can tell, the only way they're identifying Playbook tethering is when people download the bridge app from App world as opposed to rroy's OTA method.
Were you tethering via internet sharing? I've received the same message from AT&T but only after turning on internet sharing for the first time. I tethered for over USB for 10 months before that with no problem. When I first got the message I stopped tethering completely because I didn't know what caused it (though it could of been the 13GB of data I was using). After discussing it on here I came to the conclusion that the message from AT&T was only received after tethering over Wifi, and that there were no issues with USB tethering. I've tethered since then and haven't heard anything from AT&T. So what method were you using? And if you say only USB it will prove my theory wrong.
Searching first is great, reading the sticky post would also be a good idea.
No Questions in the development section please.
Thread moved to WP7 Q&A
I received a text, an email, and a letter from AT&T. They just want more money from people to change to the 4 GB with tethering.
Sent from my SGH-i917 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
jkern10 said:
I received a text, an email, and a letter from AT&T. They just want more money from people to change to the 4 GB with tethering.
Sent from my SGH-i917 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
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Click to collapse
Same here...I have only tethered once since getting these warnings, I wonder if they would actually change my plan though.
wow I had gotten the htc titan but i switched to tmobile and the radar 4g just because tmo seems to turn a blind eye to tethering...
i just got an android tablet wi-fi only but i need to access important docs on the road, if i enable wi-fi tethering on my Samsung Focus and use it just once do i get a warning telling me to stop?
No. You have to be brazenly stupid like I was and eat gigs of data first.
thanks for the quick reply, so what i need it for it wouldn't send any red flags that i'm using wifi tethering
Just keep your data below the throttling threshold of your plan and they'll have no reason to do deeper inspection. You should be home free.
Its still stupid that they have special plans for tethering, I have unlimited data, but I'm not allowed to use it how I want. Bull****. Its criminal.
Sent from my Focus S (SGH-i937) using Board Express Pro
ATnT has definitely strayed away from customer satisfaction. I understand that the need to keep there Data Plan operating at peak efficiency requires them to throttle back certain users, but the way they go about doing it....for shame.
just wondering if anyone that has a limited data package with verizon, is rooted and has any trouble from verizon finding out about the data usage... i'm on a limited plan and want to root... i used to be with sprint and unlimited data, so it was never an issue or even had a worry that crossed my mind... just want to be sure before i go through the trouble of rooting my phone...
i dont really understand what your asking here but im sure if you go over you allowed Data useage you will probably get overage charges just like if you went over minutes or text msgs.
i dont understand what rooting would have to do with any of it. rooted or not you would still get charged for going over your data allowance. rooting is just somthing you do to unlock the phone so you can get access to modify the software. it really doesnt have much to do with the network. all your Data/min/txt usage will be calculated the same regardless if your rooted or not.
that's exactly what i'm asking... even though rooting and unlocking features of the phone is there... will the carrier still pick up the data usuage even if i'm rooted... don't know if there's a "blind" in the software, where it would hide data usuage or not... reason i'm asking NOW rather than later on and being charged an arm and a leg for tethering...
to be honest i dont know how easily it would be from them to see if your tethering, using hotspot or whatever. im sure there is a way if they wanted to see badly enough. but its probably not worth their time to even look into unless your usage is creating issues on the network.
but regardless, i dont think there would be an easy way to "trick" their system into thinking your using less Data than you are. if thats what your getting at.
i mean you are pulling the data from the network. regardless what your phone says the usage will still get recorded...
i think what your asking goes way beyond rooting and whatnot. i would suggest using WiFi where available and or getting a plan with more Data. ether that or just go with whatever carrier has unlimited data in your area. i wouldnt expect anyone to publicly be able to help you with this as if there was a commonly known way to get around this and a lot of ppl were getting "free" Data... it would be fixed pretty fast dont you think?
I'm rooted and using Bean's ROM with a 10GB plan. Never had any problems with this phone, my Nexus, or my Bionic.
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201
TheBiles said:
I'm rooted and using Bean's ROM with a 10GB plan. Never had any problems with this phone, my Nexus, or my Bionic.
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201
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Click to collapse
I haven't tethered on my SGS3 since I've rooted it; I did tether on my Droid X. I have the grandfathered unlimited plan and I only did it sparingly and didn't have any troubles with VZW. In the height of the DX days P3Droid once mentioned that VZW knew who was rooted and tethered and would knock them off their unlimited data plan. I can't say I've ever seen a post from someone saying that they lost their data plan, but his tip on this kept me from tethering too much. Honestly, I'm still a bit afraid to do it now since I don't want to loose unlimited data. Since you're not on the grandfathered plan I wouldn't worry about that too much.
My suggestion is that if you do tether is that you keep it on the DL, yo. Don't go blasting though gigs of data torrenting crap, etc. Just be warned that if you do stuff that is obviously a network drain they'll spot it and "fix it".
damn... makes me wish i would've switched over a long time ago... =\ oh well...
only thing i ever used to tether was my playstation... i did play it a lot though... lol... thanks for the info though guys... much appreciated... and hopefully this thread will answer others questions in the future...
Not sure which plan you have but if you're on their new share everything plans then hotspot is included, they don't charge any extra
It sounds like he's asking either if there's a way to hide your data usage from Verizon, or if rooting and installing a ROM hides your usage by default. I've never heard of a way to hide your usage from Verizon.
geoff5093 said:
It sounds like he's asking either if there's a way to hide your data usage from Verizon, or if rooting and installing a ROM hides your usage by default. I've never heard of a way to hide your usage from Verizon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yup... didn't know if rooting your phone would hide data usage or not... wasn't sure since i used to be with sprint unlimited data and i never got detailed bills...
but i see now that rooting only unlocks the feature of the phone itself... thanks again guys... :good:
It is a fact that you can not hide the usage but you can hide the fact that your tethering through certain apps.
Tried to ask this in the general forums and didn't get an answer, wondering f you guys could help. Got an s3 to keep my unlimited data. Reading it says that Verizon can tell if you tethering to a computer due to TTL packets. I don't know much about networking but reading it says that windows computers while tethering push a value of 124 or 128 packets unless configured while android devices have a value of 64. The thing is I never tether to my computer only my tablet. So can I safely go nuts tethering to my tablet as if it was my phone due to it looking like I'm using my phone or am I way off and can Verizon tell I'm tethering and using my tablet. I really just want tot tether the hell out f my tablet when I need it. Anyways as this is XDA can I hide it safely? I have an unlimited data plan so the whole OK to tether thing since that lawsuit doesn't apply to me with this.
Sent from my Amazon Kindle Fire using Tapatalk 2
mrvogel said:
Tried to ask this in the general forums and didn't get an answer, wondering f you guys could help. Got an s3 to keep my unlimited data. Reading it says that Verizon can tell if you tethering to a computer due to TTL packets. I don't know much about networking but reading it says that windows computers while tethering push a value of 124 or 128 packets unless configured while android devices have a value of 64. The thing is I never tether to my computer only my tablet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know about the packet size issue you mentioned.
Otherwise, I have read that if*your Verizon tethering indicator turns on or your usage suddenly goes quite high for a month or more, they might suspect you of tethering without a plan and look into it. It's also said that apps like PDAnet make it very difficult for the service provider to figure out if you are tethering or not - regardless of what you're connected to.
- ooofest
VZW can no longer block tethering on 4g phones. Due to FCC saying so. Simple Google search will fond multiple articles.
There is no restrictions on unlimited versus tiered data plan. What counts is that you have a 4g phone. Check out this article ans the tether away.
http://www.zdnet.com/let-my-wi-fi-go-fcc-rules-verizon-cant-charge-for-wi-fi-tethering-7000001916/
Rocking T2 on the unlocked VSG3!
I've read differently. It sounds like if you have an unlimited data plan you can only use that data plan for a single device meaning that you can't tether the unlimited data. I read multiple places that this is part of the terms of service and it doesn't apply to unlimited data plan users... M
aybe somebody can clarify this for me because it would be great to use my unlimited data for tethering when on vacations.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
Tethering
Its like not paying you bill. You get a warning. You can always deny it or ignore it. Modern PDANet if thats what you are boing to use has some countermeasures. At least 2 I think. Don't know if they are effective. You can just use Orobot to tunnel your traffic and I'm pretty certain that would work. I don't know what you plan to do but I wouldn't go download something shady from some torrent site though. Web browsing and getting email is probably fine.
I've been tethering my laptop to my phone since I first figured out how to do it with the Droid X. Meaning basically since I rooted it and found a decent tether app. Out of 5 people on a business share plan(business version of family plan - add a line for 9.99 etc) I've always had significantly highest usage. 5 gigs at a bare minimum, and not once has verizon figured out I'm tethering.
I honestly dont think they can really tell if you are or arent tehtering. 4g or 3g.
Curious, is Verizon still charging people today who were paying before the ruling? Is it possible now for me to use built in hotspot instead of wifi tether, regardless of whether or not i am on a custom rom? I am using latest synergy atm with wifi tether, i should have no problem using built in right?
sfetaz said:
Curious, is Verizon still charging people today who were paying before the ruling? Is it possible now for me to use built in hotspot instead of wifi tether, regardless of whether or not i am on a custom rom? I am using latest synergy atm with wifi tether, i should have no problem using built in right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe you can if you turn it on through the notification toggles...Why tho? The WiFi for Root Users is a lot more customizable...
sfetaz said:
Curious, is Verizon still charging people today who were paying before the ruling? Is it possible now for me to use built in hotspot instead of wifi tether, regardless of whether or not i am on a custom rom? I am using latest synergy atm with wifi tether, i should have no problem using built in right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
atm no. the software is still there to keep you from doing that. IF you root, the world is your oyster though... and they aren't actually allowed to do anything to do. They just aren't rushing to open everyone up to free hotspotting.
So Ive done some searching and since Verizons new unlimited plan is only about 5 days old Im stuck sifting through 100s of grandfathered unlimited plan posts searching for hotspot hacks. That being said heres my scenario.
My house is rural, I wouldnt consider it rural but apparently Im rural enough for the utility companies to find it rural. Never thought 2 miles off a major highway would constitute that but anyways. This means Im in a situation a lot of people are in. I like my privacy, IE owning property and not being on top of my neighbors, but I also grew up tech savvy and playing games. Im heavily dependent on the internet and like my MMORPGs... Im never expecting to replace my satellite TV with streaming for the record.
Im trying to find my best internet option. Ive been through the gambit here... Hughes net, Excede, and now on to a local fixed wireless provider. Im semi satisfied with my fixed internet provider and its been the best of the 3 but Im still stuck at 4g speeds although no data cap. My biggest issue is varying speed with them and Ive taken this concern up with them a couple times but Ive never been provided with a real solution. I was fed a BS answer of "maybe try having less things wifi'd". Im signed up for 5-7mbps with no data cap at the moment for $75 a month. If I received a steady signal I would be very happy with that. Sure its not great for heavy internet browsing but playing an MMO it would be great. But then it happens, I get .5mbs down randomly and a 400ms ping...
Ok so sorry for the long back story. My biggest concerns here are hitting a consistent connection with a moderate data cap. What Im looking into doing is adding a hotspot and upgrading my verizon plan to the new unlimited with an exterior 4g lte cell amplifier. 1 mile away as the crow flys I get 50mbps down and 70 ping on the highway on my phone...
So Im curious if there's any hack or mod to beat out these stupid 10 gig 4g lte speed caps they've placed on the hotspots? Or maybe theres a better combination of hardware I could use here that would be blind to verizon?
If theres a better section or even a forum out there more oriented towards what Im trying to do?
Thanks
stomis said:
So Ive done some searching and since Verizons new unlimited plan is only about 5 days old Im stuck sifting through 100s of grandfathered unlimited plan posts searching for hotspot hacks. That being said heres my scenario.
My house is rural, I wouldnt consider it rural but apparently Im rural enough for the utility companies to find it rural. Never thought 2 miles off a major highway would constitute that but anyways. This means Im in a situation a lot of people are in. I like my privacy, IE owning property and not being on top of my neighbors, but I also grew up tech savvy and playing games. Im heavily dependent on the internet and like my MMORPGs... Im never expecting to replace my satellite TV with streaming for the record.
Im trying to find my best internet option. Ive been through the gambit here... Hughes net, Excede, and now on to a local fixed wireless provider. Im semi satisfied with my fixed internet provider and its been the best of the 3 but Im still stuck at 4g speeds although no data cap. My biggest issue is varying speed with them and Ive taken this concern up with them a couple times but Ive never been provided with a real solution. I was fed a BS answer of "maybe try having less things wifi'd". Im signed up for 5-7mbps with no data cap at the moment for $75 a month. If I received a steady signal I would be very happy with that. Sure its not great for heavy internet browsing but playing an MMO it would be great. But then it happens, I get .5mbs down randomly and a 400ms ping...
Ok so sorry for the long back story. My biggest concerns here are hitting a consistent connection with a moderate data cap. What Im looking into doing is adding a hotspot and upgrading my verizon plan to the new unlimited with an exterior 4g lte cell amplifier. 1 mile away as the crow flys I get 50mbps down and 70 ping on the highway on my phone...
So Im curious if there's any hack or mod to beat out these stupid 10 gig 4g lte speed caps they've placed on the hotspots? Or maybe theres a better combination of hardware I could use here that would be blind to verizon?
If theres a better section or even a forum out there more oriented towards what Im trying to do?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no way to hack your data limit or data speed, that's all controlled on the network, not on the device.
Sent from my SM-S903VL using Tapatalk
Droidriven said:
There is no way to hack your data limit or data speed, that's all controlled on the network, not on the device.
Sent from my SM-S903VL using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
I kind of figured that. Maybe I worded this poorly. What I'm curious is if there's some sort of way to mask the tethering. Like if I purchase my own 4G LTE modem and then transfer a sum card from an existing unlimited device into the modem, is verizon going to know to cap my data at a 10gb tether or are they simply going to think it's still a tablet and give me 22gb full speed? And I guess the second question would be is there something I can manipulate on my end to "fool" what type of device is connected kind of like how people used to tether the grandfathered phones by swapping the SIM cards and editing some network configuration in the phone?
stomis said:
I kind of figured that. Maybe I worded this poorly. What I'm curious is if there's some sort of way to mask the tethering. Like if I purchase my own 4G LTE modem and then transfer a sum card from an existing unlimited device into the modem, is verizon going to know to cap my data at a 10gb tether or are they simply going to think it's still a tablet and give me 22gb full speed? And I guess the second question would be is there something I can manipulate on my end to "fool" what type of device is connected kind of like how people used to tether the grandfathered phones by swapping the SIM cards and editing some network configuration in the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, with those questions, it isn't whether or not it can or can't be done. It's a matter of XDA not allowing this kind of discussion. We can discuss "how" to tether, but we can't discuss cheating the system, your limit is your limit, and your plan is your plan on the device you get the plan on, that's it.
Sent from my SM-S903VL using Tapatalk
Droidriven said:
There is no way to hack your data limit or data speed, that's all controlled on the network, not on the device.
Sent from my SM-S903VL using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Droidriven said:
Well, with those questions, it isn't whether or not it can or can't be done. It's a matter of XDA not allowing this kind of discussion. We can discuss "how" to tether, but we can't discuss cheating the system, your limit is your limit, and your plan is your plan on the device you get the plan on, that's it.
Sent from my SM-S903VL using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
Although I don't understand how this is any different than bypassing the tethering ban back in the day I'll leave it at that and say ok, thanks for your help.
stomis said:
Although I don't understand how this is any different than bypassing the tethering ban back in the day I'll leave it at that and say ok, thanks for your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because it's a subject of splitting hairs.
It breaks down like this.
While enabling tethering on devices/plans that aren't supposed to have the option is frowned upon by the carriers, it is not illegal, nor does it exceed any preset data limits. Yes, you can tether when you aren't "supposed" to but it doesn't allow you to exceed your data limit, meaning, they lose no money. You're only using data that you've already paid for, you're just doing something they don't like by using that data in a different way.
On the other hand, when you get into hiding data to get more than the prescribed limit or faking which device they think it is, then they are losing money because you're cheating them by using more data than was paid for or by using a device that isn't approved for the plan.
On devices with unlimited plans, there is effectively no money "lost", you're just using more data than they expect for the average user, which can lead to them seeing it and throttling your data or even cutting you off completely.
It's all subjective, in other words, do what you want with the device itself but don't screw the network.
Sent from my SM-S903VL using Tapatalk
Droidriven said:
Because it's a subject of splitting hairs.
It breaks down like this.
While enabling tethering on devices/plans that aren't supposed to have the option is frowned upon by the carriers, it is not illegal, nor does it exceed any preset data limits. Yes, you can tether when you aren't "supposed" to but it doesn't allow you to exceed your data limit, meaning, they lose no money. You're only using data that you've already paid for, you're just doing something they don't like by using that data in a different way.
On the other hand, when you get into hiding data to get more than the prescribed limit or faking which device they think it is, then they are losing money because you're cheating them by using more data than was paid for or by using a device that isn't approved for the plan.
On devices with unlimited plans, there is effectively no money "lost", you're just using more data than they expect for the average user, which can lead to them seeing it and throttling your data or even cutting you off completely.
It's all subjective, in other words, do what you want with the device itself but don't screw the network.
Sent from my SM-S903VL using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right. I'm really not trying to screw them. I just want my 22gb as they see fit on a device on my hotspot... I don't understand why devices are subject to better rules that the hotspot. If they have the bandwidth to bump me back to 4G LTE after I hit the cap then they shouls, not lock me down to 3g, over pribicple...
I want to use a smart phone tethered to my home PC as my gateway to the Net. I've looked at all the plans available where I live and to help get some advice from the forum I decided to just pick the closest cell provider to me rather than ask questions about every phone available to me.
Metro PCS was the closest store and I assume their phone plans and phones will be a lot less than Verizon, also less phone choices. My "only" need of the phone is its Wifi connection. I want "all" the apps not necessary for such - gone. The phone will never be used for calls, text, surfing so I want apps like Facebook, Twitter, etc... all gone. I'm not going to need the browser(s) supplied afaik so deleting them eliminates hacker attacks as I'll never surf the Web via the phone. All I want is Wifi to get my home PC online.
Here's where I find things are a bit tougher to figure out. I see many root tools available but it seems not all phones can be easily rooted.
I see no reason to buy the expensive phones as I'm never going to use them, only the wifi connection. I've looked up some of the models and see that Samsung has a large following here. The J3 Prime, ON5, J7 Prime as well as LG Aristo, K7 and Stylo 2 Plus are "reasonably" priced, any comments on these phones?
I've read that some of you only freeze the apps, others root the phone and even change the ROM to get what you want. I will only be using my home pc to surf and know how to protect it but I'm not sure if I need any protection on the cell, especially if I never use it on the Net. Is my phone safe as I plan to use it?
I've started downloading software for rooting, Twrp, Odin, Kingrootz and Samsung drivers. I read that it's best to backup your phone before rooting, Titanium and one other (?) program were mentioned so I will get them too.
What other things should/must I do? Please post links to any threads that may have addressed this issue! I'm new to all of this but can learn. I am reading threads here hoping to get a better handle on rooting but getting personal proven advice just makes life so much easier.
BTW, I guess many of you use wifi tethering since it's part of your plan, how well does it work? I'm only checking email and doing searches, not into video, music or gaming. I probably could use Freedom Pop since I'd use so little data but am not sure how their coverage is in my area. Verizon $$$ and Metro PCS (cheap) have great coverage for me (tethering included in price). But if anyone wants to comment about providers or which ones are nosey about your surfing habits and if you use TOR or a VPN let me know, thanks.
Let me rephrase some of my prior post to hopefully get a response. When I tether a cell phone to my home PC, will the fact that the phone will never be used for anything other than connecting my PC to the Net basically keep the phone itself safe? I do want to root the phone to remove any apps that could spy on me, and remove the browser since the phone itself will never be used to surf the net. Questions still remain concerning the phone models I listed in my 1st post. I most likely will go with a cheap Samsung phone, following the rooting procedures that I can find on this site. Just would like to hear from anyone who is using their phone as a tethering device, are there any problems I might encounter? Should I ask my questions in a different forum?
wifionly said:
I want to use a smart phone tethered to my home PC as my gateway to the Net. I've looked at all the plans available where I live and to help get some advice from the forum I decided to just pick the closest cell provider to me rather than ask questions about every phone available to me.
Metro PCS was the closest store and I assume their phone plans and phones will be a lot less than Verizon, also less phone choices. My "only" need of the phone is its Wifi connection. I want "all" the apps not necessary for such - gone. The phone will never be used for calls, text, surfing so I want apps like Facebook, Twitter, etc... all gone. I'm not going to need the browser(s) supplied afaik so deleting them eliminates hacker attacks as I'll never surf the Web via the phone. All I want is Wifi to get my home PC online.
Here's where I find things are a bit tougher to figure out. I see many root tools available but it seems not all phones can be easily rooted.
I see no reason to buy the expensive phones as I'm never going to use them, only the wifi connection. I've looked up some of the models and see that Samsung has a large following here. The J3 Prime, ON5, J7 Prime as well as LG Aristo, K7 and Stylo 2 Plus are "reasonably" priced, any comments on these phones?
I've read that some of you only freeze the apps, others root the phone and even change the ROM to get what you want. I will only be using my home pc to surf and know how to protect it but I'm not sure if I need any protection on the cell, especially if I never use it on the Net. Is my phone safe as I plan to use it?
I've started downloading software for rooting, Twrp, Odin, Kingrootz and Samsung drivers. I read that it's best to backup your phone before rooting, Titanium and one other (?) program were mentioned so I will get them too.
What other things should/must I do? Please post links to any threads that may have addressed this issue! I'm new to all of this but can learn. I am reading threads here hoping to get a better handle on rooting but getting personal proven advice just makes life so much easier.
BTW, I guess many of you use wifi tethering since it's part of your plan, how well does it work? I'm only checking email and doing searches, not into video, music or gaming. I probably could use Freedom Pop since I'd use so little data but am not sure how their coverage is in my area. Verizon $$$ and Metro PCS (cheap) have great coverage for me (tethering included in price). But if anyone wants to comment about providers or which ones are nosey about your surfing habits and if you use TOR or a VPN let me know, thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why not buy a hotspot then? Roughly the same monthly bill as using a phone and less issues because all it does is WiFi without all the phone stuff. No apps to snoop on you, no need to worry about security on the hotspot(its basically just a router, not a processing unit with an operating system that can be invaded), just access to internet. And no need to worry with rooting, the software involved in rooting, issues with rooting, backing up/restoring, deleting apps, etc..
Sent from my SM-S903VL using Tapatalk
> Why not buy a hotspot then?
But - where would I get the Wifi access to begin with? As far as I know there is nothing but open Wifi from my neighbors, hardly secure. I need internet access and felt that the cheapest way to go is Freedom Pop or Metro PCS cell phones. Cable and Fiber are $$$$$$$$ by comparison.
wifionly said:
> Why not buy a hotspot then?
But - where would I get the Wifi access to begin with? As far as I know there is nothing but open Wifi from my neighbors, hardly secure. I need internet access and felt that the cheapest way to go is Freedom Pop or Metro PCS cell phones. Cable and Fiber are $$$$$$$$ by comparison.
Click to expand...
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I'm talking about a mobile hotspot that is activated on a mobile network like a phone with monthly service(either prepaid or on a monthly billing cycle) but isn't a phone, it just connects to the mobile network and shares that network with the devices that connect to it.
Such as a Verizon 4G jetpack or a Straight Talk mobile hotspot from Walmart. All the mobile carriers offer them, including Metro PCS, US Cellular, Boost, Virgin, etc...
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