Database Info

Get NATIVE Hotspot Working with Unlimited Data (No Root) on S8

Video instructions are linked below.**
Hey, everyone! I just wanted to share something that I figured out when I was trying to enable my WiFi hotspot on my S8. First of all, I have an AT&T Galaxy S8 (G950U) with Unlimited Data, and my hotspot doesn't typically work at all. When I try to enable it normally, it has to "verify," then it tells me I need to subscribe. However, while playing around with Package Disabler Pro and the hotspot, I figured out how to get the hotspot turned on (running off of unlimited data) without root or any sort of complex workaround. The only things you'll need are a $2 app, ANY WiFi source (even locked), and a supported carrier on your S8 (AT&T, Verizon, and others). Here the steps to get it up and running:
1) Download Package Disabler Pro (by policedeveloper), get it up and running, and search for "tether" in the seach box
2) Three options should pop up ("TetheringProvision", "TetheringAutomation", and "com.qualcomm.qti.tetherservice"). Disable all three packages.
3) Go to your Mobile Hotspot settings and make sure WiFi Sharing is turned ON. Very important.
4) Go to your WiFi Settings and connect to any WiFi network near you, but PURPOSELY put in the wrong WiFi password. It will try to connect for a short time, so you need to be quick on the next step.
5) Quickly enable your mobile hotspot while the phone is still trying to connect to the network with the wrong password. After the hotspot turns on, quickly turn off your WiFi. The hotspot will stay on and continue to run off of your unlimited data!
I actually tested this last year on the Galaxy S7 edge on AT&T, so it works on there as well! I've uploaded the following videos to YouTube as well for the S7 and S8 respectively, so if this helped you, be sure to go click on some ads on my YouTube videos! It helps me out lol.
**S7 edge video: https://youtu.be/w3usivgCFSc
**S8 video: https://youtu.be/f8n6-ZrdIQg
It's worth noting that I'm actually not sure how many carriers this works on. I know it doesn't work on Sprint, but lately it actually started working on Verizon too. I've had some people tell me that it works on other smaller carriers as well, but if it works for you in a different carrier leave a comment below so I can see how many it works on please!

Not seemingly working for sprint. No matter how fast I swap to disable the wifi, if the wifi is disconnected, hotspot it turned off.

druep said:
Not seemingly working for sprint. No matter how fast I swap to disable the wifi, if the wifi is disconnected, hotspot it turned off.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, unfortunately it won't work on Sprint. Turns out they have a different way of checking to see if you're subscribed to tethering. I did find this thread several months ago dealing with getting the hotspot turned on with Sprint though. Check it out and let me know if it still works if you don't mind:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/sprint-galaxy-s6-edge/general/unlimited-hotspot-root-t3249042

ldog3211 said:
Yeah, unfortunately it won't work on Sprint. Turns out they have a different way of checking to see if you're subscribed to tethering. I did find this thread several months ago dealing with getting the hotspot turned on with Sprint though. Check it out and let me know if it still works if you don't mind:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/sprint-galaxy-s6-edge/general/unlimited-hotspot-root-t3249042
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, you could also try downloading the Galaxy Tools app, check "enable hotspot", and then reboot your phone. Basically works the same way I think but it's automatic:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/afvzbs5w752yp4p/GTv3.1.5.apk?dl=0

ldog3211 said:
Yeah, unfortunately it won't work on Sprint. Turns out they have a different way of checking to see if you're subscribed to tethering. I did find this thread several months ago dealing with getting the hotspot turned on with Sprint though. Check it out and let me know if it still works if you don't mind:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/sprint-galaxy-s6-edge/general/unlimited-hotspot-root-t3249042
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In an OTA update last Friday, Sprint locked down the ##DATA# method and settings are now grayed out for me. The previous Shortcut method I'd used to edit APN settings wasn't working either. I did come a different Shortcut Master search string which allowed me to get in and edit the APN, however. I don't know why from one view it works, but from the other it did not. If memory serves it was looking for LTEfunctionality.

These carriers need a swift kick in the ass for disabling features on these phones.

druep said:
In an OTA update last Friday, Sprint locked down the ##DATA# method and settings are now grayed out for me. The previous Shortcut method I'd used to edit APN settings wasn't working either. I did come a different Shortcut Master search string which allowed me to get in and edit the APN, however. I don't know why from one view it works, but from the other it did not. If memory serves it was looking for LTEfunctionality.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, I see. That sucks! I don't have a Sprint Galaxy phone, so I can't test anything out, but I wonder if it's still possible through that different search string. I don't really know how any of that works though. What I really wish would happen is for Samsung to actually stand up to these carriers and not keep taking their BS. However, even Apple, as great as they are at this, blocks the hotspot on certain iPhones depending on the carrier and plan...

peachpuff said:
These carriers need a swift kick in the ass for disabling features on these phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes tf they do. Samsung needs to learn from Apple and stop taking the carriers' BS. That right there would solve a problem a lot of people have with Samsung, but of course they're not going to stop.

druep said:
In an OTA update last Friday, Sprint locked down the ##DATA# method and settings are now grayed out for me. The previous Shortcut method I'd used to edit APN settings wasn't working either. I did come a different Shortcut Master search string which allowed me to get in and edit the APN, however. I don't know why from one view it works, but from the other it did not. If memory serves it was looking for LTEfunctionality.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
U r correct, the ltefunctionality is the place for editing the apns. Search the sprint thread as this method has been posted several times using quickshortcut maker app and searching test to find the directory. Click try then look for lteapn settings and add dun to the default,mms. It should look like the following.... deault,mms,dun
Any prl or profile updates along with android os updates will undo this. So each time any of those update redo the above steps. I'm on 10gb hotspot and have used it for 3 weeks last month with Bill showing no hotspot data used. I'm on sprint

You should've bought an unlocked S8. I have unlimited data on AT&T with an unlocked S8 and the hotspot works just fine.

peachpuff said:
These carriers need a swift kick in the ass for disabling features on these phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I never run out of reasons to ensure any phone I buy has root.

Does this method show as you using hot spot and they charge you for using it? I have the unlimited data plan but I am not paying the extra for the hotspot feature because I think it is dumb and should be free anyways as a feature of the phone so I refuse to pay for that service. I have ATT.

chase10784 said:
Does this method show as you using hot spot and they charge you for using it? I have the unlimited data plan but I am not paying the extra for the hotspot feature because I think it is dumb and should be free anyways as a feature of the phone so I refuse to pay for that service. I have ATT.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope! I've been doing this for over a year now, and I've never gotten any notice, warning, or anything from AT&T. I use AT LEAST 100GB of data every month, and several months I've used over 200GB. They haven't charged me a dime even though I'm not supposed to have the hotspot with my unlimited data plan! And I don't use a VPN or anything...

ldog3211 said:
Nope! I've been doing this for over a year now, and I've never gotten any notice, warning, or anything from AT&T. I use AT LEAST 100GB of data every month, and several months I've used over 200GB. They haven't charged me a dime even though I'm not supposed to have the hotspot with my unlimited data plan! And I don't use a VPN or anything...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well cool. I got it to work. I haven't had much time to test it but it seems great.

On Verizon s8 anyone figure out how to get this working. Can't find app "TetheringProvision" or anything similar to disable on my VZ s8 phone.
I found "TetheringAutomation", and "com.qualcomm.qti.tetherservice" and disabled. It still checks subscription and fails.
Thanks!

Solution: Switch to Tmobile

Yianaki said:
On Verizon s8 anyone figure out how to get this working. Can't find app "TetheringProvision" or anything similar to disable on my VZ s8 phone.
I found "TetheringAutomation", and "com.qualcomm.qti.tetherservice" and disabled. It still checks subscription and fails.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can get your hotspot working by popping sim tray, unlock phone, open up stopwatch, insert sim tray and start stopwatch at the same time, when the stopwatch hits 8 seconds turn on hotspot from the pull down menu.
I know it takes some work but works every time for me. I will try to post a video for anyone who wants. Working on my verizon s8+. Thanks!

jtracker said:
You can get your hotspot working by popping sim tray, unlock phone, open up stopwatch, insert sim tray and start stopwatch at the same time, when the stopwatch hits 8 seconds turn on hotspot from the pull down menu.
I know it takes some work but works every time for me. I will try to post a video for anyone who wants. Working on my verizon s8+. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought for sure that this was going to be a joke to see how long I would sit there popping my sim and launching apps and such, but WOW.
It actually worked on my third attempt ( VZ S8+)
Thanks again for posting this!:good:

Too easy I just went to Settings > Apps clicked the
overflow menu to show system apps and forced stop tetheringprovision and tetheringautomation. I also disabled tethering provision's access to change system settings.
My hotspot worked right away I'm on ATT UDP

has this stopped working after the lastest ATT update

No Root Hotspot Mod Oreo 8.0 and Below

Hey guys, I have found a way to get hotspot working in Oreo without rooting or paying for the service. Timing seems to be important for Sprint's software to load and block the functionality of the hotspot. This method does work on Oreo, but it also works on all other versions below it as well. Follow the steps below or watch the video at the bottom and post back here if it works!
1. Download and install Shortcut Master Lite from the play store.
2. Open Shortcut Master Lite and search for com.test.ltefunctionality and make sure there are no spaces before or after the query.
3. Open the result ending with LTEFunctionalityTest and find LTE APN Setting in the list and tap it.
4. Open APN2 EHRPD internet and scroll to APN type. See if you can edit it. If so then great! Add ,dun to the end and to the same for APN2 LTE internet and you're done! If you cannot edit, which is likely on Oreo, then continue with the steps.
5. Some have had success with rebooting the phone and getting into Shortcut Master Lite quickly after the reboot. For others this does not work. You can try it and see for yourself.
6. Open up the dialer and type ##27263# This resets your carrier customization settings and reboots the phone.
7. Upon reboot, follow steps 2 through 4 again and it WILL work. Make sure you save your changes when editing the APN Types.
8. Verify your hotspot is working by toggling it on and connecting a device.
Here is the video: No Root FREE UNLIMITED WiFi Hotspot Sprint Galaxy Note 8
Disclaimer: I do post videos on YouTube with ads and get a tiny amount of revenue, but this is not for profit. I am just sharing this with the community. You are welcome to subscribe, but I will never ask you to on this forum. I may not be the first to figure this modification out and will gladly give credit where it is due if someone has done it before me. I am not responsible if your phone explodes during this process, you void your warranty, or if you modify your files and no longer receive signal or updates. All of these steps are followed at your own risk. I and others here will try to help you if you get stuck, but you assume full responsibility for what you do to your own phone.

I got this to work on my Galaxy S9+ for the last two weeks. As of 5/29/18 it has quit working and If I redo the procedure it immediately catches it and shuts it off.

tenraii said:
I got this to work on my Galaxy S9+ for the last two weeks. As of 5/29/18 it has quit working and If I redo the procedure it immediately catches it and shuts it off.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is odd. It is still working for me. I am running software version CRE1

AT&T Galaxy s7 edge oreo hotspot
How can i get free hotspot on AT&T galaxy s7 edge oreo? Had it before the update but now after the update it doesn't work. Any suggestions?

violento33 said:
How can i get free hotspot on AT&T galaxy s7 edge oreo? Had it before the update but now after the update it doesn't work. Any suggestions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
id like to know as well

Is there a way to get this to work on verizon? The old sim card trick no longer works on Oreo.

Does this still works? Also I'm suppose to have unlimited plan, but once I use certain amount of data the speed get drastically reduced, is there a way to avoid or bypass the speed limit on Sprint?
Btw OP love the Insaniquarium profile pic haha

zerocords said:
Does this still works? Also I'm suppose to have unlimited plan, but once I use certain amount of data the speed get drastically reduced, is there a way to avoid or bypass the speed limit on Sprint?
Btw OP love the Insaniquarium profile pic haha
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just used this on my note 8 with the CRE1 update and it worked great.
Now does anyone know if it works on the s8?

Hello, I was using an app (shortcut master lite) to modify hotspot to work. But now when I go into shortcut master it's all greyed out. I cannot select anything. Can someone help to enable so I can get hotspot to working again.

mrvoodoodaddy69 said:
I just used this on my note 8 with the CRE1 update and it worked great.
Now does anyone know if it works on the s8?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have an S8+ and basically modified this setting via ADB way back on Android 7 and it has persisted all the way through the upgrade to Oreo. I am currently on CRG3 and it still works. One trick to note is to turn off mobile data, turn on the hotspot, and then turn mobile data back on. Has been working since I got this phone back in May 2017...
Now to see if the ADB method will work on the Note9 in a few days...

gmoney175 said:
Hello, I was using an app (shortcut master lite) to modify hotspot to work. But now when I go into shortcut master it's all greyed out. I cannot select anything. Can someone help to enable so I can get hotspot to working again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Reboot phone
Dial ##brand# accept/yes and phone will reboot
Open shortcutmaster and edit apn's as usual
profit

Hey guys, I have written an app that makes this process pretty easy. Shortcut Master Lite is no longer available on the Play Store.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-note-9/themes/app-openit-easy-free-to-unlock-t3849988

Hotspot not working on Pixel 4a, but does on Moto G6

Hi all,
Just like the title says, my Pixel 4a doesn't allow hotspot. It says "To use Mobile Hotspot, please call customer service to subscribe." But if I put the SIM into my G6, it works fine. Bought the phone from Google. My service is Verizon. I have the grandfathered unlimited data. Any suggestions? I was thinking of getting a new SIM card and seeing if that does the trick, but concerned that it may block the hotspot on my G6.

Found the answer to my problem. If you by chance checked the box to allow Verizon to manage your phone, you may need to reinstall Android and start over without that part selected. It's finally working.

fl3xtra said:
Found the answer to my problem. If you by chance checked the box to allow Verizon to manage your phone, you may need to reinstall Android and start over without that part selected. It's finally working.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do u do that ? Just a factory reset ? Having the same issues but on at&t

So I was able to get WiFi tether working on android 10 but not on android 11. Using the magisk tether module

Question Family link [TB-J617F]

Hi all,
I've been trying to get family link working as my daughter uses this tablet. When trying to add her account the setup gets stuck in an endless loop never competing. Having read various threads from other devices, I think it's probably something to do with play services not having certain permissions. I would consider unlocking, installing twrp, magisk etc if required to fix, but I don't want to loose widevine.
The long and short is I can't use her account on the device at all as she's part of the family group - her account won't work at all without family link.
I wondered if anyone here had either tried this, or come across other odd behaviours relating to play services?
I'm running the Chinese ROM ziu 13.
Appreciate any thoughts.
Cheers Matt

Few things I have tried (and eventually got it to work) across 2x Lenovo P11 Plus (J616F)'s:
1st one was a factory reset and then instead of using my home WiFi, setup the device using a 4G hotspot from my phone. (Not a clue why, but my Home Wifi (Unifi Access Points) takes upwards of 2 minutes to get internet with the Lenovo's, even though all other devices are fine).
Second method:
factory reset and setup the device as "Offline" (i.e. dont input any WiFi details, button down bottom right saying "Setup as Offline")
Once gone through initial steps, connect to your WiFi, give it 10 minutes to update a few bits.
Open Play Store (DO NOT SIGN IN!), and press the three dots at the top right and goto updates
Let the device update all apps
When complete, try adding the childs Google Account (again, if this fails, try using a 4G hotspot from another device (disabling Wifi on that device first))
Hope that helps

Ok, that sounds pretty strange but I might give it a go. I just set her up a new Google account as nothing I could do could get the old one logged in. Thanks for your advice.
I suspect your unifi is running a shared ssid and your 5ghz is on an inaccessible band, are you always connecting at 2.4ghz? I had to change the 5g band on mine to even see it!

mdurkin said:
Ok, that sounds pretty strange but I might give it a go. I just set her up a new Google account as nothing I could do could get the old one logged in. Thanks for your advice.
I suspect your unifi is running a shared ssid and your 5ghz is on an inaccessible band, are you always connecting at 2.4ghz? I had to change the 5g band on mine to even see it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only have my 5Ghz on normal bands (i.e. non DFS), even tried a separate 2.4Ghz Guest network, disabled WPA3, all to no avail. Not got a clue what caused it, my ISP doesn't block anything either (Zen UK)
Any other device was fine over WiFi (have setup much older Samsung tablets, newer kids phones) all with Family Link, it was just the Lenovo's that was stuck in a loop saying I needed to remove and re-add the account.
Just couldn't figure it out, and had already spent a few hours trying. Hoped the newest firmware would fix, but that didn't help either.
Hope it helps and good luck

Just playing around on the tablet and it appears that it struggles with IPv6 - could be that my hotspot is IPv4 only. Could be related to the loop it gets stuck in?
Not sure why it doesn't like IPv6 though as all other devices are fine with it...

I've just gone through full reset, then tried using 4g hotspot as you suggested. I have to use Lenovo app centre to get play store, then use play store with no login to update. That all works fine. Then add my daughters account. Then I get stuck in the same loop of not being able to register the device with family link.
In my case, I don't think this relates to internet access, I think there's something going wrong with the software / permissions on the device. It's genuinely very frustrating as I imagine it's probably not terribly difficult for the Lenovo Devs to fix.

How To Guide [GUIDE] [ROOT] Enabling (Vo)5G/NR for Chinese network providers

Someone is asking me how to use China Telecom on Pixel 7 (Pro), and I found there is no such tutorial on XDA, so I decide to write one.
0. Root you phone [Guide]
0.1. You can either use Termux+vim (or nano, emacs, etc.) to edit on your phone or adb (pull, push) to edit on your PC.
1. Find carrierconfig-com.android.carrier-<ICCID>-<nonce>.xml in /data/user_de/0/com.android.phone/files
1.1. Add
XML:
<boolean name="enhanced_4g_lte_on_by_default_bool" value="true" />
<boolean name="carrier_volte_available_bool" value="true" />
<boolean name="vendor_hide_volte_settng_ui" value="false" />
<boolean name="vonr_enabled_bool" value="true" />
<boolean name="vonr_setting_visibility_bool" value="true" />
after the first <bundle> line.
For how to use adb to edit on your PC, refer to this post.
2. Install Network Signal Guru
2.1. Set to SA+NSA or SA in NR mode and FR1+FR2 of FR1 only in band combo. You can refer to this post.
3. Reboot your phone and enjoy.

Thanks. Are you yangzhaofeng on Github? While Files from F-Droid didn't enable me to see /data/user_de/0/com.android.phone/files at all on my P7P, leading me to having concluded that I only have /data/user_de/0/com/github/axet/filemanager and /data/user_de/0/com.google.android.gms instead, FX File Explorer does enable to see and edit the file with rooted super user access.
I added those five lines to enable 4G VoLTE, so that I no longer have to use Foobar66's module, despite I prefer module's approach in terms of not having to edit files myself.
I repeatedly have run Network Signal Guru, but still 5G refuses to come on, despite the latter did enable 5G for my two other P7P from weeks earlier. Weird. Maybe there is a way to actual edit the xml file to enable 5G once and for all?

supermansaga said:
Thanks. Are you yangzhaofeng on Github? While Files from F-Droid didn't enable me to see /data/user_de/0/com.android.phone/files at all on my P7P, leading me to having concluded that I only have /data/user_de/0/com/github/axet/filemanager and /data/user_de/0/com.google.android.gms instead, FX File Explorer does enable to see and edit the file with rooted super user access.
I added those five lines to enable 4G VoLTE, so that I no longer have to use Foobar66's module, despite I prefer module's approach in terms of not having to edit files myself.
I repeatedly have run Network Signal Guru, but still 5G refuses to come on, despite the latter did enable 5G for my two other P7P from weeks earlier. Weird. Maybe there is a way to actual edit the xml file to enable 5G once and for all?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just go outside from your home and search for signal outdoors. It is common to fallback to LTE when NR signal is weak.

Steven_Yang said:
Just go outside from your home and search for signal outdoors. It is common to fallback to LTE when NR signal is weak.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But the other two P7P next to me have 5G indicator on the top right corner of the home screen. The problematic phone did show up 5G one time outside the home at a very specific spot. Could the handset simply be faulty?

I forgot to mention that this third phone that doesn't work on 5G for China Telecom used to work, but then the Feb OTA came and my lack of familiarity at the time with Magisk, eventually the 5G capability just disappeared other than that very specific spot, whereas the other two phones have 5G all the time. I wish I understood how exactly Network Signal Guru app works.

supermansaga said:
I forgot to mention that this third phone that doesn't work on 5G for China Telecom used to work, but then the Feb OTA came and my lack of familiarity at the time with Magisk, eventually the 5G capability just disappeared other than that very specific spot, whereas the other two phones have 5G all the time. I wish I understood how exactly Network Signal Guru app works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is recommended to flash the full factory image (without the -w flag to avoid wiping data) for rooted devices. You can try it and see whether the problem exists.
Also, you may need to edit the xml file every time after system update.

Steven_Yang said:
It is recommended to flash the full factory image (without the -w flag to avoid wiping data) for rooted devices. You can try it and see whether the problem exists.
Also, you may need to edit the xml file every time after system update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, but if I do that, I guess I need to rearrange all my groups on the home screen again. I thought I had wiped the phone multiple times already, from QPR2 beta back to QPR1 to Android 14 DP1, but the 5g just never has come back again, despite each wipe should have produced brand new pristine untouched files that are ready to be modded by network signal guru again

Ultimately, what brought back my 5G without flashing factory image all over again is to, "reset all network, wifi, bluetooth settings" and then re-running Network Signal Guru app. It's now back!! Haven't installed the March 2023 stable build yet, because it hasn't come thru automatically by itself. I would also caution on editing files by oneself, because the reset would restore such file, so you want to make sure you know what to do when you suddenly end up without even wifi nor LTE. I think foobar66's VoLTE module still works, despite it doesn't give you Vo5G.

Thanks for this info! Would this also enable the Pixel 7 Pro to work with China Mobile?

Frogger4600 said:
Thanks for this info! Would this also enable the Pixel 7 Pro to work with China Mobile?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think so. You can try it and share it here.

I can also confirm China Telecom roams on AT&T here in the US, say NYC. Upon reaching US, there is a text saying, "Welcome, you are roaming on AT&T. Due to network technology compatibility, traditional voice calls will not work. Please use data, SMS, and app-based calling." Wifi texting seems to work at least for incoming SMS, when the physical SIM is disabled.

Does it works on old pixel5 Europe version?