T-Mobile LG Velvet 5G [LMG900TM]
Android 11 [LMG900TM20G]
Carrier Unlocked
Rooted with Magisk
Service by Metro by T-Mobile
T-Mobile APN
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Straight to the point: I rooted this device in order to unlock the hotspot, run VPN Hotspot app, to serve data to my home network. However, the VPN app will not connect to servers. Without being connected to VPN, it will not serve data to other devices (for some reason, as using VPN should be optional).
The same setup works just fine on my old device, using the same rooting process, apps/VPN, sim, APN, and plan thru Metro.
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After trying several VPNs, I was able to connect using ProtonVPN free. If memory serves me correctly, it was able to connect using OpenVPN TCP protocol.
But, I'm not wanting to eat my current VPN subscription, and pay for a new one elsewhere.
My typical VPN will connect to servers when connected to WiFi. Just not over the T-Mobile network on this device.
ive tried switching APN to use only IPv4 for regular and roaming connections. Same results. On my other device, there was no problems with VPN connections using standard APN with IPv4/IPv5 selected
Also worth noting that the hotspot will activate, but will not pass any data thru without being connected to (proton) VPN. On other devices, using the same service provider, settings, and methods, hotspot works with or without tunneling thru a VPN connection.
The only use of VPN Hotspot app is to force tethered data thru the VPN tunnel, but not necessary to use data over the stock android hotspot.
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To summarize, I suspect the inability to pass data over hotspot and/or connect to VPN is rooted in either
Bug in the android 11 ...20G rom
Shenanigans with T-Mobile baking in roadblocks to prevent sharing data without paying and preventing VPN connections on their devices when using their network
The problem has me stumped because the T-Mobile network gives me no problems on my old carrier-free device using this exact setup, settings, options, etc. Kinda rules out the service provider being the problem.
I'm leaning toward this being something T-Mobile baked into the rom to prevent unauthorized data sharing from their devices, despite it being carrier unlocked. I say this because the stock hotspot won't pass data with a direct connection unless you have a VPN connected. VPN has no problem connecting via WiFi. Seems like T-Mobile may be blocking VPN connections on their network when using one of their devices
Or, could just be a bug in the LG system
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At this point, i've transferred service back to my old device (I'm using the hotspot data right now). Figure I'll just toss this Velvet in the phone drawer or sell it, since it won't do what I need it to do. Shame really, cause it's a nice device. Waste of $150+ tho
FWIW the old device is a el cheapo Umidigi A7 Pro I picked up last year for $100. It runs a nearly barebones build of android 10. For the money, I can't complain. It's been dropped, ran over, left outside overnight in the rain. Still ticking.
I live out in the sticks. Only other ISP option is hughesnet satellite (which is practically unusable and expensive). I pick up a couple bars on T-Mobile with my phone in the window. Run hotspot on the device. I have a dd wrt router set as a repeater bridge that connects to the hotspot. Devices in my home connect to the repeater. This allows me to use Chromecast, and all apps function properly (messengers, push notices, etc). Works just like a 'real' internet connection. Decent ping, albeit only pulls down a few megs per second. Still leaps and bounds over sat connection. And I'm paying for the phone anyway, so saves on monthly bills.
[Reserved]
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Hi
I'm just making this post as I can't really see any solutions for this.
Let me first explain the situation we're in, we have a bunch of laptops that need access to the internet and this building provides free wifi, YAY. The problem is, the wifi is unstable where we are, randomly doesn't allow computers to connect to it, and drops computers from the network for no reason. The landlord is pretty much unhelpful here, and we're only here for 2 weeks so we're just living with it right now.
I have a contracted phone with unlimited data that I tether with USB to my computer and then run a VPN on the computer which works fine for me, but I want to get the other laptops connected too.
The problem is my phone hasn't got tethering, so as soon as it detects a user agent that corresponds with a desktop based browser, it blocks the data connection until the signal is completely reestablished.
This is even a problem for my laptop as sometimes theres a random HTTP request that blocks the connections before the VPN can connect.
So the solution I really want for this is a VPN to be running on the phone, and then a hotspot to run on the phone. Then the laptops can connect to the phone and theoretically be behind the VPN, so everything can be connected and the connection won't get blocked.
I've tried all the iptables forwarding and masquerade rules to no avail, OpenVPN with "Use default route" to force all routes through the VPN also does not allow any computer on the hotspot to connect to get a data connection.
For more info, the phone is a SGS3 i9300 which is currently running the latest CM10.1 nightlies. The VPN is from HMA.
Does anyone have any suggestions for this?
Thanks for the time.
I have the Tmobile $70 plan with comes with 2.5 GB of tethering.
If I tether to my laptop and the laptop has a VPN, then I can look at the counter at ma.web2go.com and see that no tethering data is being used. This solution works very well for a laptop, where I can operate a VPN on the laptop.
When I use the VPN on the phone, not the laptop, the laptop will see the tether wifi signal, will register, but the internet will not work on the laptop.
Or, other times, the VPN will disconnect on the phone after a few seconds and cannot be reconnected.
I would like to be able to use the VPN on the phone so that I can use a Roku and Chromecast where I cannot set up a VPN on the device.
Yes, I have added the line in the database file.
I have seen a solution elsewhere which involves switching the APN to use IPv4, but the APN is already set that way.
It seems as if Tmobile has some measures in place to stop people from doing what I want to do - anyone else experience this and anyone find any ways around it?
Hi there,
At my girlfriend's house there's an existing WiFi access point for their home network and they also have a bunch of computers wired in with ethernet cable. Mobile reception in the house is terrible but I've found one spot by a window where I can sustain a pretty decent dc-hsdpa link. I'm able to tether my laptop to my phone, the phone creates a new WiFi network ap and my laptop connects to that. That works fine.
The thing is, what I'd really like to do, is to have access to the dc-hsdpa connection from some of the wired computers on her home network. To do that I want to have my phone bridge the house network - via their existing WiFi ap - to the mobile internet connection. I'd like the phone to provide a gateway on the house network that could be manually used from the other computers. (I want to avoid using DHCP or anything as it will disrupt the network for other users.)
I know this is technically possible but I'm struggling to find an application that allows for this functionality. I've spent a good amount of time searching around the internet but to no avail. Does anyone know where I can look or of a suitable application? (My phone is a Samsung Galaxy S4 i9505 flashed to run a rooted variant of the play edition KitKat rom.) I'm happy to pay money.
Cheers, Dave.
Hello everyone! Here's a nice little guide on how to tether your phone and use that ability to power a home internet network. I have done tons of trial and error to get this working with bits and pieces from numerous forums and google research. This has been working flawlessly for me and it's a "set it and forget it solution".
The reason why I wanted to do this is because I live in a rural area with no high speed ISP. My only option was to use a data capped satellite ISP that is extremely limited in ability and expensive. Without further ado my guide to achieve an unlimited, data cap free, tethered home network.
What you need:
Android phone you're willing to dedicate for full time use
Computer with windows and LAN port you're willing to dedicate for full time use
Wireless Router
A nice USB cord for your phone
A nice CAT cable
1) First thing to do is look around for an unlimited data (4glte preferred, no tethering plan needed) cellular plan. I know there are a few out there but I decided on MetroPCS due to the coverage I get and the price ($60 a month, no contract). I opted for just a sim card as I had an android phone laying around.
2) Make sure your android is unlocked if it's not on the same network you are trying to use. My phone was tied to AT&T and I had to call them to unlock it. Most carrier will do this if the phone in good standing. Meaning paid off. Or root it.
3) We will need to find out where your equipment will sit to receive the best speeds. I recommend putting your phone in "field test mode" and walk around the house. The lower number the better. I also ran a speed test in certain locations to give me a rough idea of what speeds I would be getting. If you are really serious about this set up there is equipment out there to boost cell signal in your house. I like WeBoost.
4) Download your tethering application. I have tried multiple apps but only one worked perfectly but with different hardware you might have other results. Clockworkmod Tether ($4.99) and PDAnet+ ($7.95) worked alright but I had issues with it talking to my router and clients so disconnects where frequent and frustrating. I ultimately went for EasyTether ($9.99) and it has been working fantastic. Mind you when using Clockwork and PDAnet I would be getting a DL speed of 6Mbs when my phone was 13Mbs. I don't know what would cause that but with EasyTether I am getting speeds very similar to my phone with no speed loss.
5) All three tethering applications require you to install a sister program on your computer to work. So install that on your "slave" machine. They are all about the same process, install an .exe and drivers for your phone.
6) Test that everything is working. The tethering application will have instructions on how to USB tether your phone. We need to check that it will give your slave machine an internet connection. Simply open a web browser and see if it is working.
7) Great! Now your are connected and able to surf the web! But wouldn't it be great if you could use this on all your devices? This is where the router comes in play.
8) Now I don't know what router you are using but mine is an ASUS RT-N56U and the principle should be the same. Plug your router into power and reset it with the button on the back (10 seconds). Unplug from power. Connect the CAT cable to the WAN port of the router (the one that usually connects a modem to the router) and the other end to the LAN port of your slave machine. Plug power to the router and allow it to boot up. Now on your slave machine go to Network and Sharing Center, View status on the tether connection, properties, sharing, check Allow other network users to connect through this computer's Internet connection, select the Home networking connection as the router. With everything done correctly you should be getting an internet connection to the router.
9) Now this is all fine and dandy but there are some settings in the router you can configure to make it more reliable. Our cases could be different but this is what has worked for me. I'm no networking genius by any means so my setting could not mean anything. In my experience things would work for a few mins but streaming to chromecast or connecting a mac to wireless mysteriously cut all connection. So here are my settings.
Disable MAC Filter
Disable Wireless Scheduler
Enable IGMP Snooping
Enable DHCP Server
Disable DHCP Routes
Disable Multicast routing (IGMP Proxy)
WAN Connection Type-Automatic IP
Enable UPnP
Connect to DNS Server automatically-NO
DNS Server1 8.8.8.8
DNS Server2 8.8.4.4
Everything else is default
I don't know about the NAT for all you gamers out there but I am sure there is some router configuration you can do. If anyone has ideas on how to achieve this please chime in.
10) Congratulations! You have now set up a home network with your phone and can use it like any other ISP. If you experience any issue with this process let me know and I will get back to you with an answer. I have had to do a lot of trouble shooting to get to this point.
I have a OnePlus 6 with Cosumer Cellular service.
I have NEVER had a hotspot issue. I connect my laptop and PS4 and do online gaming from time to time.
Ok I put in a Straight Talk data only/tablet sim card into my phone and tried to share its data via hotspot. Long story short, in the terms it says tethering is prohibited on the Straight Talk data only/tablet plan.
The laptop/ps4 would see the hotspot and connect fine. but NO INTERNET. Phone always has internet access fine. But connected devices have no internet access.
I tried PDAnet and eventually only got it to work via USB tethering. Which was pretty slow/clunky but worked nonetheless.
So I pretty much gave up on it.
Back to just having my Consumer Celllular sim. Interenet/data is fine but now i'm having the same issue. Devices can connect to my phone but can never get internet access.
I have tried adb shell settings put global tether_dun_required 0 and added the provisioning=no line to my build.prop
This was a carrier side issue as I figured