Activate and Enable iPhone as Internet Tethering Wireless Modem Without Hack or Jailbreak
Apple has built Internet tethering capability to iPhone, iPhone 3G and iPhone 3G S in its newest iPhone OS software 3.0. Internet tethering allows iPhone owners to use iPhone as wireless modem or dongle device to connect the PC or notebook computer to Internet for surfing and browsing. However, for commercial purpose, Internet tethering is disabled or blocked by default, as most mobile network carriers or operators want to charge extra fee for Internet tethering privilege, although existing service plans already allow certain limited bandwidth or even unlimited amount of data downloads.
Instead of paying excessive amount of money (most in the high 10s) in addition to the already-overpriced iPhone plan price, there was a fews hacks to enable Internet tethering on jailbroken iPhone previously. With built-in support for Internet gateway tethering in iPhone with the release of iPhone OS software 3.0, there is a very simple hack for iPhone OS 3.0 upgrader to enable Internet tethering, without paying anything extra or subscription fee to the mobile operator, and without jailbreak or unlock.
How to Activate and Enable Free Internet Tethering on iPhone 3.0
- Run Safari mobile web browser on the iPhone.
- Optional: If you want to generate your own mobileconfig with custom APN, username and password with Mobileconfig Generator, visit http://help.benm.at/help.php.
In most case, just visit the next link directly, as the configuration files for most mobile carriers around the world have been prepared. If you’re following this link, click on Mobileconfigs.
- Visit the following Mobileconfigs website:
http://help.benm.at/tethering.php
Alternative: http://www.iphone-notes.de/mobileconfig/
- Select your country.
- Select your mobile service provider.
- Tap Install to install new profile.
- Select Install Now to download and install new profile.
- On iPhone interface, go to Settings -> General -> Network -> Internet Tethering.
- Set Internet Tethering to On.
- If prompted that Bluetooth is off, select Turn on Bluetooth or USB Only according to your preference.
- Internet tethering is enabled, connect iPhone to PC computer via USB or Bluetooth to start connecting to Internet though iPhone as tethered Internet gateway modem, with typical mobile broadband connection speed, normally up to around 1.4 Mbps. Meanwhile, iPhone will glow blue too.
Note: Tethering computer through USB to iPhone to access Internet is much easier. Normally, Windows or Mac system will automatically recognize the tethered iPhone, and create require network connection to take advantage of the shared Internet access via iPhone. For Bluetooth connection, other than usual pairing, user also has to select “Connect to Network” from the Bluetooth device option in order to access the Internet from desktop or notebook/laptop computer via tethered iPhone.
Actually, the hack can be performed manually by iPhone owner himself or herself. The profile download link above provides easiest and most convenient way to activate and enable Internet Tethering without hassle though. BenM.at is gathering all these publicly available information such as APN (access point name) and password for the iPhone for many network across the world, and create a XML based profile by using Apple’s iPhone Configuration Utility. The hosted iPhone tethering configuration profiles is pushed to the handsets of iPhone users who download the profile, and instant activates the tethering system free of charge.
After downloading and installing the new Internet tethering enabled profile, some users may report MMS and/or VVM (Visual Voicemail) problem, where MMS or Visual Voicemail stops working. To fix the MMS and VVM not working after enabling Internet tethering error, go to Settings -> General -> Reset -> Reset Network Settings. After the short reset, iPhone should be able to be used for MMS, Voicemail and Internet tethering.
Related Articles
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Entries (RSS)
September 19th, 2009 01:10
Any idea when the 3.1 fix will be available?
September 18th, 2009 23:40
Everything worked on iphone. New dell with windows 7. Not recognizing iphone as usb modem. Any ideas?
September 18th, 2009 01:26
no, you can’t roll back to 3.0.1
when attempting a firmware restore, apple servers are contacted and either approve or deny the action.
apple no longer authorizes restores of the 3.0.1 firmware, only 3.1, and yes, an internet connection is required to perform a restore. i tried doing it offline but it wanted an internet connection.
September 16th, 2009 02:20
IS there anyone to roll back???
this makes it sounds like, no
I am getting ready to go on a trip in two days and need this for broadband for 72 hours….and I upgraded to 3.1
September 12th, 2009 03:50
http://www.benm.at/2009/06/13/helpbenmat
note on the site where you download the profile…Update 10.09.09: I’m working on an update for Firmware 3.1. Stay tuned
I just updated to 3.1 too, hopefully there’s a fix otherwise I’m gonna downgrade.
September 11th, 2009 23:47
[...] You can tether an iPhone to your Mac for internet access over the 3G network without hacking or jailbreaking. MILO user Christian Frank pointed everyone to http://www.benm.at. But, there are better instructions at mydigitallife. [...]
September 11th, 2009 16:33
Yep, not working for me either, I also just updated my iphone firmware to the 3.1, please advise if there is a fix.
September 11th, 2009 02:22
I followed the instruction and I don’t see Internet Tethering On or Off option (pic.8). I have a jailbroken iPhone 3G (AT&T) firmware 3.1.1. Help!!
September 11th, 2009 00:42
This isnt working for me either. I have at&t,2G iphone, version 3.0.1 installed. I downloaded the profiles, went into settings/network, and all that shows up is data roaming, vpn, and wi-fi. I’ve uninstalled and re-installed several times, and also re-set my network. Same thing every time. Any ideas?
September 10th, 2009 14:10
Upgraded to 3.1 and tethering was disabled, even after reinstalling this profile. Is there a fix for 3.1?
September 8th, 2009 10:39
Hey guys, i have a Jail Broken Iphone 3g and i just started using it to tether and it works amazing, i just hope that i dont have a tethering payment to make when my bill comes in. I dont think i will but who knows? When i Have a 3g connection its accually really fast.
September 5th, 2009 06:09
Does enabling tethering void the insurance on your iPhone? Like jailbreaking deos?
September 1st, 2009 05:46
I was a Palm Treo user for 3 years with ATT. I have been tethering with ATT using PDA net on my palm treo for 2.5 years with an unlimited data plan some months reacing over 10GB of data usage. I purchased the iphone 32G S a month ago. I asked about tethering when I purchased the phone and the sales person said there would be no problem as long as continued the unlimited data plan. I have been tethering for a full month now with the iphone. I have still have the unlimited data plan. I had my legal council read the contract and NOWHERE in my ATT contract does a 5GB data cap exist. My first bill came in with 6.8 GB of data and no extra charges.
September 1st, 2009 04:53
Unlimited and 5GB cap seem to be highly contradicting. I love how the word unlimited is used when there is indeed restrictions on data usage. Such complete rubbish.
August 29th, 2009 16:14
I have an unlocked and jailbroken iphone 2G. I also have a pay as you go service thru at&t (unfortunately). I am wondering is there a way to get around their system so I will be able to access the internet/email when I am not at home?
If not, would there be a way if I switched my sim card to t-mobile and set up a payasyou go with them?
August 27th, 2009 04:56
Hey all, I’ve been looking into tethering for the iphone all day after a friend told me it’s possible to do it mainly because I will be without an internet connection for 6 days. I’m a PC user (vista 64-bit) and live in Texas, USA. This install worked like a charm and was amazingly simple to implement!
Like many others, I was worried about hidden fees, especially after reading a lot of comments on websites like these by users like you and I. I’ve heard all sorts of wacky claims like ‘AT&T’s unlimited data plan caps you at 5GB per month’ while other sources claim it’s 2GB/month. Whether or not that’s true, I have no idea. but the fact that those two numbers contradict themselves, I’m not really willing to bet my money that those are accurate numbers. Either one of them.
However, I just got off the phone with a second AT&T representative regarding this concern. I called earlier today to get this sorted out, but I wasn’t convinced after speaking to only one representative and reading more posts online about potential charges for tethering. Both representatives told me that tethering will NOT affect my bill. I have unlimited data and texting (data being the key one), so the second rep assured me that I’m ‘good to go’. As long as I do not roam out of the country, yes…including Canada, I will not be charged anything extra no matter how much tethering I do.
I took down both of these reps names and I assure everyone on here that if I DO get any hidden charges, I WILL raise hell about it. But I wanted to pass along the info that if you’re a US resident and have the unlimited data plan (which I think we’re all forced to get when signing that 2 year AT&T iphone contract), you will be fine!
If you don’t believe me, call up an AT&T rep yourself (dial 611 on your iphone) and wait to speak to one. In fact, I urge you all to do that anyway. Even though I spoke to two different reps, I’d love to hear more positive reinforcement about this.
FYI, I did not get into any trouble at all for asking about tethering. Don’t be afraid to ask them. At first, I was. But after speaking with the first rep, her tone made it seem like tethering wasn’t a big deal at all, regardless of me mentioning that it was for the iphone.
Happy tethering!
August 26th, 2009 13:08
I have had a hard time sharing my Internet connection with my mac OS 10.4.11 via USB. I don’t see my iPhone in the pull down menu. I have been looking in System pref > network. What am I doing wrong? Thanks
August 26th, 2009 05:27
Didn’t work for me on the original 2G iphone, even though it’s been upgraded to the iphone 3.0 release. There was no “tethering” setting under Settings > General > Network.
Easy to remove, though – just click on “Profiles” and hit the remove button.
August 24th, 2009 15:26
Ok lets get facts in order, AT&T FACTS ONLY
AT&T has supported MMS for a while matter of fact almost all of their other phones are capable and supported.
I Rendered The Services of AT&T (I miss Sprint sometimes) because of the 3g so my plan is as follows
Unlimited Text which has always included MMS which would be unlimited as well. Ok so put the tin cans down I went over this with a very informative and savvy rep. (believe it or not) so NO additional charges only if yur to cheap to pay for top shelf.
Also…NO..MMS is not part of the Data Plans which is still powered by Media Net FYI.
Tethering uses data…. plus its not really a new technology (bluetooth and usb) they just made it available via an amendment of the software which was free so no extra charge for tethering unless somebody sold you Iphone OS 3.0 in that case you are an idiot and that is off topic….
Again I received his info soundly from ATT and if you heard different then I would expect nothing less, ATT has proved to have their own way of doing things and thats final on their watch.
No If’s-Ands or Customers will get in the Machine’s Way
I mean we are just customers right?
August 15th, 2009 07:53
Thanks so much. so far so good!
August 14th, 2009 21:49
To whom it may concerns,
hope this helps some people.
-First of all internet tethering is absolutely 100% free, and there is a few ways to get it, personally i like to use “pdanet” (found in cydia).
-Second AT&T do see this abusive mass amount of data usage on your account each month, and the term “unlimited use” is only for your personal phone, not to sync with any other device. If you do then it will be going against your terms and conditions, and AT&T will close your account and charged you for the over usage. (that statement was made by a supervisor in AT&T customer care)
-Third if you really want to use the internet tethering method just do it! But don’t over do it and they would never really find out, because the cap AT&T has on their so call “unlimited data plan” is only 5GB, so if you ever go above that then you will be in the red zone. So just try to keep it under 5GB but above 4GB and you’ll be good
August 14th, 2009 13:53
Superb product!! worked first time. Easy to follow install. Thanks.
August 14th, 2009 03:50
I installed this and it worked perfect. I travelled to the US and used for three days without having tous the hotel’s services for internet. When I came back, it stopped working. I checked all settings they seem to be all right. I even uninstalled the software and started all over again, to no avail. It still does not work. I don’t know the reason. Anybody has a clue. Thanks.
August 14th, 2009 00:22
Has anyone recieved an enormous bill from ATT yet?
August 11th, 2009 10:29
Please add Telcel Mexico to this great site:
APN: internet.itelcel.com
User: webgprs
Password: webgprs2002