Sharing Internet Connection from my Laptop to my Android-based Phone
I was disheartened to know that my newly bought Samsung Galaxy S i9000 could not connect to an ad-hoc network created from my laptop.
After a little Googling, I found out the easiest way to turn a laptop into a WiFi Hot Spot (for uses such as sharing Internet connection with my Android phone) – Virtual Router and now I am enjoying fast internet on my phone.
As I call the above the easiest, it’s not the best method and doesn’t offer much features either. If your needs are not satisfied you can look for Connectify – the inspiration behind Virtual Router.
I forgot to mention that both of these methods work for windows, I still have to figure out a way to do the same under Linux.
EDIT (2012-04-28): Okay, it’s been too long, frankly because I was not using Linux much all this while (thanks to my laptop which used to turn into a heater with almost all distros I tried), but finally I found a way to share net from Linux too. I am on Android 2.3.6 XXJW4 on my SGS i9000. The following steps should work well with all versions of gingerbread:
- Root your Android. Folks at Android Advices usually come out with the easiest possible tutorials for things like this, I followed the steps available here, YMMY.
- Take a backup of your current /system/bin/wpa_supplicant file using a root-enabled file manager (Root Manager is a good option, though not available for gratis)
- Download the latest version of AdHoc fix available at this thread at XDA Forums, and transfer it your phone’s sdcard.
- Either apply the fix using by booting into recovery or just extract wpa_supplicant file from the zip and overwrite it at /system/bin using your favorite root-enabled file manager.
- Create a new ad hoc network in your linux system, and voilà you will magically find it when your phone scans for wi-fi networks.
Vivek 1:32 PM on June 2, 2011 Permalink |
root the phone and adhoc network works!
Kartik 7:10 PM on June 2, 2011 Permalink |
Thanks for comment Vivek. I was suffering from an internet infrastructure breakdown here at home, gonna try it asap now.
BRG 1:38 PM on July 19, 2011 Permalink |
I tried both, but when using Connectify, the galaxy s and computer connects but the internet doesn’t work on the phone.
And when i used Virtual Router, it automatically stops in a while
Please help
Kartik 11:45 AM on July 21, 2011 Permalink |
What are the versions of windows on your system and android on your phone? I am unable to reproduce your problem.
By automatic stop do you mean the phone drops the wifi connection or the net simply stops working?
Saood 2:25 PM on November 21, 2011 Permalink |
How you did this. Please tell me the steps you followed.
Thanks
Kartik 5:36 PM on November 21, 2011 Permalink |
I just installed Virtual Router, shared the ethernet connection. Then on the phone the connection was visible after enabling wi-fi, and voila it connected.
Adamya 2:28 PM on December 12, 2011 Permalink |
afterr clicking on create wifi hotspot connectify is saying that some piece of program is blocking it, but after disabling my firewall and antivirus its showing the same message plese help me to make connectify work on my laptop
Kartik 2:51 PM on December 12, 2011 Permalink |
Sorry, I personally prefer using Virtual Router, and don’t have much experience with Connectify. Please try switching to VR or see the help on Connectify’s website.
obet 6:45 PM on July 3, 2012 Permalink |
not work in android 4.0.4
Kartik 12:57 AM on July 5, 2012 Permalink |
You forgot to mention which method – windows/linux?
As mentioned within the post, the methods work for Gingerbread. I am yet to try these out with ICS, will update as soon as I get time.
Paul Suquet (@PaulSuquet) 12:12 PM on October 1, 2012 Permalink |
The wpa_supplicant provided does NOT work for JellyBean (galaxy nexus)…
Kartik 1:05 PM on October 1, 2012 Permalink |
Agreed. It doesn’t. Are you aware of any alternative for JB?