/How-To-PDANet

PDANet (Portable Data Network) is a powerful tool for tethering your device's internet connection. This tutorial will guide you through the installation and configuration process.

Turn Your PC into a Free Unlimited Hotspot Using Only Phone Service

Disclaimer

This tutorial is intended for educational purposes. For comprehensive information and support, please refer to the official PDANet documentation.

Acknowledgment

The information presented here is based on my personal knowledge and experience over the years. I’m sharing this open-source material in my own format to help others.

iPhone Compatibility

Please note that PDANet does not support iPhone devices for tethering. This is due to the closed nature of iOS and its restrictions on USB tethering and third-party applications. As a result, PDANet is only compatible with Android devices.

PDANet Tutorial

PDANet (Portable Data Network) is a powerful tool for tethering your device's internet connection. This tutorial will guide you through the installation and configuration process.

Table of Contents

Requirements

  • Android device with PDANet installed
  • USB cable (for USB tethering)
  • A computer with internet access
  • A compatible operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux)
  • Correct OEM and ADB drivers for your specific phone model

Installation

  1. Download PDANet:

  2. Install on Android:

    • Open the downloaded APK file on your Android device and follow the prompts to install.

  3. Install on PC:

    • For Windows, download and install the PDANet desktop client.
    • For macOS or Linux, follow the instructions provided on the PDANet website.

Configuration

  1. Enable USB Debugging:

    • On your Android device, go to Settings > About phone and tap Build number 7 times to enable Developer Options.
    • Go back to Settings > Developer options and enable USB debugging.

  2. Connect Your Device:

    • Use a USB cable to connect your Android device to your computer. Ensure the cable supports file transfer capabilities.

  3. Open PDANet:

    • Launch the PDANet application on both your Android device and your computer.

  4. Select Tethering Mode:

    • Choose your preferred tethering method: USB, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth.

Usage

USB Tethering

  • After connecting, select USB Tether in the PDANet app on your phone.
  • On your computer, you should see a new network connection established.

Wi-Fi Tethering

  • In the PDANet app, select Wi-Fi Hotspot.
  • Configure the hotspot settings (SSID, password) and enable it.
  • Connect your other devices to the newly created Wi-Fi network.

Bluetooth Tethering

  • Pair your Android device with your computer via Bluetooth.
  • In the PDANet app, select Bluetooth DUN.
  • Follow the prompts to connect.

Troubleshooting

  • Connection issues:

    • Ensure USB debugging is enabled.
    • Verify that you’re using a USB cable that supports file transfer.
    • Make sure the correct OEM and ADB drivers are installed for your phone.

  • Slow internet speed:

    • Try disconnecting and reconnecting your device.
    • Check for background applications consuming bandwidth.

Downloading OEM and ADB Drivers

You can download OEM and ADB drivers from several sources:

  1. Manufacturer's Website:

    • Most device manufacturers provide their own ADB and OEM drivers. You can find most on the Android developer page.

  2. Universal ADB Drivers:

  3. SDK Platform Tools:

    • If you have Android Studio, you can get ADB drivers as part of the SDK Platform Tools.

Installation Steps

  1. Download the appropriate driver.
  2. Extract the files (if they are in a ZIP format).
  3. Install the driver:
    • For Windows, connect your device via USB, open Device Manager, find your device under "Other devices" or "Android Devices," right-click, and choose "Update driver." Select "Browse my computer for driver software" and navigate to the folder where you extracted the driver.

Turning Your PC into a Hotspot After Tethering

  1. Connect Your Android Device: Ensure your Android device is connected to your PC via USB and that PDANet is running, providing internet access.

  2. Open Network & Internet Settings:

    • Windows: Right-click the network icon in the system tray and select "Open Network & Internet settings."
    • macOS: Go to System Preferences > Sharing.

  3. Set Up the Hotspot:

    • Windows:

      1. Click on "Mobile hotspot" on the left pane.
      2. Toggle the switch to "On."
      3. Under "Share my Internet connection from," select the network that corresponds to the PDANet connection (usually listed as Ethernet).
      4. Configure your network name (SSID) and password if desired.

    • macOS:

      1. Check the box next to "Internet Sharing" in the list on the left.
      2. From the "Share your connection from" dropdown, select "Ethernet" (which is your tethered connection).
      3. Under "To computers using," check "Wi-Fi."
      4. Click "Wi-Fi Options" to configure your network name, security, and password.
      5. Finally, check the box next to "Internet Sharing" to enable the hotspot.

  4. Connect Devices: Use the SSID and password you set up to connect other devices (like smartphones, tablets, etc.) to your new hotspot.

Sharing USB Tether from PC to Another Device via Ethernet

  1. Ensure Tethering is Active: Make sure PDANet is running and your Android device is connected via USB, providing internet access to your PC.

  2. Connect Your PC to the Game Console:

    • Use an Ethernet cable to connect your PC to your Xbox or PS4.

  3. Configure Ethernet Sharing on Windows:

    1. Open "Network and Sharing Center."
    2. Click on "Change adapter settings" on the left.
    3. Right-click on the PDANet connection (usually named "Ethernet") and select "Properties."
    4. Go to the "Sharing" tab.
    5. Check the box for "Allow other network users to connect through this computer's Internet connection."
    6. In the dropdown menu, select the Ethernet connection that connects to your Xbox or PS4.
    7. Click "OK" to save the settings.

  4. Configure Network Settings on Console:

    • Xbox:
      1. Go to "Settings" > "Network" > "Network settings."
      2. Select "Wired Network" and test the connection.
    • PS4:
      1. Go to "Settings" > "Network" > "Set Up Internet Connection."
      2. Select "Use a LAN Cable" and follow the prompts to configure.

  5. Test the Connection: Make sure your console is connected to the internet by running a network test or trying to connect to online services.

Troubleshooting Tips

  • If your console does not connect, double-check the sharing settings on your PC.
  • Ensure that the Ethernet cable is properly connected and functioning.
  • Restart both your PC and console if necessary.

Connection Issues with Video Games and Sites

While using your PC as a hotspot via tethering, you may encounter issues where certain video games or websites report that you are offline, even though your internet connection is functioning properly. This can happen for several reasons, including:

  1. Network Restrictions: Some games and services may impose restrictions on peer-to-peer (P2P) connections, which can prevent proper communication between your device and their servers.

  2. IP Address Configuration: Tethering may assign a different IP address to your connection, which can lead to confusion in how certain applications perceive your online status.

  3. Firewall or NAT Issues: The configuration of your network, particularly regarding firewalls or Network Address Translation (NAT), can also cause connectivity problems.

To resolve these issues, using a VPN can be very helpful. A VPN (Virtual Private Network) can:

  • Improve Connection Stability: By masking your IP address and routing your traffic through a secure server, a VPN can bypass network restrictions and stabilize your connection.
  • Enhance Privacy and Security: VPNs encrypt your internet traffic, making it more secure and private.

For reliable performance, I recommend using Proton VPN, known for its user-friendly interface and strong privacy policies. It supports P2P connections, making it an excellent choice for gamers and users of streaming services.

By following these instructions, you can successfully share your tethered internet connection with other devices through a hotspot or an Ethernet connection!