can a cell phone tether to ipad free? (3G, computer, iPhone)

[sunandsweett]

I understand you can use your phone for tethering for an extra monthly fee to do that - wirelessly. But, my daughterinlaw explained to me that she can connect her phone with a CORD to her computer - free then. They are thinking of dropping their computer service. She said it works great. So, now I am wondering if a phone that can act as a modem can connect to a new ipad with a cord for free? I am tryiing to decide whether to get the wireless ipad or the 3G. I wish I understood all the new technology better...help me out.

[DowntownHarrisburg]

What you are describing is known as "tethering". You want to tether your iPad to another phone in order to use the other phone's Internet connection on your iPad. It can be done - do a quick Google search for "ipad tethering". Note that the iPad lacks a USB port, so whatever phone you use as your host will need to support WiFi tethering -- tethering via cord would be extremely unlikely.

I personally use Easytether to tether my Thunderbolt exactly the way you described. Best $10 I ever spent! Unfortunately there is no iPad version.

[wlanguide]

Originally Posted by DowntownHarrisburg

What you are describing is known as "tethering". You want to tether your iPad to another phone in order to use the other phone's Internet connection on your iPad. It can be done - do a quick Google search for "ipad tethering". Note that the iPad lacks a USB port, so whatever phone you use as your host will need to support WiFi tethering -- tethering via cord would be extremely unlikely.

I personally use Easytether to tether my Thunderbolt exactly the way you described. Best $10 I ever spent! Unfortunately there is no iPad version.

iOS supports WiFi tethering and Bluetooth tethering, so it does not need any other apps, just enable it in settings

[DowntownHarrisburg]

Originally Posted by wlanguide

iOS supports WiFi tethering and Bluetooth tethering, so it does not need any other apps, just enable it in settings

Is this enabled on the iPhone as well? I thought AT&T blocked that, or at least required an additional subscription.

[wlanguide]

Originally Posted by DowntownHarrisburg

Is this enabled on the iPhone as well? I thought AT&T blocked that, or at least required an additional subscription.

You need a 2GB DataPro plan (unlimited data plan not supported) and additional $20 per month for tethering.

AT&T used to block tethering but now since they starts to charge us, you won't got blocked. AT&T loves money.

[DowntownHarrisburg]

Originally Posted by wlanguide

You need a 2GB DataPro plan (unlimited data plan not supported) and additional $20 per month for tethering.

Ah, okay. OP was asking for a free solution, that's why I suggested things like EasyTether.

The iPad will happily use WiFi, so whatever tethering host OP uses, paid or otherwise, will have to go over WiFi.

[henry1]

if you have Cricket or Metro pcs in the area they have cellphones with bult in Wifi hotspot's in there phone's and there smart phone package is alot cheaper than the other cell phone package's out there ..

I'm paying about $65.oo a month for there Android program through cricket phone company after getting killed every month by my Iphone cell phone plan which was comeing out each month to $140.oo dollar's a month with just the basic things that i had on the phone

[sunandsweett]

downtown...thanks for your answers...I am trying to figure out a way to use a wireless IPAD ...places where theres no wireless ...in the car for example. You said you use your Thunderbolt for $10. The info I have looked at says that if you pay for tethering on your phone it is at least $20/month. How and where do you get it for $10... I am starting to think if I am not going to be able to be grandfathered in for unlimited data when I get a new phone soon (i am past the two years) ...I will just get a phone to use as a phone and just get the 3g ipad and have it with me always and use it for everything I need to do !!!!! The costs of everything just for the fun and entertainment of it all is getting too expensive.

[InfectedMushroom]

*cough*Wireless Tether is free with a rooted phone *cough*

[just4ivaylo]

Get an Android device and root it. Or, if you're not that technologically advanced, find someone on Craigslist to do it for you.

You won't have to pay a tethering fee.