I use my iPhone for a number of different functions. One of those functions is to provide my MacBook Pro with an internet source while on the move. In previous generations of the iPhone software, I had to jailbreak my iPhone 3G and use PDAnet to basically (ok…technically illegally) tether my iPhone and my laptop.
With the introduction of the iPhone 3.0 update, the iPhone saw laptop tethering as an OEM option for the first time ever! Great…fantastic…where do I sign up? Wait…you have AT&T? Sorry…no dice for you. You have to wait until AT&T releases their tethering service and at that point in time you are going to have to pay an arm and a leg for it. The whole idea really baffles me anyway as I pay for unlimited data as it is, but to not offer it out of the gate is semi-ridiculous too.
Fortunately…there is some coder down in a bunker somewhere that has solved the problem for us! You can now tether your iPhone 3G with your laptop without the need to jailbreak (ie. hack the phone’s firmware) your phone! Want to know how to do it? Instructions spelled out below…
Taken from macmegasite.com:
If your iPhone is running 3.0, it’s very easy to enable internet tethering on AT&T’s network with no ugly hacks. First you’ll need to download this carrier settings file from gizmodo.
Next, quit iTunes and enter the following command in terminal:
defaults write com.apple.iTunes carrier-testing -bool TRUEContrary to many articles, you don’t need to install a pre-release version of iTunes.
When you restart iTunes, connect your iPhone and you’ll be able to option-click the Restore button to choose the .ipcc file in that disk image. Rather than doing a full restore of your iPhone, it will simply update the carrier settings. If the update is successful, the Network page under general settings will show an Internet Tethering option.
I know what you are thinking…it can’t be that easy. Well…yeah it is. Once you are done with the above process, go into your settings –> general –> network –> internet tethering –> turn on. You can use it through USB or Bluetooth. The photo above is my phone doing its thing…just don’t tell AT&T…
The factory internet tethering is much better than going through the jailbreak/PDAnet process. The phone does not overheat like before and it is much more stable.
4 comments
You should do a quick write up on how to jailbreak with 3.0 and all that jazz, I just dont have the time to look into it any more.
Works only w/ macs, right?
Jay…that particular hack…yes…
Do a seach online. you don’t have to even mess with Itunes. All you need to do is go to a website with your iphone click the link and it will automatic download the patch into the phone. All it takes is 30 secs to a mins. don’t waste your time with i tunes. After that you have the tethering feature.