{"id":613,"date":"2013-10-28T17:29:27","date_gmt":"2013-10-28T17:29:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.scaine.net\/site\/?p=613"},"modified":"2017-02-24T17:23:44","modified_gmt":"2017-02-24T17:23:44","slug":"ubuntu-to-android-tethering-over-bluetooth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.scaine.net\/site\/2013\/10\/ubuntu-to-android-tethering-over-bluetooth\/","title":{"rendered":"Ubuntu to Android Tethering over Bluetooth"},"content":{"rendered":"

I’ve been using my Galaxy Nexus device as a bluetooth internet gateway for my Nexus 7 for a few months now. While Android to Android tethering should rightly be quite straightforward<\/a>, it may be surprising to learn that the same device can be used as an internet gateway for Ubuntu using much the same technique.<\/p>\n

Using these simple steps, you can take your Ubuntu laptop to the local coffee shop, pub or library and use your Android phone as a tether. Sure, you could also use the local WIFI in those establishments, but putting aside the hassle of connecting to a new hotspot each time, do you actually trust them in the first place? Firesheep<\/a> was an eye opener and if you think it’s never been repeated less publicly, then you’re more trusting than I.<\/p>\n

And besides, this technique will work in places you can’t get free WIFI, or indeed any WIFI at all, such as your hotel room, the airport, train, or even your local park. As long as your phone can get signal, you can use it to get an internet connection to your laptop.<\/p>\n

Caveat Emptor<\/h2>\n

NOTE : Tethering is the act of using your phone’s internet connection for another device. This means that you need to have a reasonably priced data plan on your phone, or you will<\/em> incur large charges from your mobile operator. It’s also worth noting that laptops could well use more data than your phone – it will synchronise with Dropbox, check for O\/S updates, show you the full, desktop based websites instead of the mobile version and generally gobble up data in various other probably unforseen ways, so tread carefully. If you’re in any doubt how much data you’re contracted for, contact your mobile operator and confirm it before going wild with tethering!<\/p>\n

Checklist<\/h2>\n

So first things first. Here’s the config and devices I’m using :<\/p>\n