How can you use your Android cell or tab as a modem ~ Mobile Guru

Tethering your Android smartphone with your computer enables the device to share its cellular data connection, so your computer can access the Internet even when a wireless connection is unavailable. Android 4.x offers three ways to create this connection. Connecting your computer to your Android phone using a USB cable directly shares the Internet. Bluetooth-enabled computers can also pair with the phone to share data. The Android device also offers a portable hotspot feature that creates a Wi-Fi hotspot to which up to eight computers can connect.

USB Connection

Step 1

Connect the USB cable's smaller end to your Android phone and the other end to your computer.

Step 2

Press the "Home" button and then the "Menu" button.

Step 3

Tap "Settings," "More" from the Wireless & Networks section and then "Tethering & Portable Hotspot."

Step 4

Check "USB Tethering" to establish a USB data connection on your computer. Uncheck the option to sever the connection.

Bluetooth Hotspot

Step 1

Press "Home" and then "Menu."

Step 2

Tap "Settings" and then "Bluetooth" from the Wireless & Networks section.

Step 3

Tap "Off" to turn Bluetooth on and then tap "Not Visible to Other Bluetooth Devices" to make the Android phone discoverable for two minutes.

Step 4

Click the Start button on your computer, "Devices and Printers" and then "Add a Device."

Step 5

Select your Android phone from the list and click "Next" to run the wizard and pair your phone.

Step 6

Press the "Back" button, tap "More..." from the Wireless & Networks section and select "Tethering & Portable Hotspot."

Step 7

Check "Bluetooth Tethering" to share your phone's Internet.

Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot

Step 1

Press "Home" and then "Menu."

Step 2

Touch "More..." from the Wireless & Networks section and tap "Tethering & Portable Hotspot."

Step 3

Check "Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot." On some Android phones, this option is called "Portable WLAN Hotspot."

Step 4

Tap "Configure Wi-Fi Hotspot" or "Configure WLAN Hotspot."

Step 5

Enter your preferred SSID network name, security mode and password in the configuration screen. Tap "Save."

Step 6

Click the "Network" icon in the Windows 7 Notification area, select the SSID name you chose on your phone, click "Connect" and enter the password to connect to your phone's data plan.