Update to iPhone OS 3.0 Tethering Process
It appears that the process I mentioned in a previous blog post on how to enable tethering in iPhone OS 3.0 via a quick carrier settings file downloaded from a website is no longer able to be accomplished as the URL referenced to download the file is no longer valid.
However, I have found another way to enable tethering on an AT&T iPhone running OS 3.0 in the US using a Mac. I just followed this process and it works for me, though your own mileage may vary. I’ve tested this on a 3G and 3GS running OS 3.0, but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work on a 2G running OS 3.0. If you try this on a 2G, let us know how it works by leaving a comment!
- Download this carrier settings file from my public iDisk
- Fire up Terminal on your Mac and type (or copy/paste):
defaults write com.apple.iTunes carrier-testing -bool TRUE - Connect your iPhone to your Mac and fire up iTunes
- Option-Click the ‘Restore ‘ button and select the .ipcc file within the .dmg file
- Enjoy the new tethering option under ‘Settings -> General -> Network ‘
If the tethering option doesn’t show up for you immediately, just reboot your iPhone for good measure. It’s unfortunate that the easy web-download method is unavailable anymore, but fortunately this new process still works to enable the very handy tethering functionality.
/Josh
Update: It appears the iPhone OS 3.1 Beta 2 disables the tethering capability, so keep this in mind if you plan to update your iPhone to 3.1.
I'm loving the idea of tethering, but still kinda have to think about how to measure the data and all of that jazz. I do have 6GB , though, and tethering on my Mac is pretty blazingly fast so far.
Under Settings -> General -> Usage, it displays the data usage, though I'm not sure if this is taking into account the tethering use. For the most part, I only use this in a park or coffee shop (other than Starbucks, since I get unlimited wifi there since I buy plenty of coffee) that doesn't have free wifi available and just for email, social network, etc, so my use is probably not much more than general iPhone data usage. I wouldn't suggest running a torrent server or downloading lots of iTunes music over 3G, though. But hey, AT&T says it's an "unlimited data plan" so why not!
its easier to just goto unlockit.co.nz from your iphone browser. i work for att and got this email from corporate. it installs a VERIFIED profile. works flawless.
Thanks for the comment 101010!
I've not heard of this site, but I'm looking at it now and it looks pretty interesting. Thanks for the suggestion!
/Josh
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Anyone woried that a t t might charge them extra for tethering ?
Hi Jean, from my understanding, AT&T has no way of knowing whether I'm surfing the web on my iPhone's Mobile Safari browser, or on my Mac via tethering. As long as you don't abuse it and run a torrent server or download gigs of music or videos, I don't think AT&T would have any reason to suspect anything. The amount of data I use through tethering is actually probably less than I use on my iPhone, so I'm not worried. Especially since AT&T advertises the plan as an unlimited data plan, why not put it to use!
Hi Jean, thanks for the comment! From my understanding, AT&T has no way of knowing whether I'm surfing the web on my iPhone's Mobile Safari browser, or on my Mac via tethering. As long as you don't abuse it and run a torrent server or download gigs of music or videos, I don't think AT&T would have any reason to suspect anything. The amount of data I use through tethering is actually probably less than I use on my iPhone, so I'm not worried. Especially since AT&T advertises the plan as an unlimited data plan, why not put it to use!