Sharing Android Phone's Internet

So you have a mobile phone with Internet enabled, and you wanted to access it via your computer? or your laptop? Read on..

Before that, find out the version of Android you have. If you have no idea where to find it, check this on your phone: Settings -> About Phone -> Build Number. If the number started with 2.2.x or 2.3.x, then congratulations, you can easily share the Internet. Otherwise, you have to follow some more steps. You may have to follow one of the four steps mentioned below.

 

If your Android Version is 2.2 or Above, and you have a Computer/Laptop with WiFI...

First check if your android version is 2.2 or above. In that case, you have an option called Tethering using which your phone can be converted into a WiFI Hotspot. On your phone, go to Wireless & networks > Tethering & portable hotspot. Here you can enable the option that says, Portable WiFI Hotspot. After enabling this, your phone has become a Wireless Internet device. You can access it by connecting from a laptop (or another phone that has WiFI). Optionally, you can enable passwords if you want to avoid anyone else connecting to your device.

If your Android Version is 2.2 or Above, and you DONT have a Computer/Laptop with WiFI (or)
If your Android Version is 2.1 or Below, and you have a Computer/Laptop with/without WiFI,

 

You have to instal an additional software to get it to work. PDA Net is a light-weight, free android application that helps you share your phone's internet through a USB data cable. You need to download and install this on your phone by downloading it from the Android Market (Aka Play Store). 

Post installation on phone, you have to install another software on your computer/laptop. This application is the bridge between your computer and the phone which makes the internet connection shareable. While the detailed steps to do these is not written here, you can find them on the official PDANet site. It's here:  http://junefabrics.com/android/

NOTE:

This application is also available for iPhones. You have to download the equivalent sofware for Mac, and the steps are fairly similar.