How to Share Internet Connection Between PC and Android Phone Using WiFi
WiFi Ad-Hoc Networking is a popular method to share internet connection between computers (pc or laptop) or between a computer and a smartphone that has built in WiFi. Unfortunately, this method of networking is not supported by Android since it was released until the time of this writting. One of the popular method to enable ad hoc mode on Android devices is by changing a WiFi configuration file located on /system/etc directory called tiwlan.ini. But this method is specific to phone’s WiFi chipset and you need root access to change the file. The tiwlan.ini is a configuration file for Texas Instruments WiFi chipset (e.g HTC dream) so you will not find it on Samsung Spica that use Broadcom WiFi chipset.
Another alternative method is by using a software based virtual access point that using Windows 7’s Wireless Hosted Network technology. This method only runs on Windows 7 and hardware specific. Currently i found two best virtual access point softwares, Virtual Router and Connectify. They both operate in the same maner and very easy to use. I have tested both of them to share internet connection from my PC that used Sierra Wireless USBConnect 881 modem for internet access and an external TP-Link TL-WN31G Wireless USB adapter with my Samsung Spica.
Here is the guide on how to use virtual router and connectify
On Windows 7 Box:
- Download and install Virtual Router or Connectify, you can try one of them. They are hardware specific so read the documentation on their websites about the supported WiFi devices.
- Fill in the settings panel with your prefered WiFi name, password and internet connection to share
- Click start button to start sharing
- On your Wireless Connection Status, click Details to get the network connection information, note the IPV4 Address
Virtual Router
Connectify
On Android Device
- Go to Settings -> Wireless & networks -> Wi-Fi Settings
- Open Advance settings menu
- Tick the Use static IP option
- Enter your desired IP address (ex: 192.168.2.2) into Ip Address field
- Enter your IPV4 Address (ex. 192.168.2.1) into Gateway field
- Enter 255.255.255.0 into Netmask field
- Enter your internet connection’s DNS server (use ipconfig /all command to get DNS info) into DNS 1 and DNS 2. As an alternative, you can use Google Public DNS: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4
- Connect to Wi-Fi using your password
- Disable and Enable Wi-Fi (in case if it won’t connect)
- Check the connection using browser or other application.
Wifi Static IP Setting
Android Wi-Fi
Update:
Latest version of Connectify uses dhcp so it is unnecessary to use static ip on Android.
If you have trouble while using Virtual Router or Connectify, please check if your wifi card is supported or read the documentation or disccussion on their support page.
Supported devices: Virtual Router | Connectify
Documentation and support: Virtual Router | Connectify
Troubleshooting:
If you can’t connect to internet though the client already connected to the hotspot (connectify or virt.router), these are the possible solutions:
- Try to disable antivirus or firewall
- Try to stop and start the hotspot
- Try to kill the hotspot process using task manager and restart the hotspot
- Try to disable and enable wifi on Android
- Check if your wifi card supported by the hotspot (check the reference sites above)
363 Responses to “How to Share Internet Connection Between PC and Android Phone Using WiFi”
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i have successfully connected in my samsung galaxy s2 but it doesn’t internet access…so plz help us…….
Rahul ,there is no need of using any software. You can do it without any application. This can be done only with the help of microsoft inbuild commands from command prompt. If you are using windows 7, then follow the steps described in this link.
bloggersoham.blogspot.in/2012/08/share-pc-internet-with-android-phone.html
Hope this would help.
-Soham
akam sleman
NOT working for SGS2 i done all steps but when i try to open my phone browser it just keeps trig for long time then it shows page could not be found error any help would be really asome cuz i dont wanna Root my phone
There is no need of either rooting your phone or using any software. You can do it without any application. This can be done only with the help of microsoft inbuild commands from command prompt. If you are using windows 7, then follow the steps described in this link.
bloggersoham.blogspot.in/2012/08/share-pc-internet-with-android-phone.html
Hope this would help.
-Soham
Thanks worked for me i am using
LG Optimus 3D
First didnt worked but the i disabled firewall
Again big thanks
i have connected in my galaxy y but it dosen’t connect to the internet. it shows on the browser that webpage not available.
When I try to connect the virtual router it says virtual router could not be started.to start the wireless network in windows server 2008 R2 laptop is there any drivers to be downloaded with virtual router to get the wireless connection from the laptop broadband connection.Is there any such thing?
i have connected in my galaxy y but it dosen’t connect to the internet. it shows on the browser that webpage not available.
i also have connected in my galaxy y but it dosen’t connect to the internet. it shows on the browser that webpage not available. please help me as soon as possible.
Thanks Brother for the android setting part…
I don’t use windows on my PC.
did ip settings on my device… created a portable wi-fi network and simply connected using my PC (it has ubuntu 11.10 installed right now) and the best thing is that i am commenting using my PC!!!
hi teche. this is super and working at one try.
thanks
for all those who can connect to wifi but not internet, turn on the internet sharing option on your broadband connection and select wireless network connection 2…it sure will work
No, I have done exactly that but it is not working. ON SGS2 internet does not work, but at the moment of connection some downloads do happen, this means it gets connected and then is getting disconnected.
step 1. disable your firewall
step 2. unchecked everything from wireless network connection 2 except for internet protocol version 4
step3. disconnect your broadband and go to proprieties and select from sharing tab in home networking conections “wireless network connection 2″
step4. connect broadband
step5. it might not show internet connectivity for the wireless connection 2 but check for internet on your phone
Tell me if it working, it worked for me
I tried setting the sharing for my Local Connection to Wireless Connection 2. The name of my wireless network shows up but it says no network access. I even tried many other wifi software like Connectify and manually using the cmd but still nothing. Any suggestions?
thankyou . the VirtualWiFiRouter_2.0.1.5 is worked .
thankyou thankyou thankyou thankyou thankyou thankyou thankyou thankyou thankyou thankyou thankyou thankyou
It says virtual router could not be started
I thing if you install virtual reuter and connectify it will be conflict.
the virtual reuter will no longer work.
but it can be redo with windows recovery and recover from previous time before you install them.
my virtual router used to work before but now it doesnt..
says
Virtual router beta has stopped workingg.
any help would be awesome.
Virtual Router is working fine….Getting the wifi connection b/w phone and Laptop, But only google search is working no other website is opening on phone.Every webite or web based application throws up the error that “web page is not available”
PLz help
Disabled all firewalls…..
No change….
It works like a charm!!!. After 1 hour of struggling with internet and windows 7 at last.
will it work for windows vista as well??
you don’t have to install any other software. Just to create a virtual WIFI network. very simple. Connectify will make PC run slowly. pls see this page:
http://bbs.tayoutec.com/topic.php?id=60
if you use google translation, you can also see this page(pictures inside):
http://bbs.tayoutec.com/topic.php?id=58
hey Im just try another way and its work on me.. just visit http://kiekie21.blogspot.com/2012/05/share-pc-internet-to-android-smartphone.html
hopes it work for you too..
thanks for sharing
tried on samsung galaxy ace… it worked… just took 2 min… thanks
A much more simple and easy method for sharing your internet connection with android can be found here:
http://seevisionc.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/androidwifi-alternative-to-connectify.html
HI ,
if you are connected to the internet through proxy put the proxy IP and port in settings–> wifi — >advanced–> proxy
Thanks for this great post. I didn’t have to enter any of the IP settings. I just connected straight to the virtual router wi-fi connection entered the password and i’m good to go.
Using a custom rom on galaxy s2
It says “virtual router could not be started.”
it say virtual router could not be started…what can i do…plz tell me solution…thnx…
I have an internet connection on the PC that requires a proxy. How can I hide the proxy to my tablet? Is it even possible, or is there another approach?
It worked for me thank you
worked like a charm. now i can watch futurama in bed without buying a wireless router. XD you are the coolest guy ever.
Thanks a lot… I got connected
Hey lorenz,
The Virtual Router works perfectly on my Samsung Galaxy S2!
Thanks!
Virtual Router works like a charm with Intel(R) Centrino(R) Advanced-N 6205 and Galaxy S3. THANKS!
thanks its working well n my sony ericsson neo v…
I have tried many things but this worked for me…Thanks a lot.
Virtual router 2.0.1.5 worked in my xperia ray properly.Thanks man
Iam using USB device internet. After installing virtual driver in my pc shared connection option is not available.Please help me on this
i use mts modem, i got connected to wifi but cant access internet. is it only possible with broadband connection?
my notebook has intel4965agn wifi card.Unfortunately it doesnt support access point on win 7.so i have to run with ad hoc mode.also i’m using nexus(jelly bean 4.1.1) and cant see ad hoc connections.any solution didnt worked (ad hoc enabler software or wpa supplicant etc.).is there any way for using connections on ad hoc mode with my phone ???
There is no need of using any software. You can do it without any application. This can be done only with the help of microsoft inbuild commands from command prompt. If you are using windows 7, then follow the steps described in this link.
bloggersoham.blogspot.in/2012/08/share-pc-internet-with-android-phone.html
Hope this would help.
-Soham
http://is.gd/cTkD1r We have low entry , holiday internet access passes , small point balance required @holidayinternet #wifi @wifiyol…
New Systen…
Hi Vengatesh,
Could you please mail me the step by step procedure for getting connection to internet using PC internet on my Sony Ericsson Neo V.
I have tried a lot on my Windows 7 (Dell 1390 Wireless Card) using both Virtual Router and as well as Connectify but was not success.
Thanks,
Srikanth
gr8 work……soham ..its a absolute success
gr8 work….soham ….once again 5 stars
I connect wifi on my android phone.In mobile it shows wifi connected to my pc.but on mobile internet is not connected.on pc it is connected.
Quite easy process sharing here to start internet between computer and android mobile by wifi..I completely understand it but i wanna connect by usb cable.. so please sharing information of regarding that…Thanks
i can connect to my lappy using my other lappy on which VR is installed n access internet and i can connect to my galaxy s plus too but can use internet for fraction of minutes and stops receiving packets. any help guys?
i am having problems with the virtual router and connectify . iam having sony ericsson xperia neo v it just connects and then disconnects from the network …. .. .every time it does like that…
any suggestions that would be very greatfull
thank you! works very well with my android gingerbread.
I still have not been successful
Hi bros,
I’ve used command lines to create the Wifi hotspot in Windows and I’ve connected to it from Android successfully but I still couldn’t get the internet access. I tried disabling all firewalls, antivirus softwares… but no luck at all.
Today, I went to the beach with my children. I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.”
She put the shell to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear.
She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is
entirely off topic but I had to tell someone!