To connect mobile hotspot to PC with USB, simply plug your phone into the computer with a compatible cable and enable USB tethering in your phone's settings. This creates a wired Ethernet connection on your PC, providing a more stable and secure internet link than Wi-Fi tethering.
Before you connect your mobile hotspot to PC with USB: Prerequisites
Before you begin, confirm that your mobile data plan includes tethering or Personal Hotspot functionality. Some carriers limit or charge extra for this service, so check with your provider if you are unsure. You will also need a USB cable that is compatible with both your phone and your PC, most modern phones use a USB-C connector, while PCs typically have USB-A ports. Ensure the cable is in good condition and undamaged; if you would rather share your connection with a larger screen, consider connecting mobile hotspot to TV for streaming.
How to USB tether an Android phone to a Windows PC
- Unlock your Android phone and connect it to your Windows PC using the USB cable.
- On your phone, open Settings and navigate to Network & Internet > Hotspot & tethering. On some devices, this may be under Connections > Hotspot & tethering, or you can long-press the Hotspot icon in Quick Settings.
- Toggle on USB tethering. Your PC will detect the connection and treat it as a wired Ethernet network.
This method is the most straightforward way of using a phone hotspot with any device, since it requires no extra apps or configuration on the computer side.
How to USB tether an iPhone to a Windows PC
- On your Windows PC, install iTunes for Windows or the Apple Devices app and run it at least once. This installs the necessary drivers for your iPhone.
- Connect your iPhone to the PC using the USB cable. If prompted on the iPhone screen, tap Trust This Computer and enter your passcode.
- On your iPhone, go to Settings > Personal Hotspot (or Settings > Cellular > Personal Hotspot) and turn on Allow Others to Join.
Verify and use your wired hotspot connection
After enabling USB tethering, check your Windows network settings. The tethered connection will appear as a wired (Ethernet) connection. You can confirm this by opening Settings > Network & Internet > Status; you should see an active Ethernet network. Once verified, open your browser and start using the internet normally.
Troubleshooting: PC not detecting the tethered connection
If your PC does not detect the tethered connection, updating phone drivers via Windows Device Manager may resolve the issue. Note that Android phones cannot USB tether to Mac computers, so this method is only supported on Windows.
When turning Android into a hotspot via USB, the process is generally plug-and-play, but driver updates can fix detection problems on older systems.
