Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

iPhone 3G as Bluetooth-Modem?

Can I use the new iPhone 3G as Bluetooth-Modem for my MacBook Pro to go the Internet over UMTS?

At this Time I use a SonyEricsson for this job. But now the iPhone got UMTS...

Thanks for Answer.

--
Frank

MacBook Pro Penryn, Mac OS X (10.5.3)

Posted on Jun 10, 2008 3:16 AM

Reply
121 replies

Jun 10, 2008 8:47 AM in response to Paul Judd

they allow it on their laptop connect plans....but that plan is also $60/mo.. (I understand, bandwidth costs money)

My question is if someone is willing to pay the $60/mo (same price as a laptop card)
Can the iPhone then be used to tether?

I just want to know if the capability is within the device, like it is on so many other phones.

I'm tethering a Samsung A707 regular phone with both USB or Bluetooth because my 8525 bit the dust, hence my interest in the iPhone.

In my experiences ATT doesn't care what the device is, as long as the data is being paid for.

My reason is I don't want to pay over $90/mo for a data plan for my phone, and then another for my laptop. (Of course the carriers see this as more money to be made)

Jun 10, 2008 9:00 AM in response to stohl

The iPhone—in both original and 3G forms—as currently announced, does not have the required Bluetooth profiles to support tethering, including DUN, or Dial Up Networking.

Unless and until Apple decides to embed such capabilities at the hardware or firmware level, and modifies the OS to allows calls to it, the Bluetooth radio in your device will be severely limited in comparative terms.

It is difficult to know how other carriers would approach this issue, but it is reasonably clear that at&t's fledgling 3G network is quite likely to have performance issues under the load presented by iPhones alone, let alone the additional load present when an attached device is used. You are not likely to see tethering available via the iPhone in the US in the foreseeable future.

Jun 10, 2008 5:55 PM in response to roaminggnome

As others have pointed out, the exclusive data plan in the USA does not allow tethering but the issue is that iPhone will soon be available from other carriers in other countries and that is where the ability to tether will be important.

These discussions are one of the few sources of information for people trying to find out if they can tether the new iPhone so I hope this post lasts longer than others that have been deleted by Apple on the basis that they are "feature requests".

Jun 10, 2008 11:06 PM in response to stohl

Sorry, but Apple intentionally crippled the iPhone's Bluetooth capabilities to prevent tethering. The only way I know of is to jailbreak the iPhone to add more Bluetooth functionality. So by this point you would have:

A) Broken your EULA with Apple by modifying the software

and

B) Broken your contract with AT&T by tethering an unlimited data plan

Sorry, but it's not possible at this point.

Jun 11, 2008 4:40 PM in response to BarnetteBW

It would be very interesting to know what the situation is with tethering in the UK where O2 is the exclusive network partner. Totally relate to the point others have made about bandwidth usage. Would be interesting to know if this also applies to WiFi hotspots (ie can O2 subscription be used with another device)....

Reality is that all of the networks will hope to sell their own datacards / USB dongles (however iPhone customers are already paying a premium and may very well choose to go with another carrier rather than give more money to AT&T / O2 etc as a matter of principle).

iPhone 3G as Bluetooth-Modem?

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.