J_Applei
Level 1 (17 points)

Q: Tethering Question (Wifi, Bluetooth, and USB)

I have an iPhone 5 and am able to tether  my LTE/3G connection to other devices. When I enable tethering, devices can get connected via Wifi, Bluetooth, or USB. Let's say I use my MacBook Pro to connect to all of those at once (so now the MacBook Pro is connected to the internet via Wifi, Bluetooth, AND USB). Does it use one of them over the others or does it use all of them at once to provide the fastest speeds?

iPhone 5, iOS 7.0.4

Posted on Jan 17, 2014 2:17 PM

by BDAqua,Solvedanswer
BDAqua BDAqua
Level 10 (123,895 points)
A:

It can't use all at once, I think Wifi will be fastest on the Mac.

 

10.5.x/10.6.x/10.7.x/10.8.x instructions...

 

System Preferences>Network, click on the little gear at the bottom next to the + & - icons, (unlock lock first if locked), choose Set Service Order.

 

The interface that connects to the Internet should be dragged to the top of the list.

Posted on Jan 17, 2014 5:04 PM

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J_Applei

Q: Tethering Question (Wifi, Bluetooth, and USB)

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  • Helpful answers

  • by ChrisJ4203,Helpful

    ChrisJ4203 ChrisJ4203 Jan 17, 2014 2:20 PM in response to J_Applei
    Level 9 (59,919 points)
    iPhone
    Jan 17, 2014 2:20 PM in response to J_Applei

    While I don't use it, so I cannot comment, see if this support document helps you. http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4517

  • by J_Applei,

    J_Applei J_Applei Jan 17, 2014 2:28 PM in response to ChrisJ4203
    Level 1 (17 points)
    Jan 17, 2014 2:28 PM in response to ChrisJ4203

    It did contain a lot of helpful information but it didn't answer my question.

  • by ssschmidt,Helpful

    ssschmidt ssschmidt Jan 17, 2014 2:33 PM in response to J_Applei
    Level 5 (4,820 points)
    Jan 17, 2014 2:33 PM in response to J_Applei

    When you are tethering, or using your iPhone 5 as a hotspot, the internet is provided by the phone's cellular data network.  Any devices that you connect will use that internet connection.  If you connect the computer via the USB cable, that would be the fastest connection and the most secure.

     

    A bluetooth connection would be the next most secure connection, followed by WiFi last. 

     

    As far as "stacking" the connections (combining), I don't think it works like that.  But I'm sure someone that knows more than me will chime in.

  • by BDAqua,Solvedanswer

    BDAqua BDAqua Jan 17, 2014 5:04 PM in response to J_Applei
    Level 10 (123,895 points)
    Jan 17, 2014 5:04 PM in response to J_Applei

    It can't use all at once, I think Wifi will be fastest on the Mac.

     

    10.5.x/10.6.x/10.7.x/10.8.x instructions...

     

    System Preferences>Network, click on the little gear at the bottom next to the + & - icons, (unlock lock first if locked), choose Set Service Order.

     

    The interface that connects to the Internet should be dragged to the top of the list.

  • by Frank Caggiano,

    Frank Caggiano Frank Caggiano Jan 17, 2014 6:04 PM in response to J_Applei
    Level 7 (25,796 points)
    Jan 17, 2014 6:04 PM in response to J_Applei

    Does it use one of them over the others or does it use all of them at once to provide the fastest speeds?

    As has been pointed out above the Internet connection is provided by the phone through the carrier so even if the Mac did connect using all three connections, USB, WiFi and Bluetooth they would all be combined into one connection once in the phone  and out to the net so there would be no speed advantage, the phine and internet connection would be the bottleneck.

     

    In fact it is possible the speed would be lower as the phone would have to contend with the 3 connections into it.

  • by J_Applei,

    J_Applei J_Applei Jan 17, 2014 9:29 PM in response to BDAqua
    Level 1 (17 points)
    Jan 17, 2014 9:29 PM in response to BDAqua

    This is perfect, thank you for the fast responses.

  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Jan 17, 2014 11:17 PM in response to J_Applei
    Level 10 (123,895 points)
    Jan 17, 2014 11:17 PM in response to J_Applei

    Great news, thanks! 

     

    ChrisJ4203 deserves the credit though.. pointed out you needed help.