Please select from the list below, so we can help you faster. If you would like to get help from our staff check out our Support and Forums for more answers to your questions.
- What does Tether do?
- How is Tethering your smartphone with Tether different then normal tethering?
- How fast is the internet with Tether?
- Will I be charged additional fees or tethering fees from using Tether?
- Do I need to buy multiple licenses to use Tether on multiple PCs?
- Can I receive phone calls, emails, or text messages while using Tether?
- Everything is setup but no packets are being sent or received?
- Does Tether support 64 bit machines?
- Does Tether support VPN connections?
- Does Tether you support Macs?
- Does Tether only work with a USB connection or will it work with Bluetooth as well?
- If I break, replace, lose or damage my phone do I need to purchase a new license for Tether?
- I am getting an Invalid Pointer Error. What should I do?
- I am seeing the "couldn't write in recieve: java.io.IOException" error. What should I do?
- I bought a copy of Tether but when I use it, it is telling me that I need to buy a copy of the software. What should I do?
- The installer failed to install the driver
- Failed to load the interface
- I can't send out mail while using Tether.
- Is a BlackBerry Tether license transferable to an Android Tether and vice versa?
- I have a new BlackBerry, how do I transfer Tether to my new device?
- Where do I download the Android drivers for my phone?
What does Tether do?
Tether is an application that allows you to access the Internet on your laptop anywhere there is cellular coverage through your smartphone's data plan. Tethering BlackBerry or Tethering Android couldn't be simpler than when using Tether.
How is Tethering your smartphone with Tether different then normal tethering?
Tethering your BlackBerry or tethering your Android using the Tether app is extremely fast and optimized, there are no additional fees, no proxy settings and it works with almost every Internet based piece of software without modification. Tethering with our app is the easiest solution on the market.
How fast is the internet with Tether?
Based on customer feedback, we have heard of Tethering speeds as high as 2,400 kbps with Tether for BlackBerry and 7,000 kbps with Tether for Android.
Will I be charged additional fees or tethering fees from using Tether?
This is really hard for us to answer. Each carrier has unique contracts with each individual. When tethering, your phone uses your normal BlackBerry or Android data plan. Although most carriers say they are offering you a unlimited plan there are usually 5 GB limits on such plans. Please review your carrier's contract and review our Terms of Service.
Do I need to buy multiple licenses to use Tether on multiple PCs?
No, one license is valid for tethering with multiple PCs.
Can I receive phone calls, emails, or text messages while using Tether?
It depends. 3G is the classification of the network speed. There are still two major type of 3G network in the US, CDMA and GSM.
With CDMA, you can not have voice and data at same time. With GSM, you can. However, just like everything else in the world, there is always the trade-off. EV-DO on CDMA does offer the better data connection speed and performance since it does not share the voice channel.
So, if you are with Verizon and/or Sprint, you are on CDMA network. Therefore, voice call will temporarily interrupt your data connection and tethering capabilities; If you are on AT&T and/or T-Mobile, then you are on GSM network, voice and data can be active at same time.
Please note, the SMS is on the voice channel. So, it will act as same as with voice when in terms of how it affects data connection and tethering.
Everything is setup but no packets are being sent or received?
Please make sure all your other network adapters are disabled. If that doesn't work restart your PC and pull the battery from your phone. If none of these solutions work, please contact Tether support.
Does Tether support 64 bit machines?
Yes, Tether supports tethering your BlackBerry or tethering your Android with 64 bit machines.
Does Tether support VPN connections?
Yes, we support tethering with VPN connections as well as PC control software/websites like LogMeIn. We have resolved the issue with PPTP, please download the newest version.
Does Tether support Macs?
Yes, but the usb tethering functionality will not work side-by-side with the BlackBerry Desktop Manager for Mac. The Bluetooth tethering functionality works side-by-side with the Mac BlackBerry Desktop Manager. The Mac BDM currently does not provide an API for us to use so unfortunately our product can not work side by side. We are working with Research in Motion to fix this issue.
Does Tether only work with a USB connection or will it work with Bluetooth as well?
The current BlackBerry Tether supports USB and Bluetooth based connections. Your device must be paired properly in Bluetooth to tether properly. The Android solution currently only supports USB.
If I break, replace, lose or damage my phone do I need to purchase a new license for Tether?
As long as you are using the same platform, no. If you are using Tether for BlackBerry and switch to another platform like Tether for Android, you would need to purchase a new license for Tether. To install Tether on your new phone when prompted for a registration code, type in the code that was issued to you upon registration.
I am getting an Invalid Pointer Error. What should I do?
To tether correctly, please make sure you have the most recent "BlackBerry USB and Modem Drivers" installed from the RIM website. Some people have also been able to resolve this issue by starting their Tether app on the desktop before connecting the phone via the USB cable. Also check http://www.tether.com/how-i-fixed-invalid-pointer-issue-user
I am seeing the "couldn't write in recieve: java.io.IOException" error. What should I do?
Make sure you are using the latest version of the BlackBerry OS for your phone.
I bought a copy of Tether but when I use it, it is telling me that I need to buy a copy of the software. What should I do?
This happens when your trial has expired. You will need to purchase a copy of Tether and enter the registration code we provide you on your BlackBerry or Android Smartphone.
The installer failed to install the driver
This happens if the Microsoft Windows Service Packs, and optional Microsoft updates are not installed. To ensure Tether works properly, please go to Windows Update and make sure all updates are installed.
The error you are experiencing is because of BlackBerry's Desktop Manager for Mac in USB Mode. You will not see this problem if you run it in Bluetooth mode. They currently do not provide a API for us to use so unfortunately our product can not work side by side with BlackBerry Desktop Manager for Mac. We are working with Research in Motion to fix this issue so we do not have to recommend to our customers to uninstall their product.
There are two options available for you:
- To uninstall BlackBerry Desktop Manager to use the USB Mode
- Use the Bluetooth Mode.
To completely uninstall BlackBerry Desktop Manager please follow these instructions:
Drag the following folder (if it exists) to the trash:
/Library/Application Support/BlackBerry
Drag the following files (if they exist) to the trash:
/Application/BlackBerry Desktop Manager
/Library/LaunchAgents/com.rim.BBLaunchAgent.plist
/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.rim.BBDaemon.plist
/System/Library/Extensions/RIMBBUSB.kext
/System/Library/Extensions/RIMBBVSP.kext
/System/Library/Extensions/BlackberryUSB.kext
/System/Library/Extensions/BlackberryUSBDev.kext
Finally Reboot your system.
I can't send out mail while tethering with the Tether app.
Use port 587 or a secure connection. If that doesn't work you need to ask your mail administrator for an alternative port.
Where do I download the Android drivers to tether my phone?
Samsung Fascinate Driver Download:
http://downloadcenter.samsung.com/content/SW/201009/20100913233843234/Sa...
Samsung Epic Driver Download:
http://www.samsung.com/us/support/downloads/SPH-D700ZKASPR
Select the Software tab for the driver download page.
Samsung Captivate Driver Download:
http://androidforums.com/captivate-support-troubleshooting/123644-captiv...
Samsung Moment Driver Download:
http://randomtechinfo.com/Moment/Samsung.Moment.USB.Drivers.Windows.zip
Samsung Galaxy:
http://drivers.softpedia.com/get/MOBILES/Samsung/Samsung-Galaxy-S-USB-Dr...
Samsung Intercept:
http://www.samsung.com/us/support/downloads/SPH-M910ZKASPR
You will see a software link you will have to select for the driver.
Motorola Droid X:
http://www.motorola.com/Support/US-EN/Support-Homepage/Software_and_Driv...
You will see a "Motorola 4.7.1 Driver with MotoConnect*". Select this link to download the driver.
Android LG Ally:
http://www.lg.com/us/mobile-phones/phone-software-update.jsp
Motorola Incredible HTC Sync:
http://www.htc.com/us/support/droid-incredible-verizon/downloads/
Can you make sure that USB charging is selected when plugging the Android into the PC.
HTC Desire:
http://www.htc.com/www/supportdownloadlist.aspx?p_id=312&act=sd&cat=all
Note : Tether has a known issue with HTC Sync install on the PC. The workaround for this issue is to remove HTC Sync from the PC. Also select “USB Charging” when plugging the Android into the PC.
I have a new BlackBerry, how do I transfer my Tether license to my new device?
You can Tether your new BlackBerry by downloading the files at the following link on the BlackBerry Browser: http://tether.com/t/tether.jad
When running Tether on your phone click on the BlackBerry button to open up the menu. Then select 'Enter Registration Key'.
You can find the registration code by logging into the following webpage:
http://tether.com/download
Or you can request your registration code by going to the following webpage and selecting “I forgot or lost my registration code”: http://tether.com/support
Is a BlackBerry Tether license transferable to an Android Tether and vice versa?
No you cannot transfer a license between BlackBerry/Android platforms. To tether a BlackBerry or tether an android, you will need to buy the appropriate version of Tether for your phone.
