Connecting to the Internet via a USB cable on Android is a useful feature when Wi-Fi is not available and mobile traffic is limited or absent. This method allows you to use your smartphone as a USB modem for a PC or vice versa - receive Internet on your phone from a computer. However, standard Android settings often hide this feature, requiring the activation of hidden modes or the installation of additional software.

In this article we will analyze in detail all the current ways to enable USB Internet: from standard functions like USB modem to advanced methods using ADB and Termux. We will pay special attention to solving typical problems - from lack of drivers to blocking by the operator. The instructions are suitable for devices on Android 8.0–14, including smartphones Samsung, Xiaomi, Google Pixel and others.

Before you begin, make sure you have:

  • 📱 Android smartphone with unlocked screen
  • 🖥️ Computer (Windows, macOS or Linux) with a USB port
  • 🔌 High-quality USB cable (preferably original)
  • 🔄 Administrator rights on the PC (to install drivers)

If you connect to a corporate network or use a VPN, some methods may be blocked by security policies - in this case, approval from the IT department will be required.

📊 Why do you need USB Internet on Android?
Distribute the Internet from your phone to your PC
Get Internet on your phone from a computer
Bypass mobile operator restrictions
Testing network settings
Other

1. Standard USB modem: distributing Internet from phone to PC

The easiest way is to use your smartphone as a USB modem to connect your computer to the mobile data. This method does not require root access and works on most devices out of the box.

Instructions:

  1. Connect your smartphone to the PC via a USB cable.
  2. On your phone, unlock the screen and tap on the notification in the notification panel Charging via USB.
  3. Select mode Data transfer (USB) or USB modem (the name may differ).
  4. On a PC, check the connection: in Windows, open Network settings → Ethernet, on macOS/Linux - System settings → Network.

If the option USB modem is not in the menu, follow additional steps:

  • 🔧 Go to Settings → Network and Internet → Access point and modem.
  • 🔄 Turn on the switch USB modem (may be called USB Internet).
  • ⚠️ On some devices (for example, Xiaomi with MIUI) you will need to activate Developer mode (7 taps on Build number in Settings → About phone).

☑️ Checking the USB modem connection

Completed: 0 / 4
⚠️ Attention: some mobile operators (for example, MTS, Beeline) block the USB modem for tariffs without the "Internet distribution" option. In this case, the Internet will work only after purchasing an additional package or using workaround methods (see section 5).

2. Getting the Internet on Android from a computer (Reverse Tethering)

The reverse problem - connecting the phone to the Internet via USB from a PC - is more difficult to solve. Android does not support reverse tethering at the system level, so you will have to use third-party tools.

Method 1: via ClockWorkMod Tether (requires root):

  • 📱 Install on your phone ClockWorkMod Tether (free version with restrictions).
  • 🖥️ Download and install desktop version for Windows/macOS.
  • 🔌 Connect the devices with a cable and run the application on both devices.
  • ⚡ Click Start Tethering in the desktop app.

Method 2: via ADB (without root, but with debugging): 

adb shell settings put global tether_dun_required 0

adb shell netcfg rndis0 dhcp

These commands temporarily activate the network interface. For permanent use, add them to the autorun script.

Method Requires root Speed Difficulty
ClockWorkMod Tether ✅ Yes High Medium
ADB commands ❌ No Medium High
Termux + proxy ❌ No Low Very high
💡

If after connecting the Internet on your phone works, but sites do not open, check the proxy settings in Settings → Network → Advanced → Proxy. Selecting the "No proxy" option often helps.

3. Using Termux for advanced users

Terminal Termux allows you to configure USB Internet through a proxy or VPN tunnel. This method is suitable for bypassing operator blocking or creating a secure connection.

Step-by-step guide:

  1. Install Termux from F-Droid (the version from Google Play is outdated).
  2. Update packages: 
    pkg update && pkg upgrade

    pkg install openssh net-tools

  3. Connect the phone to the PC and find the network interface: 
    ifconfig | grep rndis

    (usually this rndis0 or usb0)

  4. Set up routing (example for Linux PC): 
    sudo ifconfig usb0 192.168.42.1 netmask 255.255.255.0

    sudo sysctl -w net.ipv4.ip_forward=1
    

    sudo iptables -t nat -A POSTROUTING -o eth0 -j MASQUERADE

For Windows, you will need additional configuration for Internet sharing in Control Panel → Network Connections (select your main connection → Properties → Access).

How to check the connection in Termux?

Use the command ping 8.8.8.8. If packets are lost (0% loss), but the sites do not open, the problem is in the DNS. Fixed by the command setprop net.dns1 8.8.8.8.

4. Solving problems with drivers on Windows

A common reason for the USB Internet not working is the absence or incorrect operation of Windows drivers. 10/11 usually installs them automatically, but sometimes manual configuration is required.

Action algorithm:

  • 🔍 Open Device Manager (Win + X → Device Manager).
  • 📱 Find your smartphone in the list (usually in the section Network adapters or Other devices).
  • 🔄 If there is an exclamation mark next to the device, right-click → Update driver → Search for this computer.
  • 📁 Specify the path to the drivers (download them from the phone manufacturer’s website, for example for Samsung or for Xiaomi).

For devices Google Pixel and some models OnePlus may require installation Android SDK Platform-Tools:

  1. Download Platform-Tools from the official website.
  2. Unpack the archive to the root of the disk C:\platform-tools.
  3. Open Command line as administrator and run: 
    cd C:\platform-tools

    adb kill-server
    

    adb start-server

⚠️ Attention: if after installing the drivers in Device Manager the device appears Remote NDIS with an error, try disabling driver digital signature verification in Windows. To do this, restart the PC while holding down the key Shift → Diagnostics → Additional options → Boot options → Restart → select item 7 (Disable mandatory driver signature verification).

5. Bypassing operator blocking: VPN and proxies

Mobile operators often block the USB modem for tariffs without the “Internet sharing” option. You can bypass this restriction using a VPN or a proxy server, but it is important to understand the risks: violation of the user agreement can lead to blocking of the SIM card.

Bypass methods:

  • 🔒 Install a VPN on your phone (for example, ProtonVPN or Windscribe) and turn it on before activating the USB modem. This hides traffic from the operator.
  • 🌐 Configure the proxy manually:
    1. Go to Settings → Network and Internet → Mobile network → Access points (APN).
    2. Select your APN and add in the field Proxy address (for example, 104.244.42.1), and in Port — 3128.
    3. Save the settings and reboot the phone.
  • 📡 Use applications like PDANet+, which disguise USB traffic as normal (does not work on all operators).

    • Important: connection speed when using a VPN/proxy may drop significantly. For testing, use the service Speedtest.

    💡

    Blocking a USB modem by an operator is not a technical problem, but a tariff limitation. Before using workaround methods, check the terms of your contract: some operators allow Internet distribution only at certain tariffs (for example, “Unlimited” from Tele2 or “My Online” from MegaFon).

    6. Alternative methods: OTG and network adapters

    If standard methods do not work, consider alternatives:

    Method 1: USB-OTG + Ethernet adapter

    • 🔌 Buy USB-OTG cable i Ethernet adapter (for example, TP-Link UE300).
    • 📱 Connect the adapter to the phone via OTG, and the network cable to the adapter.
    • 🔄 In Android settings select Ethernet in the section Network and Internet.

      • This method allows you to connect your phone to the wired Internet (for example, in an office or hotel).

      Method 2: Bluetooth modem

      If USB does not work, use Bluetooth:

      1. Turn on Bluetooth on your phone and PC.
      2. Pair the devices.
      3. On your phone, go to Settings → Network and Internet → Access point and modem and turn on Bluetooth modem.

    The speed will be lower than via USB, but stability is higher.

    Method 3: Wi-Fi Direct (for modern devices)

    Some smartphones (for example, Samsung Galaxy S22 or Google Pixel 7) support Wi-Fi Direct for Internet transfer without USB. Activated in Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi Direct.

    7. Frequent errors and their elimination

    Let's look at typical problems and solutions:

    Error Cause Solution
    "USB device not recognized" Missing drivers or faulty cable Install the drivers manually (see section 4) or replace the cable
    "Connected, but no Internet" Blocked by the operator or incorrect APN settings Check APN settings or use VPN (section 5)
    "Network without Internet access" (Windows) Distribution on PC is not configured Enable sharing in Network connections (see section 3)
    "USB modem is gray/inactive" Manufacturer limitation (for example, on some Huawei) Use Termux or ClockWorkMod Tether

    If none of the methods help, check:

    • 🔋 Is your phone battery drained (some devices turn off the USB modem when the battery is low).
    • 🔄 Is the Saving traffic mode enabled in the Android settings.
    • 📶 Is the firewall on your PC blocking the Internet (disable it temporarily for testing).

    ⚠️ Attention: on devices with custom firmware (for example, LineageOS) there may be no standard drivers for the USB modem. In this case, you will need to manually compile the kernel or install a module rndis_host.
    Is it possible to use USB Internet without root access?

    Yes, a standard USB modem and most methods (except ClockWorkMod Tether in the full version) work without root. However, for reverse tethering (Internet from PC to phone), root may be required.

    Why is the speed via USB lower than via Wi-Fi?

    The speed of a USB modem is limited by the protocol version:

    • USB 2.0: up to 480 Mbit/s (actually ~30–50 Mbit/s)
    • USB 3.0: up to 5 Gbit/s (actually ~100–300 Mbit/s)

      • Check which port the cable is connected to (blue connector - USB 3.0). Operator settings also affect (for example, speed limit for modem mode).

    Will a USB modem work on a MacBook with an M1/M2 chip?

    Yes, but additional drivers may be required. For chips Apple Silicon:

    1. Install Android File Transfer.
    2. In System settings → Network add a new connection type USB.
    3. If the network does not appear, use Termux (section 3).

    Is it possible to distribute the Internet from a phone to a Smart TV via USB?

    No, most Smart TVs (including models Samsung, LG, Sony) do not support a USB modem. Alternatives:

    • Use Wi-Fi Direct or Miracast.
    • Connect the TV to the router, and distribute the Internet via Wi-Fi to your phone.
    • For old TVs with a port RJ-45 use USB-Ethernet adapter (see section 6).

    How to disable USB modem restriction on Xiaomi?

    On devices Xiaomi s MIUI the USB modem menu may be hidden. To unlock it:

    1. Activate Developer mode (7 taps on MIUI version in Settings → About phone).
    2. Go back to Advanced settings → Developer mode and enable USB debugging.
    3. Connect the phone to the PC and run Termux: 
      su

      settings put global tether_dun_required 0

    After the reboot, the option USB modem will appear in the menu.