Two weeks without internet passes very slowly.
When my home internet went down, I did what most people do. I turned on my phone’s WiFi hotspot and connected my laptop. It worked. But it wasn’t great.
Speeds dipped. Video calls froze. And my phone battery drained quickly because it was constantly broadcasting a wireless signal.
Then I switched to something most people never think about.
I used a USB cable instead.
It’s called USB tethering. And in many situations, it’s faster, more stable, and more secure than using your phone as a WiFi hotspot.
What Is USB Tethering?
USB tethering allows you to connect your laptop to the internet using your phone’s cellular connection through a physical USB cable instead of WiFi.
Instead of creating a wireless hotspot, your phone acts like a wired modem. Your laptop connects directly to it through the cable.
No wireless signal. No searching for a network. No typing in a password on your computer.
Why USB Tethering Is Better Than a WiFi Hotspot
Most people use their phone’s hotspot over WiFi. It’s convenient, but it has limitations.
Here’s why a wired connection is often better:
Faster and More Stable Connection
Public WiFi download speed
Tethered hotspot download speed
A direct USB connection usually provides a steadier connection than WiFi. There’s no wireless interference from other devices, walls, or crowded networks.
If you’re on video calls, uploading files, or working remotely, the connection is often noticeably more stable.
More Secure Than Public WiFi
When you turn on a WiFi hotspot, your phone broadcasts a network that other devices nearby can see. Even if it’s password protected, it’s still visible.
With USB tethering, nothing is being broadcast. It’s a private, direct connection between your phone and your laptop.
This is especially useful in hotels, airports, and coffee shops where public WiFi may be slower or less secure.
Better for Battery Life
Running a wireless hotspot drains your phone quickly.
When you use USB tethering, your phone charges while it’s connected to your laptop. That means you can work longer without worrying about your battery dying.
How to Use USB Tethering on an iPhone
Setting up USB tethering on an iPhone is simple:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Personal Hotspot.
- Turn on Allow Others to Join.
- Plug your iPhone into your laptop using a certified USB cable.
- You may need to turn off WiFi on your laptop if it continues to connect.
Your Mac or PC should automatically recognize the phone as a wired internet connection.
If your laptop tries to connect over WiFi instead, turn WiFi off so it uses the wired connection.
How to Use USB Tethering on Android
To enable USB tethering on an Android phone:
- Plug your phone into your laptop using a USB cable.
- Open Settings.
- Tap Network and Internet.
- Tap Hotspot and Tethering.
- Turn on USB tethering.
Once enabled, your laptop will use your phone’s cellular data through the wired connection.
When Should You Use USB Tethering?
USB tethering is especially helpful when:
- Your home internet goes down
- You need backup internet during an outage
- You’re working in a hotel or airport
- You want to avoid public WiFi networks
- You need a more stable connection for video calls
You may not need this trick every day. But when you do need it, it can save you a lot of frustration.
If you ever lose internet service at home or need a safer connection on the road, don’t automatically turn on your WiFi hotspot.
Grab a USB cable instead.
