Tethering means you can use the 3G internet connection of your iPhone, but on your real computer, anywhere you have a signal. It’s fast, and scarily easy to set up. Once you’ve set up tethering on your iPhone once, you can plug it into any computer with iTunes and it’ll automatically be added as a new internet connection for instant internet anywhere. Awesome. Here’s a step by step guide~
Mac OsX:
1. Download this file: Softbank_jp.ipcc . DO NOT USE SAFARI to download, it will screw up the file.
2. Open up Terminal, and type in the following:
defaults write com.apple.iTunes carrier-testing -bool TRUE
Then press enter.
3. Plug your iPhone into your computer
4. Open up iTunes to the Summary page of the iPhone
5. Hold down the “Option” key and click on “Check for update”. If you’re using a Windows keyboard on a hackintosh or something, it should be the “Alt” key.
5. Point the finder window at the Softbank_jp.ipcc file that you downloaded earlier.
6. When you’re done updating the carrier settings, enable tethering on the iPhone under Settings -> General -> Network. This might not work the first time, you may need to exit the settings once and try it again, or even try restarting the device.
The tethered internet connection should now be available for use on your osx network configuration screen. I renamed mine for clarity and placed it at the bottom om the prefered order (for emergencies only). If your iPhone connection is at the top of the order, it will be used whenever your iPhone is plugged in regardless of whether or not you have another connection, so be sure to move it down the list!
When tethering is being used on the iPhone, the top bar will turn blue as you can see in the screenshot.
Windows:
1. Download Softbank_jp.ipcc (don’t use safari, it will screw up the file).
2. You need iTunes installed on this and any other computers you want to tether the iPhone to.
3. Open up a DOS prompt and type in:
C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunes.exe /setPrefInt carrier-testing 1
You may need to alter that if you’ve installed iTunes in some other place, but you should be able to figure that much out.
4. Plug your iPhone into your machine via the USB cable, and bring up the iPhone summary page in iTunes.
5. Hold down the “shift” key while clicking on “check for update” and a file dialog box should pop up. Choose the softbank_jp.ipcc file you download earlier.
6. Finish the update, then go to Settings -> General -> Network on your iPhone to enable tethering. You may have to do this a few times the first time or restart your iPhone.
(This tutorial was adapted from Leon’s excellent “How I used tethering to turn my iPhone 3GS and old Dell laptop into go anywhere porn machine” tutorial, and permission was obtained first!)
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Hi, Is there a similar way to enable the changing of APN? Basically make visible: Settings > General > Network > Cellular Data Network
Hi Rashmin, thanks your comment. The easiest way seems to be this site: http://www.unlockit.co.nz/unlockit/ – But why would you want to? Does it give you free data? Is there something else Softbank has disabled that you want?
Hi Bitmaster,
I am already using the Unlockit option. But was wondering, if there is a simpler option to disable it. Earlier Unlockit use to let the site be opened from computer by which we can download the mobileconfig file and save it in your mail for further enabling/disabling. But it disallows it now.
Abt something else that Softbank has disabled that I would want is download MMS over wifi instead of 3G data.
And ofcourse the biggest wish is to unlock from Softbank… Just kidding
Breaks under iPhone 3.1
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Hey I followed your guide to the letter, and I can’t get this thing to work… I downloaded the above file and used the command script and when I shift-click the update button the folder in which I put the file shows nothing there’s nothing to click on… can you help me with this problem? I have the 16gb iPhone 3gs… I’m not sure if that has anything to do with it but I just thought I put that bit in too… anyhelp would be greatly appreciated.
Hmm, curious. It brings up the file select dialog box ok right? It just doesnt see the file?
(if not, try alt-clicking instead of shift clicking. if it it bringing up the dialog box ok, then carry on reading…)
Make sure you haven’t renamed the file, or downloaded it using safari. I’d suggest downloading it again and putting it on the desktop just to make things easy. I’m afraid I dont have an iphone linked to windows to test on.
Erm, yeah the little box comes up and everything, and I did put it on the desktop… but it just says that the file in there is compatable… I downloaded it through IE so that’s not the problem either… Thanks for your help thus far.. I’m gonna keep tinkering, if you come up with any other suggstions I’d love to try ‘em lol.
Finally!! I got it working… I just kept retrying lol… Although there may be a problem with the link to the ipcc that you posted.. I found another randomly through google searches.. I didn’t think it would make a difference so I didn’t copy the link sorry… but I used it and now it works perfecatly!!
Good stuff. Remember, if you upgrade to 3.1 firmware it will break the tethering. So, like, dont….
Hi, I’d be grateful for some help.
I downloaded the file thru IE and it was a zip folder with various files. I then tried the prompt on windows vista but it said it’s not a valid command.
The other problem I have is that iTunes is telling me I should update to 3.1, so the button just says update and no option to check.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!
First, stop using IE. Try downloading with Firefox, I assure you it isnt a zip file. Sorry I didnt write that in the article, didnt realise anyone was still using IE so didnt test it.
As for the command, can you find where your itunes.exe is installed to? I’m afraid I dont have a Vista computer to try with. An easy way to figure this out would be to right click on the itunes shortcut and look at the properties page. It should show you where the program is installed to. Copy that location into the command and simple add “/setPrefInt carrier-testing 1″ to the end.
Lastly, press the ALT or SHIFT key when clicking on update. It should open up a dialog box allowing you choose the ipcc file you downloaded. Do NOT update to 3.1, it will break this hack.
Hope that helps.
Thanks so much! Got there in the end! The command prompt was a little different because it’s vista.
Do you know if softbank will hit you with any addition charges for this please?
As of yet they havent. My bill was higher than normal last month but that was because of roaming charges while I was in China. I actually left my phone once too, and ended up running 2gb of torrent downloading through it until I realised!
Guys, just follow this!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sJ9minltfA
doesn’t matter with version you have. Internet tethering with softbank with work as well if you follow this.
Hi,
Thanks for your post!
Could you give more specific instruction on setting up tethering, such as how to open the terminal, etc. I download the file that you suggested, but it needs to be opened in an app.
BTW, any downsides to doing this (e.g. Softbank finding out and billing you)?
Newbie
Hi Paul. Sorry it wasnt clear enough. I assume you’re using a mac since you asked about terminal. its an application under applications > utilities. launch it and type in the code i wrote.
the ipcc file that you downloaded is to be used in conjunction with itunes. follow the instructions as i wrote them above and you should be fine, once youve done the terminal bit.
also, paul, it is very possible that softbank will bill you extra. their more recent contract revisions mention that the normal pakehoudai rate does not apply if the customer is found tethering via usb or bluetooth, and that they may charge up to 30,000 in that case. honestly, i couldnt tell you if they can really find out, but i doubt it.
myself, ive upgraded to the latest firmware which breaks tethering. if i ever need it in an emergency, ill use a non-official app since my phone is now jailbroken. this tethering hack is only needed if you havent jailbroken your phone – so if you fancy trying the jailbreak method instead (its a lot easier) check out the latest tutorial from the homepage.