Cheap smartphone for tethering

robbob10111/02/2022 11:32

Thanks!How do you access the Asus control panel USB Application?

Make a note of the control panel URL stated on rear / underside of router.
Make a note of the control panel login user+pass stated on rear / underside of router.
Optionally make a note of any wifi network name+pass stated on rear / underside of router.
Turn on router.
Connect the controlling device to the router via ethernet or wifi.
Open a browser on the controlling device.
Visit control panel URL.
Log in to control panel.

robbob10110/02/2022 23:55

...but how do you configure it all? I.e. What else needs to be done on …...but how do you configure it all? I.e. What else needs to be done on phone & hub? Presumably just plugging it in isn't enough. Must be software etc?Thanks!Read lessRead more

There's a live simulator of a typical Asus router control panel at URL below.
Maybe visit it to see how simple it would be to tether an Android phone to an Asus router to share the phone's internet, plus you can gain a feel for all the other config features for wifi settings, VPN settings, torrent client settings, etc.
The demo starts as if you had already logged into the router.
Best results will be seen if accessed from a device with reasonable-sized screen, so ideally anything above a handset.

Visit demoui.asus.com/
In left panel, access << USB application >>
In centre of page, access << 3G/4G >>
Enable << USB mode >>
From << Select USB device >>, select << Android phone >>
Click << Apply >>.
Job done.
Blunt reminder: this is a simulator, it has no real-world impact on whatever network you are using to access the simulator

Not every Asus router control panel will be exactly the same to the simulator as some models may have more (or less) features, but the basic layout and concepts will be similar.

Alan__Smith12/02/2022 17:42

Just browsing through the discussions and stumbled upon this one.. Well …Just browsing through the discussions and stumbled upon this one.. Well done AndyRoyd that's quite a bit of helpful blurb you've put out thereGot me thinking about ditching BT Broadband and landline, around £35 monthly, and having a go at this following your ABC Guide. Tell me, rather than spending out on a Galaxy or anything like that, shan't be using it as a phone, what about something I've seen on Ebay a ZTE Blade 3. Runs Android 4, has a micoUSB (USB 2). Around £20. What do you think?Read lessRead more

Just observational:
typical unlimited cellular data plan will be about £15/m with no significant discounts available.
Compare to moving an existing landline+BB arrangement to Now Fibre BB at £20/m on a 12m contract but with £90 cashback opportunity, so equiv to around £12.90/m factoring £5 delivery. Even if the cashback was messed up, the Now option is still marginally cheaper than the cellular option that (likely) requires phone+router purchase costs.

you're better off getting a 4g router that takes a sim card and pop in a smarty rolling monthly sim/plan

get some free sims and see how the signal bars are

If its just the phone you want pop on Gumtree and buy something like a Galaxy s7 or something

Any grade B or above Android phone with non-removeable battery from CEX, to benefit from 2 years warranty.
Or from CEX with removable battery if you are comfortable funding any battery replacement rather than have CEX sort the non-removable battery under warranty.

xjlwb10/02/2022 22:59

you're better off getting a 4g router that takes a sim card and pop in a …you're better off getting a 4g router that takes a sim card and pop in a smarty rolling monthly sim/planRead lessRead more

Thanks. Why do you say this? Do you have a specific product in mind? Isn't it more expensive?

robbob10110/02/2022 23:01

Thanks. Why do you say this? Do you have a specific product in mind? Isn't …Thanks. Why do you say this? Do you have a specific product in mind? Isn't it more expensive?Read lessRead more

it's more appropriate for what you need as it will have a stronger/better signal because of the antennas and you can connect a lot more devices to it compared to a mobile, look for a tp-link router or similar on ebay should be around £50

xjlwb10/02/2022 23:04

it's more appropriate for what you need as it will have a stronger/better …it's more appropriate for what you need as it will have a stronger/better signal because of the antennas and you can connect a lot more devices to it compared to a mobile, look for a tp-link router or similar on ebay should be around £50Read lessRead more

Nah. Android smartphone USB tethered to an (example) "standard" Asus router will mean the user still has access to the SIM plan's minutes and text, plus the router will likely provide features far greater than most £50 4G routers, such as dual wifi at greater penetration, multiple gigabit ethernet ports, integral VPN client, integral torrent client, etc.
Random example router having such features is typically about a fiver on the bay, recent example archive.is/r3TI2
and if the user doesn't have one kicking around: say £1 for the USB cable...

If the user absolutely has to blow the £50 equivalent cost of a naff 4G router: look at what they could have won:
amazon.co.uk/why…F7/

AndyRoyd10/02/2022 23:45

Nah. Android smartphone USB tethered to an (example) "standard" Asus …Nah. Android smartphone USB tethered to an (example) "standard" Asus router will mean the user still has access to the SIM plan's minutes and text, plus the router will likely provide features far greater than most £50 4G routers, such as dual wifi at greater penetration, multiple gigabit ethernet ports, integral VPN client, integral torrent client, etc.Random example router having such features is typically about a fiver on the bay, recent example https://archive.is/r3TI2and if the user doesn't have one kicking around: say £1 for the USB cable...If the user absolutely has to blow the £50 equivalent cost of a naff 4G router: look at what they could have won:https://www.amazon.co.uk/why-bother-with-that-4G-router-rubbish/dp/B084HZR7F7/Read lessRead more

Hello, thanks for the input, that's very helpful.
I have a few questions if you'd mind:
- do all WiFi hubs have USB slot?
- I assume you plug the phone into the USB in the hub with a normal USB-c cable?
- maybe a silly question, but how do you configure it all? I.e. What else needs to be done on phone & hub? Presumably just plugging it in isn't enough. Must be software etc?

Thanks!

robbob10110/02/2022 23:55

Hello, thanks for the input, that's very helpful.I have a few questions if …Hello, thanks for the input, that's very helpful.I have a few questions if you'd mind:- do all WiFi hubs have USB slot?- I assume you plug the phone into the USB in the hub with a normal USB-c cable?- maybe a silly question, but how do you configure it all? I.e. What else needs to be done on phone & hub? Presumably just plugging it in isn't enough. Must be software etc?Thanks!Read lessRead more

Some routers may have USB ports but not all those routers have USB tether feature, sometimes referred to as "USB 3G/4G".
Most Asus routers beyond the very base models will have USB 3G/4G feature, and usually shout about it in its marketing / spec sheet.

Generic instructions for most Asus routers with USB 3G/4G, either for phone or dedicated USB dongle:

Buy Asus router. Turn it on.
Plug USB cable into router.
Plug USB into phone. Turn it on.
When phone has booted, activate the phone's USB tether.
Go to Asus control panel USB Application > 3G/4G > Internet Connection and "Enable USB Mode", and "Apply"
Connect your devices to either of the dual wifi bands (or even guest wifi) and/or gigabit LAN ports.
Surf, download, upload, stream, do whatever you normally do.

The length of the USB cable will permit placement of the phone for best signal reception, say up to 5metres from router.
Phone will be powered by USB when in use so no worries about power or charging.

AndyRoyd11/02/2022 00:20

Some routers may have USB ports but not all those routers have USB tether …Some routers may have USB ports but not all those routers have USB tether feature, sometimes referred to as "USB 3G/4G". Most Asus routers beyond the very base models will have USB 3G/4G feature, and usually shout about it in its marketing / spec sheet.Generic instructions for most Asus routers with USB 3G/4G, either for phone or dedicated USB dongle:Buy Asus router. Turn it on.Plug USB cable into router.Plug USB into phone. Turn it on.When phone has booted, activate the phone's USB tether.Go to Asus control panel USB Application > 3G/4G > Internet Connection and "Enable USB Mode", and "Apply"Connect your devices to either of the dual wifi bands (or even guest wifi) and/or gigabit LAN ports.Surf, download, upload, stream, do whatever you normally do.The length of the USB cable will permit placement of the phone for best signal reception, say up to 5metres from router.Phone will be powered by USB when in use so no worries about power or charging.Read lessRead more

Thanks!
How do you access the Asus control panel USB Application?

AndyRoyd11/02/2022 15:54

There's a live simulator of a typical Asus router control panel at URL …There's a live simulator of a typical Asus router control panel at URL below.Maybe visit it to see how simple it would be to tether an Android phone to an Asus router to share the phone's internet, plus you can gain a feel for all the other config features for wifi settings, VPN settings, torrent client settings, etc.The demo starts as if you had already logged into the router.Best results will be seen if accessed from a device with reasonable-sized screen, so ideally anything above a handset.Visit https://demoui.asus.com/In left panel, access << USB application >>In centre of page, access << 3G/4G >>Enable << USB mode >>From << Select USB device >>, select << Android phone >>Click << Apply >>.Job done.Blunt reminder: this is a simulator, it has no real-world impact on whatever network you are using to access the simulator Not every Asus router control panel will be exactly the same to the simulator as some models may have more (or less) features, but the basic layout and concepts will be similar.Read lessRead more

Just browsing through the discussions and stumbled upon this one.. Well done AndyRoyd that's quite a bit of helpful blurb you've put out there
Got me thinking about ditching BT Broadband and landline, around £35 monthly, and having a go at this following your ABC Guide.
Tell me, rather than spending out on a Galaxy or anything like that, shan't be using it as a phone, what about something I've seen on Ebay a ZTE Blade 3. Runs Android 4, has a micoUSB (USB 2). Around £20. What do you think?

A good point @AndyRoyd
However I only need a short term thing (6 months ish). Therefore a fibre broadband deal wouldn't be an option.
Therefore following @Alan__Smith 's question about a good cheap android phone to use.

robbob10112/02/2022 19:51

A good point @AndyRoydHowever I only need a short term thing (6 months …A good point @AndyRoydHowever I only need a short term thing (6 months ish). Therefore a fibre broadband deal wouldn't be an option.Therefore following @Alan__Smith 's question about a good cheap android phone to use.Read lessRead more

The prev phone suggestion of ancient ZTE Blade 3 or any other non-4G device will be a significant compromise if settling for max 3G speed.

Thanks for all the help

I am in a similar situation as you and wondered how you have got on??