How to tether your iPhone running OS 3.0 without jailbreaking, for free

Is it simple? Yes. Risky? A bit. Legal? We'll leave that to the lawyers 'cause we know that you're aching to give tethering a spin over your newly downloaded iPhone OS 3.0 update. We've seen several guides to enable tethering ever since OS 3.0 was first released into beta (and into the wilds) oh so many days ago. However, these were always carrier/country specific and required a bit more command line tampering than the common man could stomach. Now an automated solution has come to our attention that just works, is global, and doesn't require a jailbreak. Essentially, you use your iPhone to browse to a site that you've never heard of (help.benm.at), download a file that promises to reconfigure your local carrier profile, and then switch on tethering as you would had you tithed a monthly tethering fee to your carrier. We've confirmed that it works on T-Mobile NL and on O2 UK. There's obvious risk here so be careful and backup your iPhone first before giving this a shot. And don't go nuts either -- remember, your unlimited data plan likely contains a "fair use" clause and you can bet that carriers won't be happy to see their bandwidth diminish without compensation. Now brace yourselves and hit the read link for the full procedure... ready, go!

Update: Some are reporting that this procedure could disable MMS and visual voicemail depending on your country and carrier -- a fair trade for many.

Update 2: Techradar reports that O2 UK has responded to the tethering hack saying, "we reserve the right to charge customers making modem use of their iPhone or disconnect them." This assumes O2 can identify such customers.

[DR House @ Jun 18th 2009 3:56AM]

Gonna download 5000GB of torrent with this

[ChrisTheFeral @ Jun 18th 2009 3:59AM]

I am also going to be downloading gigabytes of files, I'ma download Windows 7 on mai iPhone, delete it and download it again just because I have the ability to.

[DWells55 @ Jun 18th 2009 4:20AM]

People have gotten angry letters from AT&T just for downloading a few hundred MBs. Have fun getting kicked off the service and forced to pay an ETF.

[LondonConsultant @ Jun 18th 2009 4:23AM]

I'm going to buy a global network of datacentres and download a copy of the entire Internet to it via an iPhone.

[nDy @ Jun 18th 2009 5:37AM]

Fair Use Policy?
I think there is always a reason for them to not providing service.

"The sudden massive raise in data usage had drawn our attention,
which may represent an unauthorised access to your device,
and in order to protect you from attacks,
we've just suspended your data service in order to isolate you from possible harm,
to reactive data service, please mail in form G3241343
to *********,**********,CA."

[DR House @ Jun 18th 2009 6:12AM]

I don't understand why American is getting ripped off, the technology is there and its cheap in europe
in many countries in europe 50$ for unlimited 3G use (Called Broadband Mobile here but its 3G HSDPA)
While in USA you pay 50$ for 5GB who the hell use 5GB these days in a month? I stream more than 5GB from youtube a DAY lolz

In Singapore Every Citizen get FREE WIRELESS Broadband with unlimited downloads if you don't believe me Google it yourself

[Notung @ Jun 18th 2009 6:52AM]

Yeah, mate, for that type of usage, you will have to recgharge your iPhone batteries at least a million times... good luck.

Probably, future iPhone 5G Sxi++, will carry a mini nuclear reactor to give juice even to your laptop (wirelessly, of course), and you will be able to tether your whole commute to the Moon and back

[Skeezle @ Jun 18th 2009 7:56AM]

go for broke and go for 5 terabytes

[Jon @ Jun 18th 2009 8:48AM]

wow the sarcasm...

[kjb434 @ Jun 18th 2009 9:15AM]

DR House,

Nothing is ever free. You pay for it through other ways that you just don't know.

[ravensfan55 @ Jun 18th 2009 9:43AM]

In European countries, carriers can afford to carpet bomb the country they offer service in with cell towers, since the area isn't that large.
America, on the other hand, has a ton of area and some carriers have to sacrifice speed for coverage.

[digitallysick @ Jun 18th 2009 3:29PM]

For $30.00 a month with the att data plan I would max this MotherF*&^%$ out

[spencereholtaway @ Jun 18th 2009 5:31PM]

Thanks. Looking forward to patchy service on o2 for the next few days until they catch up with you and all the others. Real nice.

[rippinhonda @ Jun 18th 2009 3:57AM]

hmmm, did not see AT&T mentioned... Oh well time to try to tether with my iphone 1.0 edge network. haha

[wickedpheonix @ Jun 18th 2009 9:24AM]

Yeah the profile doesn't work for us 1st gen iPhone users - damnit. Just because we're limited to EDGE speeds doesn't mean we wouldn't like 3G too!

[wickedpheonix @ Jun 18th 2009 9:25AM]

....err, tethering too. *damn not having an edit button*

[Billy @ Jun 18th 2009 1:48PM]

Ah that's hella lame. Yeah edge is slow but I was still looking forward to having this option when needed. Just a few weeks ago I was on a short trip and I'm on call 24/7 and need access to internet at the blink of an eye. The place we were staying claimed tdo have internet but it didn't work. So I didn't have access to anything other than my phone. Luckkily there were no emergencies, but if there, tethering woulud have saved my ass, even over EDGE.

[Paul Mensah @ Jun 18th 2009 3:57AM]

What if AT&T decides to release its carrier update does it mess this up then? and does this enable MMS?

[Luis @ Jun 19th 2009 7:01AM]

Probably , tethering is a phone function. On most smart phones it only requires the carriers settings for the connection.
This hack just gives you the settings which the carrier can change. I have a link to the site and settings at my site, I dont think it is the same link as the one in theis article.
I won't post it here because I have posted too many links to my site on Endgadget already , but you could always check my other posts.

[Arthur @ Jun 18th 2009 4:02AM]

Well, the tethering on T-Mobile NL might work but be aware that MMS and Visual Voicemail will NOT work correctly after installing the file from that site (at least not after a reboot). As far as I know there is currently *no* definitive way to make all three work simultaneously in the Netherlands.

[Yi-Chao Huang @ Jun 18th 2009 4:01AM]

And I have a 3g data usb data plan... God I hate myself.

[John Chang @ Jun 18th 2009 4:03AM]

are the only benefits of teathering your iphone allowing one to have unlimited internet service?

[LordFarkward @ Jun 18th 2009 4:12AM]

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=tethering

[Twitchy @ Jun 18th 2009 4:05AM]

Pffft, fat load of good that does us in New Zealand; the "best" plan Vodafone offers (for a proud $130NZD per month) is, brace for it, an astounding 500MB. We tend to get screwed over down here, without the benefit of areach-around.

[tj @ Jun 18th 2009 4:31AM]

EXACTLY!!!
The plans that vodafone NZ give us are utter crap, and quite frankly shameful to the NZ apple community.
Here's hoping Telecom become a official carrier of the iphone 3GS, as then we might see some reasonable priced plans.
The only good thing about the New Zealand mobile phone situation is that all phones (including iphones!) are fully unlocked.
EVERYTHING else, (most importantly data- as you stated) is an absolute joke.

cheers,
TJ

[Matt @ Jun 18th 2009 8:09AM]

Come on, you're being unreasonable. I don't disagree that we're getting shafted, but it's been YEARS since we've seen prices like those. We're talking before the iPhone even existed. Back before it was released, 1GB of 3G data was $49.95.

No term contract, 3GB 3G costs $79.95NZD/Month. Still way too high, still much better than what Telecom offers, even on XT - so stop wishing for a Telecom 3GS now because they'll certainly charge you more than Vodafone.

By the way, pay as you go, for 500MB (on ANY vodafone plan) would now be $50 a month (100MB = $10, on both prepaid and on account)

Hopefully 2degrees will come in and compete, but I doubt they'll challenge the 3G data status quo. It's just far to profitable to match their competitors pricing.

We are getting shafted for our 3G data, but it's no where near as bad as you make out. You're out by 2.5X the actual cost of 3G.

[tj @ Jun 18th 2009 9:01AM]

Although I agree your argument is plausible, I some what disagree with the fact that you believe for $50NZD you can get 500mb of data for the Iphone . Current of 12.57am, the vodafone website clearly sates that for $130NZD (the most expensive plan) the included amount of data is 500mb, and correct me if I am wrong, But I believe that you can only have these 'made for Iphone plans' with the Apple Iphone, and that any other 'standard' plan is non applicable.

After owning an iphone for some time now I feel it would be a step backwards to change to any other mobile device out there - the Iphone is far superior to the other options out there (better UI, ipod etc.) so I some what feel stuck for choice.

With an Iphone on XT we would achieve far better 3G coverage and more competitive pricing amongst carriers.

cheers,
TJ

[Quantic @ Jun 18th 2009 4:09AM]

I still get "To enable tethering on this account" after doing this walk through? Is it proven for o2?

[Quantic @ Jun 18th 2009 4:11AM]

Sorry, the article does say its o2 proven but doesn't work regardless.

[Michael @ Jun 18th 2009 10:57AM]

I have a 3G on O2 in the UK, just downloaded the file, and it works fine. Just reloaded this page and using tethering. I've found that I'm loading pages a lot faster using the safari browser on my MacBook Pro than the browser on my iPhone. This is going to come in very handy for long trips.

[Richard Lai @ Jun 18th 2009 11:52AM]

Try refreshing the download page, or even restart the iPhone before doing so, and see if it helps.

It definitely works on O2. :)

[LukeCarroll @ Jun 18th 2009 12:56PM]

Works absolutely fine for me on o2 uk, although i can't get it to work over bluetooth, windows is asking me to install drivers when i pair my iphone with it. Is this apple punishing me for having a windows pc?

[Richard Lai @ Jun 18th 2009 2:35PM]

@Luke: Have you installed the latest iTunes? You might need that.

[engorged @ Jun 18th 2009 4:08AM]

OFF-TOPIC::
Can anybody please tell me what was "enhanced" in the calendar app? Why do I see colored background on events under the 3.0 features of the apple site but all of my events still remain with the same blue background?

[Neil M @ Jun 18th 2009 5:26AM]

I think the different colors represent different calendars. You can add additional calendars now in mail/add account/other/caldav account i.e. your google calendar etc

[engorged @ Jun 18th 2009 6:30AM]

thanks a lot for replying... so if I make my own events using the calendar app everything would just be color blue but if add other's calendars (thru invitation?) they would be of different color (per calendar perhaps). I tried syncing my google calendar, but it still shows that blue background same as my events on my phone. =)

[Jeff @ Jun 18th 2009 8:27AM]

It also now allows you to invite other people. I have been on a MS Exchange server for the past year and this simple feature is a welcome addition. Although it still does not allow you to see invite's schedule to better determine a proper meeting time nor does it allow you to add assets such as rooms. Correct me if I am wrong.

[Jonathan Sundy @ Jun 18th 2009 8:54AM]

Previously you only got the different colors with Mobile Me or Mac sync'd calendars, but I might not be understanding what you are particularly refering too.

Suppose you have 2 calendars on your phone (Work and Personal) when you create an event on your calendar (Doctor's Appointment) you can choose which calendar it gets assigned too. IIRC Each calendar will have a different color to represent it's events in.

[dagamer43 @ Jun 18th 2009 9:36AM]

Also, if you are using iCal on a Mac, your iPhone will now put your subscribed calendars on your phone.

[James @ Jun 18th 2009 4:13AM]

Works fine on my O2 3G, hopefully wont end up getting charged for it...

[heffeque @ Jun 18th 2009 8:01AM]

It's interesting to see that O2 UK (owned by Telefónica) doesn't allow tethering but Movistar España (owned by Telefónica) does allow tethering. What gives?

[nintendo fanboy hater @ Jun 18th 2009 4:13AM]

Give me some waffle fries— and a Dr. Pepper, Fo' free!

[Anthony @ Jun 18th 2009 4:15AM]

unforgivable...

[James @ Jun 18th 2009 4:48AM]

At "To enable tethering.." just click cancel, then it should work fine

[Kebab in Korea @ Jun 18th 2009 4:14AM]

Can I tether an ipod touchs wifi connection to my laptop. Reason being is that iPod touch internet in Korea is £1.50 a month and laptop wifi is £15 a month. (wifi only works for my ipod touch mac address.)

[giuliop @ Jun 18th 2009 5:06AM]

Your PC Mac Address can usually be changed easily: www.irongeek.com/i.php?page=security/changemac

[spencer slezak @ Jun 18th 2009 4:15AM]

Got it working with ATT and my MBP. :)

[iChristian3G @ Jun 18th 2009 4:42AM]

I as well. Very simple.

[ben @ Jun 18th 2009 5:06AM]

hey man do you have a 3G or the first gen iPhone? I saw you succeded and I wanted to see if you can do this with the first gen.

[spencer slezak @ Jun 18th 2009 5:37AM]

3G.

couldn't help ya on the first gen.