iPhone OS 4.0 beta 4 includes AT&T tethering option

See that screen there? That's from the minty fresh beta 4 of iPhone OS 4.0, which was just released to developers moments ago. Unless our eyes are badly mistaken, that's an option to setup internet tethering on AT&T, something that WWAN warriors have been waiting for since... oh, forever. We're downloading the new build as we speak, and we'll let you know if we find anything out. Oh, and don't get your hopes up too high -- AT&T proclaimed that it was "still waiting on better network performance" before enabling iPhone tethering just three weeks ago.

Update: There's a video of the screens after the break, just in case your belief was temporarily suspended for any reason. Thanks, Jerish!

Update 2: Well, this is interesting -- we just updated an iPhone 3GS in Chicago, and we're not seeing the tethering option. We're guessing this is a glitch or just a mismatched carrier setting file, since so many others are seeing it, but we'll do some digging and see what's up.

Update 3: Okay, we've got it sorted -- all it took was a quick network settings reset. Thanks, Gray!

[Thanks, Pete]

See more video at our hub!

[pika2000 Posted May 19th 2010 12:19AM]

Wow, after a year, AT&T finally will catch up with wireless providers in 3rd world countries. But do we speak to soon?

[Wesscoast Posted May 19th 2010 2:25AM]

@pika2000

I know! When the kids in Africa aren't starving or carrying water across a 40 mile wasteland, they tethering their Incredibles to their HandCrank Lappies!! Get back to work kids!!!

[RJMcKenzie Posted May 19th 2010 4:06PM]

@Wesscoast

I highly doubt that African kids are using their Incredible's to tether. The Incredible is a CDMA phone and to the best of my knowledge of Africa's cell networks... There is no CDMA.

[dhamson Posted May 19th 2010 12:36AM]

I love tethering on my iPhone legitly in Canada...I also despise AT&T.

[oldnerd Posted May 19th 2010 12:43AM]

Wow! Another 'innovative' Apple feature that has existed in 'ancient' phones for more than five years. I predict that iphone will be history within three years under joint Android and WinMo 7 assault. All close systems (and society) ultimately fails to adjust to the need of the majority.

[JonnyO Posted May 19th 2010 12:52AM]

Got tethering on 3.1.3 today, thanks to Spirit and MyWi. If AT&T doesn't like that then they can call my toll-free hotline and wait on endless hold to voice a futile complaint to one of my friendly customer service reps.

[SteveyAyo Posted May 19th 2010 1:11AM]

will i be able to wirelessly connect up to 8 devices with it? oh, im going with EVO thanks tho

[CultOfOne Posted May 19th 2010 1:11AM]

I have been using the tethering on my iphone in Australia and it has been very good. I am with the 3 network and it is a free part of my data package which is 3gig per month in my calls contract.

Wouldn't have it any other way now, got sick of having phone, ipod and network card every where i went for work, now all in one box.

[spellbinder Posted May 19th 2010 1:24AM]

you guys know that you can change the carrier settings quite easily without jailbreaking?
you just have to download the latest at&t carrier settings file, extract it,
change the version number to something way newer ( so it wont be updated with the next at&t release,
add the setting you want to change,
create a new package file ( its just a zip you have to rename to .ipcc )
copy it to the itunes folder for carrier updates
/Users/[Username]/Library/iTunes/iPhone Carrier Support/

* In Windows XP:

C:\Documents and Settings\[Username]\Application Data\Apple Computer\iTunes\iPhone Carrier Support

* In Windows Vista:

C:\Documents and Settings\[username]\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\iTunes\iPhone Carrier Support\ in Windows Vista.

then itunes should ask to install the file if you sync.

at least it worked like this half a year ago to set a different apn in switzerland.

[pika2000 Posted May 19th 2010 1:41AM]

@ddddd Errr, you're assuming that any Android phones will get 2.2. Other than the unlocked Nexus One, I don't see Verizon/Sprint/T-Mobile would just allow their phones to be upgraded 2.2 with that feature turned-on for free.

Of course, you can already use an app like pdanet (which is available for both android and jailbroken iPhone), but that's besides the point. This is a built-in tethering feature from the OS itself, something that even an un-rooted Android cannot do (until 2.2 that is).

[mtissington Posted May 19th 2010 1:42AM]

Here is a very disapointing llink ...


http://www.wireless.att.com/answer-center/main.jsp?t=solutionTab&solutionId=KB98980"

I'll be sticking to jail breaking my phone thanks!

[LikeAThief Posted May 19th 2010 1:55AM]

I've been tethering since my Sony Erricson T610. still doing on my jailbroken iPhone 3.1.2.

AT&T is bat crap crazy if they think i'm going to pay them extra for it. He'll, I'm canceling my texting plan and going back to an IM client. Paid texting is for tweens. Freakin vultures at At&t.

[Wesscoast Posted May 19th 2010 2:21AM]

@ddddd

also your dreams about how many people are actually interested in tethering or even know what the f it means are really amazing. Have you been outside in the last 6 months. Human beings do not make insane frantic decisions based on the ability to plug their cell phones into their laptops because there's no wifi. They just go somewhere where there's wifi.

[iphonebeta Posted May 19th 2010 4:29AM]

I've got the latest versions up at http://iphone-beta.co.cc (3G version is currently uploading, 30 minutes remaining)

[Doczaius Posted May 19th 2010 8:13AM]

@ddddd

Hell yeah! Who needs tethering when you can have an android. Someday you'll be a real boy but until then go make me a sandwich.

[Veraxus Posted May 19th 2010 10:45AM]

I jailbroke for multitasking (Backgrounder+Kirikae) and MyWi (for mobile hotspot/tethering). I will not pay another dime for a feature that should be included with my current exorbitantly overpriced plan... I'll just keep Jailbreaking my phone and reinstalling MyWi (which is a lot more convenient than cable-based tethering, anyway).

As for downloading apps illegally, that's just stupid. Pay the poor developers for the time spend on their stuff. Apps don't write themselves, it takes a lot of time and dedication... and the things are generally under a buck, for science' sake.

[GGG Posted May 19th 2010 11:34AM]

Excellent, the iPhone MIGHT get a payable feature that Symbian users have been using for at least the last 5 years for free.


Thanks Steve Jobs, we love you!

[zeitgeist Posted May 19th 2010 12:34PM]

@GGG How many of you people failed reading comprehension? The iPhone has supported this, it's ATT that hasn't allowed it.

[paintballroxs567 Posted May 19th 2010 11:58AM]

just called att. they said teathering is still not supported even though the option on the phone is visible.

[Moisture Posted May 19th 2010 1:10PM]

AT&T is finally starting to catch up with the rest of the world? Wait? What? Im shocked!

[coldstream Posted May 19th 2010 2:09PM]

I tried resetting my network settings on my iPhone 3GS with the new beta. Still can't get the tethering option to show up. What gives??

[MikeyBUK Posted May 20th 2010 5:56AM]

Does that make sense? "contact AT&T at 611" surely it should be "contact AT&T on 611"?