How to use your cell phone as a wireless Bluetooth modem

Posted by Robert Green on Thu, 11/15/2007 - 18:19
I was recently stuck in a situation where I had absolutely no broadband connection or phone line to dial up.  What's a tech-nerd to do when in need of the internet but only able to use a laptop, cellphone and no wires?  Get this - Not only did I get this to work, but I successfully connected to my company's VPN over it and was able to work for the day, slowly but surely over the 115kbps EDGE network.  Just to push the point home, I connected to our mail server via VPN via Internet via EDGE via Cellphone via Bluetooth.  No wires needed.  The sweet part is that it doesn't cost me anything to do this because it's part of my unlimited data plan and uses no minutes.  I use T-Mobile, but will give settings to the best of my knowledge for all the other providers.

So how does one set up this miraculously long chain of physical and logical connections?  I used a Samsung D900 on T-Mobile for this but I'll try to make it work for you and your phone as well.  Also I'm going to refer to the computer as the laptop but this will work for a PC with bluetooth as well.  This technique is only for GSM networks (T-Mobile or At&t in the US).  It may work on European GSM network as well with slight modification to settings.

1) Enable bluetooth on your phone

This is easy but every phone is a little different.  In mine I have to do Applications -> Bluetooth -> Activation -> On.

2) Link your laptop with your phone

Set your phone's bluetooth to "Discoverable."  for me it's in the Bluetooth menu under "My phone's visibility."  This setting makes it so that your laptop will be able to find your phone and link to it.

'Right click on the bluetooth icon in your system tray and use the bluetooth setup wizard.  Choose "I know the service I want to use and I want to find a Bluetooth device that provides the service."  Next choose "Dial up networking."  Find your phone in the list of devices and add it.  If you have security enabled, you will be asked for a PIN.  Make up any number you want, but remember it.  On the phone, enter the PIN you made up on your laptop.

At this point you can turn off the visibility/discoverable on your phone but leave Bluetooth running.

3) Start the dial-up connection

Double click on the Bluetooth icon or right-click and "Explore my Bluetooth places."  You should see an icon that looks like a computer and a phone that says your phone's Bluetooth name and then "Dial-up Networking." Double click on that or right-click and "Connect."

For the phone number, put in *99# and dial.  Your phone should connect to EDGE/GPRS now.  If it does not, try *99**1*1# or *99***1#.  If none of these work, post a comment with your phone model and we'll see if we can figure out what the code is.

If it's successful, you'll generally see an indication on your phone that it's connected to EDGE/GPRS.  If not it'll either sit indefinitely waiting for a connection or you'll get an error.  It should not ever try to dial a number.  That is not what you want.  You want to be connected to EDGE/GPRS.

4)  Configure the proxy server

This is the part that I got stuck at the first time I tried to do this.  For those of you who have used unlocked/unbranded phones, you've had to put in some special settings to get the web/wap browser working on your phone.  This is the exact same thing but it needs to be on your computer now.  You can't directly access the web using EDGE.  You must use your carrier's proxy server.

For Internet Explorer:  Tools -> Internet Options -> Connections -> LAN Settings -> Use a proxy server for your LAN
For Firefox:  Tools -> Options -> Advanced -> Network -> Settings -> Manual Proxy Configuration
Other Applications:  Find the proxy settings.  Always use HTTP.

Now apply the proxy settings found below and give it a shot!  Remember:  EVERY application you want to have connectivity now must have proxy settings to work.  Also, make sure to check your data plan before doing this!  It could get very expensive if you don't have unlimited!

Enjoy your new bluetooth cell phone modem wireless surfing experience!

T-Mobile Proxy Settings
HTTP Proxy IP:  216.155.165.50
Port:  8080
APN:  wap.voicestream.com
Login ID:  anonymous
Password: Leave blank

AT&T/Cingular Proxy Settings
HTTP Proxy IP: 10.250.250.54
Port: 8080
APN: proxy
UserId: leave blank
Password: Leave blank

O2 Proxy Settings
HTTP Proxy IP: 193.113.200.195
Port: 8080
APN: wap.o2.co.uk
username: o2wap
password: password
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55 Comments

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connecting t919 samsung behold

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 02/27/2010 - 13:22.

Hello!
I am having difficulties connecting my Behold for internet to my laptop via bluetooth as per your instructions. Please, please, please will someone help me?!?!?!?

Thank you so much in advance!

Desperate.

Can I get my Samsung Phone to be used as a bluetooth modem?

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 02/23/2010 - 22:14.

My cell phone is through Straighttalk.com. It is a prepaid phone. Can this phone be used as a wireless bluetooth modem? It has the bluetooth capability and so does my laptop. I just don't know if a prepaid cell phone can and if so what are the settings? If you could help me I would be very appreciative.

sony ericsson w995

Submitted by Tiadrin (not verified) on Mon, 02/22/2010 - 03:15.

heya,
im trying to get this to work with my sony ericsson w995, but it cant connect.
none of the numbers work (i copyd them like in your text, or should i add my phonenumer in there somewhere to?)

noticed you said it "should" work in europe too xD
seeing thats where i am (holland) there might be some settings wich need changing or something...
could you please help me?

much apreciated

Tiadrin

can u do this with a t-mobile

Submitted by tichina (not verified) on Wed, 02/17/2010 - 13:07.

can u do this with a t-mobile tapm phone

re: How to use your cell phone as a wireless Bluetooth modem

Submitted by Carlos (not verified) on Mon, 02/08/2010 - 09:13.

Can this work for the psp go also???

Hello, I'm trying to use your

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 02/05/2010 - 21:03.

Hello,
I'm trying to use your method with an iPhone and a Sony vaio. But it's only allowing me to connect it as a headset or to sync. It should be obviouse it's AT&T .
Any help appreciated.
thank you,
Nelson

Unfortunately, iPhone does

Submitted by Robert Green on Sat, 02/06/2010 - 00:10.

Unfortunately, iPhone does not support that feature out of the box. This sort of connectivity is now called "tethering" and although MANY models of phones in the past could do it, carriers don't like it so our new superphones are not allowed! I believe rooted/hacked phones may be able to, though. You may want to take that route if you're adventurous.

can't get a connection

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 12/02/2009 - 18:18.

I have established bluetooth connection between my HP pavilion laptop and my T-mobile T-919 samsung behold phone but when I go to internet options to put in the IP address there are only two boxes one is for the address and the other is for the port. When i clear out of the internet options box and try to go to wap.voicestream.com it won't connect. I've tried all three numbers you have listed evidently my laptop is not configured right. Any helpful hints on what to do next?
Thanks

iPod Touch and LG Incite - Bluetooth Internet?

Submitted by Confused Old Lady (not verified) on Fri, 11/13/2009 - 19:00.

I would like to know if it is possible to use the internet on my LG-CT810 (Incite) for my iPod touch. Mainly because the internet browser and graphics on the phone are horrible. There are also no apps for this phone other than the three it came with, which also suck. I tried having the phone discover the iPod, but the iPod never recognized the phone. Please let me know if there is a way to connect the two, so when I am waiting at the bus stop for untold hours I can look at the map and know if the bus is coming, or if I need to walk a block over and get another one! Thank you!

HELP!!!!

Submitted by Darrell (not verified) on Wed, 09/30/2009 - 18:09.

After I hit dial it sits there and tries to connect for awhile then I get an error message and i hit more info and it says netcfg.hlp file is missing I can find the file anywhere and whats happening???? I am using a Samsung behold from t-mobile

dlicomm@gmail.com

sir help me pls

Submitted by muahkaba (not verified) on Fri, 09/25/2009 - 05:49.

sir i have a project regarding dial up connection...my prof gave us a number to dial up using my cp...but i dont know how to do it sir....this is the number of ISP tel number 8350899 username (sap00301@sm) at pwd (c8mwah)...sir is it posible to dial this number using my cp even without load sir...or is ther a way to dial this number without using telephone line and modem...this number is working in dialing using telephone and modem sir....sir thanks in advance...pls send to my email sir at muahkaba@yahoo.com

I'm sorry, I don't believe I

Submitted by Robert Green on Fri, 09/25/2009 - 14:12.

I'm sorry, I don't believe I can help you on this. I recommend asking your professor more about it.

How to connect to the internet via wi fi from my mobile 3110c

Submitted by Angel (not verified) on Fri, 09/18/2009 - 06:52.

Hi,

I have 3110C mobile phone. I have also a laptop with bluetooth connection & wifi. Using my laptop I connect to the internet via wi fi by wireless router.

My mobile phone has following connectivity: bluetooth, infrared, packet data, data transfer
In my configurations i have mobile tv, push to talk, data package, pushmail.
I want to connect to the internet by wi fi from my mobile phone to my laptop (wi fi enabled). How this can be done?
If i am trying to access web, from my mobile phone, its asking me to subscribe to packet data first.
I want to access internet or make free call from nimbuzz software from my mobile phone. Could anybody guide me?

Nokia 9300i as a Bluetooth modem to conect to a WiFi

Submitted by Samuel J Ticoalu (not verified) on Sun, 08/23/2009 - 13:27.

I am wondering if anybody could guide me on how to conect a Windows Mobile 6 Device to a WiFi connection using Bluetooth Modem of a Nokia 9300i.
Thank you.

THANKS

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 08/16/2009 - 12:27.

Robert Green you brilliant, brilliant man! I have been tearing my hair out trying to get a bluetooth coneection to my pc to deliver the internet, and your proxy set-up tip solved the problems for me. Thanks so much mate.

WORKS!

Submitted by ZeroLogix (not verified) on Fri, 06/12/2009 - 16:32.

Great info! Works unbelievably well. I'm using a Gateway MT6821 laptop and got connected with my AT&T LG Invision using an AZIO USB Micro Bluetooth Adapter (BTD-V201). *99# worked (no need for user name or password, just the initial code while pairing the phone to the laptop) and I did not have to change the Proxy Setting on Firefox Version 3.0.10. I don't have the unlimited data plan on my cellphone, but I just wanted to see if I would be able to connect and possibly change my plan in the future. No point in upgrading the plan if I won't be able to connect. Thanks again!

Manage Network Connections

Submitted by ZeroLogix (not verified) on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 08:21.

As a side note, during subsequent restarts (Vista Home Premium) the default Network Connection got changed to Dail-Up (1) and I was not able to connect using my wireless network connection. I went to the "Network and Sharing Center" (start menu => network => network and sharing center [from toolbar] ) and from the tasks on the left column chose "Manage Network Connections". From there I right clicked on the Dail-Up (1) icon and chose "Cancel as Default Connection" from the drop down menu that appeared. Restarted the laptop and was able to automatically connect with my wireless network connection once again.

wow! it works! thank you very

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 06/12/2009 - 10:58.

wow! it works! thank you very much!

i'm using a Nokia 3110c and an acer.

much love. xoxo. ;)

Glad to hear! Enjoy!

Submitted by Robert Green on Fri, 06/12/2009 - 11:03.

Glad to hear!

Enjoy!

question

Submitted by Ed V. (not verified) on Sat, 05/16/2009 - 12:33.

do i need to have phone as modem plan in order not to get charged, i have unlimited data plan but i dont have the phone as modem plan. Thanks

As far as I know, neither

Submitted by Robert Green on Sat, 05/16/2009 - 16:26.

As far as I know, neither T-Mobile nor AT&T have "phone as modem" plans. As far as your carrier is concerned, the data you use through your phone, whether directly on it or via a modem link is just data. It should all just fall under your regular data plan.

Not working

Submitted by Elias (not verified) on Tue, 04/28/2009 - 11:06.

When I type *99# and press the dial button i get ana alert on my Nokia 6300 phone telling me that packet data are not allowed. What shoul i do ???

Did you try any of the other

Submitted by Robert Green on Tue, 04/28/2009 - 11:15.

Did you try any of the other numbers? Also - you did this on the dial-up networking, not on the phone itself, right?

re: How to use your cell phone as a wireless Bluetooth modem

Submitted by Ben (not verified) on Sat, 11/17/2007 - 14:50.

This worked perfectly, thanks! I did not however need to set up a proxy server. I'm using AT&T (was Cingular) with a Samsung D805 phone.

re: How to use your cell phone as a wireless Bluetooth modem

Submitted by Tony (not verified) on Mon, 12/31/2007 - 01:24.

I have an AT&T Tilt and the dial in codes do not seem to work. Has anyone with this device had success with these instructions?Appreciate any tips. Thanks.

re: How to use your cell phone as a wireless Bluetooth modem

Submitted by roy (not verified) on Wed, 02/27/2008 - 19:33.

I have blackberry 8230, T-Mobile service.What is the phone number, username and passworder that I need to key in?Thank you

re: How to use your cell phone as a wireless Bluetooth modem

Submitted by Jeff Sarratt (not verified) on Tue, 04/01/2008 - 11:54.

I have an HTC 8125 with service through att. I just bought a new compaq f700 laptop and added bluetooth (kinsington). I have been able to connect the phones but the dial numbers do not work. I have even tried using certain password and usernames given on other sites like wap@cingulargprs.com and cingular1Help

re: How to use your cell phone as a wireless Bluetooth modem

Submitted by Robert Green (not verified) on Tue, 04/01/2008 - 12:57.

There are some model phones which can not do this trick. I'm not familiar with the HTC phones. I would ask first - Can you make it work with a serial cable? If you can get the EDGE service to work over that, then you can try bluetooth.

re: How to use your cell phone as a wireless Bluetooth modem

Submitted by Jeff Sarratt (not verified) on Tue, 04/01/2008 - 13:47.

I have made it work with my other dell laptop. But I cannot get it to work with this one

re: How to use your cell phone as a wireless Bluetooth modem

Submitted by Jeff Sarratt (not verified) on Wed, 04/02/2008 - 00:41.

Hi,My problem was with the the Bluetooth program. I had to use the complicated load instead of the recommended. ONce I created my connection correctly, ,making sure that the bluetooth was recognized as a modem it was all good.

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