Ever been stuck in the middle of a work video call when your internet connection drops? Or perhaps you run a small retail business and the internet goes down, leaving a trail of impatient customers as your POS and Eftpos system goes down with it. If you use an ASUS router for your Wi-Fi network, there's an easy solution to this! With the help of 4G/5G Auto Mobile Tethering, you can transform your smartphone's cellular data connection into a backup internet source for your home network. This nifty feature ensures you stay connected even when your primary internet service experiences an outage.
Here's what you'll need:
- An ASUS router with compatible firmware: All WiFi 7 models and WiFi 6 models equipped with USB and the following firmware version enables the support of 4G/5G Auto Mobile Tethering:
- Firmware between 3.0.0.4.388.23000 and 3.0.0.4.388.29999.
- Any version beyond 3.0.0.4.388.31900.
- Any version beyond 3.0.0.4.386.69019.
- An iPhone or Android smartphone with a mobile data plan: Make sure your phone has a data plan that allows tethering and has sufficient data remaining to avoid exceeding your limits.
- A USB cable: You'll need a cable to physically connect your smartphone to the USB port on your ASUS router.
A Step-by-Step Guide
- Unlock your smartphone and navigate to its network settings. The specific steps to enable USB tethering may vary depending on your phone's brand and operating system. Here's a general guideline:
- Android: Typically found under "Settings" > "Network & internet" or "Connections." Look for options like "USB tethering," "USB internet sharing," or similar wording.
- iPhone: Go to "Settings" > "Cellular" and activate "Personal Hotspot."
- With USB tethering enabled on your phone, connect it to the USB port on your ASUS router using the cable.
- You might see a prompt on your phone asking you to "Trust this device." Select "Trust" to allow the connection.
- That's it! Your ASUS router should automatically detect the connection and begin utilizing your smartphone's cellular data as a backup internet source.
Verification and Management:
While the setup is refreshingly simple, you can verify the connection status through your ASUS router's web interface. Open a web browser on any device connected to your ASUS router's Wi-Fi network and type the router's IP address in the address bar. (If you don't know your router's IP address, you can usually find it printed on a sticker on the back of the router). You'll be prompted to enter your router's username and password. Once logged in, navigate to the network map or connected devices section to confirm the connection with your smartphone and internet access via cellular data.
Advantages of 4G/5G Auto Mobile Tethering:
- Uninterrupted Connectivity: Say goodbye to worrying about internet dropouts interrupting your work, online gaming, or streaming marathons. 4G/5G Auto Mobile Tethering seamlessly transitions your devices to your phone's cellular data, keeping you connected.
- Simple Setup: The entire process involves enabling USB tethering on your phone and plugging it into your router. No complex configurations are required.
- High Compliance: Benefit from the common RNDIS protocol, most modern iPhone and Android phones is compliant.
- Significantly Faster than USB Dongle: You can achieve a few hundred percent faster throughput receiving internet over smartphone tethering in comparison to conventional USB dongle over the same SIM card.
Keep these Limitations in Mind:
- Data Consumption: Relying on your phone's data plan can quickly deplete your data allowance. Be mindful of your data usage and consider setting data usage limits on your phone to avoid unwanted charges.
4G/5G Auto Mobile Tethering on ASUS routers offers a convenient and user-friendly solution to maintain internet connectivity during primary connection outages. By following these simple steps, you can ensure your devices stay online and productive, even when your internet service falters. Remember to manage your data usage and keep your phone charged for a seamless experience.