How to Tether iPhone 3G/3GS over USB/Bluetooth on 3.0 Firmware

The following is a guide on how to get Internet Tethering up and running with iPhone 3G or iPhone 3GS.

Before you begin, you will need the following:

  • An iPhone 3G or iPhone 3GS running 3.0 firmware
  • An iPhone sync cable
  • A computer with a Bluetooth connection or Bluetooth capabilities
  • Rogers/Fido permission to tether (click here to understand this)

Note: The iPhone 2G does not officially support tethering through iPhone software 3.0

Tethering

———

How to setup Tethering via USB on a Mac

1. Turn on iPhone 3G/3GS. Turn on Computer.

2. Plug iPhone 3G/3GS into Mac via the iPhone USB cable.

3. On the iPhone 3G/3GS, go to ‘Settings > General > Network > Internet Tethering’ and switch it to ‘On’. When prompted, choose the ‘USB’ option.

4. If your Mac prompts you to open the Network Settings, do so. If not, you will have to do it the long, which is: ‘Open the Apple Menu in the top left corner of your Mac, go to System Preferences, click on Network’

5. Now highlight the new Ethernet Connection that is your iPhone 3G/3GS on the left side and click “Apply” in bottom right corner of the Network Preferences.

6. Go to a website on your Mac.

Note: The setup method for USB will only have to be done one time per computer. When you want to tether in the future, simply do only Steps 1, 2 and 3.

———

How to setup Tethering via Bluetooth on a Mac

1. Turn on iPhone 3G/3GS. Turn on Computer.

2. On the iPhone 3G/3GS, go to ‘Settings > General > Network > Internet Tethering’ and switch it to ‘On’. When prompted, choose the ‘Bluetooth’ option

3. On your iPhone 3G/3GS, go to your Bluetooth menu which is at Settings > General > Bluetooth and stay there.

4. On your Mac, click on the Bluetooth menu item in your Menu Bar which should be a few steps over from the clock. If it is not there, do this: ‘Open the Apple menu in the top left corner on your Mac, go to System Preferences, click on Bluetooth and put a check mark beside “Show Bluetooth status in the menu bar”‘

5. So, click on the Bluetooth menu item in your Menu Bar and select “Turn Bluetooth On”. Then, in the same Bluetooth menu, select “Set up Bluetooth Device”.

6. Follow the on-screen instructions.

7. When prompted, choose ‘Mobile phone’ then click Continue

8. Near the end, the Mac will attempt to pair to the iPhone 3G/3GS using an access code for verification. Just follow the on-screen instructions and eventually tap on “Pair” on your iPhone 3G/3GS and then “Continue” on the Mac Bluetooth setup screen.

9. Make sure to put a checkmark beside “Use device as a network port” and click Continue.

10. The iPhone 3G/3GS is now paired with the Mac. Click Quit.

11. Navigate to the Bluetooth menu item on the Apple Menu Bar and highlight your iPhone 3G/3GS and click “Connect to Network”.

12. Go to a website.

Note: The setup method for Bluetooth will only have to be done one time per computer. When you want to tether in the future, simply do only Steps 1, 2 and 11.

If your Mac does not connect to the internet, do the following:

1. Go to the Apple Menu > System Preferences > Network

2. Click the “+” symbol on the bottom left

3. Under “Interface” choose “Bluetooth PAN“. Under “Service Name” put what ever you want. Click Create. Close the Network screen.

4. Ensure Bluetooth tethering is On within your iPhone 3G/3GS and that Bluetooth is On within your Mac.

5. Navigate to the Bluetooth menu item on the Apple Menu Bar and highlight your iPhone 3G/3GS and click “Connect to Network”.

6. Go to a website.

———

How to setup Tethering via USB on Windows

1. Turn on iPhone 3G/3GS. Turn on Computer.

2. Plug iPhone 3G/3GS into Windows via the iPhone USB cable.

3. On the iPhone 3G/3GS, go to ‘Settings > General > Network > Internet Tethering’ and switch it to ‘On’. When prompted, choose the ‘USB’ option.

4. Windows will recognize the USB connection and should start working immediately. If not, go to the ‘Windows Control Panel’ and open ‘Network Connections’. The iPhone 3G/3GS device will be listed there.

5. ‘Right click’ on the new “Local Area Connection” listed and select “Enable”.

6. Go to a website on your Windows computer.

Note: The setup method for USB will only have to be done one time per computer. When you want to tether in the future, simply do only Steps 1, 2 and 3.

———-

How to setup Tethering via Bluetooth on Windows

1. Turn on iPhone 3G/3GS. Turn on Computer.

2. On the iPhone 3G/3GS, go to ‘Settings > General > Network > Internet Tethering’ and switch it to ‘On’. When prompted, choose the ‘Bluetooth’ option.

3. On your iPhone 3G/3GS, go to your Bluetooth menu which is at Settings > General > Bluetooth and stay there.

4. On your Windows computer, enable Bluetooth (varies between Windows versions)

5. In your Bluetooth settings, choose to Set up a Bluetooth Device.

6. Follow the on-screen instructions (varies between Windows versions).

7. Once the iPhone 3G/3GS is paired, exit the set up screen.

8. Navigate to your Bluetooth menu and select your iPhone 3G/3GS and Connect.

9. Go to a website.

Note: The setup method for Bluetooth will only have to be done one time per computer. When you want to tether in the future, simply do only Step 1, 2 and 8.

———

If you have any other methods of setting up Tethering, post them below in the comments and I will update this post!

Enjoy!

P.S. - Like our news? Support the site with a coffee/beer. Or shop with our Amazon link. We use affiliate links when possible--thank you for supporting independent media.