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How to Connect Your PC to the Internet with USB Tethering

Tap each step to follow along in order.

  1. Connect your phone to your PC with a USB cable

    Use a cable that supports data transfer, not just charging β€” a charge-only cable often won't be recognized for tethering.

  2. Find the tethering menu in Settings

    On most Android phones this is under Settings > Network & Internet > Hotspot & Tethering (exact menu names vary by manufacturer); on iPhone, check Settings > Personal Hotspot.

  3. Turn on USB tethering

    Toggle "USB Tethering" on in that menu. If the cable isn't connected yet, this option may appear greyed out.

  4. Check the new connection on your PC

    Your PC's network settings will show a new adapter that looks like a wired Ethernet connection, and it connects to the internet automatically.

  5. Know the difference from a Wi-Fi hotspot

    USB tethering connects directly over cable, so it drops less often and feels more stable than a Wi-Fi hotspot, and it charges your phone while you use it β€” the trade-off is you're limited to cable length.

  6. Turn off tethering and unplug

    Toggle tethering off once you're done. The connection also ends automatically if you just unplug the cable without turning the toggle off first.

Why choose USB tethering over a Wi-Fi hotspot

A Wi-Fi hotspot is convenient, but it drains your phone's battery quickly and can slow down depending on nearby wireless interference. USB tethering connects through a physical cable instead, so the connection is generally faster and more consistent, and it tops up your phone's battery instead of draining it β€” a solid option at a desk where the cable's reach isn't an issue.

Keep your PC from sleeping mid-session

If you're planning a long work session over tethering, check your PC's sleep and power settings before you start. A PC that drops into sleep mode can interrupt downloads or disconnect calls, so setting a longer sleep timer (or disabling it while tethered) avoids an annoying mid-task drop.

Frequently Asked Questions

I connected the cable but my PC isn't getting internet. What should I check?

First confirm the cable actually supports data transfer, not just charging. Then check your phone's USB connection mode is set to "File Transfer" or the default option rather than "Charging only," and try toggling tethering off and back on.

Does USB tethering use more mobile data than a Wi-Fi hotspot?

No β€” both draw from the same mobile data plan on your phone. The connection method (cable vs. Wi-Fi) doesn't change how much data you actually use.