PdaNet+

Share smart phone Internet with computers or tablets, no rooting needed.

App stats

Version: 5.32 (Last updated: 2023-09-27)
Permissions
Location: approximate location (network-based), precise location (GPS and network-based)
Wi-Fi connection information: view Wi-Fi connections
Other:
  • view network connections
  • pair with Bluetooth devices
  • access Bluetooth settings
  • change network connectivity
  • allow Wi-Fi Multicast reception
  • connect and disconnect from Wi-Fi
  • full network access
  • control vibration
  • prevent device from sleeping

Other platforms

Not available on Chrome
Not available on Firefox
Not available on Edge
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App summary

Version 5.10 has major changes, MUST read below before updating.

1. Windows side also need updating from http://pdanet.co/install
2. Original WiFi Hotspot feature remains in the separate FoxFi app if you still need it, just install from Play Store. You can also find previous (4.19) version of PdaNet+ at http://pdanet.co/install/old
3. New location permission required by Android due to WiFi scan API call.

Please be aware that with no root access there are technical limitations of what an app can do. We try our best to offer the "most convenient solution possible" for sharing phone Internet but it may not be an "ideal" or "universal" solution (e.g. a normal WiFi Hotspot). It may not work for particular devices.

=====WiFi Direct mode (new!) ====
PdaNet+ now comes with a completely new "WiFi Direct Hotspot" feature that works on all Android phones 4.1 or later. It allows you to connect computers and tablets to your phone using WiFi BUT it will require you to either install our client app or setup proxy depending on what device you are connecting to the phone. You can activate "WiFi Direct Hotspot" in PdaNet+ then tap the "Help!" button for detail instructions.

*If your Windows computer does not see the hotspot during pairing please do two things: 1. Restart Hotspot on the phone.
2. Click on "Show All WiFi Direct Hotspot". It will verify if your adapter supports 5Ghz.

====FoxFi/WiFi Hotspot Mode (the old) ====
The original WiFi Hotspot feature remains in the separate FoxFi app if you still need it. It has ceased to function on many newer phone models due to carrier updates. Even when it works, your hotspot usage may still be metered (see plan 2 below). WiFi Direct Hotspot could solve both issues. However the new feature is not meant to support game devices, TVs or TV streaming devices.

=====USB Mode=====
USB mode works on all Android phones (except for some ZTE/Alcatel models). It allows connection from Windows or Mac. In addition, there is a "WiFi Share" feature that can further turn Windows into a WiFi Hotspot so that you share PdaNet Internet with other devices.

*If your phone is not recognized by your computer after connecting USB, please see http://pdanet.co/driver

=====Bluetooth Mode=====
You can use Bluetooth mode to connect Windows. Although WiFi Direct mode is preferred.

=====Do I need this software?=====
The PdaNet software has been around since the first Treo smart phone in 2003. With over 30 million downloads in total, it must be something that everyone needs, right? Well...it really depends on the kind of data plan you have for your phone. There are 4 kinds of data plans from most carriers:

1. Your data plan (limited or unlimited) does not allow you to turn on the mobile hotspot feature on the phone (it prompts you to call your carrier).

2. Your data plan is unlimited and you can turn on mobile hotspot from your phone to use it. But hotspot usage is "metered" against a cap (say 5G/month). After that the speed will be throttled to a crawl. (FoxFi can't avoid this!)

3. Your data plan is unlimited, and you can turn on mobile hotspot from your phone with unlimited LTE usage and no throttling cap. This plan does NOT exist or not intended. But we have seen loopholes on some phone models to allow it.

4. You data plan is limited and it allows you to turn on mobile hotspot from your phone. The mobile hotspot usage goes under the same data plan limit.

If your plan falls under 1 or 2, you will need to use PdaNet+. If your plan belongs to 3 or 4 then PdaNet+ will not make any difference. If you are unsure what plan you have, it won't harm to always use PdaNet+.

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Free edition of PdaNet+ will have timed usage limit, otherwise it is same as full version.

Sprint and AT&T may not allow you to install our app from Play Store, please install the apk file directly from http://pdanet.co/install or install from the computer side.

User reviews

These summaries are automatically generated weekly using AI based on recent user reviews. Google Play Store does not verify user reviews, so some user reviews may be inaccurate, spammy, or outdated.
Pros
  • Allows users to utilize their phone's data effectively, even on plans that do not officially support tethering.
  • Generally provides a reliable connection for tethering purposes when it works.
  • Saves users money by allowing them to avoid paying for additional internet services.
  • Offers excellent performance for streaming and gaming when properly set up.
  • Widely praised for customer support and frequent updates.
Cons
  • Frequent disconnections and connection issues, especially after updates.
  • Some users experience problems with USB tethering not functioning properly.
  • Inconsistent performance reported with Wi-Fi tethering functionality.
  • Errors and bugs after recent updates complicate connectivity for some users.
  • Various hardware and setup issues can lead to poor performance.
Most mentioned
  • Connection issues, including frequent disconnects and problems after updates.
  • USB connection problems, often linked to cables or older hardware.
  • Positive experiences using the app for streaming and gaming.
User reviews
It's constant disconnects. The app shuts off randomly. There's an occasional day that it doesn't disconnect. Rarely. It just quits. It's junk. Half the time it doesn't start and I get an error. I keep looking for updates. There isn't any. I give it 2 stars for the short spurts it does work consistently.
by Danette (Zhazella), 2024-11-15

This used to work fantastic for like the last year, but lately it is having all kinds of problems after the latest update. I have to try and connect and close out like 5 times before it finally quits giving me errors or bugs and connects. Can you please fix this so I can update my review to 5 stars? That would be awesome. Thanks. Got a newer phone, problem went away.
by Kenny, 2024-08-30

One of the best applications ever made, it allows you to use your phones data how you would like. It turns any non tethering plan into a full-blown tethering plan. Very much worth the purchase I can't recommended it enough, if the Wi-Fi share functionality were to come out of beta my head would blow off it works about 80% of the time but the normal tethering function is flawless. On Motorola stylus 5g
by Jeff King, 2024-08-05
View all user reviews