Increase Starlink Bandwidth and Reduce Latency by Combining with a Tethered iPhone on Ubuntu
Ubuntu Linux can use Starlink and a USB-tethered iPhone at the same time, so the iPhone’s 4G/5G cellular covers for Starlink when it slows down or drops.
Speedify is an app that combines two or more internet connections at once, such as Starlink and an iPhone’s 4G/5G cellular connection, so you get faster uploads and downloads and stay online if one connection drops. Speedify needs the iPhone plugged in for that: on Starlink alone, it works as an encrypted VPN and cannot stop Starlink from dropping.
This guide shows how to combine Starlink with a tethered iPhone on Ubuntu Linux using Speedify.
Note: Combine internet connections from different sources. Connecting to the same router over both Wi-Fi and Ethernet does not add speed, because both share one internet connection.
4 Steps to Combine Starlink Internet and Tethered iPhone on Ubuntu Linux
Step 1: Connect to Your Starlink Wi-Fi Hotspot
First, set up your Starlink with the instructions that came in the box. This includes your Starlink Wi-Fi network name and password.
On your Ubuntu computer, open the system menu at the right side of the top bar and click the arrow next to Wi-Fi. Choose your Starlink Wi-Fi network and enter its password to connect. On Ubuntu 22.04 and earlier, choose Wi-Fi > Select Network instead.
Step 2: Enable Personal Hotspot on Your iPhone or iPad
Personal Hotspot shares the 4G/5G cellular connection of your iPhone or iPad with other devices over Wi-Fi, USB, or Bluetooth.
Open Settings, then tap Personal Hotspot (or Cellular > Personal Hotspot), and turn on Allow Others to Join. This screen also shows the Wi-Fi password. The Wi-Fi network name is the name of your iPhone or iPad.
Note: If you don't see Personal Hotspot, contact your carrier to make sure your plan includes it.
Step 3: Connect the iPhone to Your Ubuntu Linux Computer via USB
Connect your iPhone or iPad to your Ubuntu computer with a USB cable. If your iPhone or iPad asks "Trust This Computer?", tap Trust. Ubuntu starts using the connection from your iPhone or iPad, and the system menu shows it as a wired connection.
Step 4: Download and Install Speedify
Download and install Speedify. Speedify is an app that combines your Starlink with the other internet connections on your device, so your internet is faster, more reliable, and more secure.
Once running, Speedify finds your internet connections on its own and splits your traffic across them. If Starlink drops, Speedify moves your traffic to the internet connections that still work. Video calls and live streams get priority over background downloads and updates.
To see how each internet connection is doing, or to set a data limit on one, click or tap it in Speedify.
Speedify's cellular sharing adds more 4G/5G cellular: phones and computers running Speedify on the same local network share their 4G/5G cellular with each other.
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Speedify combines Wi-Fi, 4G/5G cellular, Ethernet, Starlink and satellite into one faster, more reliable internet connection. Free to try: 5 GB a month with a free account. No credit card required.
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