How to Combine a Tethered Android and Tethered iPhone on Ubuntu Linux

Alex GizisCombining Internet Connections, How To

No Wi-Fi or Ethernet? Use Two Tethered Phones for Fast, Reliable Internet on Ubuntu Linux

If you find yourself in a location with no Wi-Fi or ethernet networks available don't panic. In this article, we are going to introduce you to Speedify, the channel bonding VPN and walk you through the steps to combine a tethered Android device with a tethered iPhone on your Ubuntu Linux computer.

Speedify can bond any number or combination of Internet connections and will intelligently distribute your online traffic among them for optimal performance. Plus, if you get disconnected from one of your connections in the middle of an important video call or file transfer, Speedify will seamlessly failover to your other working Internet connection(s) without skipping a beat.

NOTE: For best results, use Internet connections from different sources. In general, joining the same upstream network multiple times (such as the same router via Ethernet and Wi-Fi) will not improve performance.

4 Steps to use 2 Tethered Smartphones on Ubuntu Linux: an Android and an iPhone

Step 1: Enable Personal Hotspot on your iOS device

A Personal Hotspot lets you share the cellular data connection of your iPhone or iPad with other devices via Wi-Fi, USB, or Bluetooth.

Go to Settings > Cellular > Personal Hotspot or Settings > Personal Hotspot and flip the switch to on. 
From this screen you can verify the name of the phone (which will be used as the Wi-Fi name/SSID) as well as configure the password.

NOTE: If you don't see the option for Personal Hotspot, contact your carrier to make sure that you can use Personal Hotspot with your plan.

Need help with this step? Visit Apple’s knowledge base to learn more.

Step 2: Connect your iPhone to your Ubuntu Linux computer via USB

Connect your iPhone or iPad to your Ubuntu computer with a USB cable. If you see an alert on your iPhone or iPad that says “Trust This Computer?” tap Trust. Your Ubuntu computer will start using your tethered iPhone or iPad and you should see it in the System Menu listed as a “Wired Connection.”
Note: It has been reported that in iOS 14, USB tethering to Ubuntu is broken. Learn More

Step 3: Connect your Android device to your Ubuntu Linux computer and enable USB tethering

Connect your Android device to your Ubuntu computer using a USB cable. A notification will show at the top of the screen on your Android device - swipe down from the top of the screen > Touch and hold Hotspot > Turn on USB tethering.

Alternatively, you can go to Settings > Connections > Mobile Hotspot and Tethering to enable USB tethering.

Your Ubuntu computer will start using your tethered Android device and you should see it in the system menu listed as a “Wired Connection.”

Please note that when USB tethering an Android phone, if that phone is connected to Wi-Fi, the tethering will share the Wi-Fi connection and not the cellular connection. In order to use the cellular connection from your Android phone into the mix, enable mobile data and turn off Wi-Fi on your smartphone.

Need help with this step? Visit Google's knowledge base to learn more.

Step 4: Download and Install Speedify

Last but certainly not least, download and install Speedify. Once running, Speedify will automatically detect any available Internet connections and combine them for increased speed, security, and stability.

You can manage settings, view statistics, and even apply limits to individual connections by either clicking/tapping on them from the Dashboard or by navigating to the desired connection through the main Settings menu.

Speedify will work quietly in the background to optimize performance including prioritizing streaming web traffic to avoid stuttering, buffering and disconnects.

Whether at home, work, or on-the-go, Speedify is the only VPN that makes your online experiences faster, more reliable, and more secure.

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Speedify is the only app that can combine multiple internet sources into one bonded super-connection for more stable and secure livestreaming, video calling, and web browsing.

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