How to Combine Starlink and a Tethered iPhone on Ubuntu Linux

Combine Starlink Internet with a Tethered iPhone to Get More Stable Connectivity

Combining two Internet connections on Linux is no rocket science. All you need is the right channel bonding app like Speedify.

In this guide we'll show you how you can use your Starlink satellite Internet connection via Wi-Fi together with a tethered iPhone or iPad. You will be combining the two connections on Ubuntu Linux using Speedify.

You can get a secondary Internet connection via a different ISP.  Examples include DSL, cable, or cellular connections. Speedify can bond your Starlink satellite connection with any number or combination of other Internet connections and will intelligently distribute your online traffic among them for optimal performance. Plus, if you get disconnected from Starlink 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 Combine Starlink and Tethered iPhone on Ubuntu Linux Using Speedify

Step 1: Connect to Your Starlink Wi-Fi Hotspot

First - make sure you setup your Starlink according to the instructions you received in the package. This includes setting up your new Starlink Wi-Fi network, along with your password.

Click on the arrow in the top right corner (also known as the System Menu) then Wi-Fi > Select Network and choose your desired network. Select the Wi-Fi hotspot associated with your Starlink connection and enter the password to connect.

Need help with this step? Visit the Ubuntu knowledge base to learn more.

Step 2: Enable Personal Hotspot on Your iPhone or iPad

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 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 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 4: Download and Install Speedify

Last but certainly not least, download and install Speedify. Once running, Speedify will automatically detect your Starlink connection and any other 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.

When using Starlink Internet, Speedify is the only VPN that makes your online experiences faster, more reliable, and more secure.

Download Speedify

Speedify is the only app that combines your wifi, cellular, wired, and even your friend’s phone signals – and turns them into one ultra-fast and super secure link that keeps you all connected for the best possible live streaming, video calling, or just posting to your favorite app.

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