How to Combine Wi-Fi and a Tethered iPhone at Once on Ubuntu Linux

Improve Bandwidth and Minimize Downtime by Combining Wi-Fi with an iPhone on Ubuntu

In this article, we are going to introduce you to Speedify, the channel bonding VPN and walk you through the steps to combine Wi-Fi with a tethered iPhone on your Ubuntu Linux computer.

Speedify is the only app available for all major platforms - Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, Android and OpenWrt - that combines your Wi-Fi, 4G / 5G 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.

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.

Use Speedify to increase your upload and download speeds: combine internet connection sources like Wi-Fi, 4G, 5G, Starlink and wired broadband

Image

Combine Wi-Fi, 4G, 5G, Starlink and wired broadband to fix slow upload and download speeds

Speedify is the only app that seamlessly combines all of your connections, including Wi-Fi, 4G, 5G, Ethernet, and Starlink, into one stronger connection to keep you online and secure.

In most cases, Speedify will automatically detect and start using any available Internet connections on your device while intelligently distributing your online traffic between them for optimal performance. If you need help we have quick start guides available for most common set ups.

Image

Combine personal hotspots for better upload and download speeds

Speedify's Pair & Share feature enables you to connect to multiple hotspots at the same time and wirelessly share LTE, 4G, and 5G cellular connections back and forth between multiple Speedify users on the same local network to create a faster, more reliable connection for everyone.

For the first time, it's possible to share cellular data between multiple devices, including PCs, Macs, iPhones and Androids. Use multiple phones as hotspots for internet access and get increased bandwidth and mobile failover for all paired devices.

Use Speedify to combine...

Get started with Speedify today!

Speedify combines Wi-Fi, 4G, 5G, Ethernet, and Starlink into one stronger connection to keep you online and secure.

Image

4 Steps to Combine a Wi-Fi Network with a Tethered iPhone on Linux Using Speedify

Step 1: Connect to Wi-Fi on your Ubuntu computer

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. Keep in mind, private networks may require you to enter a password before connecting.

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

Step 2: 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 3: Connect your iPhone to your Ubuntu 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 any available Internet connections and combine them for increased speed, security, and stability.

Need to keep several devices connected in areas with limited or spotty network coverage, like event venues, remote locations or when traveling? Get consistent and uninterrupted online activity for all your devices using Speedify's Pair & Share functionality, which allows you to share cellular data between multiple devices wirelessly.

By pairing devices, you can effectively distribute your cellular connection across them, improving overall performance, especially when other network options like Wi-Fi may be slow or unstable.

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.

Alternative: Combine Wi-Fi and Tethered iPhone on Linux Easier

Want an even easier (and wireless) way of bonding 4G / 5G cellular connections? Use the Speedify Pair & Share feature!

  1. Install Speedify on all devices
  2. Join the same Wi-Fi or local network
  3. Pull up the Pair & Share settings in Speedify and tap on the desired device to send an invitation to pair
  4. Tap accept on the other device

Once paired, both devices can share AND receive each other’s connections simultaneously. The more devices you pair with, the more connections you’ll have access to!

Traffic between devices is fully encrypted, and you always maintain full control over which devices can do what - set permissions, limits, or unpair from other devices at any time.

Image

Get started with Speedify today!

With Speedify you can combine multiple internet sources into one bonded super-connection to improve livestreaming, video calling, gaming, web browsing, and everything else you do online.

Speed

Combine Wi-Fi, cellular, ethernet, satellite, and more to maximize performance

Stability

Avoid buffering and disconnects while streaming, gaming, and browsing.

Security

Keep your personal data safe from hackers, snoops and cyber criminals

Speedify devs love talking tech on YouTube, Tiktok, and Instagram!

Alex Gizis and the Speedify devs discuss and explain technology including Starlink satellites, Wi-Fi 7 routers, Apple networking features, fiber optics, broadband internet, 5G mobile networks, AI, networking protocols, and much more. Follow Speedify on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and LinkedIn!

Alex and the Speedify team are always exploring the latest in networking and security technology—like 5G, 6G, WiFi 7, laser and satellite internet—and sharing it in new discussion content across YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and LinkedIn every week.

Got a tech question? Let's go deeper! Pop into Speedify Office Hours live every Wednesday at 10 AM Eastern. Speedify CEO Alex Gizis and our network engineers are standing by to break down your questions about networks, tech updates, and Speedify features.

Image