Most new Android phones support Wi-Fi tethering, setting up a wireless hotspot for sharing the phone's Internet connection along with other devices. Android phones also support USB tethering (unless removed by carrier/manufacturer), the nice feature to possess when wireless tethering isn't ideal. In the past the challenge has been the possible lack of USB drivers to get in touch the phone's link with Macs.

Now, fortunately there is HoRNDIS. A USB driver put together by Joshua Wise that allows Android's built-in USB tethering capability to work seamlessly with Mac computers. No rooting, no hacking, or apps required. It just works.

Go towards the HoRNDIS page on Joshua's website and download the latest package.

Install thepkg, follow prompts within the installer.

Plug with your Android phone using a USB cable, and open Settings.

Settings -> Wireless & Networks -> More -> Tethering and portable hotspot

Enable USB Tethering, make certain box.

Now on the Mac, open System Preferences -> Network. You should call at your phone as the connections inside list. Like so:

You should easily be online.

In my testing, I was tethering a MacBook Pro with OS X 10.8 linked to a Galaxy Nexus running Android 4.2. The connection was fast, and more reliable than Wi-Fi tethering. The according towards the developer, HoRNDIS is dealing with Mac OS X 10.6, 10.7, and 10.8.

The advantages of USB tethering :

Wi-Fi frequencies might be congested in busy locations, slow Wi-Fi.

Charge your phone while tethering.

Reduce latency, more responsive connection

Don't need to panic about wireless security settings.

Last updated 24th October, 2017, 7:59 PM

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I'm so grateful to Horndis! Freeware of the season!

Rear View Mirror

I'm so grateful to Horndis! Freeware of year!

Guest

USB tethering from my GNex to my 10.6 Macbook at long last! Yay!

Andrew M.

USB tethering from my GNex to my 10.6 Macbook finally! Yay!

Whacjo

Great job!

I spent 1 hour trying to acquire my Brandluxe usb modem to operate and eventually, frustrated, quit after wanting to install their own drivers form the website, trying apple stores version than it and failing too. Plugging within my Galaxy and downloading Horndis' patch finally set it up peace of mind. Apple, GRRRR!

Whacjo

Great job!

I spent an hour or so trying to have my Brandluxe usb modem to function and eventually, frustrated, lost the battle after wanting to install their particular drivers form the website, trying apple stores version of it and failing as well. Plugging in my Galaxy and downloading Horndis' patch finally gave me peace of mind. Apple, GRRRR!

Ritwik S

Ritwik S

Randy S

jimb0

yay

jimb0

yay

EGross

Wow man. This 5 min of tutorial provided me with more help than 5 hours of tech support. You deserve a raise.

EGross

Wow man. This 5 min of tutorial provided more help than 5 hours of tech support. You deserve a raise.

SpAnon

Thank you so much for this. I was installing 100 apks and this was the very best and fastest solution. Keep on with the good work!

SpAnon

Thank you a lot for this. I was installing a hundred apks and this was the very best and fastest solution. Keep on while using good work!

Vinod

Thanks for that app provided for your mac users at all like me and others who don't get softwares or apps like windows users. How ever I love to use my mac…..

Vinod

Thanks for the app provided for the mac users just like me and others who don't get softwares or apps like windows users. How ever I love to use my mac…..

nicolas enjay

nicolas enjay

WuPro

Can't get my Note 2 to work with my Mac Air. Can't get the network preferences. any suggestions,

WuPro

Can't get my Note 2 to operate with my Mac Air. Can't get the network preferences. any suggestions,

Prasanth

Thanks !

Prasanth

Thanks !

thank you for your great info

now i could take some pictures right out of the android phone

my next phone is going to be an iphone 6 or 7

pat fonta

thank you for that great info

now i will take some pictures out of the android phone

my next phone will be an iphone 6 or 7

Best Mac Tips

Thanks because of this. I'll give it a shot.

I was really looking for a fix to have my Nexus 4 to connect to a shared connection from my Mac (has a 4G datastick, and shared Internet over wi-fi). The N4 connects towards the Mac but has zero Internet access. Anyway… perhaps I'll squeeze sim back into the N4 and tether over USB.

By the way… the link is down. In fact the full joshuawise site is down. Most likely only a temporary issue. But in case not, here's the link where I downloaded HoRNDIS from

Best Mac Tips

Thanks with this. I'll give it a shot.

I was looking for a fix to acquire my Nexus 4 to get in touch to a shared connection from my Mac (has a 4G datastick, and shared Internet over wi-fi). The N4 connects to the Mac but has zero Internet access. Anyway… perhaps I'll place the sim back into the N4 and tether over USB.

By the way… the link is down. In fact the entire joshuawise site is down. Most likely just a temporary issue. But in case not, here's the url where I downloaded HoRNDIS from

matheszabi

matheszabi

SpicyYellowCake

Doesnt work. Phone says i would like a hotspot subscribtion. Boo

SpicyYellowCake

Doesnt work. Phone says i want a hotspot subscribtion. Boo

bizz_koot

Working for LG Optimus 4x 4.1.2 with MacOSX 10.9. Thank You!

bizz_koot

Working for LG Optimus 4x 4.1.2 with MacOSX 10.9. Thank You!

FatBrandon

I just got a new Nexus 5 in the play store. It has Android 4.4 on it. Wifi Tether for Root Users isn't working, I guess the developer should update that to work on KitKat(android 4.4). Until then I thought Id give vid try. Everything goes as planned until I reach step 6, you should be online. Im not web I don't possess internet access… weird… Ill keep messing around with it.

tyresmoke

I have it working together with Nexus 5 on 4.4. It just takes an instant for it to endure. Make sure USB tethering is checked in Android Settings, and present it a short time after it says Nexus 5 Connected in System Preferences around the mac.

Also you must not need wifi tether for root users on Nexus devices, they have pretty robust wifi tethering integrated, and it is independent of your carrier's tethering policies.

jerry

Hey man, I had the identical problem - and after a while, I found that enabling USB debugging in developer options solves the challenge! Cheers!

FatBrandon

I just bought a Nexus 5 from your play store. It has Android 4.4 onto it. Wifi Tether for Root Users isn't working, I guess the developer has to update that to function on KitKat(android 4.4). Until then I thought Id give video try. Everything goes as planned until I reach step 6, you should certainly be online. Im not on the internet and I don't possess internet access… weird… Ill keep messing around with it.

tyresmoke

I have it working together with Nexus 5 on 4.4. It just takes a minute for it to go through. Make sure USB tethering is checked in Android Settings, and provides it a few seconds after it says Nexus 5 Connected in System Preferences for the mac.

Also you must not need wifi tether for root users on Nexus devices, they have pretty robust wifi tethering integrated, and it's independent of your carrier's tethering policies.

jerry

Hey man, I had the same problem - and after a while, I found that enabling USB debugging in developer options solves the problem! Cheers!

Gwiazdoora

My old mac use a 0sx 10.3.9 G4 power pc - & i'm able to't used an online - just how do to do, ( sorry 4 my english)

Gwiazdoora

My old mac use a 0sx 10.3.9 G4 power pc - & i can't used a web - just how can to do, ( sorry 4 my english)

DKM

I'm can not instal HoRINDIS to my mac. Is it because I have Maverick instead of Mountain Lion or older versions of the os x,

DKM

I'm not able to instal HoRINDIS to my mac. Is it because I have Maverick instead of Mountain Lion or older versions of these os x,

T3m3r1ty

HTC One Android 4.2.2 MacBook Pro OSX 9 works beautifully. Had to ctrl-Open thepkg because it's not signed

T3m3r1ty

HTC One Android 4.2.2 MacBook Pro OSX 9 works beautifully. Had to ctrl-Open thepkg because it's not signed

Adizzle

Hi I have tried this with my Nexus 5 along with the connection goes yellow and says ‘Nexus 5 were built with a self-assigned IP address and won't be able to connect to the net' Help,

Adizzle

Hi I have tried this with my Nexus 5 along with the connection goes yellow and says ‘Nexus 5 had a self-assigned IP address and does not be able to get in touch to the net' Help,

Bravestar

Million Thanks to you. Let me know if you need any help. You literally saved my A

Bravestar

Million Thanks to you. Let me know when you need any help. You literally saved my A

Paocer95

Thanks, works on samsung s2 GT-N7100 and mac book Mac OS X, 10.7.5

Paocer95

Thanks, works on samsung s2 GT-N7100 and mac book Mac OS X, 10.7.5

kakokeko

kakokeko

kakokeko

vipul

Fordash

Download file won't open on Galaxy S4 with Android 4.3 main system.

Xiang Ji

Who stated to download the file about the phone dude… It's intended to be installed on Mac lol.

Fordash

Download file won't open on Galaxy S4 with Android 4.3 os.

Xiang Ji

Who told you to download the file around the phone dude… It's meant to be installed on Mac lol.

Tayo Elegbede

Wow! Thanks a bunch because of this…Quite helpful around the first trial.

BTW, I'm using the link with post this today. No more WI-FI, except I need to express my network with friends and enemies.

Cheerios!

Tayo Elegbede

Wow! Thanks a bunch for this…Quite helpful about the first trial.

BTW, I'm using the link with post this right this moment. No more WI-FI, except I need to share my network with friends and enemies.

Cheerios!

AVW

Thank you a great deal for this great tutorial. HoRNDIS works like a charm!

AVW

Thank you a great deal for this great tutorial. HoRNDIS works like a dream!

babiy8

babiy8

Flavio Carrara

Is it possible to accomplish the reverse, I would like to share the Mac Ethernet through USB to my Nexus 5. Thank you.

Zero

It's possible to share with you internet from the mac, go to sharing -> internet sharing

Mac can sharing internet on the port the telephone is associated with, but whether the product will recognise it and use the data is yet another thing. I usually use my Mac as a possible AP by board cast wifi for my phone.

Rafique Mohammed

This post could be old but my reply may help others!

Ofcz it will be possible! You can even share your web as WiFi so that all other devices can connect to your Mac.

I am using MacMini. Do the following :

1) Go to System Preferences -> Sharing -> internet sharing (don't check teh checkbox)

2) Select Share your connection from” to Ethernet” (since you're connect from ethernet cable)

3) Select Share your link to” to WiFi”

4) Click on WiFi options” button and hang up your wifi password

5) Everything is done. Now look into the Checkbox Internet Sharing”

Thats it! Search and connect within you mobile device or any other device 🙂

PS: I usually do this in my office where my MacMini is connected using ethernet and system administrator don't give me wifi password 😛

Rohan

Flavio Carrara

Is it possible to do the reverse, I would like to express the Mac Ethernet through USB to my Nexus 5. Thank you.

Zero

It's possible to express internet from your mac, visit sharing -> internet sharing

Mac can sharing internet to the port the telephone is connected to, but whether the telephone will recognise it and make use of the data is the one other thing. I usually use my Mac just as one AP by board cast wifi for my phone.

Mudit

Thanks man, my macbook's wifi eradicated & this tip just saved the day…

Mudit

Thanks man, my macbook's wifi eliminate & this tip just saved the day…

Frank Pigeon

Frank Pigeon

mario

The download file won't open in my galaxy note ,,!!

mario

The download file won't open in my galaxy note ,,!!

VD

Tora

This is excellent Advice. BUT I have a problem I have had my android phone

tethered to my mac book many times before however this last week a

couple of that time period it has said its connected (with the green light) in

system prefrences but not been able in order to connect hmm so after a bit of

fidlling turning computer and device on / off and resetting the

settings it really works again. This has happened more plus much more this last

couple of days and now I have also had my mac book kind of scrol down a

darkened page and demand to become turned off and also on. I have just tried my

boyfriends android device and the identical thing has happened so I presume

it is the mac while using problm. Any thoughts or tips about this,

Reginald Ahorlu

I use a ghanian SIM inside my unlocked HTC one X but I can neither WiFi thether, USB tether or Bluetooth tether my phone's internet link to my mac book pro, osX. Pls help

Reginald frm Ghana

Mayuresh Kshirsagar

I tried it on my small Galaxy S5 and Macbook Pro 10.10.5 also it doesn't work 🙁

Three Dots

Well, I wrote an algorithm to experience one of the board games named three dots You will enjoy a lot playing it. You can not win in difficult mode. Give a try and learn more.

Preston

downloaded and installed on my mac air 10.10.5 and then restarted and it works great. much better than wifi hotspotting. better latency and much more consistent ping

Angelo David Collazo

Thanks, MacTip, to the info. I went ahead and installed HoRNDIS. Unfortunately, although I see my Samsung Android inside Network list, it's color just isn't green, but yellow. It says Status: Connected” just about all says Samsung_Android carries a self-assigned IP address and does not be able in order to connect to the world wide web.” I recognize that the Router and DNS Server numbers are blank. Do you know how I can fix this, Thanks much.

Rohan

alicia