Can a Macintosh tether to a Verizon iPhone over the USB/Lightning cable?
snoremaster
Newbie

I am considering replacing our UVERSE Internet service at home with two new Verizon iPhones on a 15GB/month shared More Everything plan. We each have a MacBook. Can we each tether our MacBook to our Verizon iPhone via the USB/Lightning cable? That should allow us to use the Macs' wifi to connect to our home router and other resources, while charging the iPhones off the Macs. Thanks.

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Re: Can a Macintosh tether to a Verizon iPhone over the USB/Lightning cable?
RushFan2112
Specialist - Level 2

I don't understand why you would want to tether using a cable.  You can just turn on the WiFi hotspot and connect wirelessly from your MacBook through your phone hotspot and out to the Internet.

And, yes, you can use a cable if you wish but ONLY that single computer can use the phone's Internet connection.  Using the WiFi hotspot you can connect multiple computers wirelessly.

Go here for more info on using a USB tether.

http://www.howtogeek.com/213203/how-to-use-your-iphone%E2%80%99s-hotspot-or-a-usb-cable-for-tetherin...

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Re: Can a Macintosh tether to a Verizon iPhone over the USB/Lightning cable?
SuzyQ
Community Leader
Community Leader

Have you checked to see how much data you use monthly on the UVERSE Internet service plan? Your phone plan is not meant to replace your home internet service, and 15GB is not likely to be enough.  And if you have no internet service other than the phones, (IE, no wifi at home) you will use that 15GB very quickly.

Reconsider....

Re: Can a Macintosh tether to a Verizon iPhone over the USB/Lightning cable?
RushFan2112
Specialist - Level 2

SuzyQ is absolutely right.  A home internet connection will burn through 15GB of data very quickly.  The problem is most web sites have streaming content and HTML 5 animations that use lots of data.  And, Youtube or Netflix HD videos can burn 3 Gigabytes of data per hour.

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Re: Can a Macintosh tether to a Verizon iPhone over the USB/Lightning cable?
snoremaster
Newbie

Thanks, Suzy Q. I haven't checked the UVERSE, but when on a hotspot (as we are now since the UVERSE is broke again), we use 2 - 2.5 GB/week. We mainly just get email, surf the net, and watch a few 360-480p YouTubes--no Netflix, etc. You still think 15 GB won't be enough?

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Re: Can a Macintosh tether to a Verizon iPhone over the USB/Lightning cable?
vzw_customer_support
Customer Service Rep

I appreciate you following up, snoremaster. Suzy Q and RushFan2112 definitely bring up great points. Definitely err on the side of caution with this.


Don't forget to take into account your phone's personal data usage when not connected to your UVERSE service. Your phone will also use mobile data.


Also, your Macbook alongside with other connected devices, may require OS and app/program updates or patches. Especially if they update automatically. These can use up quite a bit of data if not watched or manually updated.



NicandroN_VZW
Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport
If my response answered your question please click the �Correct Answer� button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!!

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Re: Can a Macintosh tether to a Verizon iPhone over the USB/Lightning cable?
snoremaster
Newbie

Thank you, NicandroN_VZW and everyone else! Based on all the recommendations, and the reminder of usage for updates, which I wasn't doing on the hotspot, I went ahead and got a cable modem and TW service.

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Re: Can a Macintosh tether to a Verizon iPhone over the USB/Lightning cable?
vzw_customer_support
Customer Service Rep

snoremaster, it's always our pleasure to assist our long term customers like yourself. Don't hesitate to let us or the community know if you need anything further. Thanks and have a great day!


KristieQ_VZW
Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport
If my response answered your question please click the �Correct Answer� button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!!

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Re: Can a Macintosh tether to a Verizon iPhone over the USB/Lightning cable?
snoremaster
Newbie

It would still be nice if someone could answer the subject question.

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Re: Can a Macintosh tether to a Verizon iPhone over the USB/Lightning cable?
RushFan2112
Specialist - Level 2

I don't understand why you would want to tether using a cable.  You can just turn on the WiFi hotspot and connect wirelessly from your MacBook through your phone hotspot and out to the Internet.

And, yes, you can use a cable if you wish but ONLY that single computer can use the phone's Internet connection.  Using the WiFi hotspot you can connect multiple computers wirelessly.

Go here for more info on using a USB tether.

http://www.howtogeek.com/213203/how-to-use-your-iphone%E2%80%99s-hotspot-or-a-usb-cable-for-tetherin...

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Re: Can a Macintosh tether to a Verizon iPhone over the USB/Lightning cable?
snoremaster
Newbie

Thank you. The point of tethering wired to the phone was to be able to use the notebook's wireless to attach to a closed, off-internet network.

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