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I've been using T-mobile touchscreen devices for 4 years, and I STILL have problems with basics of accessing wifi at cafes, hotspots, etc.
Connecting to these wifi networks is not a problem; there are multiple ways to do that with my T-Mobile Wing, for instance, but the problem is with accessing the wifi provider's login webpage where you are asked to agree to their terms and conditions.
OperaMini is my primary browser, but I have never been able to access a wifi "terms and conditions login page" via OperaMini, I am guessing due to it's a java app.
Yes, I can use I.E., but it is so damn slow and cumbersome, just to load and then try to hit your default homepage, then having to manually select "Homepage", then have it reload.
There must be better ways. For Starbucks usage, T-Mobile has its own "Hotspot Login Utility" which is supposed to handle all of that. I have never had it simply work... wherein i go to starbucks, launch Hotspot utility, and have it turn on wifi- then auto connect to the ATT network using my stored username & password in the HotSpot Utility.
So what are the best ways people have found to minimize this process and connect fast... I get a headache every time I want to ultilize one of my phone's best features.
For me the ideal app/utility would behave this way:
a) I am using my regular GPRS data connection, which is always on, and which I use for SMS or checking email with opera mini wherever I may be.
b) I enter a place that has free wifi, but requires you access their webpage to accept terms and conditions.
c) I want to click on one utility that loads quickly, turns on wifi, launches & opens that webpage (whether loading a fast non-java browser, or some direct internet connection), then upon logging into that establishment's wifi, I can close that util and have OperaMini launch and use wifi, not gprs data.
What is the app/apps I need? thank you.
I have no clue, but I'd love the same thing. PIE seems like it's the only browser that will re-direct to the login page automatically. Have you tried just saving the page as a favorite in opera mini? I know it's a pain in the butt, you'll have to cut-and-paste the address from PIE to mini, but that might work for a particular location.
After making a connection with PIE, I can usually switch browsers (I use mini most of the time, too), but the connection seems to drop frequently. Fortunately, my main coffee shop doesn't have one of those forced logins.
Yes, I have tried saving the "homepage" wifi login URL to OperaMini
It doesn't work. ... well at least I am glad I am not the only one with this problem.... I feel totally out of the loop on this, which seems like a Wifi-101 question ! thanks for replying. (I have also asked the great and powerful Menneisyys on this browser thread. Hopefully he will have the perfect answer!)
Farmer Ted said:
I have no clue, but I'd love the same thing. PIE seems like it's the only browser that will re-direct to the login page automatically. Have you tried just saving the page as a favorite in opera mini? I know it's a pain in the butt, you'll have to cut-and-paste the address from PIE to mini, but that might work for a particular location.
After making a connection with PIE, I can usually switch browsers (I use mini most of the time, too), but the connection seems to drop frequently. Fortunately, my main coffee shop doesn't have one of those forced logins.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
quicksite, I use the Iris Browser for logging into the free Mc Donalds Free WiFi (yes, most if not all Mc Donalds has free WiFi here in Australia!).
Though, I don't actually remember being able to access the net using Opera Mini. But that may be due to the hotspot restrictions more than anything else. So YMMV there.
Also, note that Opera Mini is just a thin client. It must have internet access to be able to access anything at all. Everything gets encoded server side before it reaches your device, hence why you can't use Opera Mini to login with.
And some hotspot providers require you to keep the browser with the login page open whilst you surf. The Iris browser allows for multitabs, so you can always just open another tab to surf.
I use this for logging in automatically on my campus network:
http://devicescape.com/
Devicescape : hey this looks pretty promising
but lots to first figure out re how everything gets routed, any hidden costs, etc. Thanks very much for posting!
tene20 said:
I use this for logging in automatically on my campus network:
http://devicescape.com/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't wait to explore this. I figured there had to be some completely innovative ways of handling this very basic function. But just from a cursory reading, so far, it looks like there are many parts to this enterprise... i.e., registering your device with this service, installing EasyWiFi application, there's something about FON network which I don't yet understand... like maybe your device logs onto a cafe's wifi service, supplying that service with "devicescape's" agreement to Terms of Service. Then routing from the provider's wifi network to something called the FON network... But at this point I have to do a bunch more reading.
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For everyone else: Here's what I found in their Terms of Service, which describes a bit how they handle the agreement to wifi provider Terms of Service:
Account-Free Providers
Some providers offer access to their hotspot network without requiring you to create an account. The Service has the capability to automatically connect you to these types of networks without your submission of any provider information to Devicescape. If you wish to use these account-free providers, you may be unable to view their end user license agreements and/or terms of service. You acknowledge and agree that Devicescape may automatically log you in to such providers and may accept end user license agreements and/or terms of service from such providers on your behalf.
Due to wireless device limitations, the Service may or may not allow you to select whether you wish to use these account-free providers. If you do not agree with Devicescape's process of accepting such end user license agreement and/or terms of service from such providers, then you must disable this capability, provided that the Service allows this capability to be disabled. If the Service does not allow for disabling use of these account-free networks, your sole recourse is to cease your use of the Service.
Certain account-free providers request your email address in order to provide access. The Service will allow you to opt-in to supplying your email address whenever requested by such providers, and will not submit your email address without your agreement. In the circumstance where you opt-in to this arrangement, Devicescape is not responsible in any way for the use of your email address by such providers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then there's this, re adding your provider to Devicescape's network. They say this is free.
Submit A New Wi-Fi Hotspot
Devicescape supports many hotspots and wireless networks, but if your favorites aren't yet supported, you can help us add them. Start by collecting some info and use this web form to submit it us. We will process submissions on a time-available basis.
Personal Network?
We can only list hotspots in our directory that are operated by organizations and intended for general access by the public, subscribers, students, etc. If this is a personal (e.g., individual or private) network, you can add it your own Devicescape account by using the "Add a Personal Network" button on the "My Wi-Fi" page or clicking here.
Open network?
We are currently only adding hotspots that have a welcome or login page to our directory. If this hotspot does not have a welcome or login page, you can add it your own Devicescape account by using the "Add a Personal Network" button on the "My Wi-Fi" page or clicking here.
Network requires 802.1x or WPA Enterprise?
Unfortunately we cannot support 802.1x or WPA Enterprise networks at this time. The form below can be used to submit networks that use web-based captive portal authentication only. If you have a network that only uses WEP or WPA Personal authentication, you can add it your own Devicescape account by using the "Add a Personal Network" button on the "My Wi-Fi" page or clicking here.
To submit a new hotspot, follow the basic instructions below, or view more detailed instructions.
Record the provider's Network Name or SSID.
Save all welcome and login pages.
Be sure to capture every page required to get you to online access.
Submit the info to us via the form below.
We will notify you when the new hotspot network is available. Thanks for contributing to building out the Devicescape!
Basic Information: (required) SSID: Name of the hotspot provider:
(e.g., "Wi-Fi Everywhere" or "Hotspots “R”Us") Name of the location:
(e.g., "Joe's Tea Shop") Address:
(Street, City, Region, Country, e.g., "1 Bay St, Toronto, ON, CA") Home page URL for location or provider: Does this Hotspot have a welcome page? no yes Welcome page: Does this Hotspot have a login page? no yes Login Page: Is 802.1X or WPA Enterprise required? no yes In order to add an 802.1X or WPA Enterprise network, we need to have the following information: EAP type (TTLS, PEAP), tunneled EAP type (EAP MS-CHAPv2, PAP, etc.), WPA Version, Certificate Domain, Key Mgmt (Dynamic WEP, WPA Enterprise), Cipher (TKIP, CCMP). If possible, please supply a URL for a web page that describes this information. If not, include the information below. 802.1X information URL (or details):
Additional Information: Provider support page URL: Comments:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm just starting to investigate this whole offering... so I'd appreciate it if anyone sees anything just within these quoted sections that sounds ill-advisable?
Finally, for now, here's a video that describes how iphone's use their service, as indicator of how it works:
Here's something I found in Dev/Hacking forum - WiFi Monster
[Jul 23][WiFi Monster v1.0.52.149] The best WiFi software ever
Download:
http://www.wifimonster.net/downloads.php
Stuff like this that shows why iphone is winning the war. It's 2009 and still a hassle to get on to a captive portal !!!
firefly123 said:
Stuff like this that shows why iphone is winning the war. It's 2009 and still a hassle to get on to a captive portal !!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In my opinion, Apple makes it easier to find apps in ONE place...but that doesn't mean there isn't a solution for WM. And definitely don't want to get into the Apple vs WM crap. Windows mobile has many versions of different apps and are scattered everywhere. Looking for them is the challenging part. So far, I have accumulated over 12gb worth of apps for windows mobile-this includes some upgrades, mods. Probably would have had more if I was into cooked Roms.
With my HTC Touch Pro, I am using Opera Mobile v9.5 v2808- a modified version with some Flash support (found it here). Before I screwed up my wifi- i was able to get online at Barnes & Nobles, McDonald's, Borders, home network and many mom and pops coffee shops with NO issues.
I used this OLD app, Hitchiker, that worked on my Touch Pro.
montecristo1 said:
With my HTC Touch Pro, I am using Opera Mobile v9.5 v2808- a modified version with some Flash support (found it here). ...i was able to get online ...with NO issues... used this OLD app, Hitchiker, that worked on my Touch Pro.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hope this works for me, thanks for posting. (I've also been meaning to download the modified Opera Mobile browser). Let me ask you, though: It's the security settings and acceptance that make it so cumbersome.
Actually I am thankful that there ARE such security warnings when trying to log onto a non-secure public access point. But .... I should really only have to say "OKAY" once. With Internet Explorer, and with the browser I started using most, Netfront, it took at least 4 if not 6 "OKAY" responses to switching to/from secure page etc. My original post was longer. But the issue for me is: *Sometimes* when I go to a coffee house it's to grab a coffee, check email, send a movie file or picture file, and then go, sometimes to catch bus or train. So I don't have all day. And I have found over and over again that by the time it takes me to accomplish those approximately 15 clicks to activate wifi and launch a new browser and accept login agreement including all the security acceptance, I would have more quickly gotten my email and even uploaded a large set of photo files by just staying connected to Edge and forgetting the whole damn wifi attempt... I've missed trains in San Francisco many a time, seriously, just from trying to take advantage of wifi speed at a cafe and going through so many ridiculous steps. Many a time by the time I had all the clicks accepted and I was able to browse freely, my train was there and I had to run -- completely defeating the whole experience.
Two other comments:
(1) I finally found a utility that was promising: Peek .... but it would be "sabotaged" by the inconsistent behavior of AKtoggle and other wifi on/wifi off utilities avail, vs having to click Settings > Connections > Communication Manager > wifi on > then wifi settings just to select the access point. I have never ever had anyone's version of a wifi on/ wifi off toggle button work consistently and normally. Every other time you try turning wifi on, and no, it doesn;t work. I've come to find out that if your regular edge data connection is either on or off, then the toggle doesn't work, which means once again going to Communicaton Manager and tapping through to the primary command, then once your device sees wifi access points, you still then have to use the other tool (like "Peek") to select the access point... or follow the etxra 4 clicks to do it within the Communication Manager.
(2) I'm completely platform agnostic as I use macs, PCs, WM and now android devices, and if the functions work and I can get the task done, i really don't care whose name is on the object or software... But I have to agree with firefly123, it's stuff like this that Apple knows how to solve with smooth simplicity... But it goes further than that. Apple/iPhone users have a conditioning that automatically expects stuff like this to be simple, whereas I was astounded by, on the other thread I posted about this same login issue, WM users were just fine with the multiple steps, and quite surprised I was even asking/complaining...in other words, a conditioning that says "what's another 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 clicks, as long as you can get the whole process done in a reasonable amount of time?".
That's what baffled me most. I love XDA... yet I was very surprised by the huge yaaaaaaaawwwwwnnnnn I got on this issue: cumbersome and multi-stepped is just fine with hundreds of thousands of Windows Mobile users. Meanwhile I miss my bus or train from staying to finish that last step and finally access wifi to upload my pics... when using Edge would have ultimately been faster. Bizarre.
quicksite said:
I hope this works for me, thanks for posting. (I've also been meaning to download the modified Opera Mobile browser). Let me ask you, though: It's the security settings and acceptance that make it so cumbersome.
Actually I am thankful that there ARE such security warnings when trying to log onto a non-secure public access point. But .... I should really only have to say "OKAY" once. With Internet Explorer, and with the browser I started using most, Netfront, it took at least 4 if not 6 "OKAY" responses to switching to/from secure page etc. My original post was longer. But the issue for me is: *Sometimes* when I go to a coffee house it's to grab a coffee, check email, send a movie file or picture file, and then go, sometimes to catch bus or train. So I don't have all day. And I have found over and over again that by the time it takes me to accomplish those approximately 15 clicks to activate wifi and launch a new browser and accept login agreement including all the security acceptance, I would have more quickly gotten my email and even uploaded a large set of photo files by just staying connected to Edge and forgetting the whole damn wifi attempt... I've missed trains in San Francisco many a time, seriously, just from trying to take advantage of wifi speed at a cafe and going through so many ridiculous steps. Many a time by the time I had all the clicks accepted and I was able to browse freely, my train was there and I had to run -- completely defeating the whole experience.
Two other comments:
(1) I finally found a utility that was promising: Peek .... but it would be "sabotaged" by the inconsistent behavior of AKtoggle and other wifi on/wifi off utilities avail, vs having to click Settings > Connections > Communication Manager > wifi on > then wifi settings just to select the access point. I have never ever had anyone's version of a wifi on/ wifi off toggle button work consistently and normally. Every other time you try turning wifi on, and no, it doesn;t work. I've come to find out that if your regular edge data connection is either on or off, then the toggle doesn't work, which means once again going to Communicaton Manager and tapping through to the primary command, then once your device sees wifi access points, you still then have to use the other tool (like "Peek") to select the access point... or follow the etxra 4 clicks to do it within the Communication Manager.
(2) I'm completely platform agnostic as I use macs, PCs, WM and now android devices, and if the functions work and I can get the task done, i really don't care whose name is on the object or software... But I have to agree with firefly123, it's stuff like this that Apple knows how to solve with smooth simplicity... But it goes further than that. Apple/iPhone users have a conditioning that automatically expects stuff like this to be simple, whereas I was astounded by, on the other thread I posted about this same login issue, WM users were just fine with the multiple steps, and quite surprised I was even asking/complaining...in other words, a conditioning that says "what's another 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 clicks, as long as you can get the whole process done in a reasonable amount of time?".
That's what baffled me most. I love XDA... yet I was very surprised by the huge yaaaaaaaawwwwwnnnnn I got on this issue: cumbersome and multi-stepped is just fine with hundreds of thousands of Windows Mobile users. Meanwhile I miss my bus or train from staying to finish that last step and finally access wifi to upload my pics... when using Edge would have ultimately been faster. Bizarre.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So iphones NEVER take you to the WIFI providers conditions acceptance screen? can some one verify this? cause if so thats good, but truthfully I dont have as much problem as you are talking about on my WM xperia. I use wifi monster or the comm manager that comes with SPB mobile shell and then access opera mobile (9.5), the terms and conditions screen loads up I accept it and thats pretty much it. No real hastle and its easy and quick. I dont know why you are having so much problem. just for comparasin can you outline the steps it takes to connect an iphone?
But at any rate for the developers out there its somthing to consider, a browser with access to a comm manager in it.
regards
Chris
Chris, thanks... Sorry I was pontificating there. Let me clear up a few things. (1) I don't have an iphone; I've never had one in my hand for more than a half hour exploring, so have never used it in "real life" scenarios. (2) I wasn't suggesting Apple could magically make all the login and acceptance requirements go away! I just meant that they do focus on exactly these kinds of common bottlenecks, to try to reduce the clutter of steps, and get the goal accomplished. (3) #2 above is not based on my having used an iphone at a coffeehouse, nor watching someone with an iphone login at a coffee house. I was commenting because this thread had been dormant for a good while, then suddenly yesterday someone commented about frustration he was having with this very issue -- and HE concluded something like "this is why Apple is winning the war".
I never took that as any kind of fanboy comment, or instigating remark. I am just imagining this person had some similar problems that I have had, and searched XDA, and came upon this thread -- because there are no other threads that I know of on this site on this subject matter of wifi utility to help smooth out the coffee house login process. And he probably read thru it thinking at the end was a solution... only to find the thread dropped off because nobody presented a solution... I merely did my best to comb the web and XDA to find potential solutions, but it stopped there because most of the utilities were about turning your device's wifi on or off, then selecting an access point. But that's not the problem that needs solving.
What I was suggesting is that just like a Google mail app connects to the web within its own UI, and NOT opening up a browser, which on some older devices like mine does take a while just to get the browser open and loaded to its home page... And it queries for username and password then pulls in your mail. And just like T-mobile has a Hotspot Utility that is a very niche specialized version of such a wifi utility limited to its access point locations like starbucks and airports and fed ex kinkos offcies, it similarly establishes a web connection without opening a browser. But it's purpose is exactly what I am talking about: to make that stuff happen as much as possible in the background so that you then get confirmation of being logged in and connected,and you can then use whatever browser you like, including opera mini.
So, though I am not a programmer, it seems to me this would not be so hard to master if someone who IS a developer applied some resource time to the problem (but that's just it, it doesn't seem to be a problem that most feel warrants any resource time applied to it). To me it would be very simple.
(1) Click a button and it queries the state of all data connections on your phone noting if wifi is on or off, and makes sure to turn wifi on if needed. (2) Like most wifi utilities, it then seeks the strongest connection and tries to login to any unsecured access point, or, if it recognizes even a secured access point, follows a login proceedure. (3) I am not sure how best to explain step 3 but to me it happens in the background: A dedicated web client/ thin-browser (something to build) opens and issues the normal commands that = "open my browser and after it loads, hit the home button to then have the browser connect to the coffee house's login page. (4) My hope would be that at this point the thin browser client can present the login page, user clicks "i agree" as normal, then (5) the connection to the wifi access point in made, and (6) the utility puts itself away, opening my preferred or default browser... and (7) I just start using my browser which is now connected via wifi.
As a user experience designer I can envision this thin client speeding up this process because it doesn't have to load a full featured browser, and it includes the wifi on/off function, essentially resulting in this, as far as user is concerned:
(1) arrive at a wifi spot that requires accepting TOS, click "SuperWifiLogonUtility" and all the wifi on/wifi off stuff happens in background.
(2) I select the access point i am trying to connect to, done.
(3) Background processes occur, and the next thing I see is the wifi provider's login page and I check "yes, i agree"
(4) That goes away, my preferred browser opens and I begin using browser connected to wifi.
Of course, I could be wrong, and perhaps this is complicated. It doesn't seem so to me
hungry81 said:
So iphones NEVER take you to the WIFI providers conditions acceptance screen? can some one verify this? cause if so thats good, but truthfully I dont have as much problem as you are talking about on my WM xperia. I use wifi monster or the comm manager that comes with SPB mobile shell and then access opera mobile (9.5), the terms and conditions screen loads up I accept it and thats pretty much it. No real hastle and its easy and quick. I dont know why you are having so much problem. just for comparasin can you outline the steps it takes to connect an iphone?
But at any rate for the developers out there its somthing to consider, a browser with access to a comm manager in it.
regards
Chris
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OperaMini uses a built-in proxy server called Opera Turbo that loads the page from Opera's server, compresses it that send the page to your device in order to reduce bandwidth and increase speeds over mobile networks. My best guess is the the hotspot login page you are trying to access can only be reached locally and is therefor not accessible using Opera Turbo. If you turn off Opera Turbo from the setting page you should be able to use it as any other browser.
a lot has changed in two years!
kellywt said:
OperaMini uses a built-in proxy server called Opera Turbo that loads the page from Opera's server, compresses it that send the page to your device in order to reduce bandwidth and increase speeds over mobile networks. My best guess is the the hotspot login page you are trying to access can only be reached locally and is therefor not accessible using Opera Turbo. If you turn off Opera Turbo from the setting page you should be able to use it as any other browser.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
a lot has changed in two years!
I'd like to save everyone the trouble of figuring out how to get this done by sharing my setup with you. The VOIP itself works great over 3G/4G and Wifi, but to use the VPN you'll need to be on Wifi, 3g VPN doesn't seem to work.
Requirements:
SipDroid app in the market
A free account at pbxes.org
A paid account at callcentric.com (~$.019 a minute to call anywhere in the US)
A paid account at SuperVPN.net ($4 /mo if you pay for the whole year)
First set up a pbxes.org account, and connect to it with the SipDroid app, I recommend using this guide to walk you through the process.
http://guardianproject.info/2010/05...e-mobile-phone-system-for-android-and-beyond/
Once you have that working there is one crucial adjustment to be made within SipDroid. For some reason it comes default with all sorts of audio codecs, but only ONE of them seemed to work on the EVO, the Speex codec. So go into audio codecs and switch everything but speex to "never".
After that you should have a working VOIP system but you'll still need some kind of trunk if you want to make outgoing calls to land lines or cell phones. There are many solutions for this but I recommend callcentric.com, they seem to be the most recommended for this type of setup, and they worked great for me. You can pay $20 a month for unlimited US calling, this means you can be anywhere in the world and call the US for just $20 a month. Or you can prepay (this is what I did), then you pay a flat rate of about $.019 a minute to call the US from anywhere, and if you reach you pre paid limit, it just cuts off until you recharge it.
Once you have your callcentric account purchased, just go into your pbxes.org admin area and under trunks add one for call centric, use your callcentric # as the username, and callcentric.com as the sip server. Then go under Outbound routing, add a new one, name it whatever and choose your callcentric trunk from the pulldown menu, submit the changes and you're done.
Now you should be able to successfully make outbound calls to anywhere using SipDroid.
Lastly, this was the most challenging for me, the VPN. Apparently android, including 2.2, has some major issues with maintaining vpn connections, especially when you try and use them for VOIP. There is a huge issue queue in the android google groups forum where the problem is openly discussed without a real solution. BUT, while it appears the majority of VPN connections will fail, they CAN work if you get it set up just right. Setting up VPN's, specifically VPN's tailored for mobile devices, is not something I know how to do. In the android group thread someone mentioned SuperVPN.net as a working solution, I checked it out and sure enough they work great, I had zero problems with them the whole time I was out of the country.
So create a supervpn.net account, and then on your phone go into Menu -> Wireless & Networks -> VPN -> Add VPN -> Add PPTP VPN, create the connection and you are good to go.
*I didn't set up an inbound call # with callcentric as I didn't need one, I assume after you upgrade your callcentric account, adding the inbound trunk is similar to the outbound. Be sure and look into getting a free inbound number from sipgate.com before you go and pay for one, you'll be locked to a California area code, but free is free.
An alternative I use is having an Asterisk server at home and use IAXAgent from the market. IAX does not have the problems that SIP does when going over NAT. I can make calls over 3G or wifi. A lot of SIP providers also provide IAX accounts. IAX is just a better way to go for making calls over the Internet. SIP is excellent for the LAN.
ChrisDos said:
An alternative I use is having an Asterisk server at home and use IAXAgent from the market. IAX does not have the problems that SIP does when going over NAT. I can make calls over 3G or wifi. A lot of SIP providers also provide IAX accounts. IAX is just a better way to go for making calls over the Internet. SIP is excellent for the LAN.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oops.. the method I posted actually works on 3g and 4g also, it's only the VPN that requires Wifi, I had worded it incorrectly, now it's fixed. (thank you)
I looked into setting up an asterisk server, but I didn't want to have to depend on my own server or home connection being available whenever I needed it, especially when I was traveling for more than a week.
Is IAX the same as a trunk, does it cost anything to connect to land lines or cellphones?
True, you method does make SIP work because you are using a VPN. IAX is an alternative to SIP. It is NAT friendly, and as long as the port is not blocked, it just works. Though, there are a fewer choices for clients compared to SIP. IAX was created by the Asterisk team. I do not know of any VOIP systems that support IAX, bug that does not mean they dont exist. I am a heavy Astersk guy, so IAX was my cup of tea.
What advantages does this have over google voice?
I'm curious cause i'll be going to england soon and would be nice to make calls over wifi.
ShoxV said:
What advantages does this have over google voice?
I'm curious cause i'll be going to england soon and would be nice to make calls over wifi.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
None, in fact, it his disadvantages (See below). Also, most businesses, schools, etc. will block just about every VPN method. OpenVPN is the most flexible one I have found, which might be able to sneak around by using alternate sub-1000 ports (which most places won't block, since they require root access on whatever server they're running from).
OP: Might wanna take a look at this...
http://www.mywot.com/en/scorecard/supervpn.net
drmacinyasha said:
None, in fact, it his disadvantages (See below). Also, most businesses, schools, etc. will block just about every VPN method. OpenVPN is the most flexible one I have found, which might be able to sneak around by using alternate sub-1000 ports (which most places won't block, since they require root access on whatever server they're running from).
OP: Might wanna take a look at this...
http://www.mywot.com/en/scorecard/supervpn.net
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure what you're talking about, it saved me hundreds of dollars in roaming minutes while I was in Belize. Some places do block vpns I'm sure but I never had any issues, but you don't need the vpn itself unless you're in a country that blocks voip altogether, at which point occasional vpn is greater than no vpn.
Also supervpn was the only method I found that actually works on android, I think the risks referenced in that link you posted really only apply to desktop vpn use, not phones. Openvpn is great for somewhat advanced users and if you have a computer you can depend on as a server while you're out of the country for days or weeks, this guide isn't meant for someone capable of managing that.
As for Google voice, it just initiates an inbound call to your actual cell number, which does zero good when you're trying to avoid roaming. Now the new gmail implementation of voice shows promise as an actual voip solution, but currently that version is desktop only from what I can tell.
Hello,
in the past few days a have been trying to connect my samsung i5801 to the university network through VPN.
This forum has been a giant source of information and therefore I was able to create the VPN-connection I need (thank you XDA!!!).
I am now able to read my Gmail and visit the Android-market but that is about it. Apparently it is nog possible to download apps or to check my other email-accounts, not even facebook. It is pretty important for me to have the internet connectivity, since I have to use the Pubmed-application in search of articles for my thesis and other papers.
Is there any way to make the VPN connection allow me to use the internet? Or is it more likely the problem lies with the ICT-coordination from the university? I have looked at other threads, but so far I haven't found a solution to my problem.
Oh, I use the app VPN Connections (v0.99) because my university uses Cisco.
Greetings,
Time for me to update this thread!
For all of the T-Mobile users who are still trying to find a way to circumvent the user agent checking that T-Mobile does while using a third party hotspot app and don't feel like decompiling, editing XMLs, and recompiling, or messing with editing APNs, or ETC... A simple solution that I'm using; use a VPN.
Search the market for: Hotspot Shield
▼ ▼
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=hotspotshield.android.vpn&feature=nav_result
▲ ▲
Also DO NOT use the native hotspot, I state this because of all the edits I've tried, the native hotspot still connects to the APN: pcwebs.tmobile.com instead of epc.tmobile.com - Which sniffs out the user agent of your browser and sends you to the upsell page.
If you're on the Galaxy S3 and JB use this app by TrevE
▼ ▼
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1988735
▲ ▲
All others that are capable use Wifi Tether for root users.
▼ ▼
https://play.google.com/store/apps/...S5nb29nbGVjb2RlLmFuZHJvaWQud2lmaS50ZXRoZXIiXQ
▲ ▲
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 - Start Hotspot Shield. (As of 10/18/2013 If you select to "Restore Purchase" Redeem code is "FREE" it'l give you 30 days of elite service for free!)
2 - Wait for connection to establish and a "key icon" to show up in your statusbar.
3 - Start Wifi Tether for Root Users or TrevE Mod which ever you're using.
4 - Configure wifi tether settings.
[For SGS3 users on JB using WifiTether_TrevE_Mod Version 3.2-Beta2-041713, I've found the best setting to use is as follows:
Device Profile: Generic ICS/JB (wlan0)
Setup Method: Auto
Wifi Encryption: Your Preference
SsID: (whatever you wanna use)
Don't disable bluetooth: Checked
Wifi driver reload 2: Checked
Enable Access-Control: Checked
MMS Clamping: Checked
Routing fix: Checked
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 - Tap icon to start tethering.
Once all of the messages stop popping up... Enjoy!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Optionally:
If you wanna setup your own personal VPN - G.I.Y.F. (Google is your friend) Search for OpenVPN methods. PPTP also works.
Im just a little too lazy to type the instructions. ლ(ಠ益ಠ)ლ
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Also I'm using the following setup:
Device: SGH-T999
ROM: Synergy (R484) ► http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2113452◄
Kernel: Faux (OC'd 1.62 GHz) ► http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2089801◄
Modem: UVLI8 ► http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1880987◄
Data Plan: Unlimited Nationwide 4G
*UVLI8 happens to be the best modem for the areas that I frequent, which ranges from Waukegan all the way to downtown Chicago; it keeps me on HSPA+ 85-90% of the time. So experiment and find out which modem works best for you in your area.
►http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=31409271#post31409271 ◄ Here's a map to help you guys get started on finding the right modem for you.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If anyone has an issue where Hotspot Shield is not working on their device and giving you the error message:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Critical Error |
VPN API is not available on your device. |
Unable to find explicit activity class |
{com.android.vpndialogs/com.android.vpndialogs.ConfirmDialog}, Have you |
declared this activity in your AndroidManifest.xml?" |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It, in my case, is caused by having Xposed Framework installed. The only fix I've found for it was to Titanium Backup my apps, then uninstall the Xposed Framework - requires you to boot into recovery and flash the zip file "Xposed-Disabler-CWM.zip" then you have to Wipe Data/Cache/Dalvik/Fix Permissions, flash your rom again, and restore from TB.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
Vee63b said:
For all of the T-Mobile users who are still trying to find a way to circumvent the user agent checking that T Mobile while using the native hotspot app and don't feel like decompiling, editing XMLs, and recompiling, or messing with editing APNs, or ETC... A simple solution that I'm using; use a VPN.
Search the market for: VPN One Click
Also don't use the native hotspot, if you're on the Galaxy S3 and JB use this app by TrevE
All others capable use wifi tether for root users.
Enjoy! I'll post later to help you guys setup your own personal VPN. I'm currently in a moving truck moving to Chicago. ლ(ಠ益ಠ)ლ
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds nice! i'll check it out when you post your setup
imilleson said:
Sounds nice! i'll check it out when you post your setup
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you have a chance to try this bypass method? And did it work for you?
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
Vee63b said:
Did you have a chance to try this bypass method? And did it work for you?
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it worked for me after a lot of screwing around on my note 2.
Working so far, I'll give it some time just to make sure it doesn't pop up again or if it just stops working. I'll report back later :thumbup:
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
GREAT! Now is everyone using the vpn one click app or has anyone attempted to set their own vpn server yet?
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
Vee63b said:
GREAT! Now is everyone using the vpn one click app or has anyone attempted to set their own vpn server yet?
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i read about it but not quite sure how it works, does the server go on the phone or the computer? isn't there more to it then just setting up a server, otherwise why would companies make you pay for this?
robl45 said:
i read about it but not quite sure how it works, does the server go on the phone or the computer? isn't there more to it then just setting up a server, otherwise why would companies make you pay for this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The way a VPN (Virtual Private Network) works is by anonymously masking ALL network traffic to it's destination. I hope my explaination can help those who doesn't understand how a VPN connection work. Here we go:
Normally -
A mobile device connects to service provider monitored internet. In T-Mobile's case, packets are sniffed out that contain any form of user-agent strings, and if the strings report anything other than a mobile device, internet connection is denied and you are redirected to the dreaded "upsell page".
Think of it as water with particles in it passing through sand before reaching the well of water below the sand.
If the water is your network traffic the particles in the water would represent your user agent and the sand is your service provider's filters; not all of the particles will make it through the sand and into the well if they arent small enough to pass through the grains of sand.
Using a VPN is kinda like shoving a tube through the sand and sending your water & particle mixture through the tube directly into the well below. Everything makes it through whether the particles are big or small.
Sorry its late and I probably used a bad analogy. Anywho I hope it made a bit of sense. Lol
I can help you set up your own private VPN. The problem is there's some many different types of routers available for everyone to use. The PPTP type VPN is actually set up through your router. For most people there will be an option to utilize the PPTP port within your router setup screen. Open a web browser, type in 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 or "routerlogin", the webpage will ask for a username and password. If you changes it, whatever your username and password is. If you didn't, the default username is "admin or administrator" and the default password is usually, "password" dig through the available settings you have and let me know if you have the option to enable anything labeled "PPTP" also let me know which router you have.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
yea, so basically, you'd have to setup and only use at one place? is there a solution that will let you tether to any computer anywhere? like is there something you can just setup on the phone? I mean something we can setup as opposed to this 1click vpn which my guess is won't stay free for long.
robl45 said:
yea, so basically, you'd have to setup and only use at one place? is there a solution that will let you tether to any computer anywhere? like is there something you can just setup on the phone? I mean something we can setup as opposed to this 1click vpn which my guess is won't stay free for long.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You actually set up your home network to host you own personal VPN. So no matter where you are, your phone would always use your home network.
Your phone will still use the service provider's data service, however, it would use it only to connect to your VPN at home and then securely reroute that data back to your device. So as all of the data is moved along T-Mobile's servers the data in your VPN cannot be read by tmobile's filtering process.
So one personal vpn server would be all you need. There's an option if you check your "settings -> more settings -> VPN" that will let you use a VPN for all connections on your device. Let me know if there's anything I can clarify.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
Just remember the hit on network performance. Your home network is downloading from the net, encrypting it, and uploading it to your device. This assumes you're outside your home network.
Still Charged Up
thanks for sharing !!
Reilly1812 said:
Just remember the hit on network performance. Your home network is downloading from the net, encrypting it, and uploading it to your device. This assumes you're outside your home network.
Still Charged Up
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is true, its not that bad of a lag for me here in Chicago however, normally my download speeds are between 5-7 Mbps on 4G, with the VPn running I drop to 3-5 Mbps, but I've kinda tweaked the tether apk to start OpenVPN when tethering starts and to disconnect when I turn off tethering. So for the most part I never notice the hit on my speed, I've configured packet compression on my personal VPN server. I'm using a Linksys E4200 on AT&T U-Verse. Thanks for pointing that out for me by the way Reilly, I know I've forgot to list the pros and cons of a vpn, I have a few minutes in my hectic life to hop on xda and make a few quick posts but never enough time to go into detail and proof-read my own posts.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
giffy89 said:
thanks for sharing !!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem. I was just seeing alot of people asking for a surefire method to bypass the UA check to connect things that you can't simply use a plugin to spoof. So I decided to share how I get by it on the Nationwide Unlimited 4G plan.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
Vee63b said:
GREAT! Now is everyone using the vpn one click app or has anyone attempted to set their own vpn server yet?
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just setup my own VPN server on my Windows Home Server 2011 box last night. I'm now tethering and haven't had any issues yet.
So far, so good. :good:
I have my UA set normally and am on the unlimited plan as well.
Reilly1812 said:
Just remember the hit on network performance. Your home network is downloading from the net, encrypting it, and uploading it to your device. This assumes you're outside your home network.
Still Charged Up
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, there is a hit but it's still MUCH faster than the slow wifi at Starbucks.
mark925 said:
I just setup my own VPN server on my Windows Home Server 2011 box last night. I'm now tethering and haven't had any issues yet.
So far, so good. :good:
I have my UA set normally and am on the unlimited plan as well.
Yes, there is a hit but it's still MUCH faster than the slow wifi at Starbucks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol, originally I started looking for a way to bypass UA checks because I wanted to update my laptop which reports UAs as Internet Explorer through the Windows Update Center, and my Xbox 360 which also reports as IE when connected to Xbox Live. I didn't really need tethering until then. But its a pretty convenient function to have when I'm out and about.
Glad I could help out the other users on T-Mobile, lol I guess as the slogan says, "Stick Together"
Happy tethering everyone.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
Hey, thanks for the info. If you're using a VPN it should work with most wifi tether apps though, shouldn't it? I'm on a N4 and CM10.1, which I guess should have about the same tethering app as the stock firmware. Also, it should work with BT tethering, shouldn't it?
Another question, is VPN One Click really free, or is there a catch? My router doesn't seem to have the VPN option you mentioned before, and my home internet appears to be 15mb down, but only 1mb up, which would limit considerably my speed even if I did a personal VPN.
andy o said:
Hey, thanks for the info. If you're using a VPN it should work with most wifi tether apps though, shouldn't it? I'm on a N4 and CM10.1, which I guess should have about the same tethering app as the stock firmware. Also, it should work with BT tethering, shouldn't it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use Wi-Fi Tether for Root Users and it works fine with VPN.
I tested with the native app, but it doesn't connect to the internet. So that's that.
With Wifi Tether for Root Users, it worked once but in a very flaky way. After that one time, couldn't get it working again. Tried many different profiles, and the one in which I don't get any log errors is forcing the generic one, forcing one of the setup methods. Apparently it doesn't work with the N4, there's another N4 user in the reviews that has problems too. Another very similar app is Open Garden's wifi tether, but it seems to be pretty much the same app as Wifi Tether for root users, has an almost identical interface and options. And of course, also doesn't work. Barnacle is another that doesn't work with the N4. By the way, this is all without even using VPN, so those aren't viable for us with the N4.
andy o said:
I tested with the native app, but it doesn't connect to the internet. So that's that.
With Wifi Tether for Root Users, it worked once but in a very flaky way. After that one time, couldn't get it working again. Tried many different profiles, and the one in which I don't get any log errors is forcing the generic one, forcing one of the setup methods. Apparently it doesn't work with the N4, there's another N4 user in the reviews that has problems too. Another very similar app is Open Garden's wifi tether, but it seems to be pretty much the same app as Wifi Tether for root users, has an almost identical interface and options. And of course, also doesn't work. Barnacle is another that doesn't work with the N4. By the way, this is all without even using VPN, so those aren't viable for us with the N4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Possibly it's because the app hasn't been updated in months and is not playing well with 4.2.1 or having encryption issues with the device
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
If you're like me, then you have a data plan with T-Mobile that includes only 2.5GB of data for tethering. After you 2.5GB is up,T-Mobile begins redirecting all of your tethered traffic to a webpage prompting you to buy more tethering data.
T-Mobile does this by reading all of the headers on every HTTP request. It analyzes each one and reads the User-Agent string. This is what tells websites how to deliver their content for you and is why you only get mobile versions of webpages on your phone and not on your laptop. So, many people got around this by spoofing the user agent with a browser plugin to make it look like your laptop was requesting the mobile version of websites (so T-Mobile would think that it's a phone requesting the data, not a tethered laptop.) However this solution only works for that specific browser. Other browsers, applications, and devices that do not support User-Agent spoofing were left without a solution. Was I really the only one trying to tether my PS3 for Netflix and gaming?
So some people turned to VPNs which basically act as a secure proxy so that T-Mobile could not read the traffic and tell what the User-Agent was. But this often costs money and/or slows down your network speed. Seeing as how people who are looking for a tether workaround are trying to not spend money, and are trying to use T-Mobile's lightning fast LTE, this isn't really a practical solution.
So after spending hours and hours looking for a solution, I came to the conclusion that there was none yet.
I deduced that the obvious solution would be to modify the packets on the fly and change the user-agent string of every HTTP request as it came to the phone before forwarding it on to T-Mobile. Luckily for us, all HTTP requests that have no User-Agent string or a string of "null/null" etc. are automatically accepted! So all that needed to be done was to strip the user-agent string of all of the outgoing HTTP requests - on the fly.
My first thought was that hopefully there was an android app that could do this.
There isn't.
And I am not capable of making one but if you find one or can make one, please tell me and I will adjust this explanation because that would make things a bit simpler. However, since we don't live in a perfect world, we have to run a program on a computer and route all traffic through that program. This wonderful little program that I came across called "Fiddler" (it won't let me post the link but it's www[dot]fiddler2[dot]com) is just what we need. It's a completely free program.
Go download and install fiddler. This program will allow us to monitor and 'fiddle' with the network traffic on the fly!
First, fire up your tethering app on your phone and connect your computer. I personally use android WiFi tether but I suppose it probably doesn't matter which one you use. Once you've connected your computer. Open up fiddler, go to "Rules," "User-Agents," and select "Custom..." A window will pop up. Leave this blank and click okay. Now, all of the network traffic from that computer with have its user-agent string modified to "User-Agent:[blank]" Test this out on any browser on your computer and you should not be redirected to the upsell page.
Now for all of your other devices! I was particularly concerned with my PS3 but any device that supports proxy use will work. That's a hell of a lot more devices than the number that support UA spoofing haha. Go to "Connection Settings" on your PS3 and select "Manual"
Go through your setup as usual and connect to your phone's wifi hotspot. When you come to the page that says "Proxy Settings" select "Use"
For the IP address go back to your computer and look at Fiddler. In the top-right corner there is an image of two computers and it says "Online" next to it. Hover over that icon and it will have an IP address listed. This is the virtual proxy that Fiddler has set up for auxillary incoming traffic on the local network. Type that IP address into the PS3's proxy settings and use port 8888 (you may have to configure your computer firewall to allow incoming traffic on that address/port)
Also, in Fiddler go to the AutoResponder tab and check the box that says "Unmatched requests passthrough." This is so that HTTP requests that come in without a User-agent already defined will just be passed on. If this box is not checked you may get frequent 404 errors.
Finish up the connection settings on the PS3 and let it fly! You can watch the traffic on Fiddler in real time!
This is my first post on XDA and this workaround is brand new as far as I can tell so there may be some kinks that need to be worked out.
Let me know if you have any questions or problems!
Respectfully,
Hunter.
TexasState said:
If you're like me, then you have a data plan with T-Mobile that includes only 2.5GB of data for tethering. After you 2.5GB is up,T-Mobile begins redirecting all of your tethered traffic to a webpage prompting you to buy more tethering data.
T-Mobile does this by reading all of the headers on every HTTP request. It analyzes each one and reads the User-Agent string. This is what tells websites how to deliver their content for you and is why you only get mobile versions of webpages on your phone and not on your laptop. So, many people got around this by spoofing the user agent with a browser plugin to make it look like your laptop was requesting the mobile version of websites (so T-Mobile would think that it's a phone requesting the data, not a tethered laptop.) However this solution only works for that specific browser. Other browsers, applications, and devices that do not support User-Agent spoofing were left without a solution. Was I really the only one trying to tether my PS3 for Netflix and gaming?
So some people turned to VPNs which basically act as a secure proxy so that T-Mobile could not read the traffic and tell what the User-Agent was. But this often costs money and/or slows down your network speed. Seeing as how people who are looking for a tether workaround are trying to not spend money, and are trying to use T-Mobile's lightning fast LTE, this isn't really a practical solution.
So after spending hours and hours looking for a solution, I came to the conclusion that there was none yet.
I deduced that the obvious solution would be to modify the packets on the fly and change the user-agent string of every HTTP request as it came to the phone before forwarding it on to T-Mobile. Luckily for us, all HTTP requests that have no User-Agent string or a string of "null/null" etc. are automatically accepted! So all that needed to be done was to strip the user-agent string of all of the outgoing HTTP requests - on the fly.
My first thought was that hopefully there was an android app that could do this.
There isn't.
And I am not capable of making one but if you find one or can make one, please tell me and I will adjust this explanation because that would make things a bit simpler. However, since we don't live in a perfect world, we have to run a program on a computer and route all traffic through that program. This wonderful little program that I came across called "Fiddler" (it won't let me post the link but it's www[dot]fiddler2[dot]com) is just what we need. It's a completely free program.
Go download and install fiddler. This program will allow us to monitor and 'fiddle' with the network traffic on the fly!
First, fire up your tethering app on your phone and connect your computer. I personally use android WiFi tether but I suppose it probably doesn't matter which one you use. Once you've connected your computer. Open up fiddler, go to "Rules," "User-Agents," and select "Custom..." A window will pop up. Leave this blank and click okay. Now, all of the network traffic from that computer with have its user-agent string modified to "User-Agent:[blank]" Test this out on any browser on your computer and you should not be redirected to the upsell page.
Now for all of your other devices! I was particularly concerned with my PS3 but any device that supports proxy use will work. That's a hell of a lot more devices than the number that support UA spoofing haha. Go to "Connection Settings" on your PS3 and select "Manual"
Go through your setup as usual and connect to your phone's wifi hotspot. When you come to the page that says "Proxy Settings" select "Use"
For the IP address go back to your computer and look at Fiddler. In the top-right corner there is an image of two computers and it says "Online" next to it. Hover over that icon and it will have an IP address listed. This is the virtual proxy that Fiddler has set up for auxillary incoming traffic on the local network. Type that IP address into the PS3's proxy settings and use port 8888 (you may have to configure your computer firewall to allow incoming traffic on that address/port)
Also, in Fiddler go to the AutoResponder tab and check the box that says "Unmatched requests passthrough." This is so that HTTP requests that come in without a User-agent already defined will just be passed on. If this box is not checked you may get frequent 404 errors.
Finish up the connection settings on the PS3 and let it fly! You can watch the traffic on Fiddler in real time!
This is my first post on XDA and this workaround is brand new as far as I can tell so there may be some kinks that need to be worked out.
Let me know if you have any questions or problems!
Respectfully,
Hunter.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, that's a workaround indeed, however the setup is long and extensive for anyone. We're still trying to find a QUICK solution that doesn't require a mass setup of every device. I only bounce to my tethering when there's an outage at home or I'm on the road, neither are the best solutions to be spending time switching everything over when I could have just as easily opened the browser on my phone to take care of everything. I found this post from the link you posted in the other thread where we weren't discussing hard solutions, just concepts and ideas, theoretical solutions (hence why there was never a post like this there). It's great to see that the one thing we know is the catalyst has been confirmed once again (HTTP USER-AGENT) as what T-Mo and every other carrier is doing, so this is a solution for not just T-Mo, but every provider. Again, it's a hell of a setup and requires that you keep at least one computer active during the ENTIRE tethering session, also, it appears T-Mo doesn't block Playstation 3 from what I can tell, at least we were able to watch like 3-4 hours of Netflix when we had the 500mb tethering cap without a problem.
This affect nat type? If I use this program? Ps3 online game though
Sent from my SGH-T889 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
It seems T-Mobile has caught onto using different agents. I was trying to use mobile hotspot on my laptop yesterday. It didn't matter if my UA was android handset or Googlebot, it redirected me to a hotspot upsell page.
Dr. Hax said:
It seems T-Mobile has caught onto using different agents. I was trying to use mobile hotspot on my laptop yesterday. It didn't matter if my UA was android handset or Googlebot, it redirected me to a hotspot upsell page.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go into your APNs and select the tethering APN, if you can edit the hostname from epc.tmobile.com to fast.t-mobile.com or whatever your normal APN is, there are a bunch of threads talking about how to get tethering working, this is just the LAST step, don't come here thinking this is the FIRST step, you're going at it backwards.
TexasState said:
If you're like me, then you have a data plan with T-Mobile that includes only 2.5GB of data for tethering. After you 2.5GB is up,T-Mobile begins redirecting all of your tethered traffic to a webpage prompting you to buy more tethering data.
T-Mobile does this by reading all of the headers on every HTTP request. It analyzes each one and reads the User-Agent string. This is what tells websites how to deliver their content for you and is why you only get mobile versions of webpages on your phone and not on your laptop. So, many people got around this by spoofing the user agent with a browser plugin to make it look like your laptop was requesting the mobile version of websites (so T-Mobile would think that it's a phone requesting the data, not a tethered laptop.) However this solution only works for that specific browser. Other browsers, applications, and devices that do not support User-Agent spoofing were left without a solution. Was I really the only one trying to tether my PS3 for Netflix and gaming?
So some people turned to VPNs which basically act as a secure proxy so that T-Mobile could not read the traffic and tell what the User-Agent was. But this often costs money and/or slows down your network speed. Seeing as how people who are looking for a tether workaround are trying to not spend money, and are trying to use T-Mobile's lightning fast LTE, this isn't really a practical solution.
So after spending hours and hours looking for a solution, I came to the conclusion that there was none yet.
I deduced that the obvious solution would be to modify the packets on the fly and change the user-agent string of every HTTP request as it came to the phone before forwarding it on to T-Mobile. Luckily for us, all HTTP requests that have no User-Agent string or a string of "null/null" etc. are automatically accepted! So all that needed to be done was to strip the user-agent string of all of the outgoing HTTP requests - on the fly.
My first thought was that hopefully there was an android app that could do this.
There isn't.
And I am not capable of making one but if you find one or can make one, please tell me and I will adjust this explanation because that would make things a bit simpler. However, since we don't live in a perfect world, we have to run a program on a computer and route all traffic through that program. This wonderful little program that I came across called "Fiddler" (it won't let me post the link but it's www[dot]fiddler2[dot]com) is just what we need. It's a completely free program.
Go download and install fiddler. This program will allow us to monitor and 'fiddle' with the network traffic on the fly!
First, fire up your tethering app on your phone and connect your computer. I personally use android WiFi tether but I suppose it probably doesn't matter which one you use. Once you've connected your computer. Open up fiddler, go to "Rules," "User-Agents," and select "Custom..." A window will pop up. Leave this blank and click okay. Now, all of the network traffic from that computer with have its user-agent string modified to "User-Agent:[blank]" Test this out on any browser on your computer and you should not be redirected to the upsell page.
Now for all of your other devices! I was particularly concerned with my PS3 but any device that supports proxy use will work. That's a hell of a lot more devices than the number that support UA spoofing haha. Go to "Connection Settings" on your PS3 and select "Manual"
Go through your setup as usual and connect to your phone's wifi hotspot. When you come to the page that says "Proxy Settings" select "Use"
For the IP address go back to your computer and look at Fiddler. In the top-right corner there is an image of two computers and it says "Online" next to it. Hover over that icon and it will have an IP address listed. This is the virtual proxy that Fiddler has set up for auxillary incoming traffic on the local network. Type that IP address into the PS3's proxy settings and use port 8888 (you may have to configure your computer firewall to allow incoming traffic on that address/port)
Also, in Fiddler go to the AutoResponder tab and check the box that says "Unmatched requests passthrough." This is so that HTTP requests that come in without a User-agent already defined will just be passed on. If this box is not checked you may get frequent 404 errors.
Finish up the connection settings on the PS3 and let it fly! You can watch the traffic on Fiddler in real time!
This is my first post on XDA and this workaround is brand new as far as I can tell so there may be some kinks that need to be worked out.
Let me know if you have any questions or problems!
Respectfully,
Hunter.
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Click to collapse
Doesn't work on ps3...obtaining ip address succeeds but internet connection fails..i added the ip and port 8888 to the fire wall and allowed connection. and when i hover over the two computers it shows two ip addresses i have tried both and same results
metro pcs upsell, lg optimus f3/JB 4.1.2
I'm on the Metro PCS network, i used to have the lg motion and that phone would hotspot my ps3 with no problems. I figured that I would upgrade my phone to the lg optimus F3 and keep hotspoting on the $60 unlimited plan. Much to my surprise I have ran into the same issue many have others have ran into, the tmobile upsell page. mine now says metro pcs upsell. so I have tried many Apps in the store with no possible way around the upsell page. After hours and days of research, its apperhant that tmobile and metro pcs are not restricting the tethering function. I can obtain an ip address but not gain internet access. As have many others. I've rooted my phone using motochopper, i installed titanium backup pro, and rom toolbox pro. I backed up all my apk's to the external and went root browsing for anything that has to do with wifi, hotspot or tether. I wasnt getting anywhere untill today. My LG Optimus F3 runs on JB 4.1.2, instead of finding tethering features i found the open source codes on sharing data and http rules. I dont have much experience with altering codes, but i do know this would be a great starting point for bypassing the upsell reroute. By using romtools pro, i finally found myself using the app manager, from there i clicked on the file networking apk, i scrolled the app display to the right to get to romtools special features, clicked on explore apk. Every rule was laid out in plain text using a notepad. Javax/servlets/resources. Every file in this folder can be read with notepad. There is tons of info regarding internet sharing, web browsing, and what runs and triggers the infamous upsell codes. I've read a few post where developers are trying to find the source of upsell, i hope this helps as a starting point. (Besides that) i was also able to enter the lg hidden menu and uninstall all metro pcs apps with one click
"(Besides that) i was also able to enter the lg hidden menu and uninstall all metro pcs apps with one click""" ????
i am in exact same boat , metropcs , rooted with all tricks tried , and still upsell page .
one interesting thing though is my lg motion can use the F3 wifi for ip camera apps . tried other apps but no go .
"IP camera viewer" has no issues accessing internet by way of a wifi tether on the F3 using my non active LG motion , strange .......the other apps report network errors or just fail to start ( netflix ) perhaps this will help in hunting a bypass on the UPsell crap
Thanks but...
Thanks for providing the most current news about this problem with Tmobile, I have been using HMA / foxfi since Aug 2013. Just a few hours ago it stopped working, couldn't even login to VPN. I lost my useragent switcher when I upgraded Chrome, and couldn't fall back on that either, so thanks for the tip about fiddler.
I am currently online because I caved to the upsell. So my question is, has Tmobile "improved" security on its upsell to the point that VPN's and UA spoofs dont work anymore, and do I have to learn the answer to this by community or by blowing my data limit again? Does anyone have a fresh strategy, or know what's going on in Tmobile business? Do they even care about people like us?
I live by this connection, since other ISP's around here are not worthwhile, and I maintain mobile business with my laptop, and I would prefer to process GB's without having to scavenge for someone else's wifi.
petedude2lu3 said:
Thanks for providing the most current news about this problem with Tmobile, I have been using HMA / foxfi since Aug 2013. Just a few hours ago it stopped working, couldn't even login to VPN. I lost my useragent switcher when I upgraded Chrome, and couldn't fall back on that either, so thanks for the tip about fiddler.
I am currently online because I caved to the upsell. So my question is, has Tmobile "improved" security on its upsell to the point that VPN's and UA spoofs dont work anymore, and do I have to learn the answer to this by community or by blowing my data limit again? Does anyone have a fresh strategy, or know what's going on in Tmobile business? Do they even care about people like us?
I live by this connection, since other ISP's around here are not worthwhile, and I maintain mobile business with my laptop, and I would prefer to process GB's without having to scavenge for someone else's wifi.
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Click to collapse
VPN's no longer work for me either. I'm not getting the upsell page just no internet access at all while tethering.
Thanks TexasState, this was very valuable information that got me completely through T-Mobile's "walled garden" on their unlimited high-speed plan (for phones only) in an area where we don't have any good land-line options. :good:
What are some proactive approaches to making sure T-Mobile doesn't block my line? I'm using a phone basically as a makeshift wifi-router and all our computers run Fiddler. Is there anything else that T-Mobile might do to sniff out cheaters in the future? Is user-agent the only thing they can look at to determine if you're cheating?
Greetings first post here on XDA I have been able to tether via usb on metro/tmobile in OKC ,I am on a rooted F3 (LGMS659) I have tried just about everything a little luck with open garden but too slow for me ,downloaded foxfi wifi ap point no go ,redirected to upsell , tried usb with level one settings ,it works . but I may have done something when I entered the hidden menu 3548#*659# in settings those last two are interesting to me Upsell Url and ATS Start Property On
Took me about 8-10 hours to figure it out but i did it so heres how you get your tether back.
1.Open up your hidden menu.
2.Open Wlan test.
3. Click on UpSell and turn it off.
And turn on your tether app and have fun.
JUN10R831 said:
Took me about 8-10 hours to figure it out but i did it so heres how you get your tether back.
1.Open up your hidden menu.
2.Open Wlan test.
3. Click on UpSell and turn it off.
And turn on your tether app and have fun.
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Click to collapse
After half a day on the unlimited plan with Tea Mobile, this seems to have worked for me. Had to reinstall hiddenmenu.apk on my LG phone because I removed it earlier as bloatware but even after a reinstall as a user (as opposed to system) app, it worked.
Procedure was slightly different due to different model of phone/hidden menu but same basic procedure. BTW, it's unlimited but with 2.5 gb cap for hotspot. Let's just say I'm over the cap.
EDIT: So I got to almost 6 gb in one day, but then I got the redirect of death. I will troubleshoot when I have time later.
dbozam said:
After half a day on the unlimited plan with Tea Mobile, this seems to have worked for me. Had to reinstall hiddenmenu.apk on my LG phone because I removed it earlier as bloatware but even after a reinstall as a user (as opposed to system) app, it worked.
Procedure was slightly different due to different model of phone/hidden menu but same basic procedure. BTW, it's unlimited but with 2.5 gb cap for hotspot. Let's just say I'm over the cap.
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Click to collapse
What model did you use? Mine was in the Hidden Menu --> Settings menu.. and i chose "Upsell Try Off" with no avail.
LG G2 for Tmobile.
S4 "Hidden" Menu
I'm having the same issues as presented above but I'm unable to get into the "hidden" menu using the key code mentioned. I'm running Wicked V10 (it's great). Would love to test this out if I could access the right menu. So far I've gotten into the service menu but that's it.
This is by far the best work around I have found. Everything works. And if you are clever you can edit your user agent rules so they are automatic. Then turn fiddler into a windows service so ya never have to see it again and it just works. Excellent tutorial. The only thing I wish I could do is figure out how to get my Xbox 360 to connect to fiddlers proxy. If anyone knows please post it.
Thanks again OP
-Polluti0n
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T879 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Blank UA causes 403s and ASP issues.
This method works fantastic overall. I have my phone tethered to a router and run fiddler on all needed devices - no upsell message thus far (40GB+ down)
The issue I've run into is that some websites user the User Agent string to serve different content - by using a blank UA many ASP.net websites fail (on _doPostBack, in particular) and several give 403 errors (docs.WooThemes com) so I switched to a mobile UA but then sites serve mobile versions of their content (Amazon com). The next option is a desktop UA, but then I may as well not even switch it at ll?
I'm wondering - does anyone know what specifically T-Mobile looks for in the UA field, or know of a valid UA string that avoids detection but doesn't register as mobile (or give 403's)?
brn2drv99 said:
This method works fantastic overall. I have my phone tethered to a router and run fiddler on all needed devices - no upsell message thus far (40GB+ down)
The issue I've run into is that some websites user the User Agent string to serve different content - by using a blank UA many ASP.net websites fail (on _doPostBack, in particular) and several give 403 errors (docs.WooThemes com) so I switched to a mobile UA but then sites serve mobile versions of their content (Amazon com). The next option is a desktop UA, but then I may as well not even switch it at ll?
I'm wondering - does anyone know what specifically T-Mobile looks for in the UA field, or know of a valid UA string that avoids detection but doesn't register as mobile (or give 403's)?
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Click to collapse
Googlebot and safari 5 for windows work great and are undetected by T-Mobile.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T879 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Polluti0n said:
Googlebot and safari 5 for windows work great and are undetected by T-Mobile.
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Click to collapse
Seems to work perfectly. Thanks!
For anyone needing it, here's a bare-bones CustomRules js file for Fiddler.
Code:
import System;
import Fiddler;
class Handlers
{
static function OnBeforeRequest(oSession: Session) {
// User-Agent Overrides
oSession.oRequest["User-Agent"] = "Mozilla/5.0 (compatible; Googlebot/2.1; +tp://w.google.com/bot.html)";
// Add 'ht' after the + and make it 3 'w's instead of just one
}
}