04 · Connections

Connections.

The same Wi‑Fi is the usual way the phone reaches your computer. When it isn’t possible, or isn’t steady enough, there’s another way. Each one is a choice under Connection in the panel.

Which to choose

Wi‑Fi

Your computer and the phone on the same Wi‑Fi network. Nothing to set up.

If the phone can’t open the link, the network is keeping its devices apart, as office, hotel and guest Wi‑Fi often do. Nothing on your computer can change that; use any other option here instead.

Ethernet

Your computer plugged into the router the phone’s Wi‑Fi comes from. Steadier than Wi‑Fi on both ends, and the better choice when several devices are watching, because each one gets its own copy of the stream (see Viewers).

Hotspot

A phone’s hotspot, joined by your computer. The quickest fix when a network won’t let the phone connect.

1. Turn on the hotspot

   On the phone, turn on Personal Hotspot (on Android, Hotspot & tethering).

2. Join it from the computer

   Choose the hotspot from your computer’s Wi‑Fi menu. If another device is watching, join it from that device too.

3. Pick Hotspot

   Choose Hotspot under Connection.

Mobile data: none. The picture travels between your own devices, not over cellular.

iPhone USB

An iPhone or iPad plugged into your computer with its charging cable. The steadiest link there is.

1. Plug the phone in and unlock it

   Choose Trust if it asks.

2. Pick iPhone USB

   Wait a few seconds for iPhone USB to appear under Connection, and pick it.

Only the phone on the cable can watch this way. Android phones can’t connect to a Mac by USB; use a hotspot instead.

Only the phone on the cable can watch this way. If iPhone USB doesn’t appear, turn on Personal Hotspot on the phone.

Android USB

An Android phone plugged into your computer. Nothing to install.

1. Plug the phone in and unlock it
2. Turn on USB tethering

   On the phone: Settings›Network & internet›Hotspot & tethering, and turn on USB tethering.

3. Pick Android USB

   Wait a few seconds for Android USB to appear under Connection, and pick it.

Only the phone on the cable can watch this way. Some phones name USB tethering differently; search Settings for it.

Direct LAN

An Ethernet cable straight from your computer to a tablet, with a USB‑C Ethernet adapter at each end. No router.

1. Connect the cable

   Adapter into the computer, adapter into the tablet, cable between them.

2. Wait half a minute

   Both ends give themselves an address.

3. Pick Direct LAN

   Choose Direct LAN under Connection.

Your computer stays online over its Wi‑Fi while the cable carries the picture.

Access Point

Your Mac makes a Wi‑Fi network of its own and the phone joins it. The Mac has to be online some other way first, by Ethernet or an iPhone on USB.

Your PC makes a Wi‑Fi network of its own and the phone joins it. Most PCs can do this while staying on their own Wi‑Fi.

1. Get the Mac online without Wi‑Fi

   Ethernet, or an iPhone plugged in with Personal Hotspot on.

2. Open Internet Sharing

   System Settings›General›Sharing›Internet Sharing. Share from that Ethernet or iPhone USB, to Wi‑Fi.

3. Name it and turn it on

   Set a name and password under Wi‑Fi Options, then turn Internet Sharing on.

4. Join it from the phone

   Then pick Access Point under Connection.

1. Open Mobile hotspot

   Settings›Network & internet›Mobile hotspot.

2. Set it up

   Under Properties, set a name and password, and set the band to 2.4 GHz. Turn Mobile hotspot on.

3. Join it from the phone

   Then pick Access Point under Connection.

If Mobile hotspot won’t turn on while the PC is on Wi‑Fi, connect it by Ethernet first.

Internet Sharing

A cable from your computer to the device, with your computer handing out the address.

1. Open Internet Sharing

   System Settings›General›Sharing›Internet Sharing.

2. Share to the cable

   Share from whatever is online, to the cable: iPhone USB or an Ethernet adapter. Turn it on.

3. Pick Internet Sharing

   Choose Internet Sharing under Connection.

1. Open the adapters

   Settings›Network & internet›Advanced network settings›More network adapter options.

2. Share the connection

   Open Properties on whatever is online, then its Sharing tab. Check Allow other network users to connect and choose the cable’s adapter.

3. Pick Internet Sharing

   Choose Internet Sharing under Connection.

Travel router

A pocket router that makes a small network of your own wherever you are. It doesn’t need the internet.

1. Plug the router in

   Wait for it to start.

2. Join its Wi‑Fi

   From your computer and from the phone.

3. Pick Wi‑Fi

   Choose Wi‑Fi under Connection.

VPN / Tailscale

A VPN that puts your computer and the phone on one private network of their own, on any network, even from another building. It adds a little delay. Tailscale, a free app, is the one we’ve tried.

1. Install it on both

   Install Tailscale on your computer and on the phone, and sign in to the same account on both.

2. Pick Tailscale

   Choose Tailscale under Connection. If the picture stutters, set Resolution to 720p.

Another VPN that joins your own devices, such as ZeroTier or a WireGuard network of your own, shows in the list as VPN. A VPN that only takes you out to the internet, as most consumer VPNs do, doesn’t connect the two.

Still stuck? A person reads every message: support@tethery.app