yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Android General] Viva La Android R.I.P.:
Yeah, PDANet+ is actually an actively maintained project. Although the last codebase update was December, 2020, the introduction of WiFi Direct data sharing support and native Android 11 support has required no further updates to this point. I'm sure when Android 13 launches this fall, the devs will see fit to update the codebase again to keep things running smoothly an all newer devices.

Glad you figured it out. I have ran into the same issue before myself, and ironed things out once I changed the USB mode from charging only to USB Tethering.

To answer your question fully, there are dozens of apps just like EasyTether and PDANet+. I chose those two for this thread because members can use the builds I provided without having to pay a fee.
[Android General] jak369:
They zuck
[Android General] jak369:
qlink is not giving me unlimited data I was wondering if there was a way to enable that @ can I just put my sim into an android phone so I can download the pda app
[Android General] Viva La Android R.I.P.:
Sure, you can put your QLink SIM in any GSM unlocked or T-Mobile compatible Android smartphone. Then, use the links and instructions I provided above to download and set up PDANet+ w/FoxFi. As far as your data limit, there is no known way to enable unlimited data on an otherwise limited QLink data plan. You can, however, use PDANet+ to share data via WiFi Direct or USB Tethering without QLink being aware that you are hotspotting. Your sharing usage will count against your available data balance; however, QLink will not be aware that the data is being shared.
[Android General] Impr0ve:
Thanks for sharing this with us I was able to get it to work :)
[Android General] Ollipopbean:
Using a z fold 2 followed all directions I can get it to tether wont wifi direct unless i turn vpn off but my laptop hotspot settings won't allow me to change anything, it says connected through broadband... windows 11 thanks for the tips
[Android General] Viva La Android R.I.P.:
So, to make sure I'm clear, you cannot enable WiFi Direct Hotspot on your Z Fold 2 phone unless you first disable your phone's VPN connection, correct?
[Android General] Ollipopbean:
Yes but I've been tethered using wifi share beta through pda+ and that was working fine but now it seems even when on a VPN I'm capped at 2mbs
[Android General] Viva La Android R.I.P.:
Yeah I suspect that QLink has somehow figured out a way to enforce the speed cap even when internet traffic is routed through a VPN server. I, too, have been experiencing the same thing on my end -- speeds once again capped at 2.0 Mbps or less. I'm going to run some diagnostic tools on the network later today and see what's going on. If I can pinpoint QLink's protocol I'll try to find a remedy for bypassing it.
[Android General] Viva La Android R.I.P.:
Update @Ollipopbean I have a workaround. Use the T-Mobile 4G-LTE/5G APN configuration versus the QLink APN, then connect to a VPN server like normal before enabling WiFi Direct Hotspot.

Specifically, use:

APN: epc.tmobile.com

MCC: 310

MNC: 240

APN TYPE: default,supl,mms

APN PROTOCOL: IPv4/IPv6

On everything else, just leave those at the default settings.
[Android General] edb4:
cant seem to get wifi direct hotspot to work on moto e4 also not sure where to set the proxy to 192.168.49.1 any help appreciated
[Android General] Viva La Android R.I.P.:
On your Moto E4, what is the model number (starts with the letters XT followed by a series of numbers); are you using the most recent PDANet+ app?
[Android General] edb4:
xt1765 thanks and pda ver 5.23.2
[Android General] edb4:
pda ver 5.23.2 ans xt1765 is the phone . thanks
[Android General] Viva La Android R.I.P.:
Are you on Verizon Wireless?
[Android General] edb4:
looks like tmobile
[Android General] Viva La Android R.I.P.:
Right. The Verizon is the xt1767 I think. You're right. T-Mobile.

Ok when you try to enable WiFi Direct Hotspot, are you getting an error or what exactly is happening? Does a green ✔️ appear on the box corresponding to WiFi Direct Hotspot?
[Android General] edb4:
everything connects fine just no internet . i did not set a proxy since theres no advanced option on win10 not sure where to put it . thanks
[Android General] Viva La Android R.I.P.:
There is no Proxy to set on Windows 10. The proxy and port are to be set on the device on which the internet connection is being shared.
[Android General] pikachu24:
i can’t get it to work. i tried on a android and iPhone both unlocked. it’s still throttled really slow at like 1Mbps. any help appreciated
[Android General] Viva La Android R.I.P.:
You're doing something wrong it would seem. The latest PDANet+ APK supports most Android versions up to, and including, Android 12. I haven't seen an Android device yet that doesn't support PDANet+. Are you 100% positive you followed all steps to the letter? A solid VPN connection will bypass the speed cap. Mine jumped from 1.5Mbps to 46Mbps by running my data connection through a VPN server. I've tried ProtonVPN and AdGuard VPN, and both services suffice to bypass the speed cap.

I will need some more info in order to help troubleshoot this. You mentioned trying the method on both an Android and Apple smartphone, to no avail. But which method did you use? The PDANet+ method or the EasyTethering method? Also how did you run the utility on Apple, with a jailbreak?
[Android General] pikachu24:
i didn’t use hotspot on iPhone i mostly just wanted to use it on the iPhone, but when i’m on the vpn on android or iphone it still is the same capped speed. the tmobile apn and vpn are on. when i run a speedtest on the android phone (moto g fast) with vpn right now its 0.90Mbps. even when on the PDANet+ hotspot it won’t work. i tried NordVPN and ProtonVPN.
[Android General] Viva La Android R.I.P.:
Proton is the one I use as well. So let's make sure you have everything set up correctly.

On your QLink device, can you confirm.you have installed the latest PDANet+ APK, along with FoxFi and the FoxFi key app? Three apps total. Once they are installed, open PDANet+ and enable WiFi Direct Hotspot. Once it's turned on, any device with which you want to share the data, you must go to WiFi settings and locate the PDANet SSID hotspot. Enter the password listed at the top of the PDANet+ interface. Next, after entering the password, go to Advanced Options, select Proxy then Manual. Under Proxy Hostname, enter 192.168.49.1 The Proxy Port needs to be set to 8000. Then select Connect. You'll only need to configure these settings once on the guest devices you want to share data with. The settings will be remembered and the devices can then autoconnect as long as you enable it.

Can you confirm you've e done all that? If so, I will go over VPN next. It's not just the VPN that circumvents the speed cap, it's a combination of routing through the local proxy and port, and then connecting to a VPN server.
[Android General] edb4:
doesnt the app set that?
[Android General] Viva La Android R.I.P.:
It does not set the Proxy Hostname or the Proxy Port on the host (QLink) device. On guest devices (mobile devices that you want to share QLink data with to establish an internet connection), you can install the PDANet+ app and choose the option to Connect to a PDANet Hotspot. I believe this option sets the proxy hostname and port number by default when connecting to your QLink host device. Otherwise, without the PDANet+ app installed on the guest device, you must configure tne Proxy parameters manually. But you only need to do it once if you enabled auto connect in WiFi settings, which will remember and apply your settings automatically.
[Android General] pikachu24:
thank you, yes i do have PDANet+ working on my Android and proxy set up on my iPhone.
[Android General] Viva La Android R.I.P.:
Okay, so you are sharing your data connection with your iPhone, on which you have manually configured the proxy settings? On your QLink phone, you have the ProtonVPN app installed? Also, please outline the APN parameters you are using for QLink.
[Android General] Baileysky:
So I went ahead and did all these steps. I was able to create a hotspot with ease, I just cant seem to get my speed past 1 Mbps. Any tips ?
[Android General] Viva La Android R.I.P.:
I am hearing the same thing from many members. One possibility for this is perhaps a newer method of throttling data speeds was put into place by QLink in certain geographical regions. I am actively researching this topic and running network diagnostics to try and pin it down. Keep in mind that QLink is well aware of this thread and the exploits being used to enable data sharing and bypass the speed cap. If possible, they will patch these exploits.
[Android General] Baileysky:
Okay I thought I had done a wrong step. Because even with VPN was still the same. Thanks so much for your help! Will keep up with this !
[Android General] Viva La Android R.I.P.:
Thanks for your feedback and support. I'll keep the thread updated with any new findings or solutions.
[Android General] Viva La Android R.I.P.:
@Baileysky can you confirm your APN settings for your QLink device?
[Android General] Viva La Android R.I.P.:
I have added some info to the OP under the heading DEVICE CONFIGURATION, that could possibly be of some benefit to those members having unresolved issues bypassing QLink's data speed cap
[Android General] bjacker:
I need dial sequence to get your displayed code list. I'm showing 5mb download speed test
[Android General] Viva La Android R.I.P.:
What code list?
[Android General] Viva La Android R.I.P.:
@bjacker what code list are you referring to? The APN settings? Also are you connected to QLink's 4G-LTE or 5G network? If 4G-LTE, you' 5 Mbps download speed is already bypassing the 2 Mbps speed cap restriction. With a stronger -db signal to the tower, your speed should increase even more.
[Android General] Britch3s:
Not sure how to get around throttle, but add hotspot and dun to your apn type. Works for Verizon, T-Mobile, att, any that don't give ya hotspot natively without paying.
[Android General] Viva La Android R.I.P.:
Doesn't work on QLink and QLink is T-Mobile based. Native Hotspot & Tethering has been completely disabled by QLink. The WiFi Direct Hotspot method is the only workaround; and the USB tethering method to a Windows computer and, in turn, using the Windows 10/11 native hotspot to share the QLink data connection. Besides, on most newer Android builds (Android 9 & newer) the dun APN value is no longer effective. Changes to apns-config.xml implements an override for the dun value which is network based. On Verizon, AT&T & T-Mobile based providers, adding dun to you APN Type and editing build.prop to include net.tetherong.noprovisionimg=true was a workaround to enable native hotspot several years ago. Nowadays, only methods like WiFi Direct Hotspot can effectively bypass carrier-imposed hotspot restrictions. In short, the dun trick hasn't worked in years.

The data speed cap put in place by QLink is highly unusual. Myself and some other members are able to bypass the speed cap simply by connecting to a stable VPN server. However, other members are unable to do so. This indicates that the speed cap restriction is server-sided in some parts of the country and DNS based in other parts. Very bizarre to say the least. But without a means to run network diagnostics in various geographical locations throughout the country, I can only pinpoint these factors in the area I reside -- where a VPN server connection circumvents the speed cap.

Sure you can add dun to your APN Type in settings, but it will do absolutely nothing. Even if the dun value did have any affect, it would still be of no relevance in terms of this guide. Again, dun applies to native hotspot. We don't use native hotspot in this guide
[Android General] bjacker:
Well since my post speed has dropped to 1mbs or less! That's if I stay connected at all. TMobile sucks where I'm at. Can see tower from my yard. This degradation has happened over last yr.
[Android General] Viva La Android R.I.P.:
What VPN service are you using? And what APN settings?
[Android General] bjacker:
I tried a free VPN nothing changed. When I had TMobile home internet my speed was good. When that got suspended after I *****ed alot and just got runaround it dropped to 5mbs which still was ok then next week bang 1mbs.
[Android General] Viva La Android R.I.P.:
@bjacker check your inbox. I sent you an APK that may help
[Android General] binded2:
ok i also have problems getting pass 2mb

i have a samsung s9+ with the new lte chip

i have tried all settings in first post i made a new apn saved and also tried the one at with the epctmobile ones

and the default fast.tmobile

settings

used proton vpn same speed as with out it cant get any thing more then a burst of 1.5 then a drop to 900kbs if im lucky

same speeds with hotspot or with the usb tether

im in the north east i have pretty good singals as far as i know

i even changed the setting LTE/UMTS auto (PRL). to that it was something like td or ts -cdma,gts,umts auto something

someone please help if any solutions

when i went and changed the phone info in that settings page i did notice that there was some info about upload and download speeds set and dl was 3000 i think and upload was 1500

in test i seem to get way more upload and with a vpn seems like a small amount faster

swings in upload from 1.5 3.3 upto like 7
[Android General] Viva La Android R.I.P.:
If a VPN is not bypassing the bandwidth cap of 2 Mbps, it is almost certainly because QLink has implemented some type of server-sided restriction particular to the region where you are located. Until the restriction can.be pinpointed and analyzed, there is no way to come up with a workaround.
[Android General] binded2:
well i have managed to at least get some internet with wifi using coxwifi and mac changing my mac and connecting that way seems to work sorta
[Android General] Viva La Android R.I.P.:
Is it allowing you to exceed the 2Mbps bandwidth cap?
[Android General] LilithJezebel:
I'm a little bit confused by this thread. Maybe things have changed a bit since it was posted? Or I am just not getting it, idk.

I am able to share my data connection from my iPhone with the Qlink SIM in it. I am posting this from my laptop using that as my internet connection right now. So there is no issue with sharing the connection, HOWEVER, my speeds are limited to ~1Mbps. Would I still need to jailbreak my device and follow all of the steps outlined, or do I simply need to start using a VPN on my device?
[Android General] Viva La Android R.I.P.:
Typically, members are not able to share QLink data using a device's native hotspot. Hence, this thread provides a means with which to enable data sharing for subscribers who are unable to share their data natively. You seem to be an exception to the rule with your iPhone.

The bandwidth throttling limitations imposed by QLink Wireless restricts the maximum download speed on 4G-LTE data connections to 2 Mbps maximum. You don't need to jailbreak your phone in order to bypass the bandwidth throttling. You merely need to install a VPN application and connect to a stable VPN server.
[Android General] LilithJezebel:
Thanks! I am going to give it a shot this evening; I will report back. :)
[Android General] Viva La Android R.I.P.:
@LilithJezebel, so what's the final verdict? Were you able to get your tablet rooted?
[Android General] Viva La Android R.I.P.:
UPDATE: November 24, 2022

It has come to my attention -- both by info from other members and trial and error of my own -- that QLink Wireless 4G-LTE/5G data can now be shared on some devices via Android's native hotspot & tethering feature. I would encourage any QLink subscriber to test this phenomenon. On devices where native hotspot works with QLink, the mods outlined in this guide would not be necessary, but will continue to work nevertheless. At this time I have no info regarding monthly hotspot limits i(f applicable) imposed by QLink. I am asking any members with info in this regard to please share your input by commenting below.
[Android General] JDToo:
That isn't true as I am currently using that on an unrooted 5G device with Android 12. Given the risk of losing this workaround, I am not going to say which mobile network it works on and which phone, but it does as I post this. So, the bottom line for other users is try it anyway and see what your results are. I cannot argue with my results.

Regarding this topic in general I appreciate the discussion, but there is nothing really special about PDANet+ as a solution to this problem, and I certainly wouldn't pay for the app to achieve that goal. To correct another piece of misinformation from you below, PDANet+ is NOT free. See "Note: Free edition will interrupt your usage and requires you to turn back on." on its official website, and to purchase go to http://pdanet.co/buy/ .

There are free solutions which do the same thing or achieve similar results and which don't require Wi-Fi Direct. As a backup to using my phone as a Wi-Fi personal hotspot using the custom APN, I connect my phone to my home Wi-Fi LAN instead and share its connection that way (using free, third-party, open source software).

Regarding QLink there are some other carriers/MVNO's which have better lifeline and ACP programs which don't throttle data (though some don't provide a phone) at least at the time of this post and are available in at least most of the U.S. Shop around if you can't get around Qlink's bandwidth throttle.
[Android General] Viva La Android R.I.P.:
dun certainly does not work on Android 12. I will be glad to show you the deprecated source code. On the PDANet+ app, it's free. Nothing to pay for. PDANet+, and other similar apps, provide a full workaround on carriers who restrict native hotspot & tethering functionality, but setting up the hotspot via a WiFi Direct protocol. So your entire position is factually flawed and otherwise blatantly false. To be clear, PDANet+ can bypass the hotspot restrictions of any US carrier. I'd call that significant.

Please don't spread misinformation on this thread. The dun value is 100% useless and has been for years. If you compiled code you would know that. Moreover, with all due respect, you have been on XDA since 2015 and you're still a basic member....with a reaction score of 1. Trolling isn't tolerated here. I would recommend YouTube or Twitter... lots of trolls on those platforms.

Here is an excellent piece on the tether_dun value being removed entirely back during API Level 29 (Android 10). The config value was actually obsolete long before deprecation, back during Android Nougat.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Android/comments/77c1dj
Take note that this info is over 5 years old.

What do you mean by "shop around?" My mobile plan is through T-Mobile and I'm more than happy with the service. The purpose of this thread is to provide a workaround for QLink subscribers who cannot share data by native means, and tips on bypassing the bandwidth throttling. As I stated in the OP, my QLink data plan was purchased from a third party, so I'm not technically a subscriber.
[Android General] AeonFlux1603:
@Viva La Android you are completely correct. tether_dun_apn is deprecated and has been completely removed from AOSP source. Adding dun to the APN Type has absolutely no affect whatsoever on Android 9 Pie and newer versions. On Oreo and Nougat builds, many carrier branded devices have had tether_dun_apn completely disabled or otherwise removed from the global config by the OEM. Hence you really need to go all the way back to Android Marshmallow and earlier in order for tether_dun_apn to have any real affect on enabling native hotspot. Even then, root was sometimes needed to add net.tethering.noprovisioning=true to build.prop global settings.

The person saying he used dun to enable hotspot on Android 12 for 5G is definitely trolling. Don't pay any attention or reply to any of that foolishness. Isn't worth the time. Report it t a mod and get the thread tidy again.
[Android General] Badger50:
Thread cleaned!

Alright my friends, enough of the back-n-forth with the disrespectful and name calling posts. Please take note of XDA Rule 2.3 before proceeding any futher:

Please take a step back and cool the tempers, and rather than replying to certain posts with "snarkiness" of your own, we Mods would greatly appreciate it

if you would just report them instead so as to prevent public drama that usually occurs.

Thank you all for your cooperation, and a pleasant and calmer day to all.

-Regards: Badger50
[Android General] Viva La Android R.I.P.:
@Badger50 I'm sorry I took my frustration out on you. You're doing your job. I've just reached my limit with trolls and off-topic posting. Time to call it quits. But again, those issues are not your fault, so I'm in the wrong on that and I apologize.
[Android General] Viva La Android R.I.P.:
@Badger50 thanks much for messaging me and talking things out... and being patient with my rudeness. @JDToo I have no hard feelings towards you and I hope you have none towards me. The proverbial hatchet is buried as far as I'm concerned.

I'm gonna take this week to clear my head and get some things worked out... I'll return next Monday with a refreshed perspective. Long live XDA
[Android General] Viva La Android R.I.P.:
The thread is open again and the troll posts have been removed. I would ask all members to help me keep this thread clean, on topic, and factually concise. Thank you.

Despite the recent misinformation posted to this thread, the dun value in APN settings has absolutely no relevance within the context of this guide. The dun value was deprecated from global settings back with the release of Android 10. Nevertheless, dun is relevant only to native hotspot & tethering support. This thread deals with the subject of WiFi Direct Hotspot, not the native hotspot & tethering features.
[Android General] Britch3s:
FALSE (to you claiming what i mentioned about hotspot not working as i use this method daily), i have a qlink sim quite literally atm to which if i use the apn set at default it has no ability to provide hotspot (turns on but does not give internet however) but if i add what i mentioned dun, hotspot to the apn it then is able to give internet to other devices. if the device is unlocked then this is 100% a workaround. even on verizon, and ATT. as i have qlink verizon, and att sims (yes all 3 at one time) tested in the same MI 11 device. does not work in my carrier locked a51, or z flip 4.
[Android General] Britch3s:
if your interested in proof, dm me. itll be video and screen cap or one or the other. but i will show the qlink sim working as such. as that is whats in the mi 11 currently. my 4th sim is str8 talk/lifeline and they have managed to lock their sim cards to straight talk devices they support only or "select unlocked phones" as neither of my mi11 imei numbers will work for the safelink sim.
[Android General] Viva La Android R.I.P.:
I don't doubt you at all. So does one of my devices on QLink. You're completely missing the context of what I'm emphasizing. You're also a bit behind. I covered this in the OP some time ago.

Many members are reporting that QLink native hotspot is now working. I covered it in the OP more than two weeks ago. Has nothing to do with dun. My entire point is, if native hotspot is working for you on QLink, the dun value in APN Type has nothing to do with it. Sure, you can add dun to the APN settings. However it will simply have no affect and goes unrecognized.

As I pointed out in the OP weeks ago, whether advertently or inadvertently, QLink has lifted server-sided native hotspot restrictions in some geographical regions.

I have a Hot Pepper™ Chilaca 4G-LTE smartphone I'm beta testing for the manufacturer, and QLink native hotspot works great on it. However, my APN settings are exactly what I have listed in the OP -- no dun value. As I referenced in the OP, for members who are able to use native hotspot with QLink, the methods outlined in this guide are not needed. I have outlined sone explanation below on APN Type values in APN setting.