[Android General] Viva La Android R.I.P.:
QLink Wireless

4G-LTE/5G Network

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GUIDE TO ENABLE MOBILE

HOTSPOT & TETHERING

* NON-ROOT METHODS *
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UPDATE May 27, 2023:

As of the time of posting, native hotspot and tethering continues to function on the QLink Wireless 4G-LTE/5G network. However, it seems that QLink (or perhaps even the host network, T-Mobile) has implemented yet another bandwidth throttling protocol -- one that cannot be circumvented by connecting to a VPN server. According to reports by QLink subscribers -- and in my own experience -- downlink speeds of 4G-LTE data are potentially unthrottled when plans are refilled by QLink on the 1st of each month's billing cycle. But, after using only perhaps 2 - 3 GB of data, the bandwidth is then throttled to a maximum of 2 Mbps for the remainder of the billing cycle. (Unless, of course, subscribers exceed the 29 GB monthly allotment of "unlimited" data, after which bandwidth is throttled down to nearly unusable speeds.) For the time being, I will not remove the VPN bandwidth throttling section from this thread. I am leaving it intact for reference purposes only. Again, at this time, QLink's bandwidth throttling cannot be bypassed by utilizing a VPN.​

OBJECTIVE & SCOPE:

QLink Wireless has implemented restrictions that prevent the sharing of 4G-LTE/5G data via Android's native hotspot & tethering feature on many Android-based mobile devices. However, there are several Android devices not affected by these restrictions. The purpose of this guide is to provide an alternative means for sharing QLink Wireless 4G-LTE/5G data on Android devices which cannot use the native hotspot & tethering feature. Hence, before proceeding further, take a moment to configure the native hotspot & tethering feature on your QLink device, then enable mobile hotspot and try connecting another WiFi enabled device to your QLink smartphone or tablet. If this endeavor is successful, your native hotspot & tethering capabilities are intact and, thus, the workarounds outlined below are not needed. In order to bypass QLink's bandwidth throttling restrictions, see the section below titled BANDWIDTH THROTTLING.

OVERVIEW:

QLink Wireless is one of the top providers of mobile phone service to thousands of eligible subscribers of the FCC-based Lifeline program, an initiative funded by the federal government to help eligible low-income individuals & households afford mobile phone service and mobile devices.

Currently, QLink subscribers who are also approved for the EBB are allotted a free monthly service plan that includes unlimited calling, text messaging and 4G-LTE/5G mobile data. Normally, the plan would include unlimited calling and text messaging with 4.5 GB data. The Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB), renamed to the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) on January 1, 2022, provides eligible subscribers with an unlimited monthly mobile data allotment versus the normal 4.5 GB per month limit.

QLink has taken steps to cap the maximum download speed of subscribers' 4G-LTE data to 2.0 Mbps. In addition, QLink configured its latest SIM cards to disable data sharing via Mobile Hotspot, Bluetooth or USB Tethering. This guide provides instructions to bypass QLink's data throttling cap and set up a mobile hotspot access point for sharing your unthrottled QLink 4G-LTE/5G data with other WiFi-enabled devices.

PLATFORM COMPATIBILITY:

This guide is premised on the presumption that you are using an Android-based smartphone or tablet for your QLink mobile plan, as the apps provided in the downloads section below are Android APKs. For Method 2, outlined below, you will need your QLink Android mobile device and a PC or laptop running on a compatible build of Windows 10 or 11.

BANDWIDTH THROTTLING:

Bandwidth throttling occurs when a mobile service provider implements any restriction that slows down or otherwise decreases a subscriber's maximum download and/or upload speeds on the respective 4G-LTE/5G mobile network. This is often confused with data usage throttling, which occurs when a subscriber exceeds the 4G-LTE/5G mobile data allotted in a monthly mobile plan during a billing period. With bandwidth throttling, however, the total amount of data used is not the relevant factor, but rather the maximum download/upload speed of the cellular data itself is the focal point. Bandwidth throttling is also commonly called a data speed cap. For all intents and purposes of this guide, the terms bandwidth throttling and data speed cap are the same.

As mentioned previously, when QLink made the switch from Sprint to T-Mobile's nationwide 4G-LTE/5G network, a server-sided throttle was put into place to restrict the maximum 4G-LTE download speed to around 2.0 Mbps. This speed cap took effect when QLink sent out the upgraded GSM SIM cards to subscribers. To bypass this restriction, you simply need to connect to a reliable VPN server. This will increase 4G-LTE download speeds from 2 Mbps to upwards of 40 Mbps, depending on signal strength, device capabilities, and other factors. I have not verified the increase on 5G data connections, but it is safe to assume the improvement will be substantial. Do this before setting up your hotspot via the instructions below if you want to share the unrestricted data with other devices. Otherwise, your hotspot will be sharing throttled data. For a good, free VPN service, I recommend using ProtonVPN. It is very simple to set up. Download the app from the link provided below, install it on your QLink device, open the app, grant the requested permissions, and follow the on-screen prompts to set up and connect to a VPN network. ProtonVPN is also available for free on Google Play Store. If you already use a VPN service, or have another preferred service, any reliable VPN server should suffice.

MOBILE HOTSPOT METHODS:

In a nutshell, QLink Wireless employs network restrictions which prevent subscribers from sharing mobile data via Android's native hotspot & tethering feature.

There are a number of different methods and setups that can be used to successfully bypass QLink's mobile hotspot & tethering restrictions. I will cover a couple of these methods, based on their ease of setup, cost and efficiency. (I try to outline only those methods that do not require the purchase of apps or services.) For the first method, you will need only your active QLink Android device and a couple of free apps, both of which are available in the downloads section below.
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DEVICE CONFIGURATION:

During the past couple of months, sone members have reported that they are unable to bypass QLink's data speed cap, notwithstanding a viable VPN connection. I can confirm that as of September 8, 2022, connecting to a VPN server continues to circumvent the data speed cap on my QLink device. For the sake of clarity, and as an avenue for members to troubleshoot issues in this regard, I wanted to specify the setup of my device. I am presently using AdGuard VPN, and have recently used ProtonVPN on my QLink device. These are the present APN settings on my QLink device:​

Name: QLink Wireless LTE
APN: qlink
Proxy: Not set
Port: Not set
Username: Not set
Password: Not set
Server: Not set
MMSC: http://wholesale.mmsmvno.com/mms/wapenc
MMS proxy: Not set
MMS port: Not set
MCC: 310
MNC: 240
Authentication type: Not set
APN type: default,supl,mms,hipri,fota
APN protocol: IPv4/IPv6
APN roaming protocol: IPv4/IPv6
APN Enable/Disable: Enabled
Bearer: Unspecified
MVNO type: None
MVNO value: Not set

My Preferred Network Type within the cell radio menu (*#*#4636#*#*) is set to LTE/UMTS auto (PRL).

DISCLAIMER:

This guide is strictly for educational purposes. The procedures used to bypass mobile hotspot restrictions may or may not violate the terms of the customer agreement as set out by QLink Wireless. I have not reviewed these terms nor any other QLink Wireless subscriber terms, conditions or guidelines. Therefore, by proceeding further, you are assuming sole liability and responsibility for adhering to the customer terms and conditions set forth in your subscriber agreement with QLink Wireless. Accordingly, I am thus absolved of any civil liability that may arise from the steps or procedures outlined in this guide.

I. METHOD 1 -- PDANet+ WiFi Direct AP

This setup is very straightforward. Download the PDANet+ APK file from the link below and install it on your QLink mobile phone. Download and install the companion FoxFi app as well. Both the PDANet+ and FoxFi apps can be updated via the Google Play Store or by the app market/repo of your choosing. You may also visit the PDANet official website which always hosts the most current APK builds for download. http://pdanet.co

Open FoxFi, grant any permission requests, then select WiFi Direct Hotspot. This will open the PDANet+ app, where you will enable the same option, WiFi Direct Hotspot. At the top of the interface, framed in blue, you will notice some connection information. Now, on the mobile device with which you want to share your QLink phone"s data connection, you have a couple of options. Using the standalone option, open WiFi settings on the device you want to share with. Select the SSID name displayed in the blue header on the PDANet+ UI. Enter the password displayed in that blue box as well. Below the password field, tap Advanced Options > Proxy, then choose Manual. For the Proxy hostname enter 192.168.49.1. Just below that field enter 8000 for the Proxy port. Now hit connect. If everything is correct, the connection will be established and will be validated in the top box of your PDANet+ app interface. Keep in mind that you will only need to configure these parameters one time on the device you want to share your internet connection with. Thereafter, the device will save the settings and will even auto-connect to the PDANet+ hotspot whenever in range, depending on your connection preference settings. To test the connection and data speed, open your mobile browser and go to https://fast.com.

In addition to the standalone option, you may also install the PDANet+ app on any device with which you want to share your data. You will simply select "Connect to a PDANet Hotspot" on the desired device and follow the connection prompts.

IMPORTANT NOTE: PDANet+ software integrates features such as alternate UUID porting, DNS resolvers and local proxy tunneling to keep data sharing undetected by your carrier. Nevertheless, it is strongly advised that you enable the Hide Tether Usage option anytime you are sharing your mobile data connection with other devices, regardless of whether you are using WiFi Direct, Bluetooth, USB tethering, or the legacy connection protocols provided by FoxFi. ​

II. METHOD 2 -- Using EasyTether to Set Up a Windows 10/11 Mobile Hotspot

As inferred by the title, this method will require a PC or laptop running on Windows 10 (Build 1603 or newer) or 11. You will also need a good quality USB data syncing cable. Both the EasyTether Android app and its PC client companion app are available in the downloads section below. In a nutshell, you will first be establishing a tethered internet connection by sharing your QLink phone's mobile data with your Windows PC or laptop. That internet connection can then be used to set up a native mobile hotspot on Windows. This access point can be used to share internet with multiple devices at once.

First, download the EasyTether app and PC client from the below link. Install the app on your QLink device and install the client-side software on your PC/laptop. Go ahead and enable USB Debugging on your phone at this time as well. Open EasyTether on your QLink device and select USB setup wizard. This option will provide you with step-by-step guidance on establishing a tethered internet connection. It also provides links for drivers and helps with troubleshooting should you have any difficulties. Once a tethered internet connection is in place, let's set up a Windows Mobile Hotspot. The following provides instructions for both Windows 10 and 11.

A. WINDOWS 10 (Build 1607 & Later)

If you are running Windows 11, skip down to those instructions. Open Windows Settings and select Network & Internet. On the left sidebar, choose Mobile Hotspot and turn it on. In the box titled Share my internet connection from, choose your tethered connection. Click on the Edit icon to set a network name for your mobile hotspot as well as a network password.

B. WINDOWS 11

Click the Start button, then select Settings > Network & internet > Mobile hotspot. For Share my connection from, choose your tethered internet connection. For Share over, choose the protocol by which you want to share your tethered connection -- WiFi or Bluetooth. (WiFi is generally the fastest and is set as the default.) Select Edit to name your mobile hotspot network, set a network access password, and select a network bandwidth (2.4 GHz/5 GHz). Now save your preferences and turn on Mobile Hotspot.

DOWNLOADS:

PDANet+ v5.23.2 / FoxFi v2.20

EasyTether v1.1.19 & PC Client

ProtonVPN: Private, Secure APK

NOTE:

PDANet+ v5.23.2 Android Support

It should be noted that the current build of the PDANet+ Android app and PC Client, v5.23.2, supports virtually all Android release versions up to, and including, Android 11. I am personally using the PDANet+ v5.23.2 app on Lineage 19.1 (Android 12.1 base) with no issues. Although the PDANet+ codebase has not yet been updated for official Android 12 or 13 support, v5.23.2 should have no issues running properly on most current Android 12/13 based mobile devices. The PDANet+ development team has an excellent track record for keeping things up-to-date and working smoothly, so I have no doubt that official support for the latest Android release versions is imminent. Nevertheless, should you have any problems with the APK or accompanying PC Client, visit the official PDANet+ support & FAQ page here http://pdanet.co/help/

General questions and bug reports may be initiated by completing and submitting the form provided here:

PdaNet+ Help

Likewise, should you have any issues with EasyTether, you can visit the developer's official support page on their site here Mobile-Stream Site Support​