How to use Windows' internet on Android phone through USB cable

Question

I'm using Android 4.4.2 (on Micromax Unite 2 - A106). I've a Windows PC at home which has highspeed broadband internet connection. I don't have wireless router or access point. I just want to use PC's internet connection on my phone. I've tried multiple methods but none seems to work.

Method 1: Using native Android 4.4.2 option

In my phone when I connect my phone, in Settings > Wireless & networks > USB Internet (sharing Windows PC internet via USB cable) checkbox, which I checked then it asked me to choose my Windows version (which is Windows 8.1 but since it didn't show that option) I chose Windows 8. It gives me further instructions as showing in the following picture:

Here is the problem, there is no sharing tab (see the following screen shot)

Method 2: As described in How to setup reverse tethering over usb

I learned on this site that it is called Reverse tethering. I read and followed the procedure mentioned in How to setup reverse tethering over usb

I followed all the steps described in that answer, until executing the command.

1. Install USB drivers from Android SDK [DONE]
2. Connect USB cable and activate USB Tethering (You should see on a new network interface.) [DONE]
3. Bridge the 2 network interfaces [DONE]
4. On your computer execute adb shell netcfg usb0 dhcp [PROBLEM]

When I execute adb shell netcfg usb0 dhcp it says: error: device not found. I tried the same thing with USB Debugging in Developer settings, ON & OFF. The error remains the same.

Method 3: Rooting the device and using an app

I read here and there that there is another method, in which we can directly use an app but it requires rooting the device. My phone is a new phone and warranty becomes void if I root it.

EDIT: I've tried the method suggested in answer, at the 4th step of method 2, I'm facing this problem:

Answer 1

Actually, Method 1 is quite easy to do. As implied by this answer, you need more that one network connection for the sharing tab to appear.

Short Answer:

First, ignore the instruction of your android device and try to connect to the USB-Internet anyway.
This will create a new Network connection and allow the sharing-tab to appear on your PC Network Connection.

Detailed Answer

1. Prepare Windows 10

1. Rightclick the Windows-Start Button
   
2. In the opening Context-Menu, open "Network Connections"
   
3. The Network Connections will show up. As you can see, there's currently only one Network connection, so there will be no sharing Tab.
   

2. Prepare your Android device

1. Connect your Android device with a USB-Cable to your PC
2. In the Wireless & networks section (you might need to click on "More..." on some android devices), Try to activate the USB Internet
   
3. Instructions will appear. Select Windows 8 and just click on Next and Done, ignoring the given instructions
   
4. Now, there should be a check-mark after USB Internet:
   
5. If this is the first time you are connecting your Android device to your PC with a USB-Network, Windows might ask you whether to grand the Network connection. That's normal.

3. Share the Internet Connection on Windows 10

As you can see, there are now two Network connections, so the sharing Tab will be now available:

1. Right-click the first Network Connection and open the Properties
2. Now, there's a Sharing Tab and you can Allow your Android device to use the Internet connection of your Windows 10 PC
   

Answer 2

For your second method (which should work) it looks like you are just missing the correct drivers for your device. I found a page which claims to have the drivers (http://www.digitbrunch.com/android/how-to-root-micromax-unite-2-a106) although I cannot vouch for their authenticity so its up to you if you want to trust them.

Let me know if you run into any problems, because although I have never done something like this before I would be happy to help you through it if I can.

Answer 3

There is a solution for unrooted devices

I know this is a late answer, but as all existing answers suggest that USB reverse tethering is only possible if either your device is rooted or has system support for reverse tethering, I though it'd be worth pointing out there's one more option:

A few months ago, I was looking for a solution that would allow me to use my laptop's Internet connection on an unrooted Android device, but I just couldn't find a solution. Eventually, I started to develop my own solution. The result is an app that works on devices running Android 4.0 or higher on client side, and all major desktop OSs on the host side.

The app is available on Google Play: ReverseTethering NoRoot

Answer 4

I tried to do the same thing and like you said "Here is the problem, there is no sharing tab"

But I found a section in Windows assistance saying that there is no "sharing tab" if you have only one LAN connection.

Here is the URL: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/set-internet-connection-sharing#1TC=windows-7

Answer 5

I am also using a Micromax Unite 2. What works for me is the first method.

It seems that you are not connecting your device (phone to PC). So it doesn't show you the sharing tab. You only have a LAN device but no device to share.

So, first you need to connect your device to the PC and, then, proceed with the remaining steps. I am really enjoying the Internet from my PC to phone!

Procedure

1. Connect your mobile to the PC via a USB cable.
2. On your mobile, go to Settings->more->USB Internet, select PC system version->next->"DONE"(IMPORTANT).
3. On the PC, go to control panel->Network and Internet->Network connection.
4. Here, one of the devices is your LAN Device and another one is your mobile phone.
5. Right click your LAN device go to Properties->choose the "sharing" tab->click on the first option->ok.
6. Now you are ready to enjoy Internet on your phone.

Answer 6

I tested first method on ZTE V987 with android 4.2.1 and, after a little search for RNDIS Interface and another MTKandroidUSB device (ADB Interface) drivers (for windows Xp), it worked. I think you don't have the phone drivers installed in windows. Have you checked in Device Manager?

I have tested first method also in Windows 7 and I installed the following devices:

then I have shared the Internet connection, but without success. The phone did not want to see the connection. Then I have changed the drivers with those from http://www.digitbrunch.com/android/how-to-root-micromax-unite-2-a106 (Driver_Auto_Installer_v1.1236.00) and I have tried to bridge the 2 network adaptors and I have obtained next configuration:

Then I have reverted to Internet Connection Sharing and I have tried the following commands (found here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2287494) :

And the phone's USB connection began to operate:

Finally I have re-updated the usb drivers to the initial Alcatel version, deleted MAC Bridge Miniport, set same DNS for IPv4 RNDIS Local Area Connection and used a .cmd file with adb shell netcfg rndis0 dhcp command to start the connection.