Android USB Tethering Setup on macOS

This article explains how to tether your Android phone to your Mac over USB, so Speedify can use your phone's 4G/5G cellular connection alongside your Mac's Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection.

What You'll Need

• An Android phone with an active 4G/5G cellular connection
• A USB cable to connect your Android phone to your Mac
• A Mac running macOS Mojave or earlier
• HoRNDIS, a free USB tethering driver for macOS
• Speedify installed on your Mac

Let's Get Started

Step 1

Enable USB tethering on your Android phone. Open the Settings app, tap More..., then choose Tethering & Mobile Hotspot. Toggle the USB tethering switch on.

Step 2

Download and install HoRNDIS. HoRNDIS is a free driver for macOS that lets your Mac recognize your Android phone's USB tethering connection and use it as a network interface.

Step 3

Connect your Android phone to your Mac using the USB cable. Once plugged in, your Mac should detect the device automatically.

Step 4

Open System Preferences on your Mac, then click Network. Look for your Android phone listed as a USB connection. If you don't see it, click the + button to add it manually.

If your Mac is already connected to Wi-Fi or another network, the personal hotspot connection from your Android phone might not activate right away. If that happens, find your Android USB connection in the list, click the gear icon, and uncheck Disable unless needed under Status.

Once the connection is active, Speedify will detect it and can start combining it with your other connections for faster upload and download speeds.

On a Newer Mac? Try Pair & Share

If you're running a version of macOS newer than Mojave and can't use USB tethering, Speedify's Pair & Share feature is a great alternative. It lets you share your Android phone's 4G/5G cellular connection with your Mac over your local network, no USB cable or extra adapters needed.

Learn more about setting up Pair & Share on your Mac.