Can I combine Wi-Fi and a 4G/5G dongle on Ubuntu Linux? You can, with Speedify

This article explains how to use Speedify on Ubuntu Linux to combine your Wi-Fi connection and a 4G/5G USB cellular dongle, giving you faster upload and download speeds and a more reliable internet connection.

What You'll Need

  • An Ubuntu Linux computer with a working Wi-Fi connection
  • A 4G/5G USB cellular dongle that is compatible with Ubuntu Linux
  • Speedify (downloaded and installed)
Note: Before purchasing a USB cellular dongle, confirm it's compatible with your specific hardware and Ubuntu version. Some dongles require additional drivers or dialer software from the manufacturer.

Let's Get Started

Step 1

Connect your Ubuntu Linux computer to a Wi-Fi network.

Click the arrow in the top-right corner to open the System Menu, then select Wi-Fi > Select Network and choose your network. If it's a private network, enter the password when prompted.

Need help with this step? Visit the Ubuntu knowledge base for more details.

Step 2

Connect your 4G/5G USB cellular dongle to an open USB port on your computer.

In most cases, Ubuntu will detect the dongle automatically and it will appear in your System Menu as a Wired Connection. If your dongle requires proprietary dialer software to connect to the internet, follow the manufacturer's installation instructions before continuing.

Step 3

Download and install Speedify on your Ubuntu Linux computer.

Visit speedify.com/download and follow the installation instructions for Linux. Once Speedify is running, it will automatically detect both your Wi-Fi connection and your cellular dongle, and begin combining them for faster upload and download speeds.

You can manage individual connection settings, view usage statistics, and set data limits by clicking on any connection from the Speedify dashboard or by going to Settings > Connections.

Did you know - if you need to keep multiple devices connected in areas with limited or spotty coverage, Speedify's Pair & Share feature lets you share a 4G/5G cellular connection wirelessly between devices. It's useful for event venues, remote locations, and travel, where other network options like Wi-Fi may be slow or unreliable.