Can I combine a 3G/4G dongle and my Android phone's Internet connection on Ubuntu Linux? You can, with Speedify

This article explains how to combine a 3G/4G/LTE USB dongle and a tethered Android phone's internet connection on Ubuntu Linux using Speedify, giving you faster upload and download speeds and a more reliable connection.

What You'll Need

  • A 3G/4G/LTE USB dongle compatible with Ubuntu Linux
  • An Android phone with an active mobile data plan
  • A USB cable to connect your Android phone to your computer
  • Speedify installed on your Ubuntu Linux computer

Let's Get Started

Step 1

Connect your USB cellular adapter to a USB port on your Ubuntu Linux computer.

The adapter will most likely appear in your system menu as a "Wired Connection." Keep in mind that some cellular adapters require proprietary dialer software to connect to the internet, follow your manufacturer's installation instructions closely if that applies to your device.

Note: Before purchasing or connecting a USB cellular adapter, verify that it is compatible with your specific hardware and Ubuntu Linux version. Some devices may require additional software or drivers from the manufacturer.

Step 2

Connect your Android phone to your Ubuntu Linux computer using a USB cable, then enable USB tethering.

After plugging in your phone, a notification will appear at the top of your Android screen. To enable USB tethering from there:

  1. Swipe down from the top of your screen.
  2. Touch and hold Hotspot.
  3. Turn on USB tethering.

Alternatively, you can go to Settings > Connections > Mobile Hotspot and Tethering and enable USB tethering from there.

Once tethering is active, your Ubuntu Linux computer will detect the connection and it will appear in the system menu as a "Wired Connection."

Important: If your Android phone is connected to a Wi-Fi network, USB tethering will share that Wi-Fi connection, not your mobile data. To make sure Speedify can use your phone's 4G/5G cellular connection, disable Wi-Fi on your Android phone and make sure mobile data is turned on.

Need help enabling USB tethering on your Android phone? See Google's support article on tethering for more details.

Step 3

Download and install Speedify on your Ubuntu Linux computer.

Once Speedify is running, it will automatically detect all available internet connections, including your USB dongle and your tethered Android phone, and combine them. You'll get faster upload and download speeds and a more stable connection by using both at the same time.

You can manage settings, view connection statistics, and set limits on individual connections by clicking on them from the Speedify dashboard or navigating through the main Settings menu.

Download Speedify here.

Did you know - Speedify can combine more than two internet connections at once on your device, instead of just switching between them? You get faster upload and download speeds and a more reliable connection no matter where you are. Learn how to combine multiple internet connections with Speedify.