Random: iPhone tethering in the opposite direction

[tom p.]

Guys, the WiFi section is completely dead on my son`s iPhone 3GS (iOS 5.1). I`m trying to figure out if it would be possibe to do a reverse tethering strategy (Win7 computer providing internet connectivity to iPhone, not vice versa). It seems like I should be able to connect the iPhone to his Win7 computer via Bluetooth and pickup and internet connection that way. Any thoughts?



He will quickly burn thru his 250MB monthy allocation (via 3G), and my wife is getting ready to cut him off entirely.



I`m not positive, but I do believe the BT radio is still working. That`s e-z enough to verify. The 3G service is still functioning.



Can the 3G connection be shut off so it`s not auto-connecting?



Thanks for any suggestions.

[C. Charles Hahn]

You can definitely turn off the 3G:



How To: Disable 3G on the iPhone 3G For More Talk but Less Speed | iMore



Not so sure about tethering to use a BT connection for internet/data access though. I`ve never seen it done but perhaps if the phone were jalibroken you could make it work...

[tom p.]

Thanks, Charlie.



It looks like it can be done with the standard USB cable supplied with the telephone. I just don`t know if a BT connection can handle internet connectivity. Don`t know enough about that type of data transfer.

[Dan]

Natively you can turn off 3g data. However to consume BT networking, you will need to jailbreak and install an app, it appears there are a few that might work. The other option is to buy a smashed screen iphone and swap parts over.

[tom p.]

Thanks, Dan. I`m not going to get carried away with this task. Maybe he`ll have to settle for internet connectivity via the USB cable which I think I can configure.