Locked USB Tethering to PC on my old Verizon Galaxy S4 Deactivated Phone

[JstCruzn86]

Hello, I'd like to use my old deactivated verizon Samsung Galaxy S4 phone as a VR (virtual reality) video streaming device that can be inserted into a goggle headset. For the streaming to work, I have to be tethered to my computer via USB so that the VR software can route the video stream to my phone.

The problem is, when I try to enable the USB data tether, my phone fails due to "checking subscription status".

I understand paying the extra for mobile hot spot, and mobile data tethering and all that jazz... but I did my time, paid for the phone and then some. And it's DEACTIVATED. Even on airplane mode, why can't I use USB tethering on my computer so I can enjoy full use of my old phone (except of course cellular calling)?

Thanks

Chris

[Tidbits]

Tethering works backward from the way you are trying.

[JstCruzn86]

Thanks for reply,

For mobile network data routing, I would agree, but that's not what I'm trying to do. It doesn't appear that tethering is only a means to share mobile network data with a PC, tethering can be used for other phone-to-PC (and vice versa) communications, as that seems apparent with other users with other carriers besides verizon who don't have the subscription check lock and are able to use the VR software.

The virtual reality software (Trinus VR) specifically calls for USB tethering to be enabled as means to establish the data link between PC and Phone.

Chris

[Tidbits · Accepted solution]

The code itself is written one way. You will have to root your phone in order to make it work in reverse to put the code in. Verizon can't just flip a switch and viola.

[JstCruzn86]

Why not code it so that the subscription check is disabled in airplane mode or when there's no mobile service?

[Tidbits]

It still requires coding, and Samsung does all the coding.  Verizon doesn't touch the code like people and media make it seem.

[JstCruzn86]

Then why is this only a problem with Verizon?

[Tidbits]

Just a little sample for you

http://forums.androidcentral.com/samsung-galaxy-note-4/662777-issues-after-sprint-marshmallow-update...

http://www.androidauthority.com/community/threads/5-1-1-update-on-att-gs6-problems.25948/

http://forums.androidcentral.com/t-galaxy-note/160348-problems-att-galaxy-note.html

http://www.androidauthority.com/community/threads/note-4-marshmallow-disaster.28580/

There's a lot more out there and it isn't specific to the US either.  The problem a lot of people don't frequent the mainstream forums and/or internet help forums/carrier forums.  One reason why we don't hear about problems that happens. 

[JstCruzn86]

Those articles are not specific to the issue of usb tethering on the verizon s4, just general software use hardships/bugs. The issue I'm having seems to be an untended result of not having the related feature/subscription on my "plan". Unintended probably because it was unforeseen to the developers anyone may want to use to the usb tether feature for anything other than sharing an online data connection with whatever is connected to the phone. Do you have an article with other carrier users with the same issue on the S4?

[Tidbits]

The problem is the perceived notion that carriers remove features.  The real answer is carriers DON'T pay for features and manufacturers remove those features.  A manufacturer can make them standard features and Verizon or any carrier for that matter can not remove said features(Supreme Court ruling).  If it is missing then it manufacturers charge for said feature, and isn't standard. 

Also from what I said the way it is written you can tethering phone to PC but not PC to phone.

[JstCruzn86]

The tethering feature appears to be coded to run a check for a subscription before it can communicate to the conected device.

so you're saying...

Verizon didnt pay and I got: Standard feature--tether by check-- If subscription found, tethering possible. If not, disabled.

Other carriers did pay and got: Non Standard feature--always tether--No subscription check.

?

[Weth]

Your use case was likely not considered by Samsung.  

[Tidbits]

What I am saying.

The code itself always checks no matter what carrier. The only time it doesn't is if you have an unlocked and unbranded phone. If you don't have a plan it will not tether. You want to use your PC connection to give internet to your phone. That's not possible as the code isn't written that way even if you passed the tethered plan check. You will have to void your warranty if you have one and would need a custom kernel and also custom software to do it.

This has NOTHING to do with Verizon and everything to do with the base code.