How to Fix Issues with the TP-Link Tether App

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

In This Guide

You'll Learn:

• How to fix issues with the TP-Link Tether app if it's not working as intended.

2. OS Choice

To continue, we need to know what Operating System your smartphone or tablet has.

There are 2 main Operating Systems for smartphones currently available, Android and iOS.

Android SmartphoneiOS SmartphoneAndroid smartphones are produced by multiple companies, such as Samsung, LG, Motorola, HTC, and OnePlus.Apple is the only company that makes iOS smartphones.

3. Check Wi-Fi

Depending on what device (Smartphone or Tablet) and which generation you have, the menu theme and options might look slightly different on your screen. However, the steps should be similar across all Android devices and generations.

To check if your Android mobile device is connected to Wi-Fi:

1. Open Settings on your phone or tablet.
   

1. Select Wi-Fi.
   

1. Make sure Wi-Fi is turned On, then select the Wi-Fi network that says Connected under it.
   

1. Here, you'll see the basics of your Wi-Fi connection, with the Wi-Fi network name at the top, and other information such as Signal Strength, Link Speed and the Frequency you're connected at and the Security type of the network.
   

More Details

1. To see more information about your connection, select Cancel.
2. Select the Settings gear in the top right corner.
   

1. Here, you'll see a variety of information related to your connection at the bottom, such as the MAC (Media Access Control) address and IP addresses your Android device has been given.
   

4. Additional Information

To better assist you, please answer this question.

5. Power Cycle

1. Press the power button on the side of the range extender and make sure the indicator lights on the front turn off.
   

1. Wait ten seconds.
   

1. Press the power button again and make sure the power light on the front turns on.
   

1. Wait one minute for the range extender to start back up fully.
   

6. Close Running Apps

1. Tap on the App Drawer button.
   

1. 
   
2. The App Drawer may be located on either the bottom left or bottom right as either an onscreen button or a physical button. If you're unsure which button it is, please refer to the user manual of your android device.
3. Either tap the X or swipe to close an app.
   

7. Restart

1. Hold down the power button on your Android device.
   Depending on the manufacturer and model of Android device you have, the location of the power button will vary.
2. A prompt will appear on-screen. Select Restart.
   

If the menu does not pop up, continue to hold the power button, and your Android device will shut off.

• If you had to shut down your Android device, wait 30 seconds before turning your device back on.

8. Check App Updates

1. Open the Play Store.
   

1. At the top, choose the three bars on the left of the search line.
   

1. Choose My apps & games at the top.
   

1. Choose Update All.
   

9. Uninstall Tether App (Android)

1. Open Apps on your Android device.
   

1. Look for the TP-Link Tether app.
   

1. Tap and hold the app's icon until you see the Uninstall option show up at the top side of the screen.
   

1. Drag the icon over the Uninstall option until the icon turns red and release it.
   

1. You will be asked whether you want to uninstall the app. Tap OK to confirm.
   

10. Install Tether App (Android)

1. Launch the Play Store on your smartphone.
   

1. Select the search bar at the top.
   

1. Type in TP-Link Tether, then select TP-Link Tether from the list.
   

1. Select Install.
   

11. What's next?

12. Connect to Wi-Fi

Depending on what device (Smartphone or Tablet) and which generation you have, the menu theme and options might look slightly different on your screen. However, the steps should be similar across all Android devices and generations.

1. From the main screen of your Android device, tap on the Apps button.
   

1. Then look for and tap on Settings.
   

1. Go to Wi-Fi.
   

1. Make sure the Wi-Fi feature is enabled by flipping the On / Off switch to the On position then wait for the network list to populate and tap on the Wi-Fi network that you want to connect to.
   

1. Your Android device will automatically connect to the network if there is no security enabled, or you have connected to it in the past. The Wi-Fi network name will show Connected underneath and the Wi-Fi symbol will fill up in the top right corner of the screen.
   

1. If the Wi-Fi network requires a password, then you will see a small padlock next to the Wi-Fi symbol, which also means the connection is secure. Tapping on a secured Wi-Fi networks name will prompt you to enter the password. Passwords are always case sensitive. Type it in using the on screen keyboard then tap Connect.
   

1. If the Wi-Fi network you are trying to connect to is hidden, then tap the More option which looks like three dots positioned vertically, on the top right corner of the screen, then tap Add network.
   

1. Enter the Wi-Fi networks name using the on screen keyboard and tap Save if no password is required to connect. If a password is needed to connect to the Wi-Fi network then tap on Security and select the security type. Type in the password, then tap Save.
   

At this point your Android device should be connected to Wi-Fi.

As an alternate way you can also try the following method:

1. Swipe downwards from the top side of the screen.
   

1. Look for the Wi-Fi symbol in the drop down menu and tap on the word below it. If you're not connected to any network, it will say Wi-Fi. If you're already connected to a network, it will show its name.
   

1. Make sure the Wi-Fi feature is enabled by flipping the On / Off switch to the On position then wait for the network list to populate and tap on the Wi-Fi network that you want to connect to.
   

13. Check Wi-Fi

Depending on what device (iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch) and which generation you have, the menu theme and options might look slightly different on your screen. However, the steps should be the same across all iOS devices and generations.

To check if your iOS mobile device is connected to Wi-Fi:

1. From the main screen of your device, look for and open Settings.
   

1. With Settings open, look for the Wi-Fi field. This field will display the current Wi-Fi status on the right hand side:

• Off - the Wi-Fi antenna is currently disabled.
• Not Connected - Wi-Fi is turned on, but your device is not currently connected to a network.
• Wi-Fi network name - Wi-Fi is turned on, and the network name displayed is the network your device is currently connected to.
  

14. Additional Information

To better assist you, please answer this question.

15. Power Cycle

1. Press the power button on the side of the range extender and make sure the indicator lights on the front turn off.
   

1. Wait ten seconds.
   

1. Press the power button again and make sure the power light on the front turns on.
   

1. Wait one minute for the range extender to start back up fully.
   

16. Close Running Apps

1. Double press the Home button rapidly.
   

1. You will now see a list of apps that are currently open. Swipe up on any of the apps to close them.
   

17. Restart

1. Hold down the lock/power button.
2. Slide to power off when prompted.
3. Wait until the phone is off.
4. Hold down the lock/power button until you see the Apple logo.

18. Check App Updates

1. If an app has an update available, the App Store will show a number in a red circle next to it.
   

1. Choose the App Store on your home screen.
2. Choose Updates at the bottom, then choose Update All on the top-right.
   

19. Uninstall Tether App (iOS)

1. On the main screen of your iOS device, look for the TP-Link Tether app.
   

1. Tap and hold the icon until an X shows up on its top left corner. Tap the X.
   

1. You will be asked whether you want to delete the app. Tap Delete to confirm.
   

20. Install Tether App (iOS)

1. Open the App Store.
   

1. Select Search in the bottom right corner.
   

1. Type in TP-Link Tether, and select Get for TP-Link Tether.
   

1. Select Get for TP-Link Tether.
   

21. What's next?

22. Connect to Wi-Fi

Depending on what device (iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch) and which generation you have, the menu theme and options might look slightly different on your screen. However, the steps should be the same across all iOS devices and generations.

1. From the main screen of your device, look for and open Settings.
   

1. After that, go to Wi-Fi. You will see that this option also shows one of three statuses to the right:
   
2. Off - the Wi-Fi feature is disabled
3. Not Connected - there is no Wi-Fi connection establishe
4. the Wi-Fi connections name - there is a Wi-Fi connection already established.

1. Make sure that the Wi-Fi feature is enabled by flipping the On/Off switch to the green position. Locate and tap the Wi-Fi networks name that you wish to connect to from the list.
   

1. Your iOS device will automatically connect to the network if there is no security enabled, or you have connected to it in the past. The checkmark and Wi-Fi symbol indicate you are connected.
   

1. If the Wi-Fi network requires a password, then you will see a small padlock to the right of its name, which also means the connection is secure.
   

1. Tapping on a secured Wi-Fi networks name will prompt you to enter the password. Passwords are always case sensitive. Type it in using the on screen keyboard then tap Join on the bottom right corner. If tapping it does nothing, then it means the password you typed in is too short.
   

1. If the Wi-Fi network you are trying to connect to is hidden, then tap the Other... option.
   

1. Enter the Wi-Fi networks name using the on screen keyboard and tap Join at the bottom right if no password is required to connect. If a password is needed to connect to the Wi-Fi network then tap on Security.
   

1. Choose the type of security the Wi-Fi network has by tapping on it.
   

1. Finally, type in the required Wi-Fi password and tap Join at the bottom right corner to connect.
   

At this point your iOS device should be connected to Wi-Fi.