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.

Example Android home screen.
Example iOS home screen.

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.
Android Settings.
  1. Select Wi-Fi.
Settings with Wi-Fi highlighted.
  1. Make sure Wi-Fi is turned On, then select the Wi-Fi network that says Connected under it.
Wi-Fi settings with Wi-Fi On switch and connected network highlighted.
  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.
Wi-Fi Properties.

More Details

  1. To see more information about your connection, select Cancel.
  2. Select the Settings gear in the top right corner.
Wi-Fi Settings with settings gear highlighted.
  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.
Configure Wi-Fi with MAC and IP address info highlighted.

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.
Power button highlighted on side of TP-Link range extender.
  1. Wait ten seconds.
Wait 10 Seconds
  1. Press the power button again and make sure the power light on the front turns on.
Power light highlighted on front of TP-Link range extender.
  1. Wait one minute for the range extender to start back up fully.
Wait 60 Seconds

6. Close Running Apps

  1. Tap on the App Drawer button.
Home screen with the App Drawer button highlighted

  1. 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.
  2. Either tap the X or swipe to close an app.
App Drayer screen with arrows indicating to swipe to the right on an app to close it

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.
Power prompt with Restart highlighted.

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.
Play Store.
  1. At the top, choose the three bars on the left of the search line.
Menu option highlighted in Google Play.
  1. Choose My apps & games at the top.
My app & games option highlighted in Play Store menu.
  1. Choose Update All.
Update All option highlighted in Play Store Updates.

9. Uninstall Tether App (Android)

  1. Open Apps on your Android device.
Android Apps.
  1. Look for the TP-Link Tether app.
TP-Link Tether
  1. Tap and hold the app's icon until you see the Uninstall option show up at the top side of the screen.
Uninstall option highlighted on Android screen.
  1. Drag the icon over the Uninstall option until the icon turns red and release it.
App icon turned red when dragged over the Uninstall option.
  1. You will be asked whether you want to uninstall the app. Tap OK to confirm.
OK option highlighted on app uninstall confirmation prompt.

10. Install Tether App (Android)

  1. Launch the Play Store on your smartphone.
Google Play Store.
  1. Select the search bar at the top.
Google Play Store with Search highlighted.
  1. Type in TP-Link Tether, then select TP-Link Tether from the list.
Play Store search with TP-Link Tether highlighted.
  1. Select Install.
TP-Link Tether Play Store page with Install highlighted.

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.
Home screen with Apps button highlighted.
  1. Then look for and tap on Settings.
Apps page with Settings icon highlighted.
  1. Go to Wi-Fi.
Settings page with Wi-Fi highlighted.
  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.
Wi-Fi settings with toggle highlighted with arrow pointing to toggle and list of available networks.
  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.
Wi-Fi settings page with arrows pointing to connected Wi-Fi network and Wi-Fi symbol in the status bar.
  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.
Secure and unsecure Wi-Fi symbols shown.

Wi-Fi settings page with arrow pointing to field to type in your security key and another arrow pointing to 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.
Wi-Fi settings page with arrow pointing to the Menu icon.

Wi-Fi settings page with Menu open and Add Network is highlighted.
  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.
Wi-Fi settings page with arrow pointing to a manually typed network name and another arrow pointing to the security type dialog box.

Wi-Fi settings page with an arrow pointing to the security key typed in and another arrow pointing to 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.
Home scree with arrow indicating to swipe your finger down from top 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.
Quick Menu options with Wi-Fi highlighted.
  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.
Wi-Fi quick settings with arrow pointing to highlighted toggle and another arrow pointing to the list of available wifi networks.

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.
iOS Settings icon.
  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.
iOS Settings menu with Wi-Fi highlighted.
  • You can also tap on the Wi-Fi field and make sure the Wi-Fi switch is in the On position. The switch should be green in color and will display the network that you are currently connected to directly beneath it with a check mark to the left.
  • iOS Wi-Fi menu highlighting the Wi-Fi switch and the currently connected network.

  • 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.
    Power button highlighted on side of TP-Link range extender.
    1. Wait ten seconds.
    Wait 10 Seconds
    1. Press the power button again and make sure the power light on the front turns on.
    Power light highlighted on front of TP-Link range extender.
    1. Wait one minute for the range extender to start back up fully.
    Wait 60 Seconds

    16. Close Running Apps

    1. Double press the Home button rapidly.
    iOS device home button.
    1. You will now see a list of apps that are currently open. Swipe up on any of the apps to close them.
    Recent programs screen with arrows indicating to swipe up on an app

    17. Restart

    Powering off an iPhone.
    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.
    iOS screen with app icon highlighted
    1. Choose the App Store on your home screen.
    2. Choose Updates at the bottom, then choose Update All on the top-right.
    iOS App Store Updates screen

    19. Uninstall Tether App (iOS)

    1. On the main screen of your iOS device, look for the TP-Link Tether app.
    TP-Link Tether
    1. Tap and hold the icon until an X shows up on its top left corner. Tap the X.
    Removal option highlighted on mobile app icon.
    1. You will be asked whether you want to delete the app. Tap Delete to confirm.
    Delete option highlighted on app uninstall confirmation prompt.

    20. Install Tether App (iOS)

    1. Open the App Store.
    iOS App Store
    1. Select Search in the bottom right corner.
    Apple App Store navigation bar with Search highlighted.
    1. Type in TP-Link Tether, and select Get for TP-Link Tether.
    App store search with Get highlighted.
    1. Select Get for TP-Link Tether.
    App Store TP-Link page with Get highlighted.

    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.
    Home screen with setting icon highlighted.
    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.
    iPhone settings screen with the Wi-Fi option highlighted.
    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.
    iPhone Wi-Fi menu with the switch set to the on position and a list of available networks underneath.
    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.
    iPhone Wi-Fi menu highlighting the Wi-Fi connection icon across the top and a check mark to the left of the Wi-Fi network name the device is currently connected to.
    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.
    iPhone Wi-Fi menu highlighting the small padlock to the right of each Wi-Fi network name.
    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.
    iPhone prompting the user to enter their Wi-Fi password.
    1. If the Wi-Fi network you are trying to connect to is hidden, then tap the Other... option.
    iPhone Wi-Fi menu highlighting 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.
    iPhone other network menu where the user is being prompted to enter their Wi-Fi network name and select a security type.
    1. Choose the type of security the Wi-Fi network has by tapping on it.
    iPhone security menu displaying all selectable security types for your Wi-Fi network.
    1. Finally, type in the required Wi-Fi password and tap Join at the bottom right corner to connect.
    iPhone other network menu displaying the user being prompted to type in their Wi-Fi network password.

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