Using Tinyproxy To Route Traffic Through Android Tethering

When you need to route your internet traffic through an Android device using tethering Tinyproxy can be a lightweight and effective solution Tinyproxy is a low-resource proxy server compatible with Linux-based platforms making it perfect for aging hardware repurposed as a network gateway



By linking it to your phone’s USB tethering or wireless hotspot you build a centralized proxy that safely distributes your phone’s internet to multiple clients



Start by configuring your phone’s connection sharing options Your options include USB-based sharing or wireless hotspot creation USB tethering is often preferred because it’s more stable and doesn’t require additional wireless configuration Your machine will automatically obtain an IP from the Android device’s network You can check this with the ifconfig or ip addr command to confirm the connection



Next, install Tinyproxy on your Linux system On Debian or Ubuntu, you can do this with sudo apt install tinyproxy Navigate to and modify the config file at Several critical settings require adjustment



Specify the internal IP address of your proxy server on the local subnet 8, depending on your network setup Optionally change the listening port to 8080, 8088, or 8888 based on preference Use "Info" level to track activity without excessive verbosity



After making changes, restart Tinyproxy with sudo systemctl restart tinyproxy The system functions as a transparent HTTP gateway to your Android’s tethered connection



To use this from another device on your network, configure its browser or system proxy settings to point to the Linux machine’s IP address and the port you set, such as 192.168.1.100:8888



Ideal for corporate, educational, or public spaces needing traffic oversight or if you wish to avoid broadcasting your phone’s Wi-Fi signal It can also help bypass network restrictions in places like offices or public Wi-Fi networks by routing traffic through your phone’s data plan



Remember that Tinyproxy only handles HTTP and HTTPS traffic by default Extend functionality using tools like Squid, Polipo, or SSH dynamic forwarding Your mobile data cap remains in effect; use data monitoring tools to avoid overages



With Tinyproxy and Android tethering, you have a low cost, low power solution that turns your phone into a gateway for your entire network Easy to configure, self-sustaining, and puts you in charge of every request’s path