Connect iPod touch to wireless network without wifi router

Use WiFi without WiFi Router

5 October 2008 13,981 views 11 Comments

My problem: I have an iPod touch which has the capability of surfing the internet, but only via wifi. I don’t have a wifi router (there was no money left for an Airport Express device). But I wanted to go online anyway.

Here’s the solution, if you have a Mac! I guess there are other ways as well and I don’t know how to set this up on a Windows machine, but if you’re a Mac user, this should help you.

What you need: a Mac with an internet connection. My Macbook is connected to the net via ethernet. But of course it also has wifi capabilities (Airport). So all one needs to do is to set up a wireless network via the Mac and allow the iPod touch to connect to it.

First, open the Airport network preferences and turn Airport on. [screenshot]

Now the option to create a new network is available. You can access it via the drop down menu below the activation button [where to find it / dropdown list].

Chose the option “Create Network”, then enter the name of your network and for security reasons you should ALWAYS check the password option [screenshot]. Enter your password, and save.

But there is one more thing you need to do (and I didn’t know that the first time I tried this and I nearly despaired): Go into your System Preferences and click on “Sharing” [screenshot]. Then activate the option Internet Sharing and chose which method the other device uses to connect. In case of the iPod touch that would be Airport [screenshot].

Now you just need to activate wifi on your iPod touch and your network will be found (it’s not hidden). When you chose to join it, you will be asked for the password and then you’re online.

Just another remark: I have noticed that I need to renew my lease on the network every time switch off wifi on the iPod and then switch it on again. I have no idea if this is just something that happens with my network or if this is a feature (not a bug ;) ).

So, if you had logged off and try to log in again via the iPod, but nothing happens, enter the preferences of the network on your iPod (by pressing the blue arrow button right of your chosen network), scroll down and you’ll see the option “Renew Lease”. Press the button, confirm, and then switch off wifi completely on your iPod and then log on again. Now it should work.

11 Comments »

mathieu said:

look,i dont have a mac and i dont hav a router.i want to connect my
ipod touch with out a router to internet.how do i do.answer quick please.

Reply

Starstuff Reply:
October 26th, 2008 at 5:34 pm

First of all, pal, this ain’t a help desk. If you want a quick answer, try google. 8) As for your problem: You knew you’d need wifi access before you actually bought the iPod, right? If you don’t have wifi at home, maybe some restaurant/cafe/hotel in your home town does. Some of them offer “hotspots”, access points to the internet via wifi. Some charge you for access, some don’t. Again, to find out more, try google. Good luck.

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tschilai Reply:
October 26th, 2008 at 9:59 pm

And here I was, thinking iPod was designed for entertainment purposes not life and death kind of situations…

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Starstuff Reply:
October 26th, 2008 at 10:46 pm

Wanna talk Xbox? :mrgreen:

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tschilai Reply:
October 26th, 2008 at 11:33 pm

I was referring to the apparent rush of your friendly enquirer ;)

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# 26 October 2008 at 5:20 pm

Landfill said:

I take it this is for OS X Leopard? Would you have directions for Tiger?

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Starstuff Reply:
December 16th, 2008 at 9:46 am

Hi Landfill, yes, this is for Mac OS X Leopard. I am sorry, I don’t use Tiger anymore so I wouldn’t know what is different.

Where do you run into problems?

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# 16 December 2008 at 4:36 am

sleevelessinseattle said:

you, sir, are a legend. today i am a happy man.
thank you kindly.

Reply

Starstuff Reply:
January 18th, 2009 at 5:16 pm

Well, the “sir” is a gal, actually, but other than that I am glad I could help you out. Enjoy your iPod touch then :)

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# 18 January 2009 at 7:30 am

Fernando said:

Nice blog ;-)

I’ve just discovered this myself for sharing my internet connection with other people on laptops with Wifi Connections but only one ethernet between us all. Took me 5 sec to guess that it would work also with my Ipod touch….sweet.

I’m on Tiger and the directions Starstuff gave work exactly the same as on Leopard.

F.

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# 20 February 2009 at 8:52 pm