If you want to channel your network traffic via an Android phone’s connection Tinyproxy can be a lightweight and effective solution Tinyproxy is a compact, open-source HTTP proxy designed for Linux making it excellent for embedded systems such as Pi devices acting as intermediaries

By integrating it with your Android device’s mobile sharing feature you build a centralized proxy that safely distributes your phone’s internet to multiple clients

Begin by enabling tethering on your Android phone You may choose between USB tethering or activating a mobile hotspot via Settings USB tethering is typically more reliable and avoids Wi-Fi interference Once tethered, your Linux machine will get an IP address from the phone, usually through DHCP Use network utilities like ip link or networkctl to ensure the interface is active

Next, install Tinyproxy on your Linux system On Ubuntu, use sudo apt install tinyproxy to install the server etc Several critical settings require adjustment

Set Listen to the IP address of your Linux machine’s network interface, typically the one connected to your local network 16 or 10.1.1.0 Optionally change the listening port to 8080, 8088, or 8888 based on preference Set LogLevel to Info for balanced visibility and minimal log noise

Reload the proxy with sudo service tinyproxy restart 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

This setup is especially useful in environments where you need to monitor or filter web traffic 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

By default, Tinyproxy does not proxy non-HTTP traffic For TCP Be aware that your cellular data allowance still applies—track usage via your carrier app

With Tinyproxy and Android tethering, you have a low cost, low power solution that turns your phone into a gateway for https://hackmd.io your entire network The process is straightforward, requires minimal upkeep, and grants complete routing oversight