Setting up USB tethering for multiple phones at the same time is possible but requires careful planning and the right hardware

Most computers have a limited number of USB ports, so you may need a powered USB hub to connect several phones without overloading the system

Make sure the hub is externally powered because each phone drawing power and data through USB can quickly exceed what a standard port can supply

Begin by connecting each phone to the computer using original or high quality USB cables

Before configuring tethering, confirm each cable supports both charging and data synchronization

You must manually turn on tethering for each device after they’re plugged in

Look for "Tethering" or "Portable Hotspot" within the Connections or Network section of your phone’s Settings app

Activate each phone’s USB tethering feature individually to avoid system confusion

Each activated phone appears as a separate Ethernet adapter on your computer

Windows and macOS can handle multiple network connections, but they may not automatically route traffic through all of them

You might need to adjust network priority settings

Open Network and Sharing Center > Change adapter settings, then access the IPv4 properties of each USB adapter

Assign the lowest metric number to your preferred connection for highest priority

A lower number means higher priority

When several USB Ethernet adapters show the same name, the system may misbehave

If this happens, you may need to disable and re-enable each USB tethering connection in sequence

Each device must have an active mobile data subscription to enable tethering

Airplane mode disables all radios—disable it and ensure data is enabled before tethering

You can test if all connections are working by opening a web browser on the computer and checking the network status

Some advanced users use tools like Speedtest or network monitoring software to see which interfaces are active

You won’t get 5x speed with five phones; each contributes independently, not collectively

The OS defaults to one gateway unless load-balancing software is installed

Specialized software exists to aggregate bandwidth from multiple USB tethered devices

Such tools are complex and often demand network administration knowledge

Finally, be aware that continuous tethering can drain phone batteries faster and may generate more heat

Use wall adapters with sufficient amperage to prevent battery drain during long sessions

Also, check your mobile carrier’s terms of service, as some plans restrict or charge extra for tethering multiple devices simultaneously