There are apparently only two documented ways to reverse tether an Android via USB to a linux host:

• openVPN method
• Gnirehtet

OpenVPN dead
I really wanted the #openVPN method to work because I’m a fan of reducing special-purpose installations and using Swiss army knives of sorts. In principle we might expect openVPN to be well maintained well into the future. But openVPN turns out to be a shit show in this niche context. Features have been dropped from the Android version.

Gnirehtet dying
Gnirehtet works but it’s falling out of maintenance. It’s also unclear if #Gnirehtet really works without root. There is mixed info:

• Ade Malsasa Akbar from Ubuntubuzz claims root is not needed (and devs agree).
• OSradar claims root is needed. (edit: they are mistaken)

If anyone has managed to reverse tether an unrooted Android over USB to a linux host using free software, please chime in. Thanks!

update on Gnirehtet

Gnirehtet indeed works without root. But some apps (like VOIP apps) fail to detect an internet connection and refuse to communicate.

#askFedi