{"id":39811,"date":"2014-01-11T17:34:47","date_gmt":"2014-01-11T12:04:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/?p=39811"},"modified":"2026-10-08T19:25:20","modified_gmt":"2026-10-08T13:55:20","slug":"tata-photon-on-chromebooks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2014\/01\/tata-photon-on-chromebooks\/","title":{"rendered":"Tata Photon on Chromebooks: What Worked Then and How to Get Online Now"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>When I bought my <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2014\/01\/hp-14-chromebook-unboxing-photos\/\">new HP 14 Chromebook<\/a>, my first problem was getting online with my Tata Photon USB dongle. Photon needed a small driver program, and Chromebooks can&#8217;t install Windows software. A one-line command in the Chrome OS shell fixed it. Tata Photon has since been discontinued, so here&#8217;s how we used Tata Photon on Chromebooks then, and the best ways to get mobile internet on a Chromebook in 2026.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Quick answer:<\/strong> Tata Photon no longer exists: Tata Teleservices&#8217; mobile business was merged into Airtel in 2019 and its Photon dongles stopped working. To get mobile internet on a Chromebook today, use your Android phone&#8217;s <strong>Instant Tethering<\/strong> or Wi-Fi hotspot, a portable 4G\/5G Wi-Fi router (such as JioFi or an Airtel hotspot), or a Chromebook with a built-in LTE\/5G modem or eSIM.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_89 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6aea4e43e58c6\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #1a202c;color:#1a202c\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #1a202c;color:#1a202c\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6aea4e43e58c6\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2014\/01\/tata-photon-on-chromebooks\/#How_we_connected_Tata_Photon_to_a_Chromebook_2014\" >How we connected Tata Photon to a Chromebook (2014)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2014\/01\/tata-photon-on-chromebooks\/#Best_ways_to_get_mobile_internet_on_a_Chromebook_in_2026\" >Best ways to get mobile internet on a Chromebook in 2026<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2014\/01\/tata-photon-on-chromebooks\/#1_Instant_Tethering_with_your_Android_phone\" >1. Instant Tethering with your Android phone<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2014\/01\/tata-photon-on-chromebooks\/#2_Your_phones_Wi-Fi_hotspot\" >2. Your phone&#8217;s Wi-Fi hotspot<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2014\/01\/tata-photon-on-chromebooks\/#3_A_portable_4G5G_Wi-Fi_hotspot\" >3. A portable 4G\/5G Wi-Fi hotspot<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2014\/01\/tata-photon-on-chromebooks\/#4_A_Chromebook_with_built-in_LTE_or_5G\" >4. A Chromebook with built-in LTE or 5G<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2014\/01\/tata-photon-on-chromebooks\/#Do_USB_data_dongles_work_on_Chromebooks\" >Do USB data dongles work on Chromebooks?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2014\/01\/tata-photon-on-chromebooks\/#Frequently_asked_questions\" >Frequently asked questions<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2014\/01\/tata-photon-on-chromebooks\/#Is_Tata_Photon_still_available\" >Is Tata Photon still available?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2014\/01\/tata-photon-on-chromebooks\/#What_is_crosh_on_a_Chromebook\" >What is crosh on a Chromebook?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2014\/01\/tata-photon-on-chromebooks\/#Which_is_better_for_a_Chromebook_phone_hotspot_or_a_pocket_router\" >Which is better for a Chromebook: phone hotspot or a pocket router?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_we_connected_Tata_Photon_to_a_Chromebook_2014\"><\/span>How we connected Tata Photon to a Chromebook (2014)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The trick, shared by the team at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2013\/10\/google-chromebook-store-photos\/\">Croma Google Chromebook store<\/a>, used Chrome OS&#8217;s built-in developer shell, <strong>crosh<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Press <code>Ctrl + Alt + T<\/code> to open crosh in a browser tab.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-39812\" src=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/crosh.png\" alt=\"Chrome OS crosh shell\" width=\"488\" height=\"162\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/crosh.png 488w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/crosh-150x49.png 150w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/crosh-300x99.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 488px) 100vw, 488px\" \/><\/p>\n<ol start=\"2\">\n<li>At the <code>crosh&gt;<\/code> prompt, type:<br \/>\n<code>set_cellular_ppp -u internet -p internet<\/code><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-39816\" src=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/crosh-internet.png\" alt=\"Tata Photon on Chromebooks with crosh command\" width=\"500\" height=\"296\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/crosh-internet.png 500w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/crosh-internet-150x88.png 150w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/crosh-internet-300x177.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/p>\n<ol start=\"3\">\n<li>Close the tab and restart the Chromebook. It then connected to the Tata Photon network automatically: no software, no passwords, just plug-and-play internet.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>The command set the username and password the dongle needed for its mobile data connection. Some other 3G dongles of that era worked the same way with their own settings. Newer versions of ChromeOS have removed many of these old crosh commands, and most USB dongles aren&#8217;t supported any more.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Best_ways_to_get_mobile_internet_on_a_Chromebook_in_2026\"><\/span>Best ways to get mobile internet on a Chromebook in 2026<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Instant_Tethering_with_your_Android_phone\"><\/span>1. Instant Tethering with your Android phone<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>If your Chromebook and Android phone are linked (<strong>Settings &gt; Connected devices &gt; Android phone<\/strong>), the Chromebook can turn on your phone&#8217;s hotspot and connect automatically when there&#8217;s no Wi-Fi. It&#8217;s the easiest option and needs nothing extra. See Google&#8217;s guide to <a href=\"https:\/\/support.google.com\/chromebook\/answer\/7073039\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">connecting your Chromebook to your phone&#8217;s mobile data<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Your_phones_Wi-Fi_hotspot\"><\/span>2. Your phone&#8217;s Wi-Fi hotspot<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Any phone, Android or iPhone, can share its mobile data as a Wi-Fi hotspot. Connect the Chromebook like any Wi-Fi network. Watch your data use: unlimited plans in India usually have a daily limit, and some include hotspot use within that limit.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_A_portable_4G5G_Wi-Fi_hotspot\"><\/span>3. A portable 4G\/5G Wi-Fi hotspot<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Pocket routers such as JioFi and Airtel&#8217;s 4G\/5G hotspots create a Wi-Fi network for several devices and don&#8217;t drain your phone&#8217;s battery. They&#8217;re the modern replacement for USB dongles like Photon.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_A_Chromebook_with_built-in_LTE_or_5G\"><\/span>4. A Chromebook with built-in LTE or 5G<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Some Chromebooks have a built-in mobile modem with a SIM slot or eSIM. Insert a data SIM and connect from <strong>Settings &gt; Network &gt; Mobile data<\/strong>. Check the specs before you buy, as these models are less common in India.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_USB_data_dongles_work_on_Chromebooks\"><\/span>Do USB data dongles work on Chromebooks?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Sometimes, but rarely. ChromeOS supports only a small number of USB modems, and most Indian data cards from Photon, MTS and Reliance were 3G models that are now shut down anyway. Newer &#8220;Wi-Fi dongles&#8221; that create their own hotspot work with any device, including Chromebooks, because they connect over Wi-Fi rather than as a modem.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_asked_questions\"><\/span>Frequently asked questions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_Tata_Photon_still_available\"><\/span>Is Tata Photon still available?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>No. Tata Teleservices&#8217; consumer mobile business, including Tata Docomo and Photon, was taken over by Airtel in 2019, and Photon services ended.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_crosh_on_a_Chromebook\"><\/span>What is crosh on a Chromebook?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Crosh is the ChromeOS shell, opened with <code>Ctrl + Alt + T<\/code>. It offers diagnostic commands such as network tests. Many old commands, including the one above, have been removed.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Which_is_better_for_a_Chromebook_phone_hotspot_or_a_pocket_router\"><\/span>Which is better for a Chromebook: phone hotspot or a pocket router?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A phone hotspot is free and convenient for occasional use. A pocket router is better for daily use, as it saves your phone&#8217;s battery and can connect several devices.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When I bought my new HP 14 Chromebook, my first problem was getting online with my Tata Photon USB dongle&#8230;.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":39816,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"default","_kad_post_title":"default","_kad_post_layout":"default","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"default","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"default","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[23,3],"tags":[49],"class_list":["post-39811","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-computers","category-google","tag-tutorials"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39811","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=39811"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39811\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":63685,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39811\/revisions\/63685"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/39816"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=39811"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=39811"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=39811"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}