External USB WiFi Adapter Compatibility with Rooted Moto G Fast and Kali NetHunter

NetHunter Forums NetHunter General/Troubleshooting
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I’m using a rooted Moto G Fast running the full version of Kali NetHunter (not the rootless version) and would like to know if I can use an external USB WiFi adapter for general networking diagnostics and wireless interface support.

My setup includes:

  • TP-Link AC600 USB WiFi Adapter (Archer T2U Plus)
  • UGREEN USB-C to USB-A OTG Adapter

The AC600 uses a Realtek RTL8811AU chipset, which is known to be supported under Linux with the correct drivers. However, I understand that most Android kernels (including mine) don’t include USB WiFi support by default and may require kernel modules such as 8812au.ko or support for cfg80211.

My questions:

  1. Can this adapter function for general wireless interface access in Kali NetHunter on my device?
  2. Is it possible to load a matching .ko module into the kernel on the Moto G Fast?
  3. Would I be better off using a NetHunter-supported device that includes wireless adapter compatibility out of the box?

Thanks in advance for any advice on driver compatibility or alternative device recommendations!

2

Kali NetHunter Kernels lists the supported models and drivers. I installed my version for the S10, but my TL-WN722N V4, still doesn’t work OOB, despite the driver being listed under “features”. ¯⁠\⁠_⁠(⁠ツ⁠)⁠_⁠/⁠¯

4

I think I’m going with
AR9271 USB Adapter with 2dBi External Antenna, for Kali Linux Ubuntu XP 7 8 10 ROS

5

The supported version is v1, anything after that has been realtek chipsets, which are garbage.

1 Like
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When it comes to Wireless adapters, there is “Supported by Linux” and there is “works flawlessly with Kali”.

Realtek is generally rubbish, and to get it working flawlessly you have to sacrifice a penguin on the Altar of Linus, get it working and then step back carefully, making sure not to touch it.

You are probably too young to remember the days of the Orinoco Gold wifi adapter, which was a wireless card that was extendable and pretty much universally supported, including monitor mode and packet injection.

To have any fun with NetHunter, you need a fully supported chipset. I would look for something Atheros-based.

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IMG_20170529_190716
IMG_20170529_1907161920×1440 199 KB

I modded mine. :rofl:

Used to have to compile custom firmware for it in slackware for monitor mode.

8

I modded mine too.

But it worked really well on Red Hat 7.3. No software/firmware modifications needed.

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Dam, that’s old school slackware is a different type of pain

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That was the distro to use back when I started messing with the wifi stuff.

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Yea, I started playing with them in 02 or 03.

13

So I’ve heard, but drivers do exist. It turns out I just hadn’t installed them correctly.

14

well, good luck with that.

1 Like
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I didn’t say drivers don’t exist. I said that Realtek is generally rubbish and to have problem free fun you need something that is fully supported.