Want to turn your Android phone into a portable WiFi hotspot without installing a custom ROM or waiting for Google to officially roll out Android 2.2 Froyo? If your phone is running Google Android 2.1, then you can.

This only works on phones that have been rooted (giving you access to settings and files that are otherwise off limits), but if you’ve already got root privileges on your phone then enabling WiFi tethering is about as easy as downloading and installing an app.

The folks at the xda-developers forum have posted instructions. In a nutshell, all you have to do is create a directory on your SD card called android.tether and download and install a wireless tether app. That’s it.

When you’re done, you should be able to enable wireless tethering to share your 3G data connection with a laptop, iPad, or other computer.

Instructions for rooting your Android phone will vary from device to device. Make sure you know what you’re doing before getting started, as there’s a good chance that rooting your phone will void your warranty.