Tethering in Xiaomi smartphones: how to distribute the Internet to other devices

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you need Internet on a laptop or tablet, and only a Xiaomi smartphone with mobile traffic is on hand? Here comes the tethering feature that allows you to turn your phone into a full-fledged access point. But how does it work on Xiaomi devices, what nuances are different models, and why sometimes the speed leaves much to be desired?

In this article, we will analyze all ways to distribute the Internet from Redmi smartphones, POCO Mi – from classic Wi-Fi hotspot to lesser-known methods via Bluetooth and USB. You will learn how to get around carrier restrictions, what settings affect connection stability, and why some models (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Ultra or the likes of the Xiaomi). POCO F5) They're better at this than anyone else, and we're also going to reveal some hidden pieces. MIUI, which will help to save battery power during long-term traffic distribution.

What is tethering and why it is needed in Xiaomi smartphones

Tethering (or “tethering”) is a technology that allows your Xiaomi smartphone to share its mobile internet with other devices. 4G/5G It's particularly useful in several scenarios, on laptops, tablets or even other phones:

• 📱 No Wi-Fi: You are in a cafe, hotel or outdoors where there is no fixed internet but a mobile network.
• 💻 Laptop work: You need to send a file or join an online conference urgently, and only your phone is at hand.
• 🎮 Nintendo Switch or Steam Deck require internet to download games, but there is no internet at home.
• 🚗 Travel: In a car or train you can distribute the Internet to a tablet for children or a navigator.

On Xiaomi smartphones, tethering function is implemented at the operating system level MIUI (HyperOS in newer models and supports three main ways to distribute:

1. Wi-Fi hotspot is the most popular method, creating a wireless network to which you can connect up to 10 devices.
2. Bluetooth tethering is less energy intensive, but also less fast (suitable for small data transfer).
3. USB tethering is the most stable connection, but requires a physical cable connection.

It is important to understand that not all mobile carriers allow Internet distribution; some providers (such as Tele2 or Iota) may block tethering or charge an additional fee, and we will discuss this in detail in one of the following sections.

How to turn on Wi-Fi hotspot on Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions

The easiest and most versatile way to distribute the Internet is to create a Wi-Fi hotspot. On Xiaomi smartphones, this process takes less than a minute, but there are a few nuances that depend on the version. MIUI/HyperOS And the phone models. Let's look at the universal algorithm:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the home screen).

2. Go to the section Network and Internet → Access Point and modem (in older versions) MIUI The path may be additional → Modem mode).

3. Slip on the Wi-Fi hotspot.

4. Activate the slider at the top of the screen.

Now your Xiaomi streams the network, but before connecting other devices, we recommend setting up several options for security and stability:

Change the name of the network (SSID) uniquely|Set a complex password (minimum) 8 symbolism)|Select the security standard WPA2/WPA3|Limit the number of connected devices (by default) 10)|Turn on the "Disable When Inactivity" option to save battery life-->

On models with HyperOS (for example, Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Note 13 Pro)+) interface has changed a little: now the settings of the access point are made in a separate section Personal hotspot, where you can quickly turn on the distribution directly from the main screen through the notification panel.

⚠️ Note: If the Internet is not working on connected devices after activation of the hotspot, check if your operator blocks it. Some tariffs (for example, "Unlimited" from MTS) require additional activation of the "Distribute Internet" option in your personal account.

Bluetooth-tethering: when it helps out and how to set up

Internet distribution via Bluetooth is a less popular, but sometimes indispensable, way.

• 🔋 Battery savings: Consuming in 2-3 Less energy than Wi-Fi.
• 🛡️ Security: Connection is only established between paired devices.
• 📱 Compatibility: Works even on older laptops without a Wi-Fi adapter.

There are also disadvantages: speed is limited by the Bluetooth version (maximum). ~3 Mbps on Bluetooth 5.0, and the setup is a little more complicated:

1. Turn on Bluetooth on both devices (smartphone and laptop/tablet).

2. On Xiaomi go to Settings → Bluetooth, find the right device on the list.

3. Return to Settings → The Internet and the Internet → Access Point and modem.

4. Activate the Bluetooth modem option.

On a connected device (for example, a laptop with Windows 11) you need:

1. Enter the settings → Devices → Bluetooth and other devices.
2. Find your Xiaomi in the list and click Connect via → Access point.

This method is ideal for transmitting small data (for example, for messengers or mail), but is not suitable for streaming video or online games. POCO F4 GT and other flagships with Bluetooth 5.3 speed can reach 5 Mbps – this is enough for watching YouTube as a video. 720p.

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If Bluetooth-tethering doesn't work, try turning off the power saving mode on your smartphone. MIUI It may restrict background data transmission.

USB-tethering: maximum stability and speed

If you need a stable connection with high speed (for example, to download large files or online conferences), USB tethering is the best choice.

• ⚡ Faster Wi-Fi: Speed is limited only by capabilities USB-port (up to 480 Mbps per port) USB 2.0 and up to 5 Gbps USB 3.0).
• 🔌 No battery required: The phone charges during the handout.
• 🛡️ Safer: No risk of data interception like public Wi-Fi networks.

To activate USB-tethering on Xiaomi:

1. Connect your phone to your computer via the original cable (cheap cables may not support data transmission).
2. In the phone settings, select Network and Internet → Access Point and modem.
3. Activate the option. USB-modem.

On Windows or MacOS, additional drivers are usually installed automatically.

• Check if the phone is enabled Developer Mode and debugging USB (In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI tap 7 times).
• Update drivers via Mi PC Suite (official software from Xiaomi).

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi) 9A) USB tethering may not work with cables USB-C to USB-C. Use the standard. USB-A to USB-C.

The speed of USB-tethering depends on the port version:

In practice, the real speed will be lower due to the limitations of the mobile network (even if the speed is limited). 5G rarely exceed 300 Mbps, but even with 4G (LTE Cat.12) You'll get it. ~150-200 Mbps – this is enough for a comfortable work.

Operator Limitations: Why Tethering May Not Work

One of the most common problems with Internet distribution is mobile carrier blocking, and many tariffs, even with unlimited Internet, have hidden tethering restrictions.

• 📵 Full lock: the operator can completely disable the distribution (for example, the tariff "Smart" from Beeline).
• 🕒 Time limit: After 1-2 The speed drops to the speed of the handout 64 Kbit / s (as on the tariff "It's simple" from MTS).
• 📉 Traffic limit: For example, 10 GB per month for tethering only (the tariff is "Limitless" from Yota).

How do you get around the restrictions? There are a few legal and not-so-legal ways to do this.

Legal methods:

• 🔄 Change the tariff: MegaFon has a tariff "Everything is possible" with unlimited tethering.
• 💳 Tele2 has the option "Distribution of the Internet" costs 50₽/day-day.

Non-obvious life hacks:

• 🔗 VPN-Bypass: Some operators block tethering TTL-Applications like PDANet.+ ClockworkMod Tether can hide the fact of the distribution (but this violates the operator’s rules!).
• 📡 Modem mode: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro)+) There is a hidden option modem modem (PDA), blocker.

To check if your operator is blocking tethering, do the following:

1. Turn on the hotspot on Xiaomi.
2. Connect the other device.
3. Open the site fast.com or speedtest.net.
4. Compare speed to direct work on the phone. If the difference is more than 2 times, you are limited.

How to speed up tethering on Xiaomi: 7 working ways

If the hotspot is slow, the problem isn’t always with the operator. Here are 7 proven ways to speed up the distribution on Xiaomi smartphones:

1. Change the Wi-Fi range

In the Hotspot settings (Settings) → Wi-Fi hotspot → Settings, select:

• 2.4 GHz – It passes through walls better, but slower.
• 5 GHz is faster but shorter range.
• 5 GHz (80 MHz) – top speed (available on Xiaomi) 12T newer).

2. Turn off the power saving

V MIUI Go to Settings. → Battery → Power saving mode and turn it off. Also add the Settings app to battery optimization exceptions.

3.Use USB-tethering

As we wrote earlier, this is the fastest method. on Xiaomi 13 Pro with USB 3.2 speed can reach 800 Mbps (when connected to the USB-C port).

4. Update firmware

In the new versions MIUI/HyperOS Optimized modem. Check the updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

5. Disable background apps

Close all programs that consume traffic (e.g. YouTube, TikTok, cloud backups). Use Settings → Annexes → Launched.

6.Tune in. APN

Sometimes standard settings APN (access points) limit speed. To change the speed:

1. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Name of the access point (APN).
2. Choose yours. SIM-map.
3. Click Add APN and enter your operator’s options (they can be found on the official website).

7. Use an external antenna (for extreme cases)

In some models (for example, POCO M5s) There's a connector for the external antenna. TS-9. This is true for places with weak signal (for example, outside the city).

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The most reliable way to accelerate tethering is a combination USB-linkage + power-saving shutdown, which gives you maximum speed and minimal delays.

Hidden features of tethering in Xiaomi: what can you do MIUI

Operating envelope MIUI (And the new HyperOS, it hides some useful Internet chips that few people know about:

1. Automatic hotspot shutdown

So that the smartphone doesn't run out in vain, you can set up an automatic Wi-Fi point shutdown after a certain time.

1. Open the Settings. → Wi-Fi hotspot → Time out.
2. Choose the interval (from 5 to 60 minutes).

2. White list of devices

If you do not want to have outsiders connect to your hotspot, MIUI 14+ There is a limitation function MAC-address:

1. In the hotspot settings, tap Device Management.
2. Select only the permitted devices.
3. Add in. MAC-addresses of their gadgets (they can be found in the network settings on the connected device).

Modem modem (PDA)

On some models (e.g. Redmi) K50 Gaming) has a hidden modem modem that allows you to bypass the operator's locks:

Enter the phone code ##4636##


Go to "Phone Information"




Select "Set preferred network type" → "LTE only"




Come back and activate the hotspot.

4. Traffic separation

HyperOS (starting with Xiaomi 13) introduced a traffic restriction feature for connected devices, for example, you can allocate a laptop 10 GB per month, and a tablet only 2 GB. → Access point → Traffic management.

5. Quick activation through the notification panel

V MIUI 12+ You can add a hotspot shortcut to the Quick Settings panel:

1. Swipe down to open the notification panel.
2. Slip on the pencil icon (editing).
3. Find the Access Point tile and drag it to the active area.

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On models with HyperOS (for example, Xiaomi 14), the hotspot can be turned on by voice via Xiao. AI. Just say “Enable the access point” and the smartphone will execute the command.

FAQ: Frequent questions about tethering on Xiaomi