Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro as well as USB-PC modem: Full instruction

In the era of remote work and the constant need for a stable Internet, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro can be a real salvation if you do not have a router or cable connection at hand. USB-Modem (binding mode) allows you to distribute mobile Internet to your computer with minimal delays and without the need for additional equipment, USB-binding provides a higher data rate and lower battery consumption, as it does not require the operation of wireless modules.

However, not all users know how to set up this mode correctly on the Redmi Note 8 Pro, especially if you have not previously encountered such tasks. In this article, we will discuss not only the basic connection procedure, but also nuances that are often missed: From choosing the best network settings to solving common errors like "Device not recognized" or not having access to the Internet, and then we'll find out why sometimes speed is a problem. USB It is lower than Wi-Fi and how to fix it.

What is the regime? USB-Modem and why it is better than Wi-Fi

Regime. USB-modem (or USB Tethering allows a smartphone to transmit mobile network data to a computer via cable, creating a virtual network connection. In the case of the Redmi Note 8 Pro, this method has several key advantages over a traditional Wi-Fi hotspot:

  • πŸ”‹ Savings in battery charge: USB-Connection consumes energy 2-3 times slower than wireless distribution.
  • πŸš€ Higher speed: no interference and limitations of Wi-Fi protocols allows you to reach speeds close to the maximum for your tariff.
  • πŸ”’ Security: Data is transmitted over a wire, eliminating the risk of interception of traffic relevant to open Wi-Fi networks.
  • πŸ“Ά Communication stability: no problem with signal interruptions, as with weak Wi-Fi coverage.

But there are limitations, too. For example, the Redmi Note 8 Pro doesn't support simultaneous work. USB-modem and charging via the same port (unless you use the same port) OTG-In addition, some mobile operators may block the binding or limit the speed for such connections - this is worth checking in the terms of your tariff.

⚠️ Attention: When active USB-Redmi Note 8 Pro modem can heat up more than usual. That's normal, but if the temperature is above 45°C, it is recommended to turn off the mode and allow the device to cool down.

Preparing a smartphone and computer for connection

Before you activate the modem, you need to follow a few preliminary steps, which will help to avoid typical errors such as the absence of drivers or conflicts of network adapters.

Make sure that the USB cable is good and supports data transfer.

Update MIUI to the latest version (relevant for firmware older than 2021)

Disable VPN or proxy on your smartphone and PC

Check your mobile account balance (some operators block the Internet with zero balance)

Install Xiaomi drivers for Windows (if the connection is first time)-->

Pay particular attention to the USB cable. Cheap or damaged wires often only support charging, not data transfer. To check this, connect the Redmi Note 8 Pro to your computer and see if it is defined as a media device (file folders should be displayed in the conductor). If not, the cable needs to be replaced.

On the computer side (especially running Windows 7/10), you may need to install drivers. Usually, the system downloads them automatically through Windows Update, but if this does not happen, download the official Mi PC Suite from Xiaomi website or the drivers for Android Composite ADB Interface manually. For macOS and Linux, you do not need additional drivers - just allow the connection in the phone settings.

Windows 10/11

macOS

Linux

Android (tablet)

other-->

Step-by-step instruction: how to turn on USB-modem on Redmi Note 8 Pro

Now, let's get to the main process. Follow the instructions carefully to avoid errors.

  1. Connect the Redmi Note 8 Pro to your computer using the original USB-cable (or certified analogue) Use the port USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 on PC – there will be no difference in speed for the modem, but USB 3.0 will provide a more stable power supply.
  2. On the screen of the smartphone will appear notification β€œcharging through” USB". Tap it to open the "Use" menu. USB for".
  3. Select "Data Transfer" (or "File Transfer" in newer versions of MIUI) to allow the computer to recognize the device.
  4. Open Settings β†’ Network and Internet β†’ Access Point and modem.
  5. Activate the switch "USB-modem." In a few seconds, a notification will appear on the screen "USB-modem active".

The computer should have a new network connection at that point. In Windows, you can find it in the Control Panel. β†’ Network connections (Ethernet icon or Local Area Network Connection">). If the internet doesn’t work right away, try turning it off and turning it back on. USB-modem on your phone or restart your smartphone.

πŸ’‘

If the internet is slow after you connect, try turning off the energy-saving mode on your smartphone. Go to Settings β†’ Battery β†’ Performance Mode and select High Performance.

Addressing common problems with USB-modem

Even with the right setup, Redmi Note 8 Pro users sometimes encounter errors, and consider the most common ones and how to fix them:

Problem.Possible causeDecision
The computer does not see the phone as a modemNo drivers or only charging mode is enabledInstall drivers through Device Manager or switch USB-regime on β€œData transfer"
The Internet is connected, but the pages are not loadedDNS conflict or operator blockingTry changing the DNS on your PC (e.g. 8.8.8.8) or contact the operator
Speed is lower than through Wi-FiOperator restriction or background processesCheck APN settings or turn off auto-update apps
The phone is warming up a lot.Active data transfer + charging via the same portUse it. OTG-externally powered hub or turn off the modem for 10-15 minutes

If none of these things worked, try resetting your network settings on your smartphone. Go to Settings β†’ System β†’ Additional β†’ Settings Reset β†’ Resetting your Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth settings. Attention: This will remove all saved Wi-Fi passwords and mobile internet settings, so write them down in advance.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI (especially custom) regime USB-The modem may not work smoothly due to errors in the kernel. If you use unofficial firmware, try going back to the stock version.

Optimization of connection speed and stability

To make the most of the Redmi Note 8 Pro as a modem, it’s not enough to just turn on the anchor mode. Here are some tips to improve performance:

  • πŸ“‘ Network Selection: Manually set your preferred network type in Settings β†’ SIM-maps and mobile networks β†’ Network type. Choose for maximum speed 4G (LTE) or 4G. If the signal is weak, try it. 3G β€” It might be more stable.
  • πŸ”„ APN-Settings: Make sure that the access point settings (APN) They meet the requirements of your operator. For example, for MTS it is Internet.mts.ru, for Beeline - Internet.beeline.ru.
  • πŸ›‘ Background Processes: Turn off application auto-update and cloud sync (like Google Photos or Mi Cloud) to free up the channel for main traffic.
  • πŸ”Œ Power: If you plan to use the modem for a long time, connect your smartphone to charging through OTG-hub (to avoid occupying) USB-PC port) or use wireless charging.

For advanced users, if you notice a speed drawdown, try changing the MTU (Maximum Transmission Unit) for the network adapter. The optimal value for mobile networks is 1472.

  1. Open the Command Prompt on behalf of the administrator.
  2. Enter the command: netsh interface ipv4 set subinterface "LAN Connection" mtu=1472 store=persistent (replace the name of the connection with the current one).
  3. Restart the computer.
What to do if the operator is blocking USB-modem?
Some operators (for example, Tele2 at separate rates) limit the possibility of binding. You can bypass this in the following ways: 1. Use a VPN on a smartphone (for example, 1.1.1.1: Faster Internet). 2. Connect via a Bluetooth modem (speed will be lower, but blocking will work less often). 3. Change the tariff to the one where the distribution of the Internet is allowed (check with the operator). 4. Use applications like PDANet +, which mask the traffic of the binding as normal mobile traffic.

Alternative ways to distribute the Internet with Redmi Note 8 Pro

If USB-The modem is not suitable for some reason, consider other options:

  • πŸ“Ά Wi-Fi Hotspot: Classic, but with a lot of battery life. Activated in Settings β†’ Access Point and modem β†’ Wi-Fi hotspot.
  • πŸ”΅ Bluetooth modem: Slower USB, It's more economical than Wi-Fi. It's on the same menu").
  • πŸ”„ Reverse Tethering: Transferring the Internet from PC to phone, useful if you have a wired connection on your computer, requires root rights or special applications like ClockworkMod Tether.

Each of these methods has its pros and cons. For example, a Wi-Fi hotspot is convenient for connecting multiple devices, but quickly puts the battery down, and a Bluetooth modem has almost no effect on charge, but is limited to speeds up to 3 Mbps. USB-The modem remains the middle ground for most tasks.

πŸ’‘

USB-Redmi Note 8 Pro modem is the best choice for stable and fast Internet distribution, if you do not need to connect multiple devices at the same time.

Safety in use USB-modem

When the modem is active, your Redmi Note 8 Pro becomes a bridge between your mobile network and your computer, which brings additional risks that you should keep in mind:

  • πŸ›‘οΈ Traffic protection: If you connect to public networks (for example, through a network) VPN on a PC, make sure that the smartphone has disabled unnecessary permissions for applications.
  • πŸ”’ Locking the device: Always install PIN-A code or pattern lock on a smartphone, which you can access through modem modem modems. ADB, if USB-debugging is on.
  • πŸ“΄ Background Traffic Limit: Turn off automatic app updates and mobile backups to avoid unexpected traffic waste.

Also worth paying attention to is APN settings. Some carriers use separate APNs to link (e.g. internet.tethering instead of standard internet).If you notice that traffic is being debited faster than usual, check if you are connected to a "special" APN with higher rates.

⚠️ Attention: With prolonged use USB-modem (more than 4-5 hours) monitor the temperature of the smartphone processor. Redmi Note 8 Pro is equipped with a cooling system, but intensive data transfer can lead to trottling (automatic performance decrease).

FAQ: Frequent questions on USB-modem on Redmi Note 8 Pro

Can I use it? USB-modem and charge the phone at the same time?
Technically yes, but standard. USB-The Redmi Note 8 Pro port does not support simultaneous data transfer and charging with sufficient power. OTG-externally powered hub (e.g, UGREEN USB 3.0 Hub with charging input.Without a hub, the phone will either run out or charge very slowly.
Why is USB speed lower than Wi-Fi?
This can be due to several factors: the operator limits the speed of the USB-bindings (check fare conditions). APN Incorrect authentication type (try it out) PAP or CHAP). Background processes on the smartphone are active (turn off auto-update and synchronization). USB-The computer port is operating USB 2.0 (maximum 480 Mbps) For diagnostics, connect your phone to another PC or check the speed on the smartphone itself via Speedtest.
How to distribute Internet from PC on Redmi Note 8 Pro (backbound)?
This will require: Connect the phone to the PC through USB switch on USB-debugging (Settings) β†’ The phone. β†’ Version. MIUI (7 press) β†’ For developers β†’ Debugging by USB). Install it on a PC. ADB Adb shell settings put global settings tether_dun_required 0 Turn on USB-modem on the phone, now traffic will go from PC to smartphone. Without root rights, this method can work unstable.
Can I use it? USB-modem SIM-cards (via Wi-Fi smartphone)?
No, regime. USB-The modem on the Redmi Note 8 Pro only works when you have an active mobile connection, but you can: Connect your phone to Wi-Fi and turn on Modem Modem. β†’ Wi-Fi access point (but it's no longer a Wi-Fi access point) USB). Use applications like NetShare to distribute Wi-Fi over the Internet USB (root).
Why After Updating MIUI quit USB-modem?
This is a typical problem after major updates. Solutions: Reset network settings (Settings β†’ System β†’ Reset Network settings β†’ Reset) Remove and reinstall Android Composite ADB Interface drivers on PC. Check if modem mode is disabled in Settings β†’ Features β†’ Modem Modem (on some firmware). If nothing helps, rollback to the previous version of MIUI can return functionality.