How to Use Xiaomi Smartphone as a PC Modem via USB: The Complete Guide

In an era of remote work and the constant need for a stable Internet connection, the ability to turn a smartphone into a full modem becomes a critical skill. Xiaomi smartphones are one of the most popular devices for such a task thanks to flexible settings. MIUI And a reliable hardware base, using the phone as a USB-The modem allows you to get a more stable connection than via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, especially in conditions of weak signal.

This article will help you understand how to properly configure modem via USB on any Xiaomi smartphone - from budget Redmi to flagship Mi and POCO. We will consider not only the basic setting, but also common errors, ways to fix them, as well as the nuances of working with different operating systems on the computer.

Why? USB-Modem is better than Wi-Fi hotspot

Many users are used to giving the Internet through a Wi-Fi hotspot, but the connection is not easy. USB It has a few key advantages. 20-30% faster data transfer speeds through direct cable connection without loss of wireless transmission, USB-The modem practically does not consume the battery of the smartphone, as the power comes from the computer.

Another important advantage is the stability of the connection, because with a weak signal from a mobile Wi-Fi network, a hotspot can permanently break the connection, while USB-The modem works even at a minimal signal level, and this is especially true for trips or places with unstable coverage.

• 🔌 High speed up to 150 Mbit/s versus 50-80 Mbit/s at Wi-Fi
• 🔋 No battery consumption – the phone charges while running
• 📶 Stability – fewer breaks with a weak signal
• 🔒 Security – no risk of connecting third-party devices

Of course, there are some disadvantages to this method, like you need original or quality. USB-The cable, and the phone itself will be busy and unavailable for other tasks, but in most cases, the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages.

Preparation of Xiaomi smartphone to work in modem

Before connecting the phone to the computer, you need to perform several preparatory steps, which will help avoid most problems with device recognition and connection setting.

The first thing you need to do is update. MIUI Old firmware may have bugs that interfere with proper operation. USB-You can check the relevance of the version in the Settings menu → The phone. → System Update. Also make sure that all available security updates are installed on the phone.

• 📱 Check the version. MIUI — flash-flip = lesser
• 🔄 Update the Settings app via Google Play
• 🔌 Use the original cable – cheap analogues may not transmit data
• 🔒 Unlock the screen – some features require confirmation

Pay special attention to the developer settings. Activation is optional, but in some cases helps solve the problem with device recognition. → About the phone and 7 times click on the item "Version" MIUI". After that, a new section will appear in the main settings menu "For developers".

Update MIUI to the latest version

Install the original USB-cable

Unlock the phone screen

Enable Developer Mode (optional)

Disconnect the energy saving for USB-connection-->

Step-by-step adjustment USB-Xiaomi modem

Now, to go straight to the setup. The process is pretty much the same for all Xiaomi models, but there may be slight differences depending on the version of MIUI. We'll look at a universal algorithm that works on 90 percent of devices.

The first step is to connect your phone to your computer using USB-When you first connect, wait for the driver to install (on Windows, it may take you a while). 1-2 On the phone screen, a notification about the connection type will appear — select "File Transfer" (MTP). It is a temporary regime that will change later.

1. Open the settings on your phone
2. Go to Network and Internet (or Connections and Sharing in New Versions)
3. Select Modem Modem or Access Point and Modem
4. Activate the switch. USB-modem
5. Confirm the action in the window that appears

A new network connection should be available on the computer at this point, and in Windows, it's usually called "Ethernet" or "Network Connection through a network connection." USB". On macOS, the device will appear in the list of network interfaces. If the connection is not established, check the cable or restart both devices.

Setting up USB-modem

Once the modem modem on the phone is activated, you need to set the computer up properly to work with the new connection. The process differs depending on the operating system, so we'll look at options for Windows, macOS and Linux.

Windows 10/11 doesn’t usually require additional steps — the system automatically installs the drivers you need, but if the Internet doesn’t work, check the following:

• 🖥️ Control panel → Network and Internet → Network Connections – New Connection Should Appear
• 🔧 Device Manager – Check for no exclamation points near network adapters
• 🔄 Restart your computer – sometimes helps with driver problems

You may need to install additional software on macOS. Go to System Settings → Network and check for a new interface. If you don't have one, install the official Android File Transfer app, which contains the necessary drivers for the user to use. USB-connection.

Linux distributions (Ubuntu, Mint, etc.) typically require you to install the usb-modeswitch package and configure the network interface manually. Open the terminal and execute the commands:

sudo apt install usb-modeswitch


sudo modprobe usbnet




dmesg | grep USB

After that, a new network connection should appear on the network. If problems persist, check the firewall settings or try another one. USB-port.

Common problems and solutions

Even with the right setup, users often face different problems when using the device. USB-Let's look at the most typical situations and how to solve them.

One of the most common problems is "Device not recognized" in Windows Device Manager, which is usually due to a missing driver or a faulty cable.

⚠️ Note: Never use charging-only cables - they don't have data wires and won't be able to transmit internet. Xiaomi's original cables are usually labeled "Data & Charge".

• 🔌 Try another one. USB-port - preferably USB 3.0 (blue)
• 🖱️ Update drivers through Device Manager
• 📱 Restart your phone in modem modem mode
• 🔄 Turn off the energy saving for USB-port BIOS

Another common problem is that there's no Internet access with a visible connection, which may be due to APN settings or carrier restrictions.

1. Correctness of settings APN In Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Access points (APN)
2. Mobile Internet on your phone (try to open the site in the browser)
3. No tariff restrictions (some operators block the distribution of the Internet)

💡

If you have unlimited internet, but the distribution is blocked, call the operator and ask them to activate the Modem/Tetring option, which many operators provide free of charge on request.

On some Xiaomi models (especially with custom firmware) there may be a problem with self-disabling. USB-modem 5-10 It's about aggressive energy saving settings to fix:

1. Open Settings → Battery and Performance
2. Select Battery Consumption Management with Applications
3. Find "Modem Modem" in the list and set "No Limits"

Optimization of connection speed and stability

To get maximum speed and stability when using USB-There are a few important things to consider in the modem. USB-Cable is critical, and cheap cables often don't provide enough bandwidth for high-speed Internet.

Secondly, the placement of the phone affects the quality of the mobile signal. USB-When you connect, your phone still uses a mobile network, so place it closer to the window or in a place with better coverage.

• 📶 Positioning – Place your phone in the best signal area
• 🔌 Cable – Use a Certified Cable USB 3.0 cable
• 📱 Network mode - set up 4G/LTE customized SIM-map
• 🔄 Reboot – periodically restart the modem to reset the connection

For advanced users, it is possible to optimize TTL (Time To Live) to bypass some carrier restrictions, requiring root rights and special applications like TTL Editor, but beware that incorrect settings can lead to blocking the distribution of the Internet.

💡

Using Xiaomi’s original cable can increase data transfer speeds by 30-40% compared to cheap counterparts due to better screening and conductor quality.

If you notice a periodic connection break, try turning off the energy-saving mode on your computer. In Windows, you can do this in Control Panel → Power by selecting High Performance. On macOS, turn off the option "Down the display a little while running on the battery" in the energy saving settings.

Safety in use USB-modem

Using a smartphone as a modem creates potential security vulnerabilities: When the phone is connected to a computer, it becomes vulnerable to certain types of attacks, especially if the computer is infected with malware.

The main danger is unauthorized access to data on the phone through the USB-To minimize risks, always use original cables and avoid connecting to public computers. USB-Connecting only by charging, but this will turn off modem modem.

⚠️ Note: Never connect your phone to your phone. USB-Attackers can use special devices to steal data through public places (airports, cafes, train stations). USB-port.

• 🔒 Turn off the debugging. USB In the developer settings, if you do not use it
• 🛡️ Install antivirus on your computer
• 🔄 Update regularly MIUI — In new versions, vulnerabilities are closed.
• 📱 Use the screen lock with PIN-code-print

Another important aspect is traffic control: many tariffs have restrictions on Internet distribution, even if the mobile Internet itself is unlimited. Check your tariff terms with the operator. You can set a data limit on the phone in the mobile network settings.

For additional protection, it is recommended to use VPN-This is especially true when dealing with sensitive data, and the good ones are ProtonVPN or Windscribe, which have free rates with limited traffic.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions