How to turn on the Internet on Xiaomi: mobile network, Wi-Fi and access point

The Internet on Xiaomi smartphones is the basis of most applications, from instant messengers to streaming services. However, even experienced users sometimes face difficulties when connecting for the first time or after resetting, this article will help you understand how to properly activate mobile Internet, connect to Wi-Fi, set up an access point and fix typical problems.

The manufacturer regularly updates the MIUI interface, so the instructions may vary slightly depending on the firmware version.We took into account the features of the latest updates (including MIUI 14 and HyperOS) and collected universal solutions that work on most models, from the budget Redmi to the flagship Xiaomi 14.

If you have just bought a smartphone or are faced with a problem “no Internet” after the update – do not rush to bring the device to the service. 90% of the time, the problem can be solved on your own in 5-10 minutes, following our recommendations.

1. Mobile Internet connectivity (3G/4G/5G)

Mobile Internet on Xiaomi is activated through settings SIM-If the network icon does not appear automatically after installing the card, follow the following steps:

Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the home screen) and go to the section SIM-maps and mobile networks. This will show you all the installed networks. SIM-Choose the one you want to set up the Internet for.

• 📶 Turn on the switch Mobile data is the main switch for access to the network.
• 🌐 Make sure you select the right generation of network (e.g., the right generation, 4G or 5G, If your tariff supports).
• 🔄 If the Internet does not work, try to manually select the operator in the Network Selection menu.
• 📥 Check if the settings are loaded APN (usually come SMS first-connection).

Newer models (Xiaomi 13T, Redmi Note 12) may require additional validation of mobile data access rights for individual applications, as described in the Permissions → Mobile data section.

💡

If you use traffic too quickly after activating the mobile Internet, check the background data consumption in Settings → Connections → Data Use. Here you can limit background activity for individual applications.

2.Setting up APN access points manually

If the automatic APN settings didn’t come from the operator or the internet isn’t stable, you can add them manually, which is relevant for all Xiaomi models, including the POCO F5 and Redmi 10C.

Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → [choose SIM] → Access points (APN). Press the badge. + In the upper right corner, to create a new profile, fill in the fields according to your operator's data, below is a table with parameters for popular Russian providers:

After filling in the fields, be sure to save the settings and restart the smartphone. If the access point is not activated, check if the tick is opposite the other APN profile - it needs to be turned off.

⚠️ Note: Some tariffs (for example, "for laptop" from MTS) require you to specify the type APN It's like default, dun, supl. Without this, mobile Internet won't work.

3. Wi-Fi connection: step-by-step instructions

Wi-Fi on Xiaomi is enabled via the Quick Settings Panel (swipe your finger from top to bottom across the screen) or through the basic settings. If the network doesn't appear in the list or the connection is constantly reset, follow this algorithm:

1. Open the Settings. → Wi-Fi.
2. Activate the Wi-Fi switch at the top of the screen.
3. Select the network you want from the list. If you don't have one, click Add Network and type the name (SSID) manually.
4. Enter your password (make sure the symbol register is correct!).
5. Press Connect.

On models with MIUI 14+, Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) has been introduced, which increases the speed and stability of the connection.

1. Go to Settings → Wi-Fi → More
2. Enable Wi-Fi 6 Mode (only available on supported routers).

Make sure the router is within a 10 meter radius|Check if the channel is overloaded (use the Wi-Fi Analyzer app)|Update router firmware|Reboot your smartphone and router at the same time|Try connecting to a 5GHz network (if the router is dual-band)-->

If your smartphone connects to Wi-Fi but the internet doesn’t work, check your IP settings. Sometimes switching from DHCP to static IP (indicated manually in network properties) helps.

4. Modem: How to give away the Internet with Xiaomi

Your Xiaomi can work as a Wi-Fi hotspot, USB-It's convenient if you want to give the Internet to a laptop or tablet, to activate the modem:

1. Open the Settings. → Access Point and modem.
2. Select the Wi-Fi Access Point.
3. Set up the network name (Access Point Name) and password (minimum 8 characters!).
4. Activate the Wi-Fi Access Point switch.

By default, the smartphone uses the 2.4 GHz band, but on new models (Xiaomi 13 Pro, Redmi K60) you can turn on 5 GHz for higher speed.

1. In the access point settings, click Access Point Settings.
2. Select the frequency range: 5 GHz.
3. Save the changes and restart the access point.

⚠️ Note: When distributing the Internet through USB (USB-modem) on some models it is required to enable debugging by USB Without it, the connection may not work on a Windows PC.

To save battery power, turn off the access point when it is not needed. MIUI has an automatic shutdown after 5-10 minutes without activity (configured in Additional → Timeout).

Typical problems and their solutions

Even after setting up the Internet correctly, Xiaomi can run unstable, and consider the most common errors and ways to fix them:

• 🚫 No network icon - check if the plane mode is turned off (aircraft icon in the notification panel). SIM-The card is properly installed in the tray (contacts must be clean!).
• 🔄 The Internet is coming and going, try to change the type of network. 4G on 3G Sometimes it helps to disable the option Autoconnect to the network in the settings. SIM-map.
• 🔒 Websites don’t open, although the network is there – check the settings DNS. Try to point out the public DNS Google (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) in Wi-Fi or mobile settings.
• 📵 Wi-Fi does not work after the update – reset your network settings in Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Resetting Wi-Fi, Mobile Network and Bluetooth.

If the problem persists, check to see if the MIUI firewall is blocking access (located in Settings → Applications → Permissions → Auto Run).Some applications (such as VPNs) may conflict with network system settings.

6. Optimizing Internet Speed

Slow internet on Xiaomi is a common complaint of users, and in many cases, you can increase the speed without changing the tariff.

• ⚡ Turn off background activity – many apps (especially social media) consume traffic in the background. → Connections → Use of data.
• 📡 Change Wi-Fi channel – if the router supports 5 GHz, connect to this network (it is less busy). In the router settings, select the channel with minimal interference (for example, 36 or 149).
• 🔧 Use the performance mode - in MIUI There's a hidden option to speed up the network. Activated through Settings. → Special facilities → Performance mode (may need to enable developer mode).
• 🛡️ Turn it off. VPN And proxy services -- these services often slow down the connection. → Connections → VPN.

On models with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor (such as Xiaomi 13 Ultra), there is hardware network acceleration thanks to Qualcomm FastConnect 7800 technology. In order for it to work, the developer settings must include the "Carrier Aggregation" option.

To test real speed, use Ookla’s Speedtest app, run the test multiple times in different settings (e.g., near the router and in another room) to identify problem areas.

7. Internet settings for roaming

If you are traveling abroad, setting up the internet on Xiaomi has its nuances: by default, mobile data in roaming is disabled to avoid unexpected expenses.

To enable the Internet in roaming:

1. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → [choose SIM].
2. Activate the data roaming switch.
3. Make sure that the Auto-Select network is enabled (otherwise, the smartphone may not connect to the local operator).

Pay attention to your carrier's rates, some of which offer special roaming packages, such as MTS has a Travel Without Borders option, and Beeline has a Roam Like Home option.

⚠️ Note: In some countries (such as the United States or Japan) for work 4G/5G You need to support specific frequencies. Check before you travel whether your Xiaomi is compatible with local networks. 11 Does not support Band frequency 71, rustic.

If the Internet is not working after connecting to the local network, try manually adding APN for a foreign operator. You can find the options on the provider's website or request support.

8.Reset network settings in extreme cases

If none of these methods worked, the last option is a complete reset of network settings, which will remove all stored Wi-Fi networks, passwords and mobile Internet settings, but often solves complex problems.

To perform the discharge:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Reset Wi-Fi, Mobile Network and Bluetooth settings.
3. Confirm the action by entering a pattern lock or PIN-code.
4. After restarting, reset the connection.

This procedure does not affect personal data (photos, messages, apps), but it may be necessary to re-authorize some services (for example, Google Play).

If the reset didn’t help, the problem could be hardware (communication module malfunction), in which case contact the Xiaomi service center with a check for purchase (for warranty repair).

💡

Before resetting your network settings, record or take a picture of APN settings and Wi-Fi passwords – this will save time when resetting.

Frequently asked questions