Modern users are rarely left without access to the global network, but there are situations when the Wi-Fi router is not available and mobile traffic is needed on the second device. POCO They can easily turn their gadget into a powerful mobile router in seconds. This feature, known as an access point or Hotspot, is built into the shell. MIUI and allows you to share the Internet via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or USB-cable.
The setup process does not require special knowledge or installing third-party applications, since all the necessary tools are in the system menu. However, the settings interface can vary depending on the version of Android and the firmware modification, which sometimes causes difficulties for beginners. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available ways of distributing traffic, security settings and possible connection problems.
Before you start, make sure your main smartphone has mobile data enabled and there is a stable network signal.It's also worth checking the balance or traffic balance, as connected devices can quickly consume your megabyte packet.The right setting configuration will allow you to safely and efficiently use your smartphone as a modem for a friend's laptop, tablet or phone.
Activate the access point via a quick menu
The fastest way to start giving out the Internet is to use the notification control panel, which is ideal when you need to give access to the network to another device immediately, and you have already set up the network name and password before. Simply unlock the screen of a Xiaomi smartphone and swipe down from the top of the screen to open the curtain.
In the icon menu that opens, find an item called "Access Point" or "Hotspot." If you don't see it on the first page, swipe left to open additional shortcut pages. Clicking on this icon instantly activates modem modem modem mode, as reported by the glowing indicator and status bar icon.
However, if you are launching this feature for the first time, the system can redirect you to the settings menu to set basic security settings. Without a password, leaving the network is extremely discouraged, since unauthorized people will be able to connect to your traffic. After the initial setup, it will take no more than two seconds to re-energize.
For a deeper configuration, such as changing the frequency range or setting a traffic limit, one click on the icon will not be enough, in which case you need to go to a full menu of system settings, where advanced options for managing network connectivity are hidden, this is especially true for tariff owners with a limited number of gigabytes.
Setting up the parameters of the Wi-Fi access point
For more details, go to the Settings menu, then select Connect and Sharing (or Other Connection Ways in older versions of MIUI) and it's called Wi-Fi Access Point, which opens the page with the full settings of your virtual router, and that's where the network name (SSID) and password for the connection are set.
The default in new Xiaomi smartphones is often 5 GHz, which provides high speed, but has a shorter range and worse penetration walls. If the connected device is old or far away, it is better to switch to 2.4 GHz for stability of the connection.
☑️ Checking the settings of the access point
You can also set up the AP Band and the number of devices you can connect to it, limit the number of customers you can use to avoid overloading your channel and overconsumption of your battery, and if you only give out the Internet to your laptop, set a limit of 1-2 devices.
⚠️ Warning: When using 5GHz, older laptop models or budget smartphones may simply not see your network.If the device does not find Wi-Fi, force the access point to 2.4GHz.
Don't forget to check the password you have set. The system can generate a random set of characters on the first run that's hard to remember. Replace it with a combination that's easy to type on the keyboard of the connected device, but which still contains letters and numbers to protect against hacking.
Distribution of the Internet through USB-cable
When the wireless connection is unstable or the maximum lossless data transfer speed is required, the optimal solution is to be the most efficient. USB-This method also allows you to charge your smartphone at the same time, which is critical for long-term operation, since the mode of the access point consumes a lot of battery power.
To activate, connect the phone to a computer or other smartphone (via OTG-Adapter) with a high-quality cable. Then, in the same menu, Connection and Sharing will become an active item «USB-On Windows computers, drivers are usually installed automatically.
The main advantage of wired connections is that they have no latency (ping) and high stability, which is ideal for online games or video conferencing, where every millisecond is important, and the cable provides physical protection from interception by air.
⚠️ Note: When you connect to a computer, you may see a request for debugging permission or data access on your phone screen. If you're just giving out the Internet, you don't need to confirm access to files, choose Charge Only or «USB-modem».
It is worth considering that when using USB-The modem phone can't use Wi-Fi to access the Internet at the same time if it's the receiver of the signal, in which case the traffic will be consumed from your mobile packet. To distribute Wi-Fi received over Wi-Fi (repeater mode), special settings or root rights are required, which is not a standard feature.
Using Bluetooth to Transmit Traffic
Although this method is considered obsolete due to low data transfer speeds, it can be a salvation in emergency situations when the Wi-Fi module is faulty or requires minimal power consumption. Bluetooth connection speeds rarely exceed 1-2 Mbps, which is enough only for texting or loading light pages.
To set up the handset, you first need to pair two devices. Go to the Bluetooth settings on both phones, turn on visibility, and click Device Search. Once the devices find each other, enter the same confirmation code on both screens.
Once paired successfully, go back to the Connect and Sharing menu and activate the "Bluetooth Modem" switch. On the receiving device, you will also need to select your phone from the list of Bluetooth devices and click "Connect to the Internet." The connection installation process can take up to 30 seconds.
Why is Bluetooth speed so low?
The main scenario for using this method is to save battery power when you need to stay online for instant messengers. Unlike Wi-Fi, which constantly scans the air and consumes a lot of energy, the Bluetooth connection runs in the background and almost does not warm the case of the smartphone.
Connected Device Management and Security
Controlling who's connected to your network is a critical aspect of security. MIUI You have a handy list of customers that displays all the active connections in real time, MAC-address and amount of data transferred for each client.
If you notice an unfamiliar device on the list, change the access point password immediately, and in advanced settings, you can use the Blacklist feature, which blocks access to specific devices even if they know the password, which is an effective way to fight freeloaders.
| Parameter | Description | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Encryption | Data protection protocol | Use WPA2-Personal or WPA3 |
| Range. | Signal frequency | 2.4 GHz for compatibility, 5 GHz for speed |
| Device limit | Max, number of clients. | No more than 3-4 for stable work |
| Time out | Auto-disconnection | 10 minutes to save battery |
Another useful feature is setting an automatic shutdown timer, so if no one connects to the access point for a predetermined time (for example, 10 minutes), the system will turn off the modem itself, which prevents you from forgetting to turn off the transfer and the battery is dead.
⚠️ Note: Do not use simple passwords like “12345678” or “88888888.” brute-force software can crack this protection in seconds, allowing you to access your traffic.
The solution: why the distribution is not working
Despite the system's fine-tuning, users may experience problems when the access point is not turned on or devices can't see the network, most often due to network settings or frequency conflicts. First, try rebooting your smartphone, which solves 80% of software errors.
If the problem persists, check if Traffic Saving or Energy Saving mode is enabled, which can block the background operation of communication modules. SIM-the card has not run out of money and the data transfer service is not blocked by the operator.
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If the phone is giving away Wi-Fi, but there is no Internet on the connected device, try changing the AP Band from 5 GHz to 2.4 GHz in the AP settings, or vice versa, which helps bypass software driver conflicts.
In rare cases, network resets help. Go to Settings → Connection and Sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth. This operation will remove saved passwords from Wi-Fi networks, but restore the network modules to work correctly. After reset, you will need to re-enter passwords from your home networks.
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The stability of the Internet distribution directly depends on the quality of the cellular signal and the temperature of the smartphone body - when the system overheats, the system can forcibly turn off modules.
The last step may be to check for system updates. Xiaomi engineers regularly release patches that fix bugs in the network drivers. If you have an older version of MIUI installed, upgrading to the current version can eliminate the incompatibility problem with new devices.