How to give Xiaomi Internet from your phone: the full guide

In today’s world, mobile internet has become an integral part of digital existence, and there are often situations where fixed Wi-Fi is unavailable or unstable. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones can easily turn their device into a powerful router, providing access to the network to laptops, tablets and other gadgets. This process, known as creating a Wi-Fi hotspot, is built into the shell of MIUI and HyperOS at a deep level, allowing flexible management of connection parameters.

However, despite its apparent simplicity, many users are unaware of hidden features such as limiting traffic to connected customers or hiding the network name to improve security. Internet distribution can significantly affect power consumption and heating of the case, so it is important to understand the technical nuances of Wi-Fi module operation in modem. In this article, we will discuss in detail all aspects of the setup, from basic inclusion to advanced frequency range manipulation.

Before you start setting up, make sure that your plan includes tethering, as some operators can block or charge data transfers separately from the main package. Mobile hotspot is a handy tool that requires a competent approach to password security and control of connected devices.

Basic setting of the Wi-Fi access point

To get started, you need to activate the modem mode through the operating system settings. This is a standard procedure that takes no more than a minute, but requires careful attention when choosing a network name and password. Go to the main settings menu of your Xiaomi smartphone and find the section responsible for wireless connections.

The MIUI shell interface may vary slightly depending on the version, but the logic of the item layout remains the same. You need to go to the Settings menu → Wi-Fi Access Point. This is where all the key switches and configuration options are located. Once you log in, you will see the feature activation slider, which is usually turned off by default to save battery power.

Once the slider is turned on, the phone will start broadcasting the signal, and other devices will be able to detect your network in the list of available connections. The default network name (SSID) contains your phone model, which may not always be convenient or secure from a privacy perspective.

⚠️ Note: Do not use personal data such as surname or apartment number as the name of the hotspot, as this name is visible to all devices within the range of the signal.

It is also important to set a strong password using a mixed register of letters and numbers to eliminate the possibility of unauthorized access by unauthorized persons to your traffic.The encryption protocol by default costs WPA2 PSK, which is the optimal balance between the compatibility of older devices and the level of data protection.

Choice of frequency range: 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz

One of the key features of modern Xiaomi smartphones is the support of two-frequency Wi-Fi range for distribution of the Internet. The user can independently choose what frequency the access point will operate, which directly affects the data rate and signal range.

The 2.4 GHz range is characterized by greater range and better penetration through walls, but it is often overloaded with signals from neighbouring routers and appliances, which can lead to unstable connections and reduced speed, especially in densely built apartment buildings.

In turn, 5 GHz provides significantly faster data rates and lower latency (ping), which is critical for online gaming and high-resolution video, but the range of this signal is smaller and it travels less through obstacles, so you need to connect to such a network from the immediate vicinity of the phone.

When choosing a range, start from your current needs: if you want to distribute the Internet to a laptop to work in another room, choose 2.4 GHz. If you sit next to your phone and download a large file, 5 GHz is the best choice.

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For maximum speed, make sure your computer’s network card also supports this standard (802.11ac or 802.11ax).

Security setting and SSID hiding

The security of the data being transmitted is a priority when using public places where your access point can be seen by dozens of people. The Xiaomi access point settings include a network name concealment (SSID) feature that makes your phone invisible for general scanning.

To activate this feature, go to the advanced access point settings and find Hide Device or Hide SSID. Once you turn on this option, your phone will stop broadcasting packets with the network name, but the Wi-Fi module itself will continue to work and wait for incoming connections from those who know the address.

This creates an additional layer of protection, as attackers with conventional network scanners won’t see your dot on the list, but it’s worth remembering that for experienced hackers, a hidden SSID is not an insurmountable barrier, since connection requests are still broadcast when your device tries to connect to a known network.

⚠️ Attention: In the hidden SSID Automatic connection of previously saved devices may work incorrectly, requiring manual input of network parameters again on each gadget.

To connect to a hidden network on a computer or other phone, you need to select the "Connect to a hidden network" option and enter the exact name (according to the register) and password.

Managing Connected Devices and Limits

The control of those who use your Internet is through the built-in Connection Manager. The menu of the Xiaomi access point displays a list of all active customers with an indication of their MAC-This allows you to track in real time who is eating your traffic.

The system allows you to limit the maximum number of connected devices, which is useful to prevent congestion and save battery power. You can usually set a limit of 1 to 10 devices, although the actual bandwidth of a mobile channel can be significantly lower than the Wi-Fi module.

• 📱 Single Connection: Ideal for working with a laptop, minimizes delays.
• 👥 Group work: before 3-4 Document-sharing devices.
• 🚫 Locking: the ability to disable specific devices with one click.

Some versions of the firmware also have a traffic limit feature for the access point itself, so you can set the amount of data that will automatically stop the Internet from being distributed, which protects you from accidentally overcharging and incurring additional costs.

Distribution of Internet via USB and Bluetooth

In addition to the wireless method, Xiaomi smartphones support wired distribution of the Internet through USB-This is a cable that often provides a more stable connection and charges the phone at the same time. To activate this function, you need to connect the phone to the computer with a cable, then select the access point menu. USB-modem.

The computer recognizes the phone as a network device and automatically installs the necessary drivers, the advantage of which is that there is no radio interference and no external interception, since the data is transmitted over a physical channel. The speed is limited only by the possibilities. USB-port and mobile internet speed.

An alternative, albeit less fast, option is Bluetooth panning, which is suitable for devices without a Wi-Fi module or in situations where minimum power consumption is required. The data transfer speed over Bluetooth is much lower, so this option is only suitable for texting or loading light pages.

Wired connection through USB-cable is the only way to simultaneously guarantee 100% battery charging and maximum data transfer speed without radio interference.

In the case of USB-It is important to use a high-quality cable that can transmit data, not just the current for charging. Cheap "charging only" cables will not allow you to activate the network adapter mode.

Optimizing energy consumption and eliminating problems

Access point mode is one of the most energy-intensive processes in a smartphone, as the radio module runs at maximum power all the time.This leads to rapid battery discharge and heating of the case, especially when using 5 GHz frequency or connecting multiple devices.

If you plan to work long hours, it is better to connect the phone to an external battery or socket, you can also reduce the brightness of the screen or turn it off altogether, since the display contributes significantly to the overall heat generation. In the Xiaomi battery settings, you can turn off the energy saving for the access point process to avoid forced shutdown of the function by the system.

• 🔋 Energy savings: Turn off the access point when it is not in use.
• 🌡️ Heat control: remove the case during long-term operation for better heat sink.
• ⚙️ Settings: Set a Auto-Switch Timer in the Access Point Menu.

A common problem is when devices see the network but can’t connect or don’t access the Internet, in which case try to switch network mode in mobile Internet settings (for example, from 4G/3G/2G auto to LTE only) or reset network settings. Sometimes a simple smartphone reboot helps.

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For the access point to work consistently for a long time, it is critical to ensure good cooling of the smartphone, as overheating leads to processor trottling and reduced Wi-Fi speed.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)