How to distribute the Internet to your computer via Wi-Fi from Xiaomi phone: instructions for all models

Why Xiaomi smartphone doesn’t see your computer when you give Wi-Fi and how to fix it

Are you in a situation where only a Xiaomi smartphone with mobile Internet is at hand, and you urgently need to download a file on your computer, update the program or just go online? Sharing the Internet through a Wi-Fi hotspot is the easiest solution, but in practice, users face a lot of nuances: from the lack of an option in the menu to sudden communication breaks. This article will help you understand how to properly configure the distribution on any Xiaomi device (including Redmi, POCO and Black Shark), avoid typical errors and eliminate connection problems.

It's important to understand that the configuration algorithm depends on the version of the MIUI firmware (12 to 14), the smartphone model and even the mobile operator. For example, on the Xiaomi 13 Pro with MIUI 14, the path to setting the access point is different from the Redmi Note 10 on MIUI 12.5. We'll look at universal methods, and also separately analyze cases when the computer "does not see" the network or connects, but the Internet does not work. If you have already tried to turn on the hand and encountered an error, skip the first partition and go straight to the solutions to the problems.

Preparation of Xiaomi smartphone for the distribution of the Internet

Before you turn on the hotspot, make sure your Xiaomi is ready for this operation. Here are the key points that are often overlooked:

• 📶 Mobile Internet: Make sure that the smartphone has activated data transfer (icon) 4G/5G or LTE Without it, the handout will not work even if the Wi-Fi point is on.
• 🔋 Battery charge: Internet distribution actively consumes charge. If the battery level is below 20%, the smartphone can automatically turn off the access point.
• 🔒 Operator restrictions: Some tariffs block the distribution of the Internet (especially unlimited ones). Check the terms of your tariff with the operator (MTS, Beeline, MegaFon, Tele2).
• 📱 Updates MIUI: On older versions of firmware (MIUI 11 and below) some options may not be available. Update the system in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

It’s also worth considering that some models (like the POCO F3 or Xiaomi 12T) have the default “Disable the AP when inactive” feature on, which means that if you don’t connect to the network for 5-10 minutes, it will automatically deactivate, and we’ll show you how to turn it off later.

Step-by-step: how to enable access point on Xiaomi

Let's look at two ways to activate the Internet distribution: through quick settings and through the settings menu, the first one is suitable for emergencies, the second one is for fine-tuning (change network name, password, frequency range).

Method 1: Through the notification panel (quickly)

This is the easiest method, but it is not available on all versions of MIUI:

1. Swipe your finger down to open the notification panel.
2. Find the Access Point icon (which can be called "Modem and Access Point" or "Hotspot"). If it's not there, tap the icon "⚙️ Edit and add to the panel.
3. Hold your finger on the icon "Access Point" 1-2 seconds - the settings will open.
4. Activate the switch "Powerable Wi-Fi access point".

Method 2: Through settings (full control)

This option works on all versions of MIUI and allows you to customize the network to your needs:

1. Open the Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
2. Select "Access Point and modem" (on some models - "Modem mode").
3. Slip on "Setting up Wi-Fi hotspot."
4. Ask: 🔤 Name of the network (SSID): Any convenient (e.g, Xiaomi_Hotspot). 🔐 Password: Minimum 8 Symbols (we recommend using numbers and letters). 📡 Frequency range: 2.4 GHz (better for older PCs) or 5 GHz (faster but smaller radius).

"Possible Wi-Fi Access Point"

When activated, the smartphone will display a notification of the number of connected devices, and if the computer does not see the network, check whether it is in the “Airplane” mode or blocking the connection of antivirus (for example, Kaspersky or Avast).

Set up a computer to connect to the access point Xiaomi

Now, the connection process is operating system-dependent, but the general steps are the same:

For Windows 10/11

1. Click on the Wi-Fi icon in the lower right corner of the taskbar.
2. In the list of available networks, find the name of your access point (what you set in the Xiaomi settings).
3. Select the network and enter the password. Check "Connect automatically."
4. If the connection does not occur, click on the network with the right button and select "Eliminate problems".

For macOS

1. Open the Wi-Fi menu in the top panel (antenna icon).
2. Select your Xiaomi network and enter your password.
3. If macOS gives an error, go to System Settings → Network → Wi-Fi → Additionally, remove the network from the list, then connect again.

Important! Some laptops (especially those with Intel Wi-Fi 6 modules) may have a problem connecting to 5GHz networks. In this case, on a Xiaomi smartphone, force the 2.4GHz band into the access point settings.

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If your computer is connected but the internet is not working, try disabling VPNs or proxy servers on your PC, which may conflict with the distribution from your smartphone.

Typical problems and their solutions

Even if you do everything according to the instructions, there may be failures, and let's look at the most common mistakes and how to fix them.

⚠️ Attention, some firmware. MIUI (If the update stops working, check the password and network name: they could go back to default values (Xiaomi_XXXX and 12345678).

If none of these methods worked, try resetting your network settings on your smartphone. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Network reset, which will delete all stored Wi-Fi networks and passwords, but will not affect personal data.

Optimization of connection speed and stability

Users often complain about slow speeds or connection breaks when handing out to Xiaomi, here’s how to improve communication quality:

• 📶 Range Selection: If your computer supports 5GHz, use it - it will reduce interference from other devices. But remember that the 5GHz range is less than that of 2.4GHz.
• 🔄 Wi-Fi Channel: In Access Point Settings (Settings) → Wi-Fi hotspot → Additionally, select a channel manually (e.g. 6 or 11 for 2.4 GHz) to avoid intersections with neighboring networks.
• 📴 Device Limitation: If more than 3-4 gadgets are connected to the access point, the speed drops.
• 🔋 Power saving mode: Turn it off on your smartphone (Settings) → Battery. → Power saving mode, as it can limit the performance of a Wi-Fi module.

Also, consider that the speed of the distribution will always be lower than the direct speed of mobile Internet. For example, if your tariff promises 100 Mbps, then through the access point you will get 60-80 Mbps due to the overhead of encryption and data processing.

Alternative ways to distribute the Internet with Xiaomi on PC

If Wi-Fi doesn’t work for some reason, you can use other methods:

• 🔌 USB-Modem: Connect your smartphone to your PC via cable and select Settings in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Access Point and modem → USB-This is more stable than Wi-Fi, but it requires wires.
• 📶 Bluetooth modem: In the same settings, activate the "Bluetooth modem"; the speed will be lower, but you do not need a cable, and battery consumption is minimal.
• 🔗 Reverse Tethering: A tricky method for advanced users, where a PC gives the Internet to a smartphone and it relays it back. ADB and root rights.

USB-A modem is the most reliable option if you need stable communication to download large files or online games, and Bluetooth is suitable for transferring small data packets (for example, updates to messengers).

⚠️ On some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A or POCO M3) when connected through USB If Windows doesn't recognize the device, download the official Mi drivers. PC Suite from Xiaomi website.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

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If you need to distribute the Internet regularly, consider buying. USB-modem or router with support 4G/5G. This will save battery power and provide a more stable connection.