How to distribute the Internet from the phone Xiaomi: instructions for all models

You can turn Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO into a full-fledged router in 2 minutes — just activate the modem modem. This feature comes in handy when you don't have Wi-Fi at hand, and you need Internet on a laptop, tablet or second phone. But not everyone knows that setting up an access point on Xiaomi has nuances, from the limitations of mobile operators to hidden parameters in the MIUI firmware.

This article has 3 working ways to distribute the Internet (wi-fi, Bluetooth and USB), compare connection speeds and solve errors like “failed to turn on the access point.” and also a table of compatibility models and life hacks to save traffic. If your Xiaomi refuses to give out the Internet, here you will find a reason and a way to bypass the lock.

⚠️ Important: operators Beeline, MegaFon and MTS can block the distribution of Internet at tariffs without the option “Modem.

1. Internet distribution over Wi-Fi (access point)

The most popular way is to convert Xiaomi into a Wi-Fi router, which is suitable for connecting laptops, tablets and even smart TVs. Connection speed depends on the version of Wi-Fi in your smartphone: models with Wi-Fi 6 (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi Note 12 Pro+) distribute Internet at speeds up to 1 Gbps, while older devices like Redmi 5 are limited to 150 Mbps.

To enable the access point:

1. Open the Settings. → Access Point and modem.
2. Select the Wi-Fi Access Point.
3. Activate the Wi-Fi Access Point slider.
4. When you first turn on, the system will suggest setting up a network name (SSID) and password. Use WPA2-PSK for maximum security.

⚠️ Note: if after activation of the access point the Internet disappears on Xiaomi, check the settings APN. Some operators (e.g. Tele2) require manual input of parameters. APN for proper operation of the modem modem.

Modern Xiaomi models support dual access point (at 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz simultaneously).

1. Press the Wi-Fi Access Point icon in the notification panel.
2. Select the Access Point Settings.
3. Activate the option of dual-band access point (available on Xiaomi 12T, Redmi K50 and later).

Mobile Internet is stable|Battery charge > 30%|Modem mode is allowed at the tariff|Password for Wi-Fi is complex (at least 8 characters)-->

2. Internet distribution via Bluetooth

If Wi-Fi is off or you want to save battery power, use a Bluetooth modem, which is slower (maximum 3-5 Mbps), but uses 40% less power than Wi-Fi, suitable for transmitting the Internet to a laptop, tablet or other phone at a distance of up to 10 meters.

Instructions for Xiaomi:

• 📱 On the phone: Settings → Devices and connections → Bluetooth. Turn on Visibility and find the target device.
• 💻 On PC/laptop: in the taskbar, click on the Bluetooth icon → Add a device. Choose your Xiaomi.
• 🔗 On your phone, confirm pairing. Once connected, go to Settings. → Access Point and modem → Bluetooth modem and activate slider.

⚠️ Attention: on Windows 10/11 You may need to manually configure the connection if the Internet doesn't come up automatically:

1. Open the settings → Network and Internet → Ethernet.
2. Find a Bluetooth connection and select Properties.
3. In the section IP-setup Receive receive IP-address.

The Bluetooth modem is convenient for long-term connections (for example, to work on a laptop on the road), but is not suitable for watching 4K video or online games due to the low speed.

3. Distribution of the Internet over USB (the most stable way)

Connection through USB-cable provides maximum speed (up to 450 Mbps on Xiaomi with port) USB 3.0) and minimal battery consumption, ideal for laptops that require a stable connection without breaks, the only drawback is the need for cable and limited mobility.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect Xiaomi to your PC/laptop via USB-cable (preferably original).
2. On the phone, select the mode of connection Data transfer (in the drop-down menu after connection).
3. Go to Settings. → Access Point and modem → USB-modem and activate slider.
4. On PC, wait for the driver installation (usually takes 10–30 seconds).

⚠️ Warning: If Windows does not recognize the device, download the Mi driver USB Driver from Xiaomi's official website. MacOS may require additional software, such as HoRNDIS.

Advantages USB-modem:

• 🔋 No battery consumption (the phone is charged while running).
• 🚀 Minimum latency (ping lower than Wi-Fi).
• 🔒 Security: No risk of connecting third-party devices.

On Xiaomi models 11T Pro and newer USB-modem supports the protocol USB 3.2 Gen 1, which increases the speed to 500 Mbps – this is enough for streaming 4K uploading large files.

💡

If USB-The modem doesn't work, try another cable or port on your PC. Cheap cables often don't support data transfer, only charging.

Why Xiaomi is not giving away the Internet: 5 reasons and solutions

If the access point is turned on but the internet is not working, check these points:

🔹 Hidden problem: on some firmware MIUI (especially custom ones) tethering is disabled. To turn it on, perform it in ADB:

settings put global tether_dun_required 0

This command will unlock the Internet distribution even at restricted rates (but the operator can charge an extra fee!).

5. How to save traffic when giving out the Internet

The Internet is being used from your phone to eat up traffic 2-3 times faster than normal usage, to avoid unexpected write-offs:

• 📊 Set a Traffic Limit: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Traffic limit.
• 🔄 Turn off automatic application updates on connected devices.
• 🎵 Block background video playback (on YouTube or TikTok).
• 🔍 Use the Light versions of websites (e.g. m.youtube.com instead of the main domain).

Xiaomi with MIUI 13+ has a hidden feature called "Modem Traffic Savings" to activate it:

1. Turn on the access point.
2. Press the Access Point icon in the notification panel.
3. Select Traffic Saving (will appear after connecting the first device).

📌 Lifehack: If you're giving the Internet to a laptop, set up your Windows connection as "Limited:

1. Open Settings → Network and Internet → Wi-Fi (or Ethernet for USB).
2. Select your network and activate the Assign as a limit connection.

This will disable background updates and cloud sync.

💡

The most economical way to distribute is Bluetooth, but it is also the slowest. To balance speed and traffic consumption, use Wi-Fi with the Traffic Saving option enabled.

6. Comparison of distribution methods: which to choose?

Each method has pros and cons, and here's a comparison table for different scenarios:

🔹 The choice depends on the task:

• 🎮 For online gaming or streaming 4K — only USB.
• 📱 To connect a phone or tablet - Wi-Fi.
• 💻 To work on a laptop in a cafe – Bluetooth (if the speed is enough).

7. Internet distribution on old Xiaomi models (Redmi 4X, Mi A1, etc.)

On devices older than 2018 (e.g., Redmi Note 4, Mi 5) you may experience problems due to outdated firmware.

• 🔄 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version: Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 📶 If the access point is not turned on, reset the network settings: Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Resetting Wi-Fi, Mobile Network and Bluetooth.
• 🔧 For Xiaomi Mi. A1/A2 (Android One may require manual editing of build.prop file:

ro.tether.denied=false


tether.dun_required=0

(Root rights required!)

⚠️ Attention: Redmi 3S/4A firmware MIUI 9 And down below, the access point may be unstable because of a kernel error. MIUI 10+ use USB-modem.

For models with Qualcomm Snapdragon 4xx (for example, Redmi 5A), the speed of distribution over Wi-Fi is limited to 72 Mbps – this is enough for social networks, but not for downloading large files.

FAQ: Frequent questions about giving the Internet to Xiaomi