How to transfer the Internet from Xiaomi phone to another phone: the complete guide

In today’s digital world, the situation of one device running out of traffic and another having more is ubiquitous. Smartphone owners Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco often wonder how to quickly and easily share their mobile Internet, this may be necessary when traveling, in an office with poor Wi-Fi or just visiting a friend.

Fortunately, the MIUI or HyperOS Android operating system offers several built-in mechanisms to organize this communication. You don't need to install third-party applications or have the skills of a programmer. All the necessary tools are already in the basic settings of the system.

In this guide, we will take a closer look at all the ways that Internet connections can be transmitted between devices, the classic Wi-Fi hotspot, the more energy-efficient Bluetooth, and the wired method over USB, and the nuances of security and the solution of typical problems.

Preparation of Xiaomi smartphone to work in modem

Before you start setting up, you need to make sure your device is ready to go. First, check if mobile data is activated. Without an active 4G or 5G connection, you can't distribute the Internet, even if all the settings are correct.

Go to your smartphone's Settings menu. Find a section that could be called Wi-Fi Access Point or Access Point Transfer. The path may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI, but the logic remains the same. Make sure you have mobile internet enabled in the notification curtain.

⚠️ Note: Before activating modem modem, make sure that your plan does not exhaust the traffic limit.Distributing the Internet to other devices can quickly consume the remaining gigabytes, which will lead to additional charges by the operator.

An important step is to check the network name and password. By default, the system generates a random name, but for convenience, it is better to specify a clear name. The password should be complex enough that neighbors can not connect to your network without your knowledge. Use a combination of letters and numbers.

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Include traffic savings in the access point settings if you plan to distribute the Internet for a long time, this will limit the background load of updates on connected devices.

Creating a Wi-Fi hotspot: a classic method

The most popular and fastest way to transfer the Internet is using Wi-Fi technology, which provides high data transfer speeds and supports simultaneous connection of multiple devices. On Xiaomi smartphones, the setup process is as simple as possible.

To start, open the settings and go to Wi-Fi Access Point, where you need to activate the switch at the top of the screen, and when you turn on, the smartphone will start broadcasting a signal that will be visible to other devices within range.

Note the range option. If the receiving device is modern, choose the 5 GHz band for maximum speed. If you're connecting an old phone or tablet, you'd better choose 2.4 GHz for better compatibility and range.

☑️ Setting up a Wi-Fi access point

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On the receiving device, you need to open a list of available Wi-Fi networks, find the network you created and enter a password. After successful authorization, a Wi-Fi icon will appear on the screen of the receiving phone, and an indication of the number of connected customers will appear in the status bar of the distributing device.

Internet sharing via Bluetooth: saving energy

If internet speed is not a priority, and it is more important to keep the battery power, consider transferring data over Bluetooth, a method that consumes significantly less power than a Wi-Fi module, although it provides much less bandwidth.

To do this, both devices must be paired. Go to the Bluetooth settings on both phones, turn on the modules and search for the devices. Once detected, click on the device name and confirm the pairing by checking the codes on the screens.

Once you've successfully paired the Xiaomi device to communicate the Internet, you'll need to go to the hotspot settings, and you'll need to find the "Bluetooth modem" and activate it, and without this option, even with active Bluetooth, you won't be able to transmit the Internet.

Why is the speed of Bluetooth so low?
Bluetooth was originally designed to transmit small amounts of data, such as contacts or music, and the bandwidth of the channel is limited by protocol, so you can’t open heavy sites or watch high-quality videos.

On the receiving device, in Bluetooth settings, you need to find your Xiaomi phone, click on the settings icon (cog) next to it and tick “Internet Access” only after that traffic will begin to be transmitted.

Wired connection through USB-cable

The most stable way to transfer data that simultaneously provides charging of the device is a USB modem, which is ideal if you want to distribute the Internet to a laptop or tablet, but it also works between phones with the appropriate cable (USB-OTG).

Connect the cable to the charging port of the Xiaomi smartphone and the receiving device. The system automatically determines the connection. In the settings of the access point on Xiaomi will be an active point «USB-modem that may have previously been gray (inactive).

Activate the switch. USB-modem: The receiving device must display a wired connection icon in the status bar, which eliminates wireless signal loss and provides the maximum speed possible for a given tariff.

ParameterWi-Fi Access PointBluetooth modemUSB modem
Speed.Tall.Low.Maximum
Battery consumptionHigh-pitchedLow.Charging the device
Number of devices10.11
StabilityMediumTall.Maximum

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USB-The modem is the only way to simultaneously transmit the Internet and charge the smartphone, which is critical when working long distance from the outlet.

Security settings and access restriction

The security of your personal network is a priority. An open access point allows anyone within range to connect to your Internet, so using WPA2-PSK or WPA3 encryption protocol is a must.

In the hotspot settings on Xiaomi, you can set a limit on connected devices, for example, if you share the Internet with only one friend, set a limit on 1 or 2 devices, which will prevent unauthorized third parties from connecting even if they learn the password.

Also useful is the Blacklist or Whitelist (depending on the firmware version) feature, which you can deny access to specific software. MAC-Addresses or, conversely, allow connection only to trusted devices. MAC-The address can be found in the connected client information in the access point menu.

⚠️ Please do not use simple passwords like “12345678” or «xiaomi123». Attackers can pick up this combination in seconds and use your connection for illegal activities that will be recorded on your number.

Solving Common Connection Problems

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the access point is turned on, but the Internet on the connected device does not work. APN (access points) of your mobile operator, check if the correct profile is selected in the settings SIM-maps and mobile networks.

Another common problem is carrier blocking, and some plans prohibit the use of a smartphone as a modem, in which case, even if you connect successfully, pages won't load, and the solution might be to change the TTL setting, but that requires more knowledge and root rights.

It’s also worth checking if Traffic Savings is on the dispenser itself, which can block background data transfers for other applications and devices, considering their traffic consumption to be excessive.

📊 What Internet Distribution Method Do You Use Most Often?
Wi-Fi access point: Bluetooth modem:USB-cable: I don't give away the internet

If nothing works, try restarting both devices, a standard but effective procedure that allows you to reset errors of network modules and update them. IP-local-network addresses.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I give away the Internet if Xiaomi does not catch 4G network, only 3G?
Yes, it can. It's going to be slower, but the technology for signal transmission (Wi-Fi or Bluetooth) is not dependent on the generation of the mobile network, so the main thing is that the phone has mobile data.
Is the phone hot when giving out the Internet?
When actively distributed via Wi-Fi, the phone can be significantly warmed, since two radio modules (receiving 4G and transmitting Wi-Fi) are running, it is recommended to remove the case and not cover the device with a cloth during operation.
Why does the connected phone say “Connected, no internet access”?
This means that there is a connection between the phones, but the gateway to the global network does not work. Check if the sites on the Xiaomi phone itself are open. If there is Internet there, the problem may be a mistyped password or a lock on the part of the operator.
How do I know who is accessing my access point?
Go to the menu "Wi-Fi Access Point» → «Connected devices. It'll show you a list of all the gadgets, theirs. MAC-Addresses and volume of data transmitted. You can turn off any user directly from this menu.