In situations where the Wi-Fi router is unavailable or unstable, and the mobile network catches extremely weakly, there is a need to use a wired PC connection to access the network. USB-The modem allows you to turn your smartphone into a full-fledged Internet receiver using the computer’s communication channel, a solution that is especially relevant for users who value connection stability and low ping, which is critical for online games or video calls.
Owners of Xiaomi devices with a MIUI shell or HyperOS can face certain nuances when setting up such a tandem. Standard methods running on “pure” Android may require additional actions or specific driver settings. Data transfer in this case is not only faster than via Bluetooth, but also provides charging of the phone’s battery.
In this article, we will discuss the configuration process in detail. RNDIS A protocol that allows you to emulate a network card on a mobile device, you'll learn how to properly prepare Windows, what drivers to install, and how to activate hidden features in the engineering menu if the standard way doesn't work. USB-Tetering is a powerful tool that should be in the arsenal of every advanced user.
Advantages of wired connection over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Using cable to distribute the Internet has some undeniable advantages over wireless technology, primarily signal stability, and wired connectivity completely eliminates packet loss caused by interference from nearby routers, microwave ovens, or Bluetooth devices, which often happens in apartment buildings.
In addition, when transmitting data on USB-Xiaomi cable gets power directly from the computer, which means that the smartphone battery is not discharged, but, on the contrary, is charged, which is impossible when operating in Wi-Fi hotspot mode, where power consumption increases significantly. Transfer speeds are also often higher, especially if your PC is connected to the network via Ethernet and your phone supports fast protocols. USB 3.0 and higher.
⚠️ Warning: Using substandard or damaged cables can cause connection speeds to drop to a minimum or no connection at all. Make sure your wire supports data transfer, not just charging.
Another important aspect is security: wired connections are harder to intercept by attackers in range, because access to the network physically requires access to the cable, making it ideal for handling sensitive data in public places or offices.
- 🔌 Complete independence from the quality of the wireless module in the phone.
- 🔋 Simultaneous charging of the device while using the Internet.
- 🛡️ Increased level of security of transmitted data.
- 🚀 Minimum Ping Delay for Online Gaming and Streaming.
Preparation of equipment and software
Before you start setting up, you need to make sure that you have all the required components. You will need a computer running the Windows operating system (versions 7, 8, 10 or 11), the Xiaomi smartphone itself and a serviceable one. USB-It is advisable to use the original cable supplied with the kit or a certified analogue with a good shielding.
The computer must have basic drivers installed for USB-In most cases, Windows automatically recognizes the connected device, but the modem modem may require specific drivers to function properly. RNDIS. If you have installed Xiaomi management software (e.g. Mi). PC Suite, it is better to temporarily disable or delete them, as they can conflict with the system settings of the network.
It's also worth checking your antivirus and firewall settings. Sometimes security software can block the creation of a new network connection, considering it suspicious. Make sure you have administrator rights to your PC to make changes to network settings.
☑️ Checking connection readiness
Step-by-step: activation USB-Xiaomi modem
The setup process is quite simple and takes only a few minutes. First, connect your smartphone to your computer through a computer. USB-The port will show a charging mode notification on the phone screen, click on it and select File Transfer mode or «MTP», Although this is not always critical for the modem itself, it helps the system correctly identify the device.
Next, go to the smartphone settings. The path may vary slightly depending on the version. MIUI, But it usually looks like this: Settings. → Connection and Sharing (or “Other Connection Ways”). Find the item USB-If the point is gray and not pressed, it means that the phone does not see an active Internet connection on the computer or drivers are not installed.
After the function on the computer in the tray (near the clock), the icon of the new network connection should appear. Windows will automatically try to install drivers. If everything goes well, the connection status will change to Connected, and the Internet on the phone will work.
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If the switch USB-modem is inactive, try unlocking the phone screen and allowing access to data when a corresponding request appears on the display of the smartphone.
In some cases, manual adjustment may be required. IP-Usually, devices get addresses automatically through the DHCP, But if you don't have a connection, check the properties of the new network adapter in the Windows Control Panel. IPv4 It must be configured to receive automatically. IP-address.
Installation and update of RNDIS drivers in Windows
The most common problem is that there is no suitable driver in Windows. The computer sees the device as "Unknown Device" or "Charging", but not as a network card. In this case, you need to manually update the driver through Device Manager. Right-click on the Start button and select the appropriate option.
Find your device in the list (often marked with a yellow exclamation mark or called “Android”/”Xiaomi”). Right-click → Update the driver → Search for drivers on that computer → Select a driver from the list of available drivers. If the list is empty, uncheck “Conforming Devices Only”.
In the list of manufacturers, find Microsoft, and in the list of models, select Remote NDIS based Internet Sharing Device. If there is no such item, click the "Install from disk" button and specify the path to the folder with drivers that can be downloaded from the official Microsoft website or extracted from the folder C:\Windows\inf (file C:\Windows net.inf).
| Component | Standard name in Windows | Action required | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic USB | Android Composite ADB Interface | Automatic installation | ✅ Ready. |
| Network adapter | Remote NDIS based Internet Sharing Device | Manual selection from the list | ⚙️ Required. |
| Modem control | Android USB Modem | Update of the PO | ⚙️ Required. |
| Debugging (opts.) | Android ADB Interface | Not required for a modem | ❌ Don't. |
Once the driver is successfully installed, the device should be identified as a network adapter. If the system warns you that you can not install the driver, try disabling the digital signature check for drivers when you boot Windows or use compatibility mode.
What to do if the driver is not installed?
Solving the problem: the phone can’t see the Internet from PC
Even with the right setup, there may be situations where the connection is formally there, but the pages do not load. First of all, check if there is Internet on the computer itself. If the PC is connected through a proxy server or a corporate network with authorization, the phone may not access without additional settings.
A common problem on Xiaomi is blocking background activity or aggressive battery optimization. Go to the battery settings and make sure there is no restriction for network system processes. Also try switching the DNS on your phone to public servers, such as 8.8.8.8 from Google or 1.1.1.1 from Cloudflare.
⚠️ Note: Some antiviruses (Kaspersky, ESET, Avast) have a built-in firewall that can block incoming connections from new devices. Check the antivirus event log for blockings.
If nothing works, try resetting the network settings on your phone.This will delete stored Wi-Fi passwords and Bluetooth settings, but often solves network stack problems. → Connection and sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth.
- 🔄 Reboot both devices: both PC and smartphone.
- 🔌 Try another one. USB-port, preferably USB 2.0 if 3.0 doesn't work.
- 🛑 Turn it off. VPN on the computer before switching on the modem.
- 📱 Check if the phone is on the “Flight” mode».
Alternative methods and advanced settings
For advanced users, there are methods to bypass standard restrictions, such as using Reverse Tethering (Reverse Tethering No Root) to skip the Internet even if the standard switch is used to do so. MIUI It's not working. This application requires installation. APK-file and granting special permissions through ADB.
You can also use an interface set emulation via ADB (Android Debug Bridge) which requires the phone to be connected in USB debugging mode. The adb shell svc usb setFunctions rndis command can force RNDIS mode to be activated, but it does not work on all versions of Android and requires superuser or unlocked bootloader rights.
Another option is to create a virtual Wi-Fi router on a PC if your computer has a Wi-Fi module but can't distribute the Internet. However, the topic of this article is USB, because it's the most stable option. But if USB is categorically not working, it's worth considering creating a bridge between Ethernet and Wi-Fi adapter in the settings of Windows network connections.
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The most reliable method is standard activation. USB-modem in Android settings. Use of third-party programs and ADB-teams are justified only in case of inoperability of staff funds.