How to distribute the Internet from the phone Xiaomi: all the ways and hidden settings

Xiaomi smartphones today are not just call and instant messenger devices, but also full-fledged mobile routers. The ability to distribute Internet from your phone will come in handy when you travel, at the country house or when the main Wi-Fi suddenly turned off. However, not all users know how to properly configure an access point on Redmi, POCO or flagship Mi models so that the connection is stable and traffic does not leak to the background processes.

In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to distribute the Internet with Xiaomi – from the classic Wi-Fi hotspot to hidden functions like USB-Modem and Bluetooth bridge, and we'll focus on common errors (e.g., when devices are connected but the Internet isn't working) and optimize battery consumption. And for older models, we'll give you a version compatibility table. MIUI.

1.Preparation of the phone: what to check before giving the Internet

Before you turn on the hotspot, make sure your Xiaomi is ready to be a mobile router.

• 📶 Mobile network: the phone should be enabled mobile Internet (3G/4G/5G). Check the signal indicator in the status bar.+ Or E, the speed will be low.
• 🔋 Battery charge: the Internet is actively used up. At a charge level below 20%, the phone can automatically turn off the access point.
• 📱 Version. MIUI: on old firmware (below) MIUI 12) some functions may be missing, e.g. distribution of USB Type-C.
• 🛡️ Operator restrictions: some tariffs block the distribution of the Internet or charge an additional fee.

If you plan to give away the Internet for a long time (for example, for a full working day), prepare the powerbank in advance or connect your phone to charging. It is also recommended to turn off automatic updates of applications in Settings → Apps → Autoboot to save traffic.

2. Method 1: Distribution of the Internet via Wi-Fi (access point)

This is the most popular and versatile method, and it's suitable for connecting laptops, tablets, other smartphones, even smart TVs.

1. Open the settings on the Xiaomi phone.
2. Go to Access Point and Modem (on some models – Network and Internet → Access Point).
3. Select a portable Wi-Fi access point.
4. Activate the switch at the top of the screen.
5. Change the network name (SSID) and password if necessary (a combination of numbers is often used by default).

Once turned on, other devices will see your network in the list of available Wi-Fi. Connect to it by entering a password. Please note: if you changed your security settings (for example, chose the type of encryption WPA3), older devices (released before 2018) may not connect.

Make sure that the mobile internet is on the phone.|Check that the access point is active (the indicator in the status bar)|Check the password on the connected device|Turn it off. VPN on both devices (can block traffic)-->

Hidden setting: MIUI 14+ has an option to turn off the access point if no device is connected to it for 5-30 minutes (configured in the access point menu), which helps save battery power.

3. Method 2: Distribution of the Internet over Bluetooth

This method is less popular, but it is useful in two cases:

• 🔌 When you need to save battery power (Bluetooth consumes less power than Wi-Fi).
• 🖥️ When a connected device (such as an old laptop) does not support modern Wi-Fi standards.

Instructions:

1. Turn on Bluetooth on both devices.
2. On Xiaomi phone, go to Settings → Access Point and Modem → Bluetooth modem.
3. Activate the function and select the device to connect from the list.
4. On the connected device, confirm pairing (code entry may be required).

Bluetooth data transfer speed is lower than Wi-Fi (maximum ~3 Mbit / s versus ~50 Mbit / s in Wi-Fi 5), but this method works more reliably in the conditions of interference, for example, in the subway or at a concert.

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If the connected device can't see the Internet via Bluetooth, check the network settings on it. On Windows, you need to manually select the connection as "Private" (not "Public"), otherwise the system can block traffic.

4. Method 3: Distribute the Internet via USB (modem mode)

This is the most stable and quickest way, but it requires physically connecting the phone to another device (usually a PC or laptop).

• ⚡ Speed is limited only by possibilities. USB-port (up to 480 Mbps for USB 2.0 and up to 5 Gbps for USB 3.0).
• 🔋 The phone is charged during the distribution (if connected to the USB-port).
• 🛡️ Less risk of connecting third-party devices (as opposed to Wi-Fi).

How to set up:

1. Connect your phone to your computer through USB-cable (preferably original).
2. On the phone in the menu Access Point and modem select USB-modem.
3. On the computer, wait for the driver to install (usually it happens automatically).
4. In the network settings of the PC will appear a new connection – use it to access the Internet.

Important: on some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 8 Pro) feature USB-The modem may not work when connecting to ports USB 3.0 blue, in which case use the port. USB 2.0 (black) or update your phone’s firmware.

5. Method 4: Distributing the Internet through QR-code (quick connection)

The function is available on phones with MIUI 12 and later, it allows you to connect to the access point without entering a password — just scan. QR-code.

How it works:

1. Enable a Wi-Fi hotspot on Xiaomi (as in Method 1).
2. Slap the icon. QR-code next to the network name.
3. On another device, scan the code (for example, through a camera or Google Lens app).

This method is convenient for connecting guests or devices without a keyboard (such as Xiaomi Smart Band or smart speakers: QR-The code contains the password in plain form. Don't show it to anyone!

6. Solving typical problems in the distribution of the Internet

Even after you set it up correctly, you can still get errors, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

If the problem is not solved, try resetting the network settings on your phone or updating the firmware. On POCO models, it sometimes helps to disable the dual application function (it can conflict with the modem).

7. Optimization of battery consumption and traffic

Internet distribution is a resource-intensive process, so that your phone does not run out in an hour, follow these tips:

• 🔋 Use it. USB-A modem instead of Wi-Fi, if you connect to a laptop, that will allow you to charge your phone at the same time.
• 📴 Turn off background applications: in Settings → Annexes → Autoboot prohibit the automatic start of unnecessary programs.
• 🌐 Limit speed: in the settings of the access point (MIUI 13+) You can set a traffic limit for connected devices.
• 🔄 Enable “Traffic Saving Mode” in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks.

On Quick Charge-enabled models (such as the Xiaomi 12 Pro), the Internet connection with the charger connected has little to no effect on battery levels, and if you use wireless charging, monitor the temperature of the phone — overheating can lead to automatic shutdown of the access point.

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On phones with MIUI 14 and later, the “Intelligent Access Point” function appeared, which automatically turns off the Internet distribution when the battery is low (configured in the access point menu).

8 Security: How to Protect Your Access Point

Open access points are not only a risk to your traffic, but also to sensitive data.

⚠️ Warning: Never use simple passwords like 12345678 or qwerty.Attackers can connect to your network in seconds using special programs.

• 🔐 Complicated Password: Use a combination of 12+ symbols with numbers, letters and signs (e.g. Xiaomi)@2026!Net).
• 🔄 Change your password every 1-2 months, especially if you connect someone else’s devices.
• 📵 Hidden Network: In the access point settings, enable Hide Network (SSID It will not appear in the list of available Wi-Fi).
• 🛡️ Device limitation: in MIUI 13+ You can get a whitelist. MAC-Addresses, allowing connection only to trusted gadgets.

If you notice suspicious activity (such as unknown devices in the connected list), immediately disable the access point and change the password. On Xiaomi phones, you can view the connection history in Settings → Access Point and modem → Connected devices.

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To quickly disable all access point users without turning it off completely, click on the network icon in the status bar and select “Disable all users.”

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions