How to share the Internet from Xiaomi phone: the complete guide

Xiaomi’s smartphone is not just a communication tool, but a full-fledged digital world control center that often takes on the functions of a portable router. Situations when it is urgent to provide access to the global network of a friend’s tablet, laptop or gadget arise everywhere: in a cafe, in a park or in an area of poor coverage of the home network. Owners of devices based on MIUI and HyperOS have at their disposal flexible tools for organizing such communication.

There are several ways to implement this task, each of which has its own technical features and use cases. You can create a wireless access point over Wi-Fi, use an energy-efficient Bluetooth connection, or arrange stable wired data transfer through the Internet. USB-Understanding the nuances of each method will allow you to choose the best option for a particular situation.

In this article, we will discuss in detail the process of configuring the distribution of traffic on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones. We will consider not only standard algorithms of actions, but also hidden settings that will help optimize the connection speed and protect your data from unauthorized access by unauthorized persons.

Preparation of the smartphone to work in modem modem

Before you activate the distribution function, you need to make sure that your smartphone is correctly configured and ready for data transfer. First of all, check the status of the SIM card: it must be active, and mobile Internet should be available on the balance or within the tariff plan. Without an active connection to the operator’s network, it is impossible to create an access point.

Next, you should pay attention to the settings of names and passwords. By default, the system offers a standard network name that often contains a device model, for example, the Redmi Note 10. For security and ease of search, it is better to change this name to a more understandable one. The password should be complex enough that neighbors or passers-by can not take advantage of your traffic for free.

⚠️ Warning: Make sure your plan doesn’t have a tethering restriction, some carriers block this feature or require you to connect an option.

It's also important to check the battery power. The access point mode, especially over Wi-Fi, significantly increases the power consumption of the device. If you plan a long session, it's better to connect the phone to a power source or a superbank, so you don't get out of touch at a critical moment.

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Use a dark interface theme before activating the access point – this will slightly reduce the load on the screen and processor, while saving battery power.

Setting up a Wi-Fi hotspot on Xiaomi

The most popular and versatile method is to create a Wi-Fi hotspot, which allows you to connect almost any device, from laptops and tablets to game consoles and smart TVs, and the data transfer speed in this mode is maximum and limited only by the capabilities of your tariff and the Wi-Fi standard module.

To get started, you need to go to the settings menu. Open the settings on the home screen or in the notification curtain. Find a section that may be called Wi-Fi Access Point or Personal Hotspot, depending on the version of the MIUI shell. In new versions of HyperOS, this item is often listed in a separate Connect and Shared menu.

Inside the access point settings menu, you need to do the following:

• 📡 Click on the network name (SSID) Enter a new, recognizable name, for example, «My_Xiaomi_Hotspot».
• 🔒 Select the type of encryption: it is recommended to use WPA2-Personal or WPA3 maximum protection.
• 🔑 Create a complex password of letters and numbers, at least 8 characters long.
• 📶 Select the frequency range: 2.4 GHz for compatibility with older devices or 5 GHz for high speed.

Once you have set the settings, you just need to switch the switch at the top of the screen to the active position. On the receiving device, you need to find your network in the list of available Wi-Fi and enter the password set.

Using Bluetooth to distribute the Internet

If the battery is running out or you need to transfer small amounts of data with minimal power consumption, you can use Bluetooth, which is much slower than Wi-Fi, but consumes much less power, making it ideal for emergencies or for texting and mail.

The setup process is different from the Wi-Fi option, you first need to pair the Xiaomi handout phone with the receiving device. Go to Bluetooth settings, turn on visibility and search for devices. Once the pairing code is confirmed on both screens, the devices will be connected.

The algorithm of actions is as follows:

• 🔗 Go to the access point settings and select “Bluetooth modem».
• 📱 On the receiving device in the list of associated devices find your phone.
• 🌐 Activate the item “Internet Access” or similar in the properties of the connected device.

It is worth noting that the data transfer speed over Bluetooth rarely exceeds 1-2 Mbps. This is enough to load pages in text mode or send messages in instant messengers, but not enough to watch videos or download heavy files.

⚠️ Note: When connecting via Bluetooth modem, remember that the connection is not protected by complex encryption, as WPA3. Do not transmit confidential banking data through this channel in public places.

Distribution of the Internet through USB-cable

The fastest and most stable way to transfer data is to use USB-This method is ideal for connecting laptops and desktop computers that do not have a Wi-Fi module or, in addition, with such a connection, the computer can often recharge the phone, compensating for the energy costs.

To do this, you'll need a serviceable USB cable that can transmit data, not just charge the device. Connect a Xiaomi smartphone to a computer. The system can request permission to access files — that's okay, but it's not critical for a modem.

The order of action in the smartphone menu:

1. Open Settings and go to the Connection and Sharing section.
2. Find a point «USB-modem» (USB tethering).
3. Activate the switch. If the item is inactive (gray), check the cable connection.

The computer automatically recognizes the new network connection, which will be displayed as a network adapter in the Device Manager, and the advantage of this method is that there is no signal delay (ping) and protection against data interception, since the connection is physically isolated.

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USB-The modem provides the best connection stability and minimal ping, which is critical for online gaming and video calls.

Connected Device Management and Security

Controlling those connected to your network is a critical aspect of security. MIUI It provides a user-friendly interface for monitoring activity, and in the access point menu, you can always see a list of connected devices. IP-addresses and amount of data transmitted.

If you notice an unknown device on the list, you need to take immediate action. The first step is to change your password. After that, all devices will be disabled, you will need to re-enter a new access key, and you can also use the Blacklist feature if it is available in your firmware version.

Basic safety rules:

• 🛡️ Always use encryption. WPA2/WPA3, Avoid open networks without passwords.
• 👀 Check the list of connected customers in the status bar regularly.
• ⏱️ Set a timer for auto-disconnection so that the access point does not work when it is not needed.

Remember that the Internet is putting strain on the processor and radio module of the smartphone, which can lead to heating of the case. If you feel that the device is very warm, it is better to interrupt the session or remove the protective case for better heat sink.

Problem Solving and Comparison Table

Users may encounter a situation where the access point is turned on, but the Internet on the connected device does not work. Often the problem lies in the settings of the APN (access point) of the mobile operator. Check whether the data transfer on the sender phone itself is active by opening any website in the browser.

Sometimes the antivirus or firewall on the receiving computer may block the connection, in which case it is necessary to temporarily turn off the protection for verification, also make sure that the smartphone does not turn on the mode "Saving traffic", which can block background data transmission for other devices.

For a quick comparison of distribution methods, use the table below:

⚠️ Note: If after turning on the distribution, the Internet disappeared on the phone itself, try to switch the network mode in the settings SIM-map «5G/LTE» on «3G/2G» and back to reconnect to the operator tower.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)