Situations where a desktop computer or laptop is left without access to the global network, and the Wi-Fi router suddenly stops working, happen quite often. USB-cable provides more stable connection and lower latency compared to wireless methods, which is critical for work or online gaming.
The method of data transmission via cable is not only more reliable, but also saves battery power of the mobile device, since it is simultaneously charged from the PC port. Unlike the Wi-Fi access point, which heats the gadget, the wired connection minimizes heat generation and provides maximum channel throughput. Next, we will discuss in detail how to activate this mode and what nuances should be considered.
Advantages of wired connection over Wi-Fi
Use of the USB-The first is the stability of the connection: the cable eliminates interference from neighboring networks and household appliances, which often affect the wireless signal. Wired data speeds are often higher, especially if your computer doesn’t support current Wi-Fi 5 or Wi-Fi 6 standards.
Second, power consumption is important: When operating in modem modem, Xiaomi’s smartphone receives power directly from the computer, allowing it to be used as a full-fledged network adapter without the risk of discharging at the most inopportune time, especially when you have long sessions downloading large files or updating the system.
In addition, a wired connection is more difficult to subject to external interference or data interception, since physical access to the cable is easier to control than a radio channel. The RNDIS protocol used in Android emulates the network card, which makes the connection as transparent as possible for the Windows operating system.
Required components and preparation
Before you start setting up, make sure you have all the necessary equipment on hand. USB-A cable that can transmit data, not just charge the battery, and cheap charging-only cables won't work because they don't have any contacts to transmit information.
Basic mobile drivers must also be installed on your computer, and in modern versions of Windows 10 and Windows 11, they usually boot automatically when you first connect, but Xiaomi devices sometimes require ADB drivers or MIUI components, which can be found in official firmware.
☑️ Preparation for connection
Check the status of the USB connector on your smartphone: the presence of dust or oxidation of contacts can lead to unstable connection. It is recommended to use the original cable from the kit or a certified analog with support for high-speed data transfer. If you use adapters or hubs, try connecting the device directly to the motherboard port.
⚠️ Note: Using damaged or too long cables (more than 2 meters) may result in a voltage drop and the inability to activate modem mode.
Step-by-step activation instruction USB-modem
The process of turning on modem modem on Xiaomi smartphones with a shell MIUI or HyperOS is quite simple and takes less than a minute. First connect the phone to the computer using a cable and wait for the system to identify a new device. On the smartphone screen, a request for permission to access data, which must be confirmed, may appear.
Then open the settings menu and go to Connections and Sharing. In some firmware versions, this may be simply called Access Point and modem and be in the Other Connections category. USB-If the modem is unavailable, check the cable connection.
→ Connections and Sharing → Access Point and Modem → USB- ModemAfter switching on the switch in the Windows tray (in the lower right corner of the screen), a new network icon should appear, resembling a computer monitor. IP-The address from the phone, and the Internet will be available, and if that doesn't happen, you may need to manually configure the network adapter or install drivers.
💡
If the switch USB-modem is inactive, try to switch the mode of operation USB In notifications from “Charge only” to “File transfer (MTP)».
Set up network and drivers in Windows
In most cases, Windows will find and install the drivers for Android devices on its own, but sometimes the device manager will display unknown hardware with a yellow exclamation mark, in which case you will need to update drivers through the update center or install universal Google USB Driver drivers.
To check the status of the connection, open Control Panel → Network and Internet → Network Management Center. Make sure the network is defined as “Internet” and has access to the WAN. If it is “No Access” status, try restarting the network adapter or resetting the network settings with the command command command int ip reset with administrator rights.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The computer can't see the phone. | Faulty cable | Replace. USB-wire-cable |
| No Internet access | Not included mobile traffic | Check the balance and enable data transfers |
| Low connection speed | USB 2.0 port or old cable | Use USB 3.0 port and high-quality wire |
| Driver not installed | Lack of driver signature | Install drivers in compatibility mode |
It is important to note that when connecting through USB You create a local area network with a specific gateway. IP-The address on the network card, there may be conflicts, in which case it is better to temporarily switch to automatic receipt. IP-address (DHCP) protocol-like IPv4.
Optimizing speed and traffic consumption
When using a smartphone as a modem, it is important to control traffic consumption, especially if your data plan has limitations. Windows operating system by default can start downloading large updates or synchronizing cloud storage immediately after the Internet appears. To avoid surprises, set up a limit connection.
To do this, go to the network settings and turn on the “Limited Connection” function, which will prevent the system from downloading updates and synchronizing files in the background without your knowledge, and it is also worth closing torrent clients and other programs that consume a lot of traffic if you do not plan to use them.
Secrets to Acceleration
Connection speed also depends on the quality of the cellular signal. If you're in a sensitive reception zone, try placing the phone closer to the window or lifting it higher. Using 4G (LTE) or 5G bands will provide significantly higher speeds compared to 3G.
⚠️ Note: When using navigation or video calls USB-The modem of the phone can get very hot, and watch the temperature of the case so that the battery or internal components are not damaged.
Addressing common problems
Despite the ease of setting, users may encounter various errors, often the problem is that the computer sees the phone only as a drive or charger, in which case you need to unlock the screen of the smartphone and select the mode "File Transfer" or "File Transfer" from the menu that appears «USB-modem, if such a point is immediately available.
Another common problem is that there's no Internet when you have a network icon, and this may be due to settings. DNS. Try to prescribe in the properties of the adapter DNS-servers from Google (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1).This often helps resolve domain names if the mobile provider has problems with its servers.
If nothing works, reset the network settings on Xiaomi’s smartphone, which will return all network settings to factory values, including Bluetooth and Wi-Fi settings, but will not affect your personal data.
💡
The most common reason for failure is the use of a charging-only cable that physically has no data lines.