Connecting your computer to the Internet via a Xiaomi Redmi smartphone is a universal solution for situations where there is no router or wired connection at hand. 13C) Support several ways to distribute the Internet: from a classic Wi-Fi hotspot to USB-It's a modem that charges your phone, but every method has nuances, from data speed to battery consumption to operating system compatibility.
In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to connect your PC to the Internet through Xiaomi Redmi, including hidden features. MIUI, You will learn how to get around operator restrictions (e.g., MTS or Tele2), which settings optimize speed, and why sometimes you can USB-The modem is faster than Wi-Fi, and at the end, you'll see a comparative table of speed, security, and power consumption for each method.
1.Preparation of the phone: mandatory settings before the distribution of the Internet
Before you connect Xiaomi Redmi to your computer, you need to check and configure several key settings, without which you risk errors such as โfailed to connect to this networkโ or โlimitedโ in Windows.
Step 1: Checking the mobile internet
- ๐ถ Make sure your phone is on mobile internet: swipe down from the top of the screen and check the icon 4G/5G or LTE.
- ๐ฑ Go to Settings. โ SIM-Maps and mobile networks and choose active SIM-card (if there are several).
- ๐ If the internet is not working, restart your phone or turn on/off In-Air mode (this will reset your network settings).
Step 2: Configure the access point (general parameters)
Even if you plan to use it. USB Bluetooth, some settings are centrally configured:
- Open the Settings. โ Access Point and modem.
- Slip on "Access Point Setup."
- Give me the name of the network (SSID) in Latin (e.g., Latin, Redmi_Hotspot) and password (minimum) 8 symbols, with numbers).
- In the "Security" section, select WPA2-PSK (best-case).
- Activate the โSwitch offโ option if you want to save battery (for example, after 10 minutes of inactivity).
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If you're Redmi with MIUI 14+, In the AP settings, you have the option "Improved Compatibility" turned on if your PC can't see the network or is connecting with errors.
Step 3: Checking the operator's restrictions
Some Russian operators (e.g. MTS, Beeline) block Internet distribution at certain rates, to get around this:
- ๐ง Install. APN-Profile manually: go to Settings โ SIM-maps and mobile networks โ Access points (APN).
- ๐ For MTS, create a new one. APN with the name Internet.mts.ru, for Beeline - Internet.beeline.ru (leave the remaining fields by default).
- ๐ Save the settings and restart the phone.
What to do if the operator blocks the distribution?
2. Method 1: Distribution of the Internet through USB (fastest and most stable)
Connection to USB-Cable is the best option if you want maximum speed and minimum battery consumption, and this method works even on older Redmi models (like the Redmi). 5 or Redmi 7A) No additional drivers are required for Windows. 10/11.
Advantages USB-modem:
- โก The speed is close to the maximum speed of mobile Internet (up to 90% of the original).
- ๐ The phone is charged during use (if the cable supports data transmission).
- ๐ก๏ธ More secure Wi-Fi โ no risk of connecting third-party devices.
Step-by-step:
โ๏ธ Connection through USB-modem
1. Connect Xiaomi Redmi to the original computer USB-cable (cheap cables may not transmit data).
2. the phone will display a notification "Charging through" USB" โ tap it and select "File Transfer" (or "Data Transfer" in new versions) MIUI).
3. Open Settings. โ Access Point and modem and activate "USB-modem".
On the PC, check the connection:
- In Windows: Start โ Parameters โ Network and Internet โ Ethernet (a connection with the phone model name should appear).
- V Linux/macOS: The network will appear in the list of network interfaces.
Solving common problems:
- ๐ "The device USB Unidentifiable: Try another cable or port USB. On Windows, install Mi drivers PC Suite from the official Xiaomi website.
- ๐ "No Internet access: Turn off antivirus/firewall on PC or check settings APN (see section 1).
- ๐ "Connection is limited": Restart your phone and PC, then reconnect.
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USB-The modem is the only way to distribute the Internet, in which the phone does not discharge, but instead charges from a PC. This is critical for long-term work (for example, when firmware devices or online conferences).
Method 2: Wi-Fi access point (universally but energy-intensive)
Wi-Fi is the most popular method of Internet sharing, thanks to its simplicity and compatibility with all devices (PCs, laptops, tablets), but it has drawbacks: high battery consumption (up to 20% per hour on the Redmi Note 12) and possible limitations on the operator.
How to turn on the access point:
- Open the Settings. โ Access Point and modem.
- Slip on the Wi-Fi hotspot and activate the slider.
- On a PC, find the network with the name you set earlier (see Section 1) and connect by entering a password.
Optimization of speed and stability:
- ๐ถ Change the Wi-Fi range to 5 GHz (if your PC supports it): this will reduce interference but shorten the range. โ Range.
- ๐ If the speed is low, turn off Traffic Savings in the settings SIM-map.
- ๐ต If the connection is constantly broken, disable the "Auto-Switch off" access point.
Hidden functions MIUI wifi:
In the firmware MIUI 13+ You have a high performance mode option for the access point, which increases the speed by 10 to 15 percent, but puts the battery down more:
- Activate the access point.
- Slap the icon "โ๏ธ" slider-side.
- Turn on "High Performance Mode."
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If you have Redmi with Wi-Fi 6 support (e.g. Redmi) K60), Turn on this mode in the access point settings. It reduces latency (ping) and increases speed when connecting compatible devices.
Table: Comparison of speed and battery consumption
| Connection method | Max. speed (Mbps) | Battery consumption (%/hour) | Compatibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| USB-modem | 300โ500 | 0 (charges) | Windows, Linux, macOS |
| Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz) | 100โ150 | 15โ20 | All devices. |
| Wi-Fi (5 GHz) | 200โ400 | 20โ25 | 5 GHz devices |
| Bluetooth | 10โ30 | 5โ10 | All devices. |
Method 3: Connect via Bluetooth (economical but slow)
Bluetooth Internet distribution is a compromise option when USB-There's no cable, and Wi-Fi puts a lot of battery down, and it's going to be low (up to 30 Mbps), but it's going to be enough for messengers, or for mail, or for web browsing. MIUI 12 and newer.
Instructions:
- Turn on Bluetooth on your phone and PC.
- Connect devices: on the phone go to Settings โ Bluetooth, find your PC and confirm the connection.
- On the phone, open Settings โ Access Point and modem and activate the โBluetooth modemโ.
- On the PC in the list of networks will be the connection "Network connection via Bluetooth" - connect to it.
Nuances:
- ๐ The Bluetooth modem only works when it's paired, and if it's interrupted, the Internet shuts down.
- ๐ฑ On some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A) Additional confirmation of the distribution on the phone may be required.
- ๐ Battery consumption is lower than Wi-Fi, but higher than when USB-Connection (about 5-10% per hour).
How to speed up Bluetooth connection?
5. Method 4: Wi-Fi Direct (direct connection without router)
Wi-Fi Direct is an alternative to the classic hotspot, which creates a direct connection between the phone and the PC without an intermediate router, a technique rarely used, but may come in handy if the standard hotspot is not working (for example, due to operator lock).
How to set up Wi-Fi Direct on Xiaomi Redmi:
- On the phone, open Settings. โ Connections and sharing โ Wi-Fi Direct.
- Activate Wi-Fi Direct and wait for your phone to find your PC.
- On PC, enable Wi-Fi Direct (in Windows: Settings) โ Devices โ Add Bluetooth or other device โ Everything else).
- Confirm the connection on both devices.
- On the phone, go back to Settings. โ Access Point and modem and activate Wi-Fi Access Point (yes, this is a must even for Wi-Fi Direct!).
Limitations of the method:
- ๐ Not all PCs support Wi-Fi Direct (especially older models).
- ๐ถ Speed is lower than that of a standard access point (up to 100 Mbps).
- ๐ Connection may break when switching between networks.
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Wi-Fi Direct is useful if the operator is blocking the distribution through a standard access point, in which case the traffic is โbypassingโ the restrictions, since technically it is not a modem mode, but a direct device-device (P2P) linkage.
6. Problem Solving: Why is the Internet not working or slow?
Even if set up correctly, the Xiaomi Redmi connection can be unstable, and here are the most common problems and solutions:
Problem 1: โNo Internet accessโ (exclamation point on PC)
- ๐ง Check the settings. APN (Often the problem is solved by changing the profile to the Internet or default.
- ๐ Restart your phone and PC.
- ๐ก๏ธ Temporarily disable firewall/antivirus on your PC (sometimes they block new connections).
Problem 2: The slow speed of the Internet
- ๐ถ Check the signal level on the phone. If it's weak (1-2 divisions), try moving closer to the window or using a signal repeater.
- ๐ In the settings SIM-Disable "Saving Traffic" and "Background Limitation".
- ๐ต If you use Wi-Fi, switch to 5GHz (if your PC supports it).
- ๐ If the battery is under 20%, MIUI Automatically Limits Speed โ Connect Charging.
Problem 3: The phone is not visible as a modem (USB)
โ ๏ธ Warning: If Windows gives an error "Device not recognized", never install drivers from third sites! Use only official drivers from Xiaomi (link to support site). Incorrect drivers can cause a crash USB-port.
- ๐ Try another one. USB-cable (preferably original).
- ๐ฅ๏ธ On PC, update your chipset drivers (especially if you have one). AMD old Intel).
- ๐ฑ On the phone in developer mode (Settings) โ The phone. โ Version. MIUI โ Tap it 7 times) turn on "Debugging by USB".
Problem 4: The Internet is working, but some sites are not open
- ๐ Check the settings. DNS: on the PC in the properties of the connection specify DNS 8.8.8.8 (Google) or 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare).
- ๐ It's possible that the operator is blocking access to resources. VPN PC-only.
- ๐ต Turn off the Safe phone. DNS" private network settings (MIUI 14+).
7. Comparison of methods: which one to choose for your tasks?
The choice of connection method depends on your priorities: speed, battery savings or versatility.
To work (Zoom, download files, online games):
- ๐ฎ USB-Modem โ maximum speed and stability, the phone charges.
- ๐ป Wi-Fi 5 GHz - if USB Not available, but you need a low ping.
To save battery (travel, long-term use):
- ๐ USB-modem โ the phone is charged, battery consumption is absent.
- ๐ฑ Bluetooth - if USB You canโt use it, but you need autonomy.
For universality (connecting multiple devices):
- ๐ถ Wi-Fi access point โ you can connect a laptop, tablet and even Smart TV simultaneously.
- ๐ Wi-Fi Direct โ if the operator blocks the standard distribution.
For older PCs or laptops:
- ๐ฅ๏ธ USB-modem โ if there is no Wi-Fi adapter or it is broken.
- ๐ Bluetooth - if USB-ports are down.
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If you use your phone as a modem, buy a powerbank with Power Delivery support (e.g. Xiaomi Power Bank 3 Pro). USB-speed-draw-in.