It is common for a desktop or laptop computer to have no access to the global network and a smartphone already connected to Wi-Fi or mobile internet. Users often wonder how to reverse the device's connection to keep the desktop running. Owners of Xiaomi and Redmi may encounter the nuances of the proprietary shell MIUI or HyperOS, which hide the standard Android features.
Connecting the phone as a USB-A modem is the most stable way to transmit traffic, providing minimal latency and high speed compared to Bluetooth. Unlike creating a Wi-Fi hotspot, a wired connection does not drain the smartphone battery as quickly and ensures there is no radio interference. However, the standard Android interface does not always allow you to enable this mode without first preparing or activating hidden settings.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the algorithm of actions for activating the function. USB-Modem on Xiaomi and Redmi devices. You will learn about activation methods through the standard menu, through the developer menu and using third-party software if the standard methods do not work. Also, drivers and network interface settings in the Windows operating system will be touched upon.
Preparation of equipment and software environment
Before you start setting up, you need to make sure that there is proper hardware and basic drivers. USB-port, preferably version 2.0 or 3.0, as older ports may not provide sufficient bandwidth for stable connection.
A computer running Windows 10 or Windows 11 must have basic mobile drivers installed. Usually, the operating system automatically finds the necessary components when you first connect a smartphone. If the system does not respond to the connection of the gadget, you may need to manually install ADB drivers or universal Google USB Driver drivers.
An important aspect is the state of the smartphone itself. The battery should be charged at least 20-30%, although when wired, the device will charge from the computer port. Make sure that the phone is on mobile Internet or connected to the Wi-Fi network, the traffic of which you plan to broadcast to the PC.
⚠️ Note: Using pirated versions of drivers or traffic tunneling software can lead to the installation of malware on your computer.Use only official sources or time-tested open source tools.
Activation of the regime USB-modem
The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in functionality of the Android operating system with a shell. MIUI. In most modern Xiaomi and Redmi models, this feature is available by default, but can be hidden depending on the firmware version. USB-cable.
Once connected, a USB mode request may appear on the phone screen. Select File Transfer or MTP, although this is not always critical for the modem, but it helps the system identify the device. Then go to your smartphone settings, find the Connections and Sharing or Additional Features section.
Inside the menu, find a paragraph. USB-If it's active (not grey), just turn the switch to "On." The computer must make a sound of the new network device connecting and identify it as a wired network. In the Windows tray, a monitor icon with a cable will appear.
What to do if the item USB-modem's not on the menu?
If you can’t see the switch, try connecting the phone to another. USB-It can also be disabled if the phone is connected to Charge Only. USB curtain notifications on "File transfers (MTP)" or "USB-modem, if available immediately. in some versions MIUI The path may be different. Try going through Settings. → Connection and sharing → USB-If the switch is activated but the Internet is not available on your computer, check the network adapter settings on Windows. Sometimes it takes time for the system to install network protocols. If the standard switch is unavailable or hidden, you need to activate the advanced settings menu.This is often required on Redmi Note devices or Xiaomi budget series with stripped down firmware. To access hidden features, you need to activate the developer mode. Go to Settings → About the phone and find the line version MIUI Or the OS version. Quickly click on it. 7-10 Once in a row, until the notification "You became a developer" appears, and then a new section "Additional" or "Extended settings" will appear in the settings menu, where you need to select "Developers". 🔹 Find the listing item Debugging by USB and turn it on — this will allow the computer to interact with the system services of the phone. 🔹 Scroll down to the "Network" or "Configuration" section. USB default". 🔹 Select a mode. USB-modem RNDIS (USB Ethernet). 🔹 Reconnect the cable, and the system should automatically start the Internet distribution. Using the developer menu gives you deeper control over the network interfaces. In some cases, it helps to change the configuration. USB default MTP + ADB, then in the notification curtain when connecting the cable will be able to select the mode "USB-When Xiaomi’s regular methods block the distribution, specialized utilities come to the rescue, creating a virtual network interface that bypasses the limitations of the operating system. One of the most popular and proven tools is the Reverse Tethering No Root program, or Gnirehtet analogue. ADB (Android Debug Bridge, which doesn't require superuser rights, is available for Windows, macOS and Linux, and it works by running a server on a PC and a client on a phone that connects over a debugging bridge. This allows you to transfer Internet traffic from computer to phone, but there are versions with reverse functionality or tray settings. adb reverse tcp:5555 tcp:555555 However, for our task of distributing from PC to phone, modem emulators are more often used. For example, the EasyTether application has a client part for PC and an application for Android. After installing drivers and pairing devices, the program creates a virtual network adapter through which traffic goes. Program Availability of root rights Complexity of configuration Compatibility Staff USB-No Low High Gnirehtet Modem No medium Universal EasyTether No Low High PDAnet required+ No Medium Medium Medium is required 📊 What kind of connection do you prefer? USB-The antivirus modem can react to the creation of such connections as a potential threat, so it is recommended to add an exception or temporarily suspend protection at the time of setting up. Troubleshooting and drivers A common problem when connecting Xiaomi to Windows is the lack of the necessary drivers.The computer can only see the phone as a drive or a charging device, ignoring network functions. Right-click on the Start menu and select Device Manager. Find Network Adapters or Other Devices on the list if there is a device with a yellow exclamation mark or marked as "RNDIS" Or Android, you need to update the driver. 🔹 Right-click on the device and select "Update driver". 🔹 Select "Search for drivers on this computer". 🔹 Click "Select the driver from the list of available drivers". 🔹 In the list of manufacturers, select "Microsoft" and in the list of models — "USB RNDIS Adapter or "Remote" NDIS based Internet Sharing Device". 💡Installation of the driver RNDIS Hand-held Device Manager solves 90% of the problems with defining a smartphone as a network adapter in a Windows environment. If drivers are not installed, it may be that the necessary services are disabled in the system. Check the Remote Access Connection Manager and Network List Service. They should be running and running automatically. You should also try to disable antivirus or firewalls that can block the creation of a new network connection. MIUI 12, 13, 14 and HyperOS Shells MIUI The latest versions and the new HyperOS have aggressive energy management and safety management systems. USB-The modem shuts down after some downtime or does not turn on at all due to background activity limitations. To work steadily, you need to make changes to the battery settings. → Annexes → All applications, find the system application "Settings" or "System Services" MIUI". In the "Energy Consumption" section, select "No Limits" mode, which will prevent the system from shutting down network services. ⚠️ Note: In some regions (e.g. Europe or Global), features may be called differently or moved. If you use the Chinese version of firmware, some system applications may require you to log in to your Mi Account account to run network functions. You should also pay attention to the permit. 1920×1080 And above, because on high-resolution screens, the settings interface can scale incorrectly, hiding the switches. Try resizing the font size or scaling of the interface in the screen settings if you can't find the right control. Questions and answers (FAQ) Why does a computer not see a phone as a modem? USB-Modem on? Most likely, the computer does not have a driver installed RNDIS or the wrong mode of operation is chosen USB. Try to manually install the Remote driver NDIS Internet-based Sharing Device through Device Manager. Also check the cable, it can only support charging. Can you give Wi-Fi from computer to phone over the phone? USB? Yes, it’s a standard Android feature called "USB-modem" (USB Tethering), when the phone uses a PC Internet connection. If you want to distribute Wi-Fi from phone to PC via cable, it's also possible through the function of the phone. USB-modem, but reverse (phone internet goes to PC) does use affect USB-A wired connection usually provides a more stable speed and less ping compared to Wi-Fi. Speed will be limited by the bandwidth of the port. USB (Which is usually faster than the Internet speed, and the speed of your data plan, or the Wi-Fi network your phone is giving away. USB-Yes, when you connect through a modem. USB The port phone receives power from the computer. However, the charging speed will be significantly lower than that of a network adapter, especially if USB 2.0 ports.In active data exchange, battery consumption can be compensated by the charge, but the phone can heat up.