How to connect Xiaomi to a laptop for the Internet: all the ways + mistake-making

Connecting a Xiaomi smartphone to a laptop for the distribution of mobile Internet is a task that millions of users face. Whether you are on a business trip, in a country without wired Internet or just want to save on a separate tariff for a PC, a smartphone for a mobile phone MIUI It can be a full modem, but it doesn't always go smoothly: Windows can't see the device, drivers can't install, speed leaves much to be desired.

In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of connecting - from the classical to the most popular. USB-modem to hidden functions MIUI, And you'll also learn how to get around common errors (e.g., "Device"). RPC It doesn't respond or "Network without Internet access" and optimize the connection for maximum speed. 4X, Mi A1) Xiaomi 13 Ultra, Mix Fold 3).

Spoiler: The most stable method is not always USB-Tethering: Sometimes a Bluetooth bridge works faster than a Wi-Fi hotspot if you set the protocol right. PAN. But everything in order.

1. Xiaomi smartphone preparation: what to check before connecting

Before you rush to set up a connection, make sure your Xiaomi is ready for the role of a modem. By skipping this step, you risk spending an hour fixing bugs that could have been prevented in 2 minutes.

Sounds is obvious, but a third of the appeals in support of Xiaomi is due to the fact that users forget to activate data transfer. → SIM-Maps and mobile networks and make sure that:

• 📶 Mobile data enabled (slider at the top)
• 🌐 Choosing the right one APN-profile (for MegaFon, Beeline, MTS or Tele2)
• 📱 SIM-card is not blocked by PIN code

Second, update the firmware. MIUI. In older versions (below). MIUI 12.5) there are bugs with USB-tetering, especially on models with Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset 4xx (Like Redmi. 9A). To check the relevance of the software:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → System update
2. Click Check Updates and wait for the result
3. If a new version is available, install it (preferably via Wi-Fi)

💡

If you have Xiaomi with an unlocked bootloader, make a backup copy before upgrading to the new one. TWRP — Sometimes dirty firmware breaks the modem module.

Finally, turn off energy saving for tethering functions. MIUI aggressively optimizes background processes, which can break the connection after 5-10 minutes:

Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Mode Selection → Performance

Or add the Settings app to the optimization exceptions:

Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Optimization → All Apps → Settings (cog icon) → Without Limits

2. Method 1: USB-Tetering (the most stable, but with nuances)

USB-Tetering is the connection of a smartphone to a laptop via a cable, where the phone acts as a network card. USB 3.0) and no charge issues (the smartphone recharges in parallel).However, there is a critical feature for Xiaomi: without the right drivers, Windows will see the device as "unidentified".

Instructions for setting:

1. Connect Xiaomi to your laptop with the original cable (cheap cables often don’t transmit data, only charge).
2. On your smartphone, go to Settings → Access Point and modem → USB-modem and turn on slider.
3. On the laptop, wait for the driver installation (in Device Manager should appear "Remote" NDIS based Internet Sharing Device").

If the driver is not automatically installed:

• 🖥️ Download the official Xiaomi drivers for your model (Section "Tools").
• 🔧 Install them manually through Device Manager → Update the driver → Perform a search on this computer.
• 🔄 Restart your laptop and smartphone.

Original or certified cable|USB-Modem enabled in Xiaomi settings|Drivers are installed (check in Device Manager)|Data transmission mode in USB-port (not just charging)-->

Typical errors and decisions:

Method 2: Wi-Fi hotspot (conveniently but quickly drains the battery)

Distributing the Internet via Wi-Fi hotspot is the most versatile method, as it is suitable not only for laptops, but also for other devices (tablets, a second phone), but it has two disadvantages: high battery consumption (up to 1% per minute on older models) and possible operator restrictions (some tariffs block tethering).

How to set up a hotspot on Xiaomi:

1. Open Settings → Access Point and modem → Wi-Fi Access Point.
2. Set up the settings: Network name (SSID): any of them, Xiaomi_Hotspot) Password: minimum 8 Symbols (use letters and numbers) Frequency range: 2.4 GHz (for compatibility) or 5 GHz (for speed)

Wi-Fi hotspot

On your laptop, connect to the network you have created as if it were a regular Wi-Fi.

Optimizing for battery saving:

• 🔋 Enable Traffic Saving Mode in Hotspot Settings.
• ⏱️ Set automatic shutdown after 5-10 minutes without activity.
• 📶 Limit the maximum number of connected devices (by default 8, 1-2 is enough).

The speed of the hotspot depends on:

• 📡 Wi-Fi standard on a smartphone (Wi-Fi 6 on Xiaomi) 12T It will give up to 1 Gbps and Wi-Fi 4 on Redmi. 7A — maximum 150 Mbps).
• 📶 Mobile network signal (in the zone) 4G+ speed will be higher than in 3G).
• 💻 Laptop network card (old adapters do not support 5 GHz).

Method 3: Bluetooth tethering (saves battery but slow)

Connecting via Bluetooth is a compromise option when USB-The cable broke, and Wi-Fi drained the phone quickly, and the speed is modest (10-30 Mbps), but the battery consumption is minimal, and the connection is stable.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Bluetooth on your smartphone and laptop.
2. Connect devices: On Xiaomi: Settings → Bluetooth → Device search. On a laptop: Parameters → Devices → Bluetooth.

Settings → Access Point and modem → Bluetooth modem

Control Panel → Network Connections

How to speed up Bluetooth tetering:

• 🔄 Use Bluetooth. 5.0 (Available on Xiaomi with Snapdragon 6xx/7xx/8xx).
• 📱 Disable other Bluetooth devices (earphones, fitness bracelets).
• 🖥️ On your laptop, update your Bluetooth drivers (download from the manufacturer’s website, not through Windows Update).

💡

Bluetooth tethering consumes 3-5 times less battery than Wi-Fi hotspot, but speed is limited by the protocol PAN (Personal Area Network).

If the connection is permanently broken:

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi models (Redmi Note) 8 Pro, Mi 9T) There is a bug with Bluetooth tetering after updating to MIUI 13. The solution is to roll back MIUI 12.5 or to use an alternative method (USB/Wi-Fi).

5. Method 4: Reverse Tethering (Sharing the Internet from a laptop to Xiaomi)

The reverse is that you have Internet on your laptop (e.g., Ethernet), and you have to connect Xiaomi to the network. It's called Reverse Tethering. Useful if you don't have it on your phone. SIM-card.

This will require:

• 🖥️ Laptop with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 📱 Xiaomi with enabled debugging on USB.
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (for data transmission).
• 🛠️ Gnirehtet (free, open source).

Instructions:

1. On your smartphone, turn on Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times to activate Developer Mode).
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Connect the phone to the laptop and confirm the debugging permission.
4. Download and unpack Gnirehtet, then run the gnirehtet run in the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux).

Advantages of the method:

• 🚀 Speed is limited only to your Ethernet connection (up to 1 Gbps).
• 🔋 No mobile traffic consumption.
• 🔒 It works even if the operator blocks tethering.

💡

If Gnirehtet doesn’t start, try the alternative – ClockworkMod Tether (requires root rights).

6.The solution to the problems: why Xiaomi does not give away the Internet

Even with the right settings, the connection may not work.-5 causes and solutions:

1.The operator blocks tethering

Some rates (especially "no-limit") limit the distribution of the Internet. Check the terms of your rate on the operator's website.

• 📞 Calling for support and asking to disable the restriction (sometimes helps).
• 🔄 Change. APN (See spoiler in the Wi-Fi section).
• 💳 Buy a separate packet of traffic for tetering (MegaFon has an option "Modem").

2. Drivers are not installed (code 10 or code 43 error)

Frequent problem on Windows 10/11. Decision:

1. Disable the digital signature of drivers: Execute → cmd → bcdedit /set nointegritychecks on → Reboot.
2. Install the driver manually (see section about the USB-tetering).
3. Try another one. USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0, because USB 3.0 sometimes conflicts).

3.Xiaomi doesn't see. SIM-post-internet

⚠️ Note: Some models (Redmi Note 7, Mi 8) lose network after long tethering. X20. The solution is to restart the phone or take out/paste SIM-map.

Slow speed (below 10 Mbit/s)

Causes and solutions:

5.The laptop is connected, but the sites are not opened

Possible causes:

• 🔒 DNS-Solution: manually write 8.8.8.8 (Google) or 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare) in the connection settings.
• 🛡️ Antivirus or firewall blocks traffic. Solution: temporarily disable protection.
• 📡 APN Solution: Check the settings (see Section 3).

7. Connection Optimization: How to Increase Speed and Stability

Even if the Internet is handed out, it can be improved. Here are 7 ways to work:

1. Change protocol USB

Xiaomi is using the default RNDIS, But some laptops work better. CDC ECM. To change protocol:

Settings → Access Point and modem → USB- modem → Additional → Protocol USB

2. Turn it off. VPN smartphone

If Xiaomi is on VPN (For example, AdGuard or 1.1.1.1, it can slow tethering down. Turn it off in the settings or add an exception for tethering traffic.

3.Use. USB 3.0 and quality cable

Speed. USB-Tethering is not only limited to a smartphone, but also to a cable. Cheap cables only support USB 2.0 (480 Mbps), while the original cable from Xiaomi provides 5 Gbps.

4.Tune in. APN maximum speed

Some operators (such as Tele2) default speed limits APN. To unlock:

• Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Access points (APN).
• Choose yours. APN-profile and field type APN Add,dun (e.g. default,dun,supl).
• Save and restart the phone.

5. Turn off the energy saving for USB-port (on laptop)

Windows can turn off USB-It's a port for energy saving:

1. Open Device Manager. → Controllers USB → Root USB-hub.
2. PCM → Properties → Power management.
3. Uncheck the tick from Allow this device to be turned off to save energy.

6.Use 5GHz for Wi-Fi Hotspot (if supported)

The 5GHz range is less crowded and provides more speed, but has a smaller range.

Settings → Wi-Fi Access Point → Frequency Range → 5 GHz

7. Update the modem firmware

On some models (Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3) post-update MIUI 14 improves tethering stability. Check for updates in Settings → Updating the system.

8. Alternative methods: if nothing works

If the standard methods didn’t work, try these non-obvious solutions:

1. Modem mode through ADB

If USB-Tethering is not turned on due to failure MIUI, You can force it to activate through ADB:

adb shell settings put global tether_dun_required 0


adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.TetherSettings

2. Use of PDANet (to bypass operator locks)

PDANet programme+ It allows you to distribute the Internet even if the operator blocks tetering.

3. Set up Proxy to bypass restrictions

Some operators block tethering on the TTL. To trick the system:

• On Android, install it. TTL Editor from Play Market.
• Change the meaning. TTL 64-65.
• Restart your phone and try turning on tethering.

4. Connection through OTG-hub (for tablets)

If you connect Xiaomi to an Android tablet, use it. OTG-Ethernet hub:

Xiaomi (USB-tetering) → OTG-hub → Tablet (Ethernet port)

5. Reset network settings on Xiaomi

If nothing helps, reset your network settings:

Settings → SIM-cards and mobile networks → Resetting mobile network settings

⚠️ Note: This will remove all the saved APN, Wi-Fi passwords and Bluetooth devices, and you'll have to reset it.

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting Xiaomi to a laptop