Releasing the Internet from Xiaomi to your computer via USB: a complete guide to error solutions

Why? USB-Connection better than Wi-Fi and Bluetooth?

Connecting mobile internet from Xiaomi phone to computer via USB is the most stable way of distributing among all available, unlike a Wi-Fi hotspot, it does not put additional strain on the smartphone battery (and sometimes even recharges it), and compared to a Bluetooth bridge, it provides 5-10 times faster data transfer speeds, which is critical if you need to download a large file, stream video in 1080p or work with cloud services like Google Drive.

Another key advantage is security. USB-In connection traffic is not broadcast “over the air”, which eliminates the risk of data interception through vulnerabilities in the Wi-Fi or Bluetooth protocols. MIUI 12 And newer, this method is even easier to set up: the system automatically installs the necessary drivers on a Windows PC. 10/11, MacOS or Linux may require additional steps.

But there are nuances, too: Not all Xiaomi models support USB-termination USB-Out of the box, in some cases you'll have to activate Developer Mode or install drivers manually, and then we'll take all the steps from getting the phone ready to diagnosing the problem.

Preparing Xiaomi phone for the distribution of the Internet

Before connecting Xiaomi to a computer as a USB-modem, make sure that the phone meets the basic conditions:

• 📱 Version. MIUI at least 11 (older firmware may not have an option) USB-termination).
• 🔋 Battery charge above 20% – at low levels, the system can block the distribution.
• 📶 Mobile Internet activated (check the icon) 4G/5G status-line).
• 🔌 USB-cable is serviceable and supports data transmission (not all charging cables are suitable!).

If you use Xiaomi with two SIM-Make sure that the Internet is distributed from the SIM that has activated the tariff with unlimited traffic (or a sufficient limit). Otherwise, you risk quickly expending gigabytes, especially if your PC runs background updates Windows or Steam.

Check the version of MIUI in Settings → About the phone

Activate the mobile Internet on the right SIM-map

Connect the serviceable one. USB-cable (preferably original)

Charge your phone to at least 30%-->

Step-by-step instruction: how to turn on USB-modem

The USB activation algorithm on Xiaomi is almost the same for all models, from Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 13 Ultra.

1. Connect your phone to your computer through USB-In the status bar Xiaomi will appear notification Charge through USB.
2. Deploy the notification panel and tap the Charge via USB label. In the window that opens, select File Transfer (MTP) (this is temporary – we will change the mode later).
3. Return to the main screen and open the settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Access Point and modem.
4. Activate the slider USB-In 2-3 seconds, an icon will appear in the notification panel. USB two-handed.
5. On your computer, check the connection: in Windows, open Settings → Network and Internet. In the Ethernet section, a new connection should appear called Remote NDIS or USB Ethernet/RNDIS.

If it's activated, USB-The Internet modem on PC did not appear, check:

• 🔌 Type USB-Connection: The phone notification should be USB-modem, not charge or MTP.
• 🖥️ PC Drivers: Open Device Manager in Windows and check if there is an exclamation point next to Network Adapters → Remote NDIS.
• 📡 Settings APN: If the mobile Internet on the phone works, but does not give away - check the configuration of the access point with the operator (more about this below).

Set up a computer to receive the Internet with Xiaomi

In most cases, Windows 10/11 Automatically installs drivers for USB-Xiaomi modem via Windows Update. However, if the connection is not working, follow the following steps:

For Windows:

1. Open Device Manager (Win + X → Device Manager).
2. Deploy Network Adapters. If there's a device called Remote NDIS and a yellow exclamation point, right-click on it and select Update Driver → Auto Search.
3. If the automatic search didn’t help, download the Google USB Driver driver (the official Android package), unpack the archive and manually specify the path to the folder.

For macOS:

On a Mac, you will need additional software to distribute the Internet via USB:

1. Install Android File Transfer (the official application from Google).
2. Connect Xiaomi to Mac and select the mode USB-modem.
3. Open System Settings → Network and add a new USB connection.

For Linux:

Ubuntu/Debian distributions usually have the following setups:

sudo apt update


sudo apt install usb-modeswitch

Then reconnect the phone.

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If the Internet is connected, but the pages do not load – check the proxy settings in Windows Settings → Network → Proxy. Sometimes mobile operators (such as MegaFon or Beeline) automatically prescribe a proxy server that conflicts with the Internet. USB-joining.

Addressing common mistakes

Even with the right setup, USB connectivity may not work, and let’s look at the typical problems and ways to fix them:

A critical feature for Xiaomi owners MIUI 13+: If you use two of them SIM-cards, and the Internet is distributed only through one of them, make sure that the settings USB-The modem is the right SIM. Some firmware has the option hidden, so you need to go to Settings to activate it. → Memory. → Additionally. → USB-modem and manually specify the main SIM.

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If after all the manipulations the Internet has not worked, try resetting the network settings on your phone: → SIM-map → Reset the network settings. It will delete the saved ones. APN Wi-Fi passwords, but often solves problems with the USB-distribution.

Optimization of connection speed and stability

Maximize the speed of data transmission through USB-Xiaomi modem, follow these tips:

• 🔌 Use the original Xiaomi cable or certified cable USB 3.0 (blue connector) Cheap cables often limit bandwidth to up to USB 2.0 (maximum 480 Mbps).

To check the real speed, use services like Speedtest.net or Fast.com. 4G-net USB:

• Download: 30-80 Mbps (depending on operator).
• Impact: 10–30 Mbps.
• Ping: 20-60 ms.

If the speed is lower, try changing the USB mode on your phone:

1. Connect Xiaomi to the PC.
2. In the notification panel, tap Charging via USB.
3. Select File Transfer (MTP), Then activate again. USB-modem.

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On some Xiaomi models, for example, POCO F3 or Redmi K40) there's a hidden option USB-Configuration. To enable it, activate Developer Mode and find Configuration in the developer settings USB by default, set the value RNDIS.

Security: How to protect data when USB-distribution

Distributing internet via USB seems secure, but there are risks that few people know about:

⚠️ Note: When connecting Xiaomi to other computers (for example, in an Internet cafe or at work), turn off file transfer (MTP). Otherwise, an attacker can copy your data or install malware through vulnerabilities in the system. MIUI.

Additional precautions:

• 🔒 Set a password on your phone (even if you're giving out internet at home) to protect you from unauthorized access to your settings.
• 🛡️ Turn off the debugging. USB In Settings → For developers, if you don’t use it all the time.
• 📴 Check the connected devices in Settings → Bluetooth and devices: Sometimes Windows retains "ghost" connections that may conflict with USB-modem.

If you often give out the Internet through USB On public PCs, consider using VPN (It's like ProtonVPN or Windscribe, and it'll hide your real life. IP-address and encrypt traffic, which is especially important when working with banking services or corporate systems.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions