How to connect Xiaomi phone to your computer for Internet distribution: the complete guide

Why Use Xiaomi as a Modem

Modern Xiaomi smartphones based on MIUI or HyperOS can replace a full-fledged 4G/5G- modem if you need to urgently connect your computer to the Internet. This is relevant for business trips, when you turn off home Wi-Fi or when the router is out of order. The phone can distribute mobile traffic through the USB- cable, Wi-Fi hotspot or even Bluetooth – each method has its pros and limitations.

The main advantage of this approach is mobility. You do not need to buy a separate USB- modem or configure complex connection schemes. Enough smartphone with an active SIM- card and supported tariff (most operators allow Internet distribution, but some block it or charge a surcharge). However, there are nuances: the connection speed can be limited to USB ZXPH0003QXXZ (up to 480 Mbit / s), and when using Wi-Fi-hotspot quickly drains.

In this article, we will discuss all working ways of connecting, including hidden settings MIUI, solving problems with drivers on the PC and optimizing traffic consumption. Separately, we will focus on the unique feature “Default modem” in Xiaomi firmware for Russia, which simplifies the setting of USB- connections.

1. Preparation of Xiaomi phone for the distribution of the Internet

Before you connect your phone to your computer, you need to follow several mandatory steps, which will save you from connection problems and ensure stable operation.

First, check for mobile internet on your smartphone. Go to Settings → SIM- Maps and mobile networks and make sure that:

• 📶 Mobile data is enabled (Data transfer – active slider).
• 🌐 Selected the correct APN- profile (usually automatically configured, but some operators, such as Tele2, may require manual input).
• 📱 SIM- card supports data transfer (some tariffs block the distribution of the Internet).

The second is to update the firmware. Older versions of MIUI (below 12) may not have USB or Bluetooth options. You can check the software's relevance at Settings → About Phone → System Update. If a new version is available, install it.

Check the balance and activity of the mobile Internet |

Update your firmware to the latest version of MIUI/HyperOS|

Make sure that the SIM- card supports the distribution (no operator lock)|

Turn it off. VPN (may conflict with the modem)-->

Third, turn off traffic savings and background synchronization. These features can limit speed or interrupt connection. Find them in Settings → Connections and Sharing → Traffic Savings.

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If you use a dual-sim Xiaomi (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro+), select the SIM- card that has better network coverage to distribute, and you can do this in the access point settings or USB- modem.

2. Method 1: Distribution of the Internet via USB (the most stable)

USB connectivity is the best option for most users, providing high speeds (up to 400 Mbps on USB 3.0), minimal battery consumption and no password required, but you need to install drivers on your PC to work.

Step instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your computer through the original USB-cable (cheap cables may not support data transmission).
2. On the phone, in the notification bar, select File Transfer (MTP) or Charge Only (if MTP doesn’t work).
3. Go to Settings → Connections and Sharing → Modem Modem.
4. Activate the slider USB-modem.

If you don't have a network connection on your PC, you don't have drivers. For Windows, you can download them:

• 🔹 Xiaomi official website (the support section for your model).
• 🔹 Through the Mi PC Suite (the program automatically installs drivers).
• 🔹 Manually via Device Manager (select Update Driver → Search on this computer → Install from the list → Standard Modems).

On macOS or Linux, additional drivers are not usually required, but you may need to manually configure the network. On Linux, check the output command:

lsusb | grep -i xiaomi

If the device is determined, but the Internet is not working, do:

sudo dhclient usb0

Method 2: Wi-Fi Access Point (comfortable for multiple devices)

If you want to connect not only a computer, but also a tablet, another phone or Smart TV, use a Wi-Fi hotspot. This method is easier to set up, but consumes the battery of the phone 2-3 times faster than USB.

How to set up:

1. Open Settings → Connections and Sharing → Access Point.
2. Click on the Wi-Fi Access Point setting.
3. Set a network name (SSID) and password (minimum 8 characters).
4. Select a frequency range: 📶 2.4 GHz — better through walls, but slower. 📶 5 GHz — higher speed, but shorter range.

Wi-Fi hotspot

On your computer, connect to the network you have created as a regular Wi-Fi. If the Internet does not appear:

• 🔄 Restart your phone and PC.
• 🔧 Check to see if the antivirus or Windows firewall is blocking the new connection.
• 📱 Make sure your phone doesn't have Flight Mode or Charge Savings enabled.

Through USB|

Through Wi-Fi Hotspot|

Through Bluetooth|

I don't use the handset from my phone-- >

Method 3: Distribution via Bluetooth (for older PCs)

If your computer doesn’t support Wi-Fi or USB, you can use Bluetooth, which is slower than others (30 Mbps maximum), but does not require cables and works even on older laptops.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Bluetooth on your phone and PC.
2. Connect devices: On your phone: Settings → Bluetooth → find the PC in the list. On your PC: confirm the pairing code (usually 0000 or 1234).

Settings → Connections and Sharing → Modem Modem

Bluetooth modem

Control Panel → Devices and printers

Connect to → Access Point

If the connection is interrupted:

• 🔹 Make sure that the distance between the devices is not more than 10 meters.
• 🔹 Disable other Bluetooth devices (earphones, keyboards) that may cause interference.
• 🔹 Update Bluetooth drivers on PC (via Device Manager).

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Bluetooth modem is only suitable for transferring small amounts of data (email checkers, instant messengers). Use USB or Wi-Fi to view videos or download files.

5. Solving Problems: Why Internet Distribution Doesn't Work

Even with the right setup, there can be errors, and let's look at the typical situations and how to fix them.

1 problem: Computer cannot see USB- modem

• 🔌 Check the cable - try another one (original from Xiaomi).
• 🖥️ In Windows Device Manager, check if there is an exclamation point next to the Xiaomi Composite MDB Interface.
• 🔄 Reboot both devices.

Problem 2: Connection is available, but the Internet is not working

• 🌐 Check the balance and activity of mobile internet on your phone.
• 🔧 In the settings APN make sure that the correct profile is indicated (for MTS - Internet.mts.ru, for Beeline - Internet.beeline.ru).
• 🛡️ Turn off VPN or Proxy on PC.

Problem 3: Wi-Fi hotspot shuts down on its own

• 🔋 Connect the phone to charge (at low charge MIUI automatically turns off the access point).
• ⚙️ In the hotspot settings, turn off the option to Disable when inactivity.
• 📴 Check if an antivirus (e.g., Kaspersky) blocks network creation.

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If USB is not stable, try the developer settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – tap 7 times) to enable the USB Debugging option (Safe Mode).

⚠️ Warning: Some operators (e.g. Yota or Tinkoff Mobile) block Internet distribution at unlimited traffic rates. Check your tariff terms or contact support to activate the option.

6. Optimization of traffic and battery consumption

A phone-based Internet service can quickly run out of traffic or drain your battery. Here's how to avoid it:

Reducing traffic consumption:

• 📊 Enable Traffic Counter in Settings → Connections and Sharing to track consumption.
• 🚫 Prohibit background data transfer for unnecessary applications (Settings → Apps → Permissions → Data Transfer).
• 🎵 Turn off automatic app updates in Google Play.

Savings in battery charge:

• 🔋 When given through USB, the phone will slowly discharge (or even charge if the PC is supplying enough current).
• ☀️ When using a Wi-Fi hotspot, turn off the screen and turn off the Autoturn.
• 🔄 If the battery goes down too fast, turn on Economy Mode in the battery settings (but this can slow down internet speeds).

Additional settings for MIUI 14+ and HyperOS:

• 🔧 In Settings → Battery → Performance mode, select Balanced (not High Performance, as this speeds up discharge).
• 📵 Enable Adaptive Battery Savings to Automatically Control Background Activity.

7.Alternative methods: reverse tetering and third-party applications

If the standard methods don't work, you can use alternative solutions, they require more effort, but sometimes they save you in difficult situations.

Reverse Tethering (Reverse Tethering)

This method allows you to connect your phone to the Internet via a PC (for example, if the smartphone does not have a SIM- card, but there is Wi-Fi on the computer).

1. Install ClockworkMod Tether or ReverseTethering NoRoot on PC.
2. Connect your phone via USB and enable debugging via USB.
3. Run the program on PC and follow the instructions.

Third-party distribution annexes

If the built-in MIUI features are unstable, try:

• 📱 PdaNet+ – supports USB and Bluetooth, bypasses carrier locks.
• 📱 FoxFi — creates a Wi-Fi hotspot without root rights (does not work on all Xiaomi models).
• 📱 NetShare is a paid application with support for VPN- mode to circumvent restrictions.

⚠️ Warning: Internet distribution apps may require root access or conflict with antivirus software. Before installing, check reviews for your Xiaomi model (e.g. Redmi Note 11 or POCO X5 Pro).

FAQ: Frequent questions about giving away the Internet with Xiaomi