How to connect a USB modem on a Xiaomi phone

Situations where the built-in smartphone communication module is not enough to work or requires stable Internet in the area of poor coverage, are quite common. POCO This problem can be easily solved by connecting the external USB-It's a modem through a charging port, and it turns the phone into a full-fledged router or a terminal for high-speed Internet.

To implement such a scheme, you will need a modem itself (3G or 4G/LTE) and a special adapter known as OTG-Modern Chinese brand smartphones typically have built-in external support. USB-It is important to understand that not all modem models are compatible with Android without installing additional drivers.

In this article, we will take a detailed look at all the stages of connection: from checking support. OTG prior to the introduction of specific commands APN. You will learn how to make your device work in Ethernet over mode USB How to use it as a standard source of mobile traffic SIM-The operator card is not inserted into the phone itself.

Checking OTG support and equipment compatibility

The first step before buying accessories is to make a convincing test of the technical capability of your smartphone. The vast majority of modern Xiaomi models support On-The-Go technology, which allows a Micro-USB or USB Type-C port to operate in host mode.

To make sure that you're compatible, you can use specialized applications from the Google Play store, like the USB OTG Checker, which will instantly tell you if your device's power controller is capable of sending 5 volts to an external port, and without that voltage, the modem simply won't turn on.

It is also critical to make sure that your USB-The modem does not require external power, smartphones are not designed to power power power-intensive devices, if the modem has the ability to connect an additional power source or it has a low power consumption (class). LTE Cat 4 and below, the chances of success are maximum.

⚠️ Attention: Using cheap adapters without a power controller can lead to voltage surges. This can cause the charging controller on the phone motherboard to fail.

Necessary components and preparation for connection

To successfully organize the connection, you will need to assemble a minimum set of equipment. The main element is the modem itself, which must be separated from the specific operator or work with your own device. SIM-The locking system IMEI This is often the case, so check the status of the device in advance.

The second key element is quality. OTG-Cheap Chinese cables often have poor insulation and thin wires, causing voltage to drop under load. 4G-modem, which at times of peak load consumes up to 500 mA, you need a wire with a cross-section lived at least 28 AWG.

The third component is SIM-Insert it into the modem before you connect to the phone. Some models require pre-configuring via the computer, in particular, changing the modem only to modem modem + CD-ROM", If the automatic switching does not occur.

Physical Connection and Primary Diagnosis

The physical connection process is quite simple, but requires a certain sequence of actions to avoid device definition errors. SIM-card in the modem slot before the characteristic click. Make sure the card is installed correctly, according to the scheme on the case.

Then plug in. OTG-cable to the smartphone charging connector. Then insert gently USB-The modem to the free port of the adapter. Android system must respond with an audible signal or vibration to alert you of the connection of a new one. USB-device.

If the LED lights on the modem body are on, if the network light is on (usually blue or green), then the device is powered and trying to log in to the operator's network. If only the power indicator is on, but there is no network signal, you may need to manually adjust the device. APN or PIN-code.

Setting up an APN access point on Android

The most difficult step is to configure the access point parameters, and even if the phone has identified the modem as a network device, without the right APN (Access Point Name) settings, the Internet will not work, and this data is unique to each carrier.

You need to go to the settings menu. The path may vary depending on the shell version. MIUI or HyperOS, but it usually looks like this: → SIM-maps and mobile networks → (Choose. SIM-modem) → Access points (APN). You need to create a new point or edit an existing one.

In the menu that opens, fill in the fields according to your operator's data. Usually, just enter a name (any) and an access point (APN). The remaining fields are often left empty or filled in automatically. After saving, be sure to activate the created point by selecting it with a radio button.

Once you've entered, restart your phone. This is a must, because the modem driver has to reinitialize the connection with the updated settings. If done correctly, the status bar will have an icon. 4G or LTE near-icon SIM-map.

Ethernet over USB mode

In some cases, the standard modem modem doesn’t work, especially with devices that the computer sees as a network card (RNDIS or ECM For such cases, Android has a hidden or explicit function "Ethernet over". USB". It allows you to interpret. USB-modem as a wired network connection.

To activate this modem, plug in the modem and go to Settings → Connected Devices → USB. If the system supports this mode, you will see the option "USB Ethernet". Enabling this option will redirect all Internet traffic through an external adapter, ignoring the built-in module.

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If standard methods fail to enable Ethernet, try installing a USB Tunnel or PPP Widget application that can emulate a network connection via a serial modem port.

This method is often more stable for Huawei and ZTE modems running in HiLink mode, in which case the connection is controlled through the web interface of the modem itself, available at, for example, 192.168.8.1, and the phone simply receives a ready-made Internet channel.

⚠️ Note: When using Ethernet mode, make sure that the Wi-Fi settings turn off the “Switch to Mobile Internet” function, otherwise the phone may start to consume internal traffic. SIM-time-breaking USB-linkage.

Solution: drivers and connection errors

A common problem is the lack of the necessary drivers in the Android kernel. Unlike Windows, where drivers are installed automatically, in Android they must be sewn in by the manufacturer. If the modem is defined as an unknown device or only as a drive, you may need a control app. USB-modems, such as"USB Modem Manager".

Another common mistake is the incorrect format. PIN-If you're on SIM-The card has security, the system can request the code when it's connected, and entering the wrong code will block the card three times. PUK-code only if the card is already blocked, not the usual PIN.

It's also worth checking the energy saving settings. Aggressive algorithms MIUI may turn off power USB-port to save battery if the screen is turned off. Add the Settings app or dispatcher USB The battery optimization exceptions list.

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Stability of work USB-The modem is 80% dependent on quality. OTG-cable and sufficiency of voltage issued by the smartphone battery at the moment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)