In situations where wired internet is unavailable or Wi-Fi is overloaded, a smartphone becomes a lifeline. Owners of Xiaomi and Redmi devices can quickly turn their gadget into a full-fledged Internet source for a laptop or desktop PC. USB-modem, provides more stable connection and lower latency compared to wireless methods.
Using your phone as a router through cable has a number of undeniable advantages: First, it charges the device simultaneously, which is critical for long-term operation; second, it is protected from external interference, which is characteristic of the radio channel. Below we will discuss in detail how to adjust this mode on different versions of the MIUI shell.
Before you start manipulating, make sure that the SIM card is activated mobile Internet and there is a sufficient supply of traffic. USB-A cable that can transmit data, not just charge the battery, and often the problem is that there's a poor wire that can't physically transmit digital signals between devices.
Preparation of the smartphone and checking the settings
The first step is to activate the mobile data transmission on the device itself. Without the mobile Internet enabled, network distribution is technically impossible, since the phone will not have anything to broadcast to the computer. Go into the notification curtain and make sure that the mobile Internet icon is on the active color.
Next, check the access point settings, as in some regions, carriers block the distribution of traffic or require APN settings. Go to the settings menu to make sure that your SIM card settings are correct. This is especially true for unlimited Internet tariffs, where there is often a restriction on TTL or device type.
⚠️ Note: Some mobile operators may additionally charge or block Internet distribution at the network level. Before actively working in modem modem, check the terms of your tariff plan with the provider.
Make sure that the device does not include traffic saving mode, which can limit the background data transfer for the connected PC. Owners of older models should check whether the restriction on background activity for system processes of the network is worth it, this will help to avoid sudden connection breaks at the most inopportune time.
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Use the original cable from the smartphone configuration – cheap analogues often support only charging and do not have the necessary data transfer veins inside.
Activation of the regime USB-Xiaomi modem
Process of incorporation of modem modem in the shell MIUI Or HyperOS is standardized, but it has its own menu layout, so you need to go to the settings section that connects and shares resources. → Connection and sharing → USB-modem.
If you don't see the item «USB-"Modem" immediately, this could mean that the cable is not connected or the computer does not recognize the device. Only after successful handshake of devices the corresponding switch will become active and available for pressing.
☑️ Checking before modem activation
After activating the switch, a notification may appear on the phone screen that the handout is starting. At this time, a new network connection icon should appear in the tray (near the clock), resembling a monitor with a cable, the system will automatically try to receive the device. IP-address and configure gateway parameters.
Setup drivers and fix problems with PC
Windows usually automatically installs the necessary drivers for RNDIS devices, which include Xiaomi smartphones. However, in some cases, especially on older versions of Windows or builds, this process may not go well.
If the automatic installation did not occur, you will need to manually update the device driver through Device Manager. Find an unidentified device or device with a yellow exclamation mark in the list. Right-click, select Update Driver and specify the path to Microsoft's standard drivers or download them from the manufacturer's official website.
| Symptom of the problem | Possible cause | Method of decision |
|---|---|---|
| The phone is just charging. | Faulty cable or port | Replace the cable with Data-Ready, check the USB port |
| No Internet access | Wrong APN settings | Reset the access point settings to default |
| Unstable connection | Interference or overheating | Disable USB power saving, check the temperature |
| The computer can't see the device. | There are no drivers. | Install ADB or RNDIS drivers manually |
In rare cases, you need to manually install the Remote NDIS based Internet Sharing Device Driver. To do this, select “Update Driver” from Device Manager, then “Select a Driver from the list of available drivers on your computer.” In the list of manufacturers, find Microsoft, and in the list of models, find the device mentioned above, which will force the system to use the correct communication protocol.
What to do if drivers are not installed?
Alternative method: Wi-Fi access point
If the cable is not possible or inconvenient, Xiaomi offers a wireless hotspot feature, which allows multiple devices to connect to the Internet at once, creating a local WLAN around them, which can be activated through the notification curtain or in the settings menu in the section "Wi-Fi hotspot".
When setting up wireless distribution, it is critical to set a strong password and choose a modern encryption standard. WPA2-Personal or WPA3 protocol is recommended if your devices support it, this will protect your data from interception and prevent unauthorized access by neighbors to your traffic.
Note that Wi-Fi mode consumes much more power than a wired connection. The battery of the smartphone will discharge faster due to the operation of the radio module at higher power. In addition, with prolonged operation in this mode, it is possible to heat the device body, which can lead to trolling and lower data transfer speed.
Optimization of connection speed and stability
To achieve maximum productivity when working through USB-The modem should pay attention to the choice USB-Connect your smartphone directly to the ports on the motherboard (back of the system unit), bypassing the front panels of the case or USB-hubs without additional power, which will provide stable voltage and better channel capacity.
In the developer options settings (for advanced users), you can try changing the mode USB Although the standard Charging mode usually switches automatically when the modem is turned on, fixing a certain mode can help in the diagnosis. USB-ports in the Windows power scheme so that the system does not turn off the port to save energy.
⚠️ Note: When using a smartphone as a modem for a long time, the device can get very hot. Remove the protective case for better heat sink and do not put the phone on soft surfaces that block (heat sink).
Check the frequency of the network your phone is connected to. If you are in 4G/LTE coverage but the phone is running in 3G mode, the speed will be low. In mobile network settings, select your preferred 4G Only or 5G/4G/3G (auto) network type to ensure you use the fastest available link.
Frequent questions and troubleshooting
Even when set up properly, users can experience the nuances of operating systems and networking equipment, and here are some of the most common questions that come up with mobile Internet services based on Xiaomi devices, which will help quickly restore the network to work without going to the service.
One common problem is that there is no internet connection, often solved by reconnecting the cable or rebooting both devices, and it’s worth checking whether the restriction of traffic in the Security app itself on the phone, which can block background data transmission, is worth checking.
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Stability USB-The modem depends on the quality of the cable and the voltage in the port. USB — Avoid long cheap wires and weak ports.
If none of these methods work, try resetting your network settings on your smartphone, which will return all APN and Bluetooth/Wi-Fi settings to factory values, eliminating possible software conflicts, and after resetting, you will need to re-enter your Wi-Fi password and set up your access point, but this often resolves deep system errors.