How to give away the Internet with Xiaomi Mi 8: the complete guide

Modern smartphones like the Xiaomi Mi 8 have long since ceased to be just a phone caller and become full-fledged control centers of the digital world. One of the most popular features that flagship owners use is the ability to share mobile Internet with other gadgets. This is especially true in travel, business trips or situations where the home provider is temporarily unavailable. The device can work as a full-fledged wireless router, providing a stable connection for laptops, tablets or friends’ phones.

The MIUI modem activation process is quite convenient, but there are many nuances that not all users are aware of, such as how the signal frequency or security standard they choose directly affects data rate and compatibility with older devices. In addition, the Internet distribution significantly affects power consumption, which requires special attention to battery settings. Understanding these processes will allow you to use the potential of the smartphone as efficiently as possible.

In this article, we will take a closer look at all the ways to organize your network through the Xiaomi Mi 8.We will not just go through the menu items, but also look at hidden features such as limiting traffic for guests and setting up a customized service. USB-You'll learn how to avoid common connection errors and how to optimize your system so that your smartphone doesn't overheat when you're under high load. Get ready to turn your gadget into a powerful tool to work anywhere in the world.

Basic setting of the Wi-Fi access point

First, you need to activate the handout function itself. Xiaomi Mi 8 owners should lower the notification curtain from top to bottom and find the Access Point icon. If it's not on the first screen, click the edit button (usually a pencil or three dots) and drag the item to a prominent place. The alternative path lies through the main menu: go to Settings → Wi-Fi Access Point. This is the main switch that triggers the network creation process.

But just turning on is just the tip of the iceberg. To keep your data safe, it's critical to set up security settings. By default, the system may offer a standard password, but it's better to change it to a complex combination of letters and numbers. Go to the access point settings menu and select the WPA2 PSK encryption type. It's a modern standard that reliably protects transmitted packets from being intercepted by malicious users in public places.

The Xiaomi Mi 8 supports two bands: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. The first option provides greater range and compatibility with older devices, but has a lower speed. The second range, 5 GHz, offers high data rate, but the signal range will be smaller, and some older laptops may not see it. The choice depends on your current needs and environment.

It is important to consider that when you activate the distribution system will automatically turn off the Wi-Fi reception if it was turned on to access the network. A smartphone can not simultaneously receive Internet over Wi-Fi and distribute it, unless special third-party applications or root rights are used. So make sure that you have a stable signal of the cellular network before connecting heavy devices to the phone.

Advanced settings and traffic restrictions

The MIUI shell provides users with advanced control tools that often remain hidden in the depths of the menu. One of the most useful features is setting a traffic limit. This prevents situations where you unexpectedly go into a deep negative in your account due to downloading updates on a connected laptop. To set this up, go to the traffic restriction section inside the access point menu.

Here you can set a daily or monthly limit in megabytes or gigabytes. When the threshold is reached, the Internet will automatically stop and you will receive a notification. You can only allow connection to specific gadgets by their MAC-Blocking access to all others, even if they know the password.

Another important parameter is Network Name Hiding (SSID). If you activate this option, your Xiaomi Mi 8 will broadcast the signal, but will not “glow” in the list of available networks on other devices. To connect, the user will have to manually enter the network name and password in the Wi-Fi settings of his gadget. This adds an additional level of privacy, making your network invisible to casual passers-by.

⚠️ Attention: Use of the concealment function SSID This option can lead to increased battery consumption on connected devices, as they will have to constantly search for the network in active mode.

Remember the timer. In the access point settings, you can set an automatic shutdown if no device is connected to the network for 1, 5 or 10 minutes, which saves battery power if you forgot to turn off the modem after use.

Distribution of Internet via USB and Bluetooth

It's not always the best solution to have a wireless connection, and in some cases, you need to have the most stable communication channel with minimal delays, or you need to charge your smartphone while you're working. USB-To activate it, connect the Xiaomi Mi 8 to your computer using a high-quality Type-C cable. In the access point menu, select the item «USB-modem».

The computer recognizes the phone as a new network device, and the advantage of this method is that the smartphone simultaneously receives power from the port. USB, This is a way to offset the energy costs of data transmission. USB-cables are generally taller and more stable than Wi-Fi, as interference from other wireless networks and microwave ovens is eliminated.

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Use the original cable or certified analogue with data support. Cheap “charging only” cables will not be able to transmit the Internet signal to the computer, and the modem modem simply does not activate.

Bluetooth modem is an older and slower method that only makes sense in emergency cases when the Wi-Fi adapter on your computer is faulty. USB-The transmission speed here is limited by Bluetooth and rarely exceeds 2-3 Mbit / s. To activate, you need to connect the devices via Bluetooth, and then turn on the corresponding switch in the menu of the access point on the phone.

It's worth noting that USB-connected Windows computers may require drivers, which MIUI typically installs automatically, but in corporate networks with tight constraints, this can be challenging, and in these cases, wireless is often more versatile.

Battery optimization and heating management

The access point mode is one of the most resource-intensive processes for a smartphone. The radio module works in a high-speed mode, constantly transmitting and receiving data packets, which leads to significant heating of the case. Xiaomi Mi 8, with its glass back cover, can significantly heat up in the hands, which in the long run affects the state of the battery.

To minimize heat exposure, try not to cover your phone during the handout. USB-Modem, put the device on a hard surface, such as a table, to provide heat sink, it is also recommended to reduce the brightness of the screen or turn it off altogether, since the display is an additional source of heat.

In the battery settings, you can check which applications consume the most power. Sometimes background processes interfere with the normal operation of the modem. Close heavy games or navigation applications if they are not needed at the moment. This will free up the CPU resources to process network requests.

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The most effective way to distribute in terms of battery health and speed stability is to use the USB-cable, as it eliminates signal loss through the air and provides power.

Solving Connection Problems

Users often face a situation where devices see the network but can not connect, or the connection is there and the Internet does not work. First of all, check whether mobile data is enabled on the Xiaomi Mi 8 itself. Without an active Internet from the operator, the phone will create a local network, but there will be no access to the outside world.

The second common problem is conflict. IP-Addresses or overflows of the list of connected customers. In the access point settings, try changing the network name (SSID) In Latin, removing special characters, and resetting the network settings helps: go to Settings. → Connection and sharing → Resetting your Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth settings, it won't delete your personal data, but it will return network settings to factory values.

If the Internet is flying on your phone, but it's slowing down on your connected laptop, try changing the channel in the access point settings. 2.4 GHz bands are often a lot of interference from neighboring routers. Switching to channel 1, 6 or 11 can dramatically improve things. There's less interference in the 5 GHz range, but there's some nuances about wall penetration.

⚠️ Note: If after all the manipulations the Internet did not appear, check the status of the service with your mobile operator. Some tariff plans block the possibility of distributing the Internet (Tethering) or require a separate payment for this option.

Sometimes the problem is in DNS-In the advanced settings of the access point, you can prescribe static DNS, This often helps if the provider is slow to respond to queries or has its own domain name problems.

Security and protection of personal data

When you give away the Internet, you become the administrator of your own mini-network, which imposes a responsibility for security. Never use open networks without a password in public places. Attackers can use protocol vulnerabilities to intercept your unencrypted data, even if you're just giving away the Internet.

Check the list of connected customers in the hotspot menu regularly. If you see a device you don't know, lock it immediately and change your password. The MAC-address lock function in MIUI works effectively and prevents "uninvited guests" from reconnecting.

Also worth remembering about the software: Make sure your Xiaomi Mi 8 has the latest available firmware version installed. System updates often contain security patches that close security holes in network modules. Ignoring updates can make your phone vulnerable to Wi-Fi attacks.

Remember, security is a set of measures: Using a complex password, turning off the access point when it is not needed, and paying attention to the list of connected devices is the key to calming down the digital space.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)