How to give away the Internet with Xiaomi Mi8: all ways and solutions to problems

Xiaomi Mi8 is still a popular device thanks to its powerful hardware and support for custom firmware. But even on stock MIUI, users often have difficulty setting up Internet distribution — the access point does not turn on, then turns off after a minute, then the devices do not connect. In this article, we will discuss all the working ways to distribute Wi-Fi from the Mi8, including hidden settings and bypassing manufacturer restrictions.

The Mi8 was a feature of his age: it was released in 2018, and since then Xiaomi has changed the logic of the Internet distribution module several times, for example, new versions of MIUI 12+ have automatic disabling of the access point when inactivity, and in some regional firmware and removed the option “Modem Modem” altogether, we tested all methods on current versions of the software and selected those that work stably.

It is important that you use it. Mi8 with custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience), some of the instructions may not fit - in such cases, the handout is configured through standard Android settings. ADB — It is universal for any firmware.

1. Standard method: configure the access point via the menu

The most obvious method is to use the built-in Modem feature, but on the Mi8 it may be hidden or not work properly due to Xiaomi's policy (especially on Chinese firmware).

1. Open Settings → Connections and Sharing → Modem Modem.
2. Slip on the Wi-Fi Access Point (if there is no item, see the ADB section).
3. Give me the name of the network (SSID), Password (minimum 8 characters) and select a frequency range: 📶 2.4 GHz – Better for older devices, but slower; 📶 5 GHz is faster, but not all gadgets support; 📶 Automobile — Mi8 You will choose the optimal range.

Activate the Wi-Fi Access Point slider.

If the access point is immediately turned off after switching on, check:

• ⚡ Battery charge - below 20% MIUI may block the distribution;
• 🔄 Rebooting your phone – sometimes helps to reset temporary errors;
• 📱 Regional firmware - on Chinese versions MIUI function can be disabled (solution – change of region through Settings) → Additionally. → Region).

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware Mi8 The access point automatically shuts down after 5-10 minutes of inactivity. To avoid this, install any application to maintain activity (for example, Keep Alive from Google Play).

Mobile Internet is enabled and stable

Battery charged at more than 30%

There's no active phone on it. VPN-compound

Power saving mode is off.-->

2. Internet distribution through USB (USB-tetring)

If Wi-Fi is unstable, you can distribute the Internet over the Internet USB-This is a more reliable method, because it's free of interference and constraints. MIUI. Suitable for connecting laptops or PCs.

Instructions:

1. Connect the Mi8 to your computer via the original cable (importantly, cheap cables may not be transmitting data).
2. In the phone, select File Transfer (MTP) mode (a notification will appear when you connect).
3. Go to Settings → Connections and Sharing → Modem Modem.
4. Activate. USB-modem.

On the computer:

• 🖥️ Windows: the Internet should turn on automatically. If not, check Network Adapters in Device Manager (Remote should appear) NDIS).
• 🐧 Linux: You may need to manually configure via nmcli or ifconfig.
• 🍎 MacOS: It usually works without additional steps.

⚠️ Note: On some versions of Windows 10/11 driver Mi8 Solution: download official Xiaomi drivers from the site MIUI Download (Driver section).

Advantages USB-tetring:

• ⚡ Faster than Wi-Fi (up to 300 Mbps vs. 150 Mbps at 2.4 GHz);
• 🔋 Less battery consumption;
• 🛡️ Safer – No risk of connecting third-party devices.

Wi-Fi access point

USB-tetring

Bluetooth

Party of annex

Not using.-->

3. Distribution via Bluetooth (slow but economical)

If you want to share the Internet on one device (for example, a tablet or another phone) and the speed is not critical, Bluetooth tetring is suitable. This method uses minimal energy, but is limited in speed - a maximum of 3-5 Mbps.

How to set up:

1. Turn on Bluetooth on both devices.
2. Pair the Mi8 with the target gadget (enter the same confirmation code).
3. On Mi8, go to Settings → Connections and Sharing → Modem Modem.
4. Activate the Bluetooth modem.
5. On the second device in Bluetooth settings, select the Internet connection via Mi8.

Limitations of the method:

• 🐢 Low speed – suitable only for messengers and easy surfing;
• 🔋 Minimum battery consumption – can be used for up to 10 hours without recharging;
• 📱 It only works with one device at a time.

If the connection is not established:

• 🔄 Reboot both devices;
• 📱 Remove the pairing and perform it again;
• 🛠️ Update. MIUI up to the latest version (old firmware have Bluetooth bugs).

4. circumventing MIUI restrictions through ADB (for experienced)

On some firmware Mi8 The access point feature is hidden or blocked, due to Xiaomi’s policy, which restricts Internet distribution on Chinese and some global versions. MIUI. The solution is to unlock the function through ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/MacOS;
• 🔌 USB-cable (original);
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on Mi8;
• 🛠️ Utility. ADB (download from the official website).

Step-by-step:

1. On your phone, turn on Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times to activate the developer mode).
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Connect the Mi8 to your computer and select File Transfer mode.
4. Open the command prompt (cmd on Windows or Terminal on Mac/Linux) and go to the folder with ADB.
5. Enter the commands in turn: adb devices (should appear serial number of yours). Mi8) adb shell settings put global tether_dun_required 0 adb shell settings put global tether_entitlement_required 0
6. Reboot your phone. After that, the Wi-Fi hotspot should appear on the menu.

⚠️ Attention: After update MIUI setting ADB You'll have to repeat the procedure. To avoid this, create a tasker script to automatically apply the commands after the reboot.

5. Third-party applications for distribution of the Internet

If standard methods don't work, you can use apps from Google Play. They bypass the restrictions. MIUI, but require root rights or ADB-We'll have teams to work on.-3 tested:

How to set up NetShare (the most versatile option):

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Connect. Mi8 The command is: adb shell settings put global tether_dun_required 0
3. Start NetShare and select the Wi-Fi Hotspot mode.
4. Set up the network name and password (you can use Cyrillic).
5. Connect devices – the access point will work even if the standard function is blocked.

Important: some mobile operators (such as MTS or Beeline) block the distribution of the Internet through third-party applications, in which case only changing the APN or using a VPN will help.

💡

If the access point is unstable, try changing the Wi-Fi channel manually. To do this, select Advanced Settings → Channel in NetShare and set a static channel (for example, 6 or 11 for 2.4 GHz).

6. Solving Internet Distribution Problems

Even after you set up correctly on the Mi8, you can still get errors, and let’s look at the most common ways to fix them:

If nothing helps, check:

• 📶 Mobile network signal – with weak coverage, the distribution will be unstable;
• 🔧 Settings APN — You must be in accordance with your operator (list of current ones). APN You can find it on the provider’s website);
• 🔄 Updates MIUI — In new versions, bugs with the distribution of the Internet are often corrected.

💡

If the distribution of the Internet is blocked by the operator, the only reliable way to bypass is to use a VPN on a device that connects to the access point.

FAQ: Frequent questions about giving the Internet on the Mi8