How to distribute the Internet from the phone Xiaomi: all ways and solutions to problems

Distributing the Internet from a Xiaomi smartphone is one of the most popular features when there is no router at hand or you need to urgently connect a laptop, tablet or other phone to the network. The manufacturer offers several built-in ways to organize an access point, but not all users are aware of their features and limitations. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods of distributing the Internet on Redmi, POCO and Mi devices (including models 2023-2026), as well as typical errors that interfere with stable operation.

It is important to understand that the configuration algorithm may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI (for example, in MIUI 14 and HyperOS, the menu interface has changed). However, the basic principles remain unchanged. If you find that the phone does not give away Wi-Fi or connected devices do not access the network, at the end of this article you will find a table of solutions for 10 of the most common problems.

1. Standard Wi-Fi hotspot: step-by-step setting

It works on all models, from Redmi 4X to Xiaomi 14 Ultra flagships. The main advantage is the high data transfer speed (up to 5 Gbps on devices with Wi-Fi 6/6E) and the ability to connect up to 10 devices at a time (on some firmware the limit is reduced to 5).

To activate the access point:

1. Open Settings → Network and Internet (or Connections and Sharing in HyperOS).
2. Select Access Point and Modem → Mobile Access Point.
3. Activate the Wi-Fi Access Point slider.
4. Click Access Point Settings to Change: 🔐 Name of the network (SSID) — The default phone model is used (for example, Redmi_Note_12_Pro). 🔑 Password minimum 8 symbols (a combination of letters, numbers and characters is recommended). 📶 Frequency range — 2.4 GHz (best compatibility) or 5 GHz (high speed but shorter range).

After saving the settings, other devices will be able to find your network in the list of available Wi-Fi. Please note: if you use mobile Internet (3G/4G/5G), the access point will consume traffic at your operator’s tariff. When you connect to another Wi-Fi network (for example, a home router), the phone will relay its signal without consuming mobile data.

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If you often share the Internet in one place (for example, at work), save the access point settings as "Favorites" in the Wi-Fi Access Point menu, which will allow you to quickly turn it on with one tap on the icon in the notification panel.

USB modem modem: when Wi-Fi is not available

If you are unable to use a wireless network (for example, a broken Wi-Fi module on the device or a more stable connection is required), you can distribute the Internet through the Internet. USB-This method is suitable for connecting to PCs, laptops running Windows, macOS or Linux, as well as some TVs with USB-port.

Instructions for Xiaomi:

1. Connect your phone to your computer using the original USB-TypeC cable (or MicroUSB for older models).
2. In the phone settings go to the Network and the Internet → Access Point and modem.
3. Activate the option. USB-modem.
4. On your computer, wait for the drivers to install (usually 10–30 seconds). On Windows, check the connection to Control Panel → Network Connections – a new Remote NDIS connection should appear.

Advantages USB-modem:

• ⚡ No speed loss – data is transmitted over a wire, without the delays typical of Wi-Fi.
• 🔋 Battery savings – the phone charges while running.
• 🛡️ Security – no risk of interception of traffic, as in open Wi-Fi networks.

Make sure the cable supports data transmission (not all charging cables are suitable)|Put the debugging on. USB in the developer settings (if the computer does not recognize the device)|Update your drivers on PC (especially relevant for Windows) 7/10)|Disable the antivirus – it can block a new network connection-->

Limitation: you can not use a Wi-Fi hotspot or Bluetooth modem simultaneously with a USB-modem - you will have to choose one way.

3. Internet distribution over Bluetooth: for older devices

This method is inferior in speed to Wi-Fi and USB, but can help in two cases:

• 📱 The connected device does not support Wi-Fi (such as some smartwatches or older printers).
• 🔋 You need to save battery power – Bluetooth consumes less power than Wi-Fi.

How to set up:

1. Turn on Bluetooth on both devices.
2. On Xiaomi phone, go to Settings → Connections and Sharing → Access Point and modem.
3. Activate the Bluetooth modem.
4. On the second device, find the phone in the list of available Bluetooth devices and connect (couple confirmation may be required).

The maximum data rate over Bluetooth is 2-3 Mbps (for Bluetooth 5.0), which is enough for instant messengers or mail, but not enough for streaming high-quality video. Also note that some mobile operators block the distribution of Internet via Bluetooth, in which case the notification “No access to the network” will appear.

4. Hidden access point settings in MIUI and HyperOS

The manufacturer hides a few useful options that can improve the stability of the Internet distribution, for example, MIUI 14 and HyperOS have the opportunity to:

• 🔄 Automatic shutdown of the access point in case of inactivity (saves battery power).
• 📊 Speed limit for connected devices (useful if someone eats all traffic).
• 🔒 Filtration by MAC-Addresses (allow connection only to certain devices).

To access these functions:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and tap the MIUI version 7 times.
2. Go back to the basic settings, open Additional → for developers.
3. Find the Network Settings section and enable the option Advanced Access Point Settings.

After that, additional tabs will appear in the Wi-Fi Access Point menu, for example, you can set a traffic limit for each connected device or turn on power saving mode, which will reduce the signal transmission power (useful when traveling).

5 Problems and errors in the distribution of the Internet: how to fix

Even after setting up correctly, Xiaomi users often find that:

• 🚫 Access point is turned on, but devices are not connected.
• 🌐 The connection is available, but the Internet is not working ("Without access to the network").
• 🔄 Distribution speed is extremely low (for example, 0.1 Mbit / s instead of the expected 50 Mbit / s).

The table below contains the most common errors and ways to fix them:

A critical feature for Xiaomi owners based on MediaTek processors (e.g. Redmi Note 11, POCO M5): these chipsets have a hardware limit on the number of connected devices to the access point – a maximum of 5, regardless of the firmware. If you need to connect more gadgets, use an external router in repeater mode (WISP).

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If you don't get the Internet after all the manipulations, try resetting your network settings: Settings → Network & Internet → Additional → Reset your Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth settings. This will delete all saved passwords, but often solve software failures.

6. Alternative ways of distributing the Internet

If the built-in Xiaomi features don’t work or are not suitable, you can use third-party solutions:

1. Internet distribution applications

• 📲 NetShare – allows you to bypass carrier locks (root access is required on some firmware).
• 📲 PdaNet+ — supportive USB/Bluetooth, hides the distribution from the operator.
• 📲 ClockworkMod Tether – optimized for older Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 3S).

Repeater mode (WISP)

If you have a second router (such as the Xiaomi Mi Router), it can be configured as a signal repeater from your phone:

1. Connect the router to the phone’s access point via Wi-Fi.
2. In router settings (192.168.31.1), select WISP or Repeater mode.
3. Enter the data from the phone access point.

This will allow you to connect an unlimited number of devices to the Internet and amplify the signal.

3. Cloud services (for files)

If the goal is to transfer files, rather than give away a full Internet, it is easier to use:

• 📁 Mi Drop (built-in to the MIUI application for transferring files over Wi-Fi Direct).
• 📁 LocalSend – the analogue of AirDrop for Android, does not require Internet.

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HyperOS models (e.g. Xiaomi 13T) have a Quick Access Point feature that automatically turns on the Internet when you connect to a charger. To activate: Settings → Special Features → Quick Settings → Access Point when charging.

7. How to save traffic when giving out the Internet

Mobile Internet can quickly run out of the tariff limit, especially if your network is connected to devices that are updated in the background (for example, Windows or macOS).

On Xiaomi's phone:

• 📊 Set a traffic limit in your settings SIM-maps: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → [Yours. SIM] → Traffic warning.
• ⏳ Turn off the access point automatically after 5-10 minutes of inactivity.
• 🚫 Disable background data transfers for individual applications: Settings → Annexes → Data management.

On the connected device (PC/laptop):

• 🖥️ In Windows, mark the connection as "Limited": Settings → Network and Internet → Wi-Fi → [Your network] → Assign as a limit connection.
• 🍎 On Mac, disable automatic software updates: System settings → Mainstream → Update of the PO.

If you give out Internet frequently on a trip, consider unlimited rates or modem packets. For example, Tele2 has a "Unlimited for Devices" option (from 300). ₽/month), which allows distribution without restrictions.

8. Security in the distribution of the Internet

An open access point is a potential threat to your data, and attackers can:

• 🕵️ Intercept traffic (for example, passwords from social networks, if they are transmitted without any HTTPS).
• 💻 Connect to your network and use it for illegal activities (you as the owner will be responsible for this). SIM-map).
• 📱 Spread viruses to connected devices.

To protect yourself:

1. Always set a complex password (at least 12 characters, with numbers and special signs).
2. Use a VPN on your phone (like ProtonVPN or Windscribe) to encrypt traffic.
3. Turn off the access point when you don’t need it.
4. Turn on the filtering by MAC-Addresses (if available in your firmware).

Legal risk warning: in some countries (e.g. Russia), distributing the Internet from a mobile device to third parties without their knowledge may be considered a violation of the law "On Communications" (Article 13.19 of the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation).

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If you distribute the Internet in a public place (cafe, airport), be sure to turn on the option to Hide SSID in the settings of the access point, which will make your network invisible to random users, and only those who know the exact name (SSID) can connect.

FAQ: Frequent questions about giving the Internet to Xiaomi