How to distribute Internet from a computer to Xiaomi Redmi via USB: full instructions with error solutions

Why do you want to share the Internet over USB and why it is better than Wi-Fi?

Distribution of the Internet from computer to smartphone through USB-cable is one of the most stable and secure ways to connect, especially when it comes to Xiaomi Redmi models, unlike Wi-Fi, where the signal can be interrupted due to interference or weak coverage, USB-Connection provides constant speed without delays, and also saves battery life of the phone, this is true for gamers, streamers or those who work with cloud services, where minimal latency is important.

Another advantage is security. USB-The data is not transmitted by air, which eliminates the risk of interception by attackers, which is especially important if you connect to public networks (for example, in cafes or airports) and want to avoid personal data leaks. Many users face problems when configuring such a connection – from the lack of drivers to errors in Windows settings or MIUI.

In this article, we will break down the step-by-step instructions for all versions of Xiaomi Redmi (including the Redmi Note). 12/13, Redmi 10/11 and older models), consider typical errors and their solutions, as well as alternative methods if USB-The distribution is not working. Let's start with the equipment preparation.

πŸ“Š What Internet Distribution Method Do You Use More Often?
Wi-Fi.
Through USB.
Through Bluetooth.
Mobile Internet (not handing out)

Preparation: what you need to distribute the Internet via USB

Before you start setting up, make sure you have everything you need. Here's the minimum set:

  • πŸ“± Xiaomi Redmi (any model) with unlocked bootloader (if you plan to use alternative methods).
  • πŸ’» Computer or laptop running Windows 7/10/11 (For macOS or Linux, the instructions are different).
  • πŸ”Œ Quality USB-cable (preferably original or with data transfer support, not just charging).
  • πŸ”„ A stable Internet connection on a PC (via Ethernet or Wi-Fi).
  • πŸ› οΈ Xiaomi Drivers (unless Windows has installed them automatically).

Special attention should be paid USB-Many users have a problem when the phone is charging, but it's not defined as a network device, because it's using cheap cables that don't support data transmission, and you can check the cable by connecting it to another device or trying to transfer files.

Also make sure your computer has antivirus or firewalls disabled that can block network connections. e.g. Avast or Kaspersky are sometimes perceived to be USB-scattering.

⚠️ Note: If you connect Xiaomi Redmi to your computer for the first time, unlock your phone screen and confirm your trust in the window that appears. Without this, Windows will not be able to correctly identify the smartphone.

Step 1: Set up a Xiaomi Redmi smartphone for USB-handout

The first thing you need to do is to configure the smartphone itself, and depending on the version of the MIUI, the menu may be slightly different, but the general principle remains the same.

  1. Open the settings on your phone.
  2. Go to About Phone and tap 7 times on MIUI to activate Developer Mode.
  3. Return to the main Settings menu and select Additional β†’ For Developers.
  4. Activate the debugging switch over USB.
  5. In the same menu, find the configuration. USB by default and select File Transfer (MTP) or USB-modem (RNDIS).

The last one is particularly important, because if you choose Charging, the Internet distribution will not work β€” USB-modem (RNDIS), If it is not on the list, leave it. MTP (In this case, Windows itself will offer to install the driver for the network adapter).

Some Redmi models (such as the Redmi Note 10 Pro) may require additional debugging permission confirmation. If a warning window appears, click Allow.

Developer mode is on|Debugging activated USB|Configuration selected USB-modem (RNDIS)|Original connected USB-cable|Phone screen unlocked-->

Step 2: Set up a Windows computer to distribute the Internet

Now, we're going to get to the computer setup, and there are two scenarios: sharing the Internet over Ethernet (wired) or Wi-Fi (if the PC is wireless), and we're going to look at both.

Method 1: Distribution via Ethernet (wired connection)

If your computer is connected to the Internet via cable:

  1. Press Win + R, enter ncpa.cpl and press Enter (Network Connections window will open).
  2. Find a local area network connection (usually called Ethernet) and remember its name.
  3. Connect Xiaomi Redmi via USB. The list will include a new connection – Remote NDIS based Internet Sharing Device.
  4. Right-click on Ethernet, select Properties β†’ Access tab.
  5. Check the box to allow other network users to use the Internet connection of this computer.
  6. In the drop-down list, select Remote NDIS... (your smartphone).
  7. Press OK and reboot network settings (you can just turn off/on Ethernet).

Method 2: Distribution over Wi-Fi (if the PC is wirelessly connected)

If the Internet on your computer is via Wi-Fi:

  1. Open the settings β†’ Network and Internet β†’ Wi-Fi.
  2. Click on your network name and select Properties.
  3. Scroll down and enable the option to Allow other devices to connect via Bluetooth or USB.
  4. Connect Xiaomi Redmi over USB and wait for Windows to set up the connection.

In some cases, Windows 10/11 It may be an error, but it's not possible to share the connection. IP-So the solution is to manually set static. IP for USB-connection:

  1. Open Network Connections (ncpa.cpl).
  2. Right-click on Remote NDIS... β†’ Properties β†’ IP version 4 (TCP/IPv4).
  3. Choose Use the following IP-enter: IP-address: 192.168.137.1 Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0

OK

⚠️ Warning: If the phone doesn't have Internet after setting up, check to see if your antivirus is blocking your connection. For example, Avast can automatically disable network sharing. Add network connectivity to exceptions.

Typical problems with the solution USB-handout

Even if you do everything according to the instructions, there may be errors, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

Problem.Possible causeDecision
The phone is charging, but the internet is not being distributedRNDIS drivers not installedDownload the driver from the official Google website and install manually through Device Manager
Error failed to provide shared accessConflict IP-addresses or firewall lockSet a static IP (see previous section) or turn off the firewall temporarily
USB-connection is constantly brokenFaulty cable or portTry another cable or USB-port (preferably) USB 3.0)
There's a notification on the phone. USB-modem downEnergy saving turns off the connectionTurn off battery optimization for USB settings in Settings β†’ Battery β†’ Battery Optimization

If none of these methods worked, try an alternative method, adb (Android Debug Bridge).

  1. Install ADB on your computer (you can download it here).
  2. Connect the phone and type in the command line: adb shell settings put global tether_dun_required 0
  3. Reboot the phone and reset the handout.

Important: This method only works on stitched or unlocked smartphones. Some Xiaomi Redmi models with MIUI 13/14 may require a rollback to an older firmware version.

What if Windows doesn’t see Xiaomi Redmi as a network device?
If Windows only defines your phone as a Media Device (MTP) and no Remote NDIS appears, follow the following steps: 1. Open Device Manager (Win + X β†’ Device Manager). 2. Find Other Devices or Portable Devices from your Xiaomi Redmi (may appear as ADB Interface). 3. Right-click β†’ Update the driver β†’ Search for drivers on that computer. 4. Select Install from the list of available drivers and manually specify Remote NDIS Compatible Device. 5. If the driver does not install it manually from that site, then download it.

Alternative ways to distribute the Internet on Xiaomi Redmi

If USB-And the distribution doesn't work for some reason, and you can use other methods:

1. Distribution via Bluetooth

Less stable than USB, but easier to set up:

  1. Turn on Bluetooth on your phone and computer.
  2. Connect the devices (confirm the code on the phone).
  3. On PC: Settings β†’ Devices β†’ Bluetooth and other devices β†’ select your Xiaomi Redmi β†’ Connect via β†’ Access Point.

The disadvantage of the method is low speed (usually no more than 3 Mbit / s) and high latency.

2. Distribution via Wi-Fi (reverse thermometer)

If your computer has a Wi-Fi adapter, you can distribute the Internet as from a router:

  1. Press Win + R, enter cmd and execute: netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid=MyHotspot key=12345678 netsh wlan start hostednetwork
  2. Open Network Connections, right-click on your main connection (Ethernet/Wi-Fi) β†’ Properties β†’ Access.
  3. Allow sharing and select the MyHotspot network you created.
  4. On your phone, connect to the MyHotspot Wi-Fi network with a password of 12345678.

This is convenient if you have multiple devices that need the Internet, but it's less secure than USB, because you can intercept the network.

πŸ’‘

If the distribution is USB It is not working properly, try to turn off the energy saving USB-Ports in Device Manager. For this, look in the Controllers section. USB Your root hub, open the properties β†’ Power management and uncheck Allow disconnection of this device to save energy.

Safety in the field USB-Distribution: What you need to know

Distributing the Internet via USB is one of the safest ways, but there are nuances:

  • πŸ”’ Traffic encryption: Unlike Wi-Fi, data is USB They are transmitted without encryption, but they are not broadcast on air, which reduces the risk of interception.
  • πŸ›‘οΈ Malware protection: If there are viruses on your computer, they can get into your phone through USB. Always use an antivirus (such as Dr.Web or Bitdefender).
  • πŸ“΅ Access restriction: When connecting to USB Windows can request access to your phone files. Opt out if you don't plan to transfer data.

If you use it often USB-handout, recommended:

  1. Disable USB debugging after use (for security reasons).
  2. Use a VPN on your computer if you connect to public networks.
  3. Check your phone regularly for viruses (e.g., Google Play Protect).

Some Xiaomi Redmi models (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro+) have a Private DNS feature in MIUI 14 that further encrypts traffic.

  1. Go to Settings β†’ Connections and Sharing β†’ Private DNS.
  2. Select the host name of the private provider DNS and enter dns.google or 1dot1dot1dot1.cloudflare-dns.com.

πŸ’‘

USB-It's safer than Wi-Fi, but it requires you to monitor the devices you're connecting. USB After use and avoid connecting to untested PCs.

FAQ: Frequent questions about giving out the Internet on Xiaomi Redmi

My Xiaomi Redmi is not defined as a network device. What do I do?
The problem is usually due to the lack of a driver. RNDIS. Download it from the official Android site and install it manually through Device Manager. USB-cable.
The Internet is handed out, but the pages don't open. What's the matter?
This may be due to DNS settings. Try manually prescribing DNS on your phone: Open Settings β†’ Connections and Sharing β†’ Private DNS. Enter 8.8.8.8 (Google DNS) or 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare). Reboot your phone.
Can I distribute the Internet from MacBook to Xiaomi Redmi via USB?
Yes, but the process is different from Windows. You will need: Install Android File Transfer and HoRNDIS (driver for Windows). USB-Include the General Internet in System settings β†’ Sharing. USB-The modem in the phone settings. Detailed instructions for macOS can be found here.
Why is USB Internet Speed Lower than Wi-Fi?
It's okay: USB 2.0 is limited to speeds of up to 480 Mbps, but the real speed depends on: Cable quality (cheap cables can limit speed); computer load (if the PC slows, the speed drops). USB-port (USB 3.0 faster than 2.0. Use the original cable and port for maximum speed USB 3.0 (blue).
Do you need root rights for USB-handout?
No, root is not required for standard distribution, but if you want to use alternative methods (e.g., via adb), you may need superuser rights on some firmware.