The modern smartphone has long ceased to be just a means of communication, becoming a full-fledged control center for the digital space. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices often face the need to provide access to the network to other gadgets, whether it is a colleague’s laptop, a friend’s tablet or a second phone. The traffic distribution function, known as modem modem, is built into the shell of MIUI and HyperOS by default, but its proper use requires understanding the nuances of setting.
There are several ways to transmit a signal: via Wi-Fi, USB-Each of these has its own advantages depending on the situation, for example, the wireless method is convenient for several devices at once, and wired provides maximum stability and speed without loss. It is also important to consider that the active distribution of data significantly affects the autonomy of the smartphone, so knowing the subtleties of energy saving will not be superfluous.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the algorithms for activating the access point, setting the network name and password, and also pay attention to hidden functions that allow you to optimize the process. You will learn how to avoid typical connection errors and why some devices may not see your network.
Preparation of the smartphone and checking network settings
Before you activate the giveaway mode, you need to make sure that the Xiaomi smartphone itself works correctly with the mobile Internet. Often users try to turn on the access point, forgetting to check whether mobile traffic is activated in principle. Go into the notification curtain and make sure that the 4G or 5G icon is on. If the Internet on the device itself does not work, it is technically impossible to distribute it to other gadgets.
The next step is to check the balance or availability of available gigabytes in your plan. Some carriers block the possibility of using a smartphone as a router unless it is provided by the tariff, or charge an additional fee. To avoid unpleasant surprises, it is recommended to check the conditions with the provider in advance, and it is also worth checking whether the mode is activated Traffic Savings, which can limit background data transfer.
The battery charge is important. The process of distributing the Internet, especially through Wi-Fi, puts a high load on the processor and radio module, which leads to a quick discharge. If you plan a long session, you better connect the device to the power source. Otherwise, the phone can automatically turn off the access point when you reach a critical charge level to keep the main system running.
⚠️ Attention: With active Internet distribution, the smartphone can get significantly warmer. If you feel that the device body has become too hot, stop using or remove the protective case for better heat sink. Prolonged overheating can shorten the battery life.
Make sure your device has the latest firmware installed. Older versions of MIUI may have had bugs affecting connection stability. You can check for updates from Settings → About Phone. Sometimes security patches and network improvements come with a system update, which solves compatibility issues with new communication standards.
☑️ Pre-launch checks
Activation of Wi-Fi hotspot on Xiaomi
The most popular and versatile way to share the Internet is to create a wireless network. You first need to go to the settings menu. On modern Xiaomi smartphones, the path usually looks like this: Settings → Access Point and modem → Wi-Fi Access Point. In some versions of the shell, this item may be called simply "Access Point." Here you will see a switch that you need to activate.
Before you turn on the mode, you should set your security settings. Click on your network name or "Setting up the access point." Here you can change the SSID (network name) to be different from the standard "Mi-Note" or "Redmi", which will make it easier to search among the many signals in public places. It is also critical to set a strong password using WPA2 PSK or WPA3 encryption so that outsiders can not use your traffic.
Once you have set the settings, go back a step and turn on the access point switch. The smartphone will start broadcasting. On the receiving device (laptop or tablet), you need to open a list of available Wi-Fi networks, find a given name and enter a password. Usually the connection occurs within a few seconds. If the device does not see the network, try turning off and turn on Wi-Fi on the receiving gadget.
The same menu also has Traffic Limitation, which allows you to set a data limit, and then the access point will automatically shut down, which is a useful option if you're worried about packet megabytes, you can set a limit in megabytes or gigabytes, and you can also choose a period of validity, for example, daily or monthly.
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Use the 5 GHz band to distribute the Internet if the receiving device is nearby, which will provide a higher data rate, although the signal range will be less than 2.4 GHz.
Setting up USB-modem and Bluetooth connections
It is not always convenient or safe to use wireless data. In situations where maximum stability is required or where the battery power of the receiving device is saved, the connection via the wireless device is ideal. USB-This method also allows you to charge your smartphone at the same time, which solves the problem of fast discharge. To do this, you need a good cable that can transmit data, not just current.
Connect Xiaomi smartphone to your computer via USB-Port. Then go to the Settings menu. → Access point and modem"USB-The modem will become active (it may have been gray and unavailable before). Turn it on. The computer recognizes the new network connection as if you were connecting a regular Ethernet cable. Drivers for this mode are built into most modern operating systems, including Windows. 10/11 macOS.
The alternative is Bluetooth. This method is much slower than Wi-Fi and USB, but consumes less power. It is suitable for transferring small amounts of data or working with messengers when other methods are not available. To set up, you need to pair devices via Bluetooth menu, and then in the settings of the access point on the phone to enable a "Bluetooth modem". On the computer in the settings of Bluetooth devices, you need to select your phone and click "Connect via → Access Point".
| Parameter | Wi-Fi Access Point | USB-modem | Bluetooth PAN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed. | High (up to 100+ Mbps) | Maximum (depending on the port) | Low (up to 2-3 Mbps) |
| Battery consumption | High-pitched | Charging the phone | Low. |
| Number of devices | Up to 10 (usually) | 1 | 1 |
| Stability | Medium (depending on interference) | Tall. | Medium |
Advanced settings and optimization of MIUI
The MIUI shell and the new HyperOS offer a number of advanced features that often go unnoticed. One is frequency range tuning. The access point menu can choose between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. The 2.4 GHz range has a longer range and penetrates walls better, but it is often overloaded with neighborhood routers. The 5 GHz range provides a clean channel and high speed, but over a short distance.
Another useful feature is SSID hiding. If you activate the Hide Device option, your network will not appear in the general list of available connections on other gadgets. To connect, you will need to manually enter the network name on the receiving device, which adds an additional layer of security, since random users will not see your access point, although this is not a full-fledged protection against hacking.
Smartphone owners with two SIM-The cards can choose which SIM card to use to distribute the Internet, and this setting is directly in the access point menu, which is convenient if one card is out of traffic and the other has unlimited packet. The switching happens instantly without the need to restart the device or retrieve the cards.
⚠️ Note: Some carriers are able to determine the distribution of traffic by value TTL (If the Internet on the connected laptop is not working, although everything on the phone is loading, it is possible that the operator blocks the distribution. TTL in the engineering menu or use of special applications, but this may violate the terms of the contract with the operator.
Also worth paying attention to is the "No Password" feature (not recommended), which allows you to connect to your network without entering a security key. Use this mode only in extreme cases and only with trusted devices, as anyone in range will be able to connect to your Internet and potentially intercept unencrypted data.
The solution: why the Internet is not being handed out
Despite the ease of setup, users may encounter problems, and one of the most common is that the device sees the network but does not connect or writes, "Failed to get a message." IP-In this case, try to forget the network on the receiving device and reconnect, and temporarily disabling the antivirus or firewall on the computer, which may block the new connection, also helps.
If there is internet on the connected device, but the pages do not load, check the settings. DNS. Try prescribing static DNS-Addresses (e.g. from Google: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) in the Wi-Fi settings on the receiving gadget. Sometimes it helps to reboot the radio module: turn on flight mode for 10 seconds, and then turn it off.
Problems can arise from a crowded list of connected devices. In the settings of the access point on Xiaomi, there is a list of connected users. If you see unfamiliar devices there, immediately change the password and block access. The connection limit is usually 10 devices, but with a large number of customers, the speed for each will be extremely low.
What to do if the 4G icon is on, but there is no Internet?
In rare cases, the problem lies in the software failure of the Android system itself. Network settings reset will help. Go to Settings → Connection and Sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth. Note that this action will remove saved passwords from Wi-Fi networks and Bluetooth pairing, but will not affect your personal files and photos.
Safety and saving of charge during distribution
Using a smartphone as a router is always a trade-off between convenience and resources. To minimize the negative impact on the device, try not to keep the access point on all the time. Set a shutdown timer if such a feature is available in your firmware version, or simply turn off the mode manually immediately after use.
Data security comes first. Never use open networks without passwords in public places. Attackers can create a fake hotspot with a similar name to connect to, or infiltrate your connection. Always use WPA2/WPA3 encryption and complex passwords containing letters, numbers and special characters.
Watch the temperature of the case. If you distribute the Internet over Wi-Fi in the navigator during the trip, the phone can overheat due to the combination of GPS, screen and modem. In such cases, it is better to use a wired connection or turn off the smartphone screen after you start handing out, you can also reduce the brightness of the screen and turn off the background synchronization of unnecessary applications.
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Optimal use case: include USB-Laptop modem to charge your phone at the same time, and use Wi-Fi hotspot only for short-term tablet or guest phones connection.
Check the list of connected devices in the access point menu regularly, so you can control who is using your traffic, and if you notice a slowdown or a strange activity, changing your password will solve the problem. Remember that you are responsible for the actions you take with you. IP-address.