Situations where urgent access to the global network is required on a desktop computer or laptop, and a Wi-Fi router is not available, arise quite often. POCO They can use their gadget as a powerful modem, providing a stable connection. USB-A modem is not only a way to access the network, but also the ability to charge the device while working, which is impossible when using a Wi-Fi hotspot.
The speed of data transmission through the cable is generally higher and the latency (ping) is much lower than with a wireless connection, which is critical for video conferencing, online gaming or downloading large files, and the wired connection provides a higher level of security, eliminating the interception of the signal by attackers, which often happens in crowded apartment buildings.
The process of configuring in the MIUI or HyperOS shell is as simple as possible and does not require obtaining superuser rights or installing complex software. A standard cable and a couple of minutes of time are enough. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the stages of connection, possible nuances with drivers on Windows and methods for solving typical errors that may occur in the process.
Advantages of wired connection over Wi-Fi
Use of the USB-The main advantage of Internet cables is that they have a lot of advantages over a traditional access point, and the main thing is that they're stable, and the wired interface is less susceptible to external interference, such as microwaves, neighboring routers, or thick walls. The signal is transmitted directly from the smartphone processor to the computer motherboard.
The second important aspect is energy efficiency: when operating in Wi-Fi mode, the phone is actively heated, since the radio module consumes a significant amount of energy. USB-The modem is powered by the PC at the same time, which avoids critical battery discharge and extends battery life by eliminating deep discharge cycles.
Also worth mentioning is the response speed: For gamers or traders trading from mobile platforms, a delay of 10-15 ms versus 40-50 ms over Wi-Fi can be a crucial factor. The cable provides a direct line of communication, bypassing unnecessary radio signal conversions.
Finally, a wired connection often circumvents the limitations of some carriers that can block or slow traffic going through standard access points (TTLs), although current detection techniques are becoming increasingly complex.
Requirements and equipment preparation
Before starting the procedure, make sure you have a proper USB-It's advisable to use the original accessory that came with the device, or a high-quality analog with data transmission. Cheap "charging only" cables are not suitable, because they do not have the necessary conductors to transmit the signal.
Your computer should have a good one. USB-It is better to connect directly to the motherboard (back of the system unit), especially if you have a fixed PC. USB-Hubs may not provide enough voltage to keep the modem running smoothly. The computer's operating system must be Windows 7 or later, macOS or a Linux distribution.
Check the balance. SIM-maps and internet enabled, make sure that the phone is active on mobile data, and in some cases operators require pre-setting APN, Although for Xiaomi this usually happens automatically when installing a SIM card.
☑️ Checking connection readiness
Step-by-step adjustment USB-Xiaomi modem
The process of activating modem modem on Xiaomi smartphones takes only a few clicks. First, connect the phone to your computer with a cable. If this is the first time, the system may request permission to access data — choose File Transfer or just confirm trust, but this is not always critical for the modem.
Open your smartphone settings. You need to find the wireless section. Depending on the version of the MIUI shell or HyperOS, the path may be slightly different, but the logic remains the same. Go to the Settings menu, then select Connection and Sharing (or Access Point and Modem), and all the network management tools are concentrated here.
Find the switch. USB-If it's inactive (gray), it means that the cable is not connected or the computer can't see the device. Once the cable is connected, the slider will become active. Turn it on. The status bar icon will appear on the phone screen. USB lettering «USB-modem».
What to do if the item USB-modem?
The computer will automatically identify the new network device. Windows will start searching for and installing drivers. This process usually takes 10 to 30 seconds. Once successfully installed in a tray (near the clock), a monitor icon with a cable will appear, meaning an Ethernet connection.
Installation of drivers and solve compatibility problems
On Windows 10 and Windows 11, drivers for Xiaomi are installed automatically through the Update Center. However, on older versions such as Windows 7 or XP, manual intervention may be required. If the computer makes a device connection sound but the Internet does not appear, check Device Manager.
Right-click on "My Computer" and select "Properties," then "Device Manager."Look for "Network Adapters" or "Other Devices." If you see a device with a yellow exclamation mark or the name "Android" or "RNDIS," the driver is not installed. You may need to download the universal Google USB Driver or ADB drivers, although a standard RNDIS driver is often enough for modem.
| computer OS | Do you need a driver? | Probability of success | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows 10/11 | No (auto) | 99% | Installs instantly |
| Windows 7 | Often needed | 85% | RNDIS driver required |
| macOS | No. | 95% | You need Android File Transfer for your files |
| Linux (Ubuntu) | No. | 98% | It works as a network (usb0) |
If the automatic installation fails, try manually updating the driver through Device Manager by selecting "Microsoft USB RNDIS Adapter" from the list of compatible devices. This is the standard protocol that emulates the network card via USB.
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If the driver is not installed, try connecting the cable to another one. USB-port, preferably USB 2.0, as some older motherboards have ports USB 3.0 can be in conflict with phone controllers.
Network setting and connection type in Windows
Once you've successfully connected, Windows will assign a profile to the new network. By default, it can be a "Public Network," which limits your PC's visibility to other devices on the LAN. If you want to share a printer or have access to a file sharing service, for example, you'd better change your profile to "Private Network."
To do this, go to Settings -> Network and Internet -> Ethernet. Click on active connection (usually called "Network" or "Ethernet"). In Network Profile, select Private, which will allow the computer to work correctly with local resources without blocking the necessary ports with the firewall.
It is also worth checking the settings. DNS. Sometimes the mobile operator provides DNS-servers that are slow. You can write in the protocol properties. IPv4 Google addresses (8.8.8.8) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1), To speed up the opening of sites. To do this, in Ethernet properties, select «IP version 4 (TCP/IPv4)», Click on “Properties” and enter preferred DNS-server.
⚠️ Attention: When changing DNS-servers, make sure you enter the correct IP-A single-digit error will result in no internet access at all, even if the modem is connected.
Traffic Limits and Battery Savings
Mobile Internet is rarely unlimited at high speeds. Operators often set a threshold after which the speed drops to a minimum (for example, 64 kbps). When distributed to PCs, traffic is consumed much faster: background Windows updates, cloud storage synchronization and browser preloading pages can “eat” gigabytes unnoticed.
To control your consumption, set up your limit traffic on Windows. Go to Settings -> Network and Internet -> Status -> Change Connection Properties. Enable the Limit Connection option. This will prevent the system from downloading major updates and stop the background synchronization of OneDrive until you connect to Wi-Fi.
On the Xiaomi side of the smartphone, you can also set a limit. The access point and modem menu often have a Traffic or Traffic Restriction function. Set a warning, for example, when using 80% of your package. Also watch the temperature of the case: prolonged Internet distribution, especially when the cell tower signal is bad, makes the modem work to the limit, causing heat.
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Enabling the “Limited Connection” mode in Windows is a critical step that will save your mobile traffic from being spent quietly by system services.
Common Errors and How to Resolve Them
One of the most common problems is when the phone is charging but the modem is not turning on, which almost always indicates a faulty cable. USB-port of the phone with a pile from your pocket - gently clean it with a wooden toothpick.
If your computer says, "No Internet access," even though the network is active, try rebooting the network stack. Open the command line on behalf of the administrator and type in the netsh winsock reset command, then restart the PC. This will reset the network protocol settings that may have conflicted with the new connection.
Another problem is carrier lockdown, and some tariffs prohibit Internet distribution (Tethering). The operator sees TTL (Time To Live) packets: the phone has 64, and the computer has 128 or 255. To circumvent this restriction, on Xiaomi phones with Root rights, you can change the TTL in the system, but this requires deep knowledge and can violate the warranty.
⚠️ Attention: Don't try to change TTL If the device is under warranty, if the software fails after such manipulation, the service center may refuse free repairs.
In rare cases, resetting the network settings on the phone itself helps. Go to Settings -> Connection and Sharing -> Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth. This will return all network settings to factory values by removing stored Wi-Fi passwords, but often solves network logging problems.