Introduction: Why give the Internet over Bluetooth
Modern Xiaomi smartphones support several ways to distribute the Internet: via Wi-Fi, USB The latter option is often left in the shadows, although it has its unique advantages, such as Bluetooth giving away battery power compared to a Wi-Fi point, and also does not require additional cables, as in the case of the Bluetooth distribution. USB-modem.
This is especially true for laptops without a built-in Wi-Fi adapter or when you need to connect under strict wireless restrictions. However, Bluetooth connections have their own nuances: data speeds will be lower than Wi-Fi, and setting up requires more steps. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to properly configure the distribution of the Internet from Xiaomi to a laptop via Bluetooth, which models support this feature, and how to avoid typical errors.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Internet Distribution via Bluetooth
Before you go to the setup, it is worth assessing the pros and cons of this method. Bluetooth connection is not suitable for all tasks, but in some cases it becomes the optimal solution.
Main advantages:
- π Battery savings β Bluetooth consumes significantly less power than a Wi-Fi point.
- π No wires β no need to connect the cable USB, What is convenient for tablets or ultrabooks with a limited number of ports.
- π‘οΈ Security β Bluetooth connection is harder to intercept than an open Wi-Fi network.
- π± Universality β works even on laptops without a Wi-Fi adapter (with a Bluetooth module).
Disadvantages that should be considered:
- π’ Low speed β the maximum data rate over Bluetooth 5.0 is about 2 Mbps, which is not enough to watch high-quality video or download large files.
- π Connection instability β when devices are separated from each other by more than 10 meters, communication may be interrupted.
- π΅ Limited compatibility β not all laptops and smartphones support Bluetooth PAN (Personal Area Network).
If you need to check your email quickly, download lightweight web pages, or use instant messengers, Bluetooth is perfect. USB.
What Xiaomi models support the distribution of Internet via Bluetooth
The Bluetooth Internet sharing feature is available on most modern Xiaomi smartphones, but there are nuances. PAN (Personal Area Network or DUN (Dial-Up Networking: These protocols are responsible for transmitting network data over Bluetooth.
List of supported series (starting in 2018):
- π± Xiaomi Mi 8/9/10/11 and their modifications (Pro, Lite, SE).
- π± Redmi Note 7/8/9/10/11 newer models.
- π± POCO F1/F2/F3/F4 and other linear devices POCO.
- π± Xiaomi 12/13/14 and their versions (Pro, Ultra, T, and T).
- π± Redmi K20/K30/K40/K50 and their modifications.
On older models (e.g. Redmi) 5A or Mi A1) To check for support, go to the Bluetooth settings on your phone and see if there is an Internet access or Network connection.
How to find out the Bluetooth version on Xiaomi?
Important: Even if your smartphone supports Bluetooth distribution, your laptop should also have a compatible Bluetooth adapter (version 4.0 and higher).
Step-by-step: how to distribute the Internet from Xiaomi to a laptop via Bluetooth
Now, to the main thing, set up the connection, the instructions are suitable for most Xiaomi models based on the MIUI 12/13/14 And HyperOS. If you have a different firmware, the steps may be slightly different.
Step 1: Turn on Bluetooth on both devices
On the phone:
- Open Settings β Bluetooth.
- Activate the Bluetooth switch.
- Make sure that the phone is visible for other devices (Visibility or Detectable).
On a laptop (Windows) 10/11):
- Press Win. + A and enable Bluetooth in the notification panel.
- Or go to the settings. β Devices β Bluetooth and other devices and activate the function.
Step 2: Device pairing
On the phone:
- In the list of available devices, find your laptop and click on it.
- Confirm the conjugation (may need to enter) PIN-code, usually 0000 or 1234).
On the laptop:
- In the Bluetooth and other devices section, click Add Device.
- Select Bluetooth and wait for your phone to be discovered.
- Confirm the connection.
Step 3: Set up Internet access on your phone
Return to Bluetooth Settings on Xiaomi:
- Find a connected laptop in the list of associated devices.
- Click on it and select Internet access (or Use to transfer data).
- Turn on the Bluetooth Access Point switch.
Note: on some firmware, the item may be called a Network Connection or PAN. If there is no such item, update it. MIUI last-minute.
Step 4: Connect to the Internet on a laptop
On Windows:
- Open the settings β Network and Internet β State.
- Click Adjust Adapter settings.
- Find a Bluetooth connection (usually called a Bluetooth Network Connection) and turn it on.
- If the internet is not working automatically, right-click on the connection and select Properties, then check the settings. IPv4 (You gotta stand Get IP-address).
βοΈ Checking a successful connection
If done correctly, the Windows tray will display an Internet connection icon, and the phone will display a notification of active data distribution.
Table: comparison of the speed of distribution of the Internet on Xiaomi
To make it easier for you to choose the best way to distribute, we have collected comparative data on speed and power consumption:
| Distribution method | Max, speed. | Battery consumption (per 1 hour) | Equipment required | Convenience |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | ~2 Mbps | 5-8% | Bluetooth adapter on both devices | βββ (text-friendly) |
| Wi-Fi | up to 150 Mbps (5 GHz) | 15-20% | Wi-Fi module on a laptop | βββββ (universally) |
| USB | up to 450 Mbps (USB 3.0) | 10-12% | USB-cable | ββββ (stable but tied to the wire) |
| Mobile modem (4G/5G) | up to 1 Gbps (5G) | 20-25% | Separate USB-modem | ββββ (High speed, but additional costs) |
Bluetooth is only suitable for basic tasks: reading mail, messengers, easy surfing. For video, games or download files, choose Wi-Fi or USB.
Typical problems and their solutions
Even with the right setup, there can be difficulties, and let's look at the most common errors and how to fix them.
1. The laptop doesn't see the phone via Bluetooth
Possible causes and solutions:
- π Bluetooth is disabled on one of the devices β check the settings on both gadgets.
- π± Phone not visible for other devices β turn on detection mode in Bluetooth settings.
- π₯οΈ Bluetooth Drivers Are Outdated β Update Them Through Windows Device Manager.
- π Conflict with other connections β disable all other Bluetooth devices (earphones, keyboards).
2. the Internet is connected, but it is not working
What to do:
- π Check the mobile Internet on your phone β there may be no connection to the operatorβs network.
- π§ Restart both devices β sometimes a simple reboot helps.
- πΆ Change the type of network if you use it. 4G, Try switching to 3G (In Settings β SIM-maps and mobile networks).
- π οΈ Reset network settings on your phone: Settings β System system β Reset β Resetting network settings.
3. Low speed or breakage of connection
How to improve stability:
- π Reduce the distance between your phone and laptop (optimally, up to 1 meter).
- π Charge your phone β with a low battery level (15%), the speed can drop.
- π΅ Turn off power saving for Bluetooth in your phone settings.
- π Reconnect devices β break the pairing and perform it again.
π‘
If the speed is critically slow, try turning off background apps on your phone that consume traffic (such as automatically updating apps on Google Play).
β οΈ Note: on some Windows laptops 10/11 There may be no profile support PAN In this case, installing drivers from the manufacturer (for example, for adapters Intel or Broadcom) will help).
Alternative ways to distribute the Internet with Xiaomi
If Bluetooth is not suitable for speed or stability, consider other options:
1. Distribution via Wi-Fi (recommended)
The most popular and versatile method: speeds up to 150 Mbps (5 GHz), and the setting takes less than a minute:
- Open Settings β Access Point and modem β Wi-Fi Access Point.
- Set up a network name (SSID) and password.
- Connect to this network from your laptop.
2. Distribution through USB (steady and fast)
It's good for long-term use, because it charges at the same time. USB:
- USB 2.0 - up to 40 Mbit/s.
- USB 3.0 - up to 450 Mbit/s.
For activation:
- Connect your phone to your laptop with a cable.
- Turn it on. USB-Modem in Settings β Access Point and modem.
3. Use of external 4G/5G-modem
If you want maximum speed and stability, buy a separate one. USB-modem (e.g. Xiaomi MiFi or Huawei devices:
- π Speed up to 1 Gbps (5G).
- π Doesn't run out of cell phone battery.
- πΆ Best coverage due to external antenna.
Comparison of alternatives:
| Method | Speed. | Stability | Battery consumption | Difficulty setting up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi | βββββ | ββββ | ββ | β |
| USB | ββββ | βββββ | βββ | β |
| Bluetooth | β | ββ | ββββ | βββ |
| External modem | βββββ | βββββ | βββββ | ββ |
π‘
Bluetooth handouts are convenient for short-term Internet access, but do not replace Wi-Fi or USB speed and stability.