In situations where there is no Wi-Fi router or mobile Internet on a laptop does not work, Xiaomi owners often look for a way to quickly connect to the global network. Using a smartphone as a modem is a time-tested solution that allows you to organize data access for other devices. However, unlike the usual Wi-Fi hotspot, Bluetooth technology provides more economical energy consumption and stable, albeit less fast connection.
The distribution of Internet from Android devices, including the shells MIUI and HyperOS, implemented at the system level and does not require the installation of additional software. This method is especially relevant if the laptop network card does not see the Wi-Fi network or is working intermittently, and the Bluetooth adapter is functioning properly. It is important to understand that the speed of data transfer is limited by the communication protocol, but for instant messengers, mail and document work this is quite enough.
Before you start setting up, you need to make sure that both devices — and smartphone and computer — are healthy and charged. The maximum data rate over Bluetooth 5.0 theoretically reaches 2 Mbps, which is much lower than Wi-Fi, but enough for basic tasks. In this article, we will discuss in detail the process of pairing, setting up the access point and solving the typical problems that arise when connecting Xiaomi to a PC or laptop.
Preparatory stage: checking devices and settings
The first step to a successful connection is to properly prepare the hardware. Make sure your Xiaomi has a wireless module on. To do this, lower the notification curtain and find the appropriate icon, or go to the Settings menu. → Bluetooth. The computer must also have an adapter active: in Windows, this is done through the notification center or system settings.
It is critical that devices be in visibility mode. The smartphone must be searchable by other gadgets, otherwise the laptop will simply not be able to detect it. In the MIUI, the device search screen is usually open by default when the function is activated, but it is better to double-check the status "Visible to all".
- 🔋 Charge both devices to at least 40% as active data transfer can consume battery quickly.
- 📡 Make sure that mobile data transfer is enabled on the smartphone (4G/5G) And there's a steady signal on the network.
- 💻 Check Bluetooth drivers on your laptop – they should be installed and work correctly.
- 🔒 Turn off Invisible mode on both devices if it is activated.
Sometimes the Android operating system can limit background activity to save power, which leads to a connection break. It is recommended to temporarily turn off the power saving mode on the phone during settings. It is also worth removing old, unused pairs of devices from the Bluetooth list to avoid addressing conflicts.
⚠️ Warning: The first time you pair both devices, a confirmation code may appear on the screens. Make sure the numbers match before you click "Confirm" or "Conjugate" or the connection will not establish.
Step-by-step instructions for pairing Xiaomi and laptop
The process of pairing your smartphone with your computer is the foundation for the future distribution of the Internet. Without successful pairing, data transfer is impossible. Start by looking for devices on your smartphone: click on the Bluetooth menu to "Search for Devices" or wait for your laptop to appear on the list of available gadgets.
Once the computer name is displayed on the Xiaomi screen, click on it. The screen will request to pair the code. A similar window should pop up on the laptop screen. Verify the codes and confirm the action on both devices. Status will change to "Connected" or "Conjugated".
If the laptop is not visible to the phone, try updating the list on your smartphone or making the computer visible to other devices through the Windows Control Panel. In some cases, you need to uncheck the "Allow devices to detect this computer" box and put it again to reset the detection service.
What to do if the conjugation breaks down?
If the process is constantly interrupted during the confirmation phase, try removing the device from the list of saved on both gadgets and starting over again, and rebooting the Bluetooth module on your smartphone via the developer menu or a full restart of the phone also helps. Sometimes there's a conflict between antivirus programs on PCs blocking new connections. Successful pairing is only half the battle. Now devices know each other, but the Internet isn't yet being transmitted. The next step is to activate the modem modem in the Android operating system settings. Activation of Bluetooth modem on Xiaomi smartphone After establishing communication, you must allow the smartphone to transmit Internet traffic. → Connection and sharing. In some versions MIUI This item may be referred to as simply "Access Point and Modem". In the menu that opens, you'll see several distribution options: Wi-Fi, USB and Bluetooth. We're interested in the Bluetooth modem switch. Activate it. The system can warn you that this will increase battery consumption, which is absolutely normal behavior for this protocol. Parameter Description Recommendation Speed Up to 2 Mbps Enough for text and navigation Latency (Ping) High Not suitable for online games Energy Consumption Low / Average Lower than Wi-Fi Points Range Up to 10 meters Keep devices nearby It is important to note that in new versions of Hyperware Hyper's firmware. Even if devices are paired, Windows doesn’t always automatically start using your phone as a gateway to the Internet. Open the Start menu and search for Devices and Printers or go to Settings. → Devices → Devices and printers (in Windows) 10/11 The paths can vary, and it's easier to find through "Bluetooth" search. In the list of devices, find your Xiaomi smartphone. Right-click on it and select "Connect" or "Connect through." The context menu should have the option "Access Point" or "Access Point". It is this step that triggers the protocol. PAN (Personal Area Network, which transmits the Internet. 🖱️ Right-click on the phone icon in the tray or list of devices. 🌐 Select the option "Connect through" → "Access Point (Internet) ⏳ Wait for the status of "Connected" and the appearance of the network icon in the tray. If the Internet doesn't appear after you connect, check the connection properties in Windows network settings. IPv4 Active and configured to receive automatically IP-Usually, the phone gives out addresses, and manual intervention is rarely required. ⚠️ Note: If you try to connect via the access point, you get the error "Windows failed to connect", try to remove the device from the Bluetooth list on your PC and create a pair again, strictly following the instructions above. Typical problems and solutions Despite the simplicity of the technology, users often face difficulties, and one of the most common problems is that the phone connects, but the Internet doesn't work. In this case, check whether the mobile Internet works on the smartphone itself, opening any site in the browser without Wi-Fi. Another common situation is low speed or constant connection breaks. This can be caused by interference from other wireless devices or physical obstacles. Bluetooth is distance sensitive: try to keep your laptop and phone at no more distance than you would otherwise. 2-3 If the laptop sees the phone, but can't get it. IP-Address, try restarting Bluetooth on both devices. On Xiaomi, you can do this quickly by turning off and on the module in the curtain. On Windows, sometimes the stack reset command helps. TCP/IP, But more often than not, a simple reconnection is enough. 📊 What is the problem? Internet is not working Low speed Can't see the phone Permanent cliffs In rare cases, the problem lies in the operator. Some tariff plans prohibit the distribution of Internet (tethering). If the sites are not loaded and the connection is installed, try changing the APN (access points) in the settings of the mobile network of the smartphone to the standard values of your operator. Comparison of methods of distribution and energy efficiency Why should you choose Bluetooth if Wi-Fi is faster? The answer lies in power consumption and stability. Wi-Fi hotspot on Xiaomi significantly heats the device and quickly lands the battery. Bluetooth modem works in a gentle mode, which is critical if you are on the road and do not have access to charging. In addition, Wi-Fi range is often overloaded in offices or dorms, which leads to more frequent interference on external communications, and other devices, let the lack of interference and other devices. 💡Bluetooth modem is the perfect choice for long-term work in the background, when it is not the download speed that matters, but the constant presence on the network and saving battery life. USB-The cable gives you maximum speed and charges your phone at the same time, but it ties you to the wire. Bluetooth gives you freedom to move around the room without significantly losing battery power (FAQ) Can you give the Internet over Bluetooth to a Mac (macOS)? Yes, it's possible. The process is similar: pair an iPhone or Android with a Mac, then in the network settings on a Mac, choose your phone as the network interface device, but on macOS, the settings can be hidden deeper in Network Preferences. Why is Internet speed so low? The speed is limited by the specifications of the Bluetooth protocol. Even version 5.0 is not designed to transmit large amounts of data. This is normal for this connection method. Does the operator charge extra for the handout? Depends on your tariff plan. Many operators track the connection type (TTL) and can block the distribution or charge extra. Check the terms of your tariff from the provider. Does this method work on older Xiaomi models? Yes, the Bluetooth modem feature is built into Android from very old versions and is present on all Xiaomi smartphones, including Redmi and Poco, regardless of the year of release.