The situation when the Wi-Fi router suddenly turned off and access to the network is urgently needed on a tablet or other smartphone is familiar to everyone in modern technology. Owners of Xiaomi devices are in a winning position, as the MIUI and HyperOS shell offer advanced capabilities for managing network connections. Internet distribution is not just the inclusion of a switch, it is a whole ecosystem of settings that allows you to optimize speed and security of connection.
Many users have difficulty connecting a second device without understanding why the access point is visible but not allowed to enter the network, or why data speed is poor. In this article, we will take a look at all the nuances of the process, from basic steps to advanced frequency settings, and learn not only to turn on the modem, but also to do it as efficiently as possible.
We will look at the features of different versions of the Android operating system in conjunction with the proprietary add-ons of the Chinese manufacturer. the WPA3-Personal security protocol is supported only on devices with Android 10 and later, which is critical for data protection when using public networks.
Preparation of the device and checking mobile traffic
Before you start activating your modem, make sure your Xiaomi device is ready to work as a signal source.The first step should always be to check the balance and batch balance of your mobile carrier. Uncontrolled distribution can lead to a rapid exhaustion of limits, especially if the connected device starts downloading updates or watching high-resolution video.
Pay attention to the signal level of the cellular network. If you have only one division or 3G/EDGE icon, you should not expect a stable connection. In such cases, it is better to move to the confident reception zone or switch to 4G/LTE mode through the settings of the preferred network type. The Internet speed on the client device depends on the quality of the incoming signal on the sender phone.
It’s also worth checking if your smartphone is power saving or ultra-energy saving enabled, which can block background services needed for stable data transfer, and the flight mode should be turned off and the device should be kept connected to the charger, as the Wi-Fi distribution significantly speeds up battery discharge.
📊 How much mobile traffic you have per month?
Less than 5GB
10 to 20 GB
30 to 50 GB
Unlimited fare
It is important to check with your carrier in advance if the tethering service is blocked. Some plans, especially old or archival ones, may require a separate payment for using the phone as a router. Modern tariffs usually include this option by default, but checking the terms of the contract will not be superfluous.
Basic settings of Wi-Fi hotspot on Xiaomi
The process of activating the distribution of the Internet on Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones is unified and does not require deep technical knowledge. All the necessary tools are in the top menu of quick settings or mainly the menu of system parameters. The standard activation path takes no more than a minute and is available even for beginners.
To start, open the notification curtain by swiping from top to bottom, and find the Wi-Fi Access Point icon. If it's not on the first screen, scroll right or tap on the pencil to edit the menu. An alternative path lies through the main menu: go to Settings → Wi-Fi Access Point. Here you will see the switch that you need to activate.
- 📱 Click on the name of the access point to change it to a recognizable name, for example,"My_Xiaomi_Net".
- 🔒 Set a strong password using letters and numbers so neighbors can’t connect to your traffic.
- 👁️ Use the function"QR-code for fast connection of gadgets without manual input of characters.
Once the mode is turned on, the phone will broadcast a wireless signal. On the client device (tablet, laptop or other phone), you need to find the network you created in the list of available Wi-Fi and enter a specified password. Usually the connection is automatically, and the icon of the connected device will appear in the status bar of the distributor with the number of clients.
MIUI also has a "Single Connection" feature, which is available, if you're next to another Android or iOS device and you're logged in to the same Google or Xiaomi account, the system can offer to connect automatically without entering a password, which is convenient in a family circle where trust in the devices is high.
Advanced settings: frequency, limits and security
Standard settings are suitable for most scenarios, but in crowded networks in apartment buildings or offices, manual settings are required. Xiaomi’s shell allows you to switch the frequency range, which can dramatically affect connection speed and stability. By default, the system often chooses an automatic mode, which is not always optimal.
In the hotspot menu, find Setting up the Wi-Fi hotspot or Settings Up. This is the Frequency Range. You can choose between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. The 2.4 GHz range has greater range and better penetration of walls, but it is heavily noisy with neighborhood routers and microwaves. The 5 GHz range provides high speed and less interference, but has a smaller range.
What is the difference between WPA2 and WPA3?
WPA2 — It's an encryption standard that's been in use for many years, and it's robust, but it's vulnerable to some kinds of brute force attacks. WPA3 — A new standard that complicates the process of password selection and provides protection even when using simple passwords, encrypting data individually for each client.> So you have to pay special attention to setting your traffic limit, so to stay in the red, set a limit in the Traffic Limit section, and you can set a limit where you reach the limit, you automatically stop giving, and that saves your budget from unexpected expenses. In the security section, it is recommended to always use the type of encryption. WPA2/WPA3-Personal. Never leave the access point open (without a password), as all traffic of connected users will be visible in plain sight, which threatens to steal passwords from sites and personal data. Also in MIUI There's a blacklist that allows you to block unwanted devices even if they know their password. USB Although Wi-Fi is the most popular way to distribute, there are alternative methods that can be useful in specific situations, USB-The modem provides a more stable connection and simultaneously charges the connected device, which is critical when working long. Bluetooth modem consumes less power, but offers a significantly lower speed. USB-Connect your phone to a computer or other phone (via a modem) OTG-cable, cable, then go to Settings. → Wi-Fi hotspot → USB-The modem and activate the switch, and the system automatically installs the drivers, and the computer will have a new network connection, which is ideal for desktop PCs without Wi-Fi module. Wi-Fi Hotspot setting USB-Bluetooth modem Speed High (up to) 100+ Mbps Very high (stable) Low (up to) 2-3 Mbps) Energy consumption High average (charged) Low number of customers Up to 10 device 1 device 1 radius up 15-20 Meters cable length Up to 10 The Bluetooth modem is configured via the Bluetooth menu in the settings, you need to pair two devices, and then in the Bluetooth settings on the phone-distributor enable the option of Internet access. On the receiving device, in Bluetooth settings, you need to select a paired phone and click "Connect to the Internet." The speed here will be low, suitable only for instant messengers or downloading simple pages. It is important to note that when connecting through USB Some computers may require Android drivers to be installed USB Driver, although in modern versions of Windows 10/11 And macOS, it happens automatically. If the computer can't see the network, try using the original cable or replacing it. USB-Even with the right setup, users can face problems: devices can’t see the network, the connection is there, but the Internet is not working, or the connection is constantly interrupted. One of the common reasons Xiaomi has is an aggressive energy saving system that kills the distribution process to save charge. ⚠️ Note: If you are giving out the internet through 5 GHz, and a client device (like an old tablet or laptop) doesn’t support this range, it just won’t see the network. In such cases, force the band to switch to 2.4 GHz. Another common problem is conflict. IP-addresses or errors DNS. Try to prescribe static on the receiving device DNS, For example, from Google (8.8.8.8) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1). Also helps reset network settings on the phone-dealer: Settings: → Connection and sharing → Resetting Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth, sometimes the problem lies in the mobile operator itself, which blocks the distribution by analyzing the parameter. TTL (Time to Live: Data packets from the phone have one TTL, The connected device has another one, and the operator sees the difference and blocks traffic. TTL on the engineering menu or through ADB-What is not recommended to do without experience. 🔄 Reboot both devices: the phone and the gadget that connects. 📡 Make sure your phone has data on, not just Wi-Fi. 🔐 Check if your plan or SIM card has expired. If the internet is slow, check if the background downloads on the Xiaomi phone are running; if you update your apps on Google Play or sync your photos, you can eat up the entire channel; if you turn off auto-updates while you hand them out. Hidden functions and optimization in MIUI Xiaomi’s HyperOS Shells offer a number of unique features that are not found in pure Android. For example, the “Game Acceleration” feature can prioritize traffic for gaming apps, which is useful if you give the Internet to a console or other phone for gaming. It also allows you to create a guest profile of a restricted access point, and new versions of HyperOS have integrated with the smart home ecosystem. You can configure the automation scenario: If the signal level drops below 2G, turn off the access point to save the battery. Such scenarios are created in the device management application or through the standard Autotask application. 💡Using the 5GHz band and disabling background downloads at source are two of the main factors for maximum Internet speed with Xiaomi. Another useful feature is displaying the number of connected devices right in the notification curtain. This allows you to see in one click who is “hanging” on your traffic, and if necessary, turn off the distribution, and in some regions, the “Wi-Fi Sharing” feature is available, which allows you to share a password from the main Wi-Fi network to which the phone is connected, creating a bridge on its basis. For advanced users, debugging mode is available on USB, enabling the management of network interfaces through ADB-team. This allows you to fine-tune the settings that are not available in the regular menu, but requires a PC connection and the availability of appropriate software. Can you distribute the Internet if the phone does not have a SIM card? Yes, if the phone is connected to the Wi-Fi network, it can act as a repeater, broadcasting the received Wi-Fi signal to a new access point. However, on many devices this function is software limited: the phone either accepts Wi-Fi or distributes it. On Xiaomi with certain versions of software and root rights, it is possible, but standard means usually can not simultaneously receive and distribute Wi-Fi signal (replay) by broadcasting the new access point to the new access point. And it can also be done by a power-saving system if the battery is critically low. Does the Internet's distribution affect battery wear? Yes, modem modem modems put a high load on the radio module and the processor, which leads to the device heating and accelerated charge-discharge cycle. Long-term use as a router can reduce total battery life faster than normal use. How do I know who has connected to my hotspot? Access point menu on Xiaomi usually displays a list of connected devices with their names and MAC-If you see an unfamiliar device, change your password immediately and add it. MAC-The address of the offender is blacklisted. NFC? Technology NFC It is not designed to transmit Internet traffic due to its extremely low speed and short range. It is used only for initial pairing or transfer of small data packets (contacts, links). Use Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or USB to distribute the Internet.