How to distribute mobile Internet from Xiaomi Redmi 9 to another phone: all ways + error solving

Why Redmi 9 doesn’t give away the internet and how to fix it

You find yourself in a situation where you urgently need to share the Internet from another phone, but Xiaomi Redmi 9 stubbornly refuses to work as a modem? This problem is familiar to many owners of budget Xiaomi smartphones — despite the simple functionality, the distribution of the Internet is often accompanied by errors like “failed to turn on the access point” or connected, but not working connection. 80% of cases are not to blame hardware limitations, but the wrong settings of MIUI or conflicting background processes.

In this article, you will find not only standard instructions for activating an access point, but also unique solutions for Redmi 9 that Xiaomi does not dokument officially – for example, how to circumvent the operator’s restriction on the distribution of traffic or why the smartphone “forgets” the password from Wi-Fi after a reboot. We tested all the ways on firmware. MIUI 12–14 and identified the most stable options for different scenarios: from handing out through the USB-cable (most energy efficient method) before creating a hidden network for security.

Before you go to the settings, check two key points: 1 Make sure that your tariff is allowed to distribute the Internet (many operators block this feature at cheap rates). 2 Update the firmware to the latest version - in MIUI 14.0.3.0 and the latest fix critical bugs with the WifiDisplayManager module responsible for the access point.

Method 1: Wi-Fi Access Point (the most universal method)

This option is suitable for distributing Internet to 2-3 devices at the same time. Redmi 9 supports Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) and Wi-Fi Direct standards, which allows you to achieve speeds up to 150 Mbps with a good signal. However, there is a caveat: by default, the smartphone uses a 2.4 GHz channel, which is often congested in apartment buildings.

To enable the access point:

1. Open the Settings. → Access Point and modem.
2. Select Wi-Fi Access Point and move the slider to the right.
3. Click Access Point Settings to change the network name (SSID), password and channel.

Set channel 6 or 11 (less loaded)|Disable the option "Auto-disconnection"|Turn on WPA2-PSK (not WPA3!)|Hide the network (the “Hidden Network” option) for security-->

⚠️ Warning: If the indicator flashes after activation of the access point, but the devices do not connect - check whether the mode Saving traffic is turned on in Settings → Connections → Data usage: This mode blocks background data transmission, which breaks the modem.

Method 2: USB-Modem (maximum stability and speed)

Connection through USB-cable has three key advantages over Wi-Fi: 1 Speed is limited only by port capabilities USB 2.0 (up to 480 Mbps theoretically, ~100 Mbps in practice). 2) No battery consumption Redmi 9 - power comes from the connected device. 3) Bypasses locking operators (many providers do not recognize USB-traffic).

Instructions for setting:

1. Connect Redmi 9 to another phone/PC via the original cable (importantly, cheap cables often don’t support data transfer).
2. In the smartphone settings, select Settings → Access Point and modem → USB-modem.
3. On the connected device in the network settings, select USB-Internet (on Android) or wait for automatic driver installation (on Windows).

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If USB-The modem is not working, try to turn on the debugging USB In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Press 7 times on the version, then return to the optional version. → For developers).

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI 13+ plug-in USB-The modem loses sound in the speakers. audio_usb HAL. Solution: Restart your phone or disable your modem via adb shell svc usb setFunctions none (requires developer rights).

Method 3: Bluetooth modem (charge savings but low speed)

Bluetooth Internet sharing is relevant in two ways: 1 You need to share the Internet with a device that does not have Wi-Fi (for example, old Redmi 4A or fitness bracelets). 2 It is critical to save battery power (Bluetooth consumes 5-7 times less energy than Wi-Fi).

Disadvantages of the method:

Maximum speed of ~3 Mbps (enough for instant messengers, but not for video).

Delays in connection (up to 10 seconds).

- Restriction on 1 connected device.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Bluetooth on both devices and pair them.
2. On Redmi 9, go to Settings → Access Point and Modem → Bluetooth modem.
3. On the second phone, in Bluetooth settings, select the connected Redmi 9 and activate the Internet Access option.

Method 4: Hidden access point (for security)

If you often give out the Internet in public places (cafes, transport), we recommend hiding your network from outsiders. On Redmi 9, this is done through hidden WifiDisplay settings:

Algorithm of action:

1. Enable the access point in the standard way (see Method 1).
2. Open the engineering menu by dialing the code ##4636## in the Phone app.
3. Select Wi-Fi Information → Wi-Fi settings and tick the box opposite Hide SSID.
4. Save the settings and reset the access point.

⚠️ Attention: After cover-up SSID Only devices on which you manually enter the network name will be able to connect to your network (SSID) On an iPhone, you have to select "Other" in the Wi-Fi network list.

Method 5: Alternative methods (if nothing works)

If the standard methods don’t work, try these non-obvious solutions:

• 🔄 Reset Network Settings: Go to Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Resetting Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth settings will delete all saved networks, but often solves problems with the WifiDisplay module.
• 📶 Manual setting APN: Some operators (e.g. Tele2) require special parameters. APN for distribution. Check the settings in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Access point (APN). Use it for MTS. APN Internet.mts.ru with default type, dun.
• 🔧 Firmware rollback: If the problem has appeared after the update to MIUI 14, go back on MIUI 13.0.6.0 – No HotspotClient bugs in this version.

Wi-Fi access point|USB-modem|Bluetooth|Hidden net|Another option-->

For advanced users: if the distribution is blocked at the kernel level, you can use the ADB-command:

adb shell settings put global tether_dun_required 0

This command disables the DUN (Dial-Up Networking) check, which some operators use to block the distribution.

Optimization of connection speed and stability

Even if you manage to adjust the gear, the speed may not be good enough.

• 🚀 Disable background apps: Close all programs except those you need. Especially traffic-hungry ones: TikTok, YouTube, cloud services.
• 📡 Use an external antenna: A passive signal amplifier (e.g. TP-Link) is suitable for Redmi 9. TL-ANT2406A), case-fixed.
• ⚡ Activate Airplane Mode for 10 Seconds: This resets the Rild module responsible for mobile communications, and often increases speed by 15-20%.

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Use it for maximum speed. USB-The modem with the battery saving mode turned off is the only method that bypasses the operator's 100 limit%.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Let’s look at the common problems that Redmi 9 owners face when trying to distribute the Internet:

⚠️ Note: If, after connecting to your access point, other devices receive IP-address 169.254.x.x — that means that DHCP-Redmi 9 server doesn't give you the right settings. Solution: manually write it on the connected device. IP 192.168.43.x, 255.255.255.0 mask and gateway 192.168.43.1.

• 🔌 "Failed to enable access point: Delete the file /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml Root Explorer (requires root rights) or reset your network settings.
• 🔒 "Connected without Internet": "Check if your tariff includes "Traffic Distribution Ban"; for example, MegaFon has an option "Modem Limit".
• 🔄 Access Point turns off itself after 5 minutes: Turn off Auto-Disable function in the access point settings and add the Settings app to the battery optimization exceptions.

If none of the methods worked, check the integrity of the file. /system/etc/wifi/WCNSS_qcom_cfg.ini — If it's damaged, it often causes a broken Wi-Fi module, and if it's damaged, it'll require you to reflash your phone through Fastboot.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions