How to distribute mobile Internet from Xiaomi phone to another phone: 3 proven ways

Why give away the Internet with Xiaomi and what restrictions it is important to know

Sharing mobile Internet from Xiaomi to another phone is a standard feature that helps when traveling, in the country or when there is no Wi-Fi at hand. But not all users know that setting up an access point on Redmi, POCO or Mi smartphones has nuances: from operator restrictions to hidden MIUI parameters that affect the speed and stability of the connection.

In this article, we will analyze three working methods of distributing the Internet (via Wi-Fi hotspot, Bluetooth and USB), relevant for all Xiaomi models on MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS. Particular attention will be paid to typical problems: why the second phone does not connect, how to circumvent the limitations of the mobile operator and what to do if the access point is constantly disconnected.

Spoiler: On Xiaomi’s HyperOS-based smartphones, the path to the hotspot settings has changed — it’s now hidden in the Personal Hotspot section, not the Access Point as it used to be — confusing many users who are used to the older version of MIUI.

Method 1: Internet distribution via Wi-Fi hotspot (the fastest and most versatile)

Wi-Fi hotspot is the best option for sharing the Internet from Xiaomi to another phone, it provides high speed (up to 100 Mbps on modern models) and allows you to connect up to 10 devices at a time. But there are pitfalls: some operators (such as Tele2 or Yota) block the distribution at no additional cost.

To enable a hotspot on Xiaomi, follow the steps:

1. Open Settings → Personal Hotspot (on HyperOS) or Settings → Access Point and Modem (on MIUI 12-14).
2. Switch to the Wi-Fi Access Point setting.
3. Set a network name (SSID) and password (minimum 8 characters).
4. Choose the frequency range: 2.4 GHz (better for range) or 5 GHz (faster but shorter range).
5. Activate the Wi-Fi Access Point switch.

On the second phone, connect to the network you have created as if you were using regular Wi-Fi. If the internet is not working, check:

• 📶 Mobile data included on the Xiaomi handout.
• 🔒 Password entered correctly (registration is important!).
• 📵 There is no active phone on the handing out. VPN or energy saving mode (they can block distribution).

Mobile Internet is on

Hotspot password copied

Flight mode is off.

VPN and the energy saving is off.-->

⚠️ Attention: Xiaomi Redmi Note 10/11/12 and POCO X3/X4 When the hotspot is activated, Wi-Fi automatically turns off. To use the Internet and distribute it simultaneously, turn on the option to Allow Wi-Fi connection in access point mode (available on not all firmwares).

Method 2: Bluetooth Internet distribution (saves charge, but slower)

If the Wi-Fi hotspot doesn’t work or you want to save battery power, use a Bluetooth modem, which consumes 30-40% less power than Wi-Fi, but the speed is limited to 1-3 Mbps (enough for instant messengers, but not for video).

Instructions for Xiaomi:

1. Turn on Bluetooth on both phones and pair them.
2. On the handout Xiaomi, go to Settings → Connections and Sharing → Modem Modem.
3. Activate Bluetooth modem modem.
4. On the second phone in Bluetooth settings, find the paired device and turn on Use to access the Internet.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔋 Lower battery consumption compared to Wi-Fi.
• 🛡️ More secure (no open network like a hotspot).
• 📱 It works even if the second phone has a broken Wi-Fi module.

Disadvantages:

• 🐢 Low speed (not suitable for streaming or downloading files).
• 🔄 Unstable connection at a long distance between phones (more than 10 meters).

Method 3: Distribute the Internet via USB (maximum stability, but wires are needed)

A USB modem is the most reliable way to distribute Internet with Xiaomi if you have a USB-TypeC cable or adapter. The speed is comparable to Wi-Fi (up to 50-80 Mbps), and the battery of the dispenser phone does not go down (it even recharges!). Minus - requires a physical connection.

How to set up:

1. Connect your phones with a cable (file transfer mode or charging only must be enabled on Xiaomi).
2. On the handout Xiaomi, go to Settings → Connections and Sharing → Modem Modem.
3. Turn it on. USB-modem.
4. On the second phone in the network settings, select USB-Internet (may be called Ethernet on some models).

Important nuances:

• 🔌 Use original cable – cheap cables often don’t support data transfer.
• 🔄 On some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A) USB-The modem only works after restarting.
• 📱 The second phone should support the function. USB OTG (Most modern smartphones support).

💡

If USB-The modem is not turned on, try the developer settings (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times) activate the debugging option USB. Sometimes it solves the problem.

Table of comparison of ways to distribute the Internet with Xiaomi

Typical problems and their solutions

Even after setting up the right way, Xiaomi’s Internet distribution may not work, so let’s look at the most common mistakes and how to fix them.

1. Access point is turned on, but the Internet is not working

Causes and solutions:

• 📵 Operator blocks distribution: MTS, Beeline and MegaFon have paid distribution at some rates. Check the conditions or call support (*111#).
• 🔄 APN Incorrectly set: Go to Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Access points (APN) Compare the parameters with the official settings of the operator.
• 🛡️ firewall VPN Interfering: Turn off data protection in Settings → Annexes → Permit management.

2.The access point is permanently disconnected

On Xiaomi, the hotspot can shut down due to energy saving.

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Consumption Management applications.
2. Find Settings (app) and select Without Limits.
3. Turn off the Adaptive Battery in Settings → Battery.

3.The second phone is connected, but the sites are not opened

Possible causes:

• 🌐 DNS He does not answer, “Put it in hand.” DNS on a second phone (e.g. 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 from Google).
• 🔒 IP-Address not issued: In the Hotspot settings on Xiaomi, change the Security Type with WPA2-PSK on WPA-PSK.
• 📱 Conflict IP: Reboot both phones.

⚠️ Attention: Xiaomi Redmi A1/A2 Other budget models with a Helio processor G36/G85 You may experience a "break" in the hands when you're in active use. This is a hardware feature, and it's only going to help if you reboot or roll back the firmware to an older version.

Hidden MIUI and HyperOS settings to optimize the distribution

Xiaomi firmware has hidden options that improve the speed and stability of the hotspot, which can be accessed through the developer menu or engineering menu.

How to turn on the developer mode:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Slip on the MIUI version (or HyperOS build number) 7 times in a row.
3. Go back to the Settings → Additional → Developer settings.

Useful options for distribution of the Internet:

• 📶 Limit background traffic → Turn off (improving hotspot speed).
• 🔄 Debugging by USB → Include (sometimes solves problems with the USB-modem).
• 🛠️ Modem mode when connected USB → Turn it on (automatically activates) USB-modem when connecting the cable).

For advanced users: using the engineering menu (#4636##) you can change the Preferred network type to LTE only, which sometimes increases the speed of distribution by 15-20%.

💡

On HyperOS, the path to hotspot settings has changed: now it’s Settings → Connections and Sharing → Personal Hotspot. In older versions of MIUI, this section was called Access Point and Modem – don’t confuse!

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions