How to distribute Wi-Fi from Xiaomi phone to iPhone: full instructions with pictures

Why can’t you connect your iPhone to Xiaomi’s hotspot?

You try to share the Internet from your Xiaomi to your iPhone, but the devices stubbornly do not see each other or the connection is constantly reset? The problem is familiar to many - despite the universality of Wi-Fi Direct and mobile hotspot technologies, the bundle of Android + iOS often behaves unpredictable, the reasons can lie in both the MIUI settings and the iOS restrictions that Apple imposes on connecting to "uncertified" networks.

In this article, we’ll break down all the working ways to distribute Wi-Fi with Xiaomi (including the Redmi Note models). 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T etc.) on iPhone 15/14/13/SE, We'll also talk about how to get around common errors like "Unconnected" or "No Internet access." MIUI, which block the distribution when the charge level is low or active VPN.

Spoiler: 90 percent of the time, the problem is solved by changing the network security mode (from WPA3 to WPA2) or resetting the network settings on the iPhone, but that's it.

Method 1: Standard Wi-Fi distribution via "Modem Modem"

This is the basic method that works on all Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 12 and newer. The instruction is relevant for models from Redmi 9A to Xiaomi’s flagship 14 Ultra.

How to turn on:

1. Open Settings → Connections and Sharing → Modem Modem.
2. Activate the Wi-Fi Access Point switch.
3. Click Access Point Settings and ask: 🔐 Name of the network (SSID): Latin, without spaces (example: Xiaomi_Hotspot) 🔑 Password: minimum 8 symbols, with numbers and letters 🛡️ Security: Choose WPA2-PSK (not WPA3!) 📶 Range: 2.4 GHz (for better compatibility with iPhone)

Modem mode

Now on the iPhone:

1. Go to Settings. → Wi-Fi.
2. Select a network with your access point name (for example, Xiaomi_Hotspot).
3. Enter the password and wait for the connection (the Wi-Fi icon in the status bar should change color to blue).

Mobile Internet enabled on Xiaomi|Unplugged. VPN both-device|Xiaomi's charge level > 20%|Power saving mode is off.-->

⚠️ Note: If the iPhone persistently does not connect, check if the function is activated on Xiaomi Traffic Limitation (c Settings) → SIM-It can block the distribution of the Internet.

Method 2: Distribute via Bluetooth (if Wi-Fi is not working)

If the iPhone doesn’t see Xiaomi’s hotspot or the connection is constantly interrupted, the alternative is to distribute the Internet over Bluetooth, which is slower (speeds up to 3 Mbps vs 50+ Mbps over Wi-Fi), but more reliable in the face of interference.

Instructions:

1. On Xiaomi: Turn Bluetooth on in the notification curtain. Go to Settings → Connections and Sharing → Modem Modem. Activate Bluetooth modem.
2. On iPhone: Open Settings → Bluetooth and connect to your Xiaomi. Go back to Settings → Cellular → Data Settings → Cellular Data Transfer. Select your Xiaomi from the device list.

💡 Useful tip: If the speed over Bluetooth is too low, try to turn on Xiaomi mode High performance in the Bluetooth settings. This can increase the speed to 5-7 Mbps.

Wi-Fi|Bluetooth|USB (via cable)|I do not use the distribution-->

Method 3: Distribution via USB (the most stable method)

Connecting iPhone to the Internet through USB-Xiaomi cable is the most reliable way, but with reservations:

• ⚡ Requires a data-enabled cable (not all charging cables are suitable!).
• 🍎 The iPhone must have a configuration profile (otherwise the system will block the connection).
• 🤖 Xiaomi needs to enable debugging by USB (In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI Press 7 times, then return to the Additional Settings → For developers).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect iPhone to Xiaomi via USB-cable.
2. On Xiaomi, in the notification curtain, select Data Transfer Mode (not Charging).
3. Turn it on. USB-Modem in Settings → Connections and sharing → Modem mode.
4. The iPhone will be notified “Trust this computer?”
5. Go to Settings → Cellular Communication → Data Settings → Cellular Data Transfer and select your Xiaomi.

⚠️ Note: iPhones with iOS 17 and later may require a special configuration profile. Download it here (select "Apple" USB Ethernet Driver").

Solution: Why iPhones are not connected to Xiaomi’s hotspot

Even with the right settings, the connection may not work.-7 causes and solutions:

1. Incompatibility of security protocols

iPhone (especially on iOS 16+) does not work well with WPA3, a modern but unstable encryption protocol. Solution: on Xiaomi, select WPA2-PSK in the AP settings.

Limitations of the telecom operator

Some operators (like Tele2 or Iota) block the distribution of the Internet at certain rates.

• 📞 Call the operator and check if the distribution is allowed on your tariff.
• 🔄 Try inserting. SIM-card of another operator (for example, MTS or Beeline).

3. VPN or firewall interfere with the connection

If a VPN is enabled on Xiaomi or iPhone (e.g. 1.1.1.1 or ProtonVPN), it can block access point traffic. Solution: disable VPN on both devices before connecting.

4. Low battery charge level

MIUI automatically turns off Wi-Fi distribution if the battery is below 15%.

• 🔋 Connect Xiaomi to charging.
• 🛠️ Turn off the power saving mode in the battery settings.

5. Conflict IP-address

If both devices are trying to use the same IP (e.g. 192.168.43.1), the connection will be reset.

1. On Xiaomi, change IP Range to 192.168.100.1 in the access point settings.
2. Reboot both devices.

6. Failure in network settings on iPhone

Sometimes iOS forgets how to connect to new networks.

• 🔄 Go to Settings. → Mainstream → Removing or resetting iPhone → Reset → Reset the network settings.
• ⚠️ After reset, you will have to re-enter passwords to all saved Wi-Fi networks.

7. MIUI software errors

Some versions of MIUI 13/14 have a bug that causes the access point to shut down after 5-10 minutes.

• 🔄 Update Xiaomi to the latest firmware version.
• 🛠️ In the developer settings, turn off the automatic disconnection of the access point.

💡

If neither method worked, try creating a hotspot on Xiaomi with a different name (SSID) and password — sometimes the iPhone “remembers” the old non-working settings and refuses to connect to the network with the same data.

How to save traffic from Xiaomi on iPhone

Phone-to-phone Internet can quickly run out of mobile traffic, here's how to reduce your consumption:

• 📊 Limit the background update of apps on iPhone: Go to Settings → Mainstream → Content updates. Disable the option for mobile data.

Block Autoplay Videos

• On YouTube: Settings → Autoplay → Never.
• In TikTok/Instagram: disable Autoplay in the application settings.

Use traffic compression

• On Xiaomi, enable Traffic Savings in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
• On iPhone, activate Low Data Consumption Mode in Settings → Cellular Communication → Data settings.

Disable automatic backups

• In Settings → [Your name] → iCloud → Backup in iCloud, turn off the option for mobile data.

⚠️ Note: If you are giving away the internet from Xiaomi to your iPhone for online gaming (e.g., for example, PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty, compressing traffic can increase ping, in which case it is better to turn off data saving.

Alternative ways: how to connect your iPhone to the Internet without giving away with Xiaomi

If the Xiaomi handset still doesn’t work, consider these options:

• 📡 Use the external 4G-router (e.g. Xiaomi Mi Wi-Fi Router) 4C or TP-Link M7350). Put it in. SIM-Map and connect your iPhone to its Wi-Fi.
• 🔄 Activate Sharing on Mac: Connect Xiaomi to Mac USB. On Mac, open System Settings → Public access → Shared Internet. Select Connection via: USB and For computers using: Wi-Fi. Connect your iPhone to the Mac access point you created.

Buy eSIM with a separate tariff

iPhone

MTS

Beeline

💡 Useful tip: If you often give out Internet from Xiaomi on the iPhone, buy a powerbank with a capacity of 20,000 mAh (for example, Xiaomi Mi Power Bank 3 Pro). Wi-Fi distribution strongly puts the battery on the ground - with powerbank you will extend the time to 10-12 hours.

FAQ: Frequent questions about giving away Wi-Fi with Xiaomi on iPhone