Modern Xiaomi Redmi smartphones are capable of not only consuming mobile Internet, but also distributing it to other devices β whether it is a laptop, tablet or second phone. This feature, called a hotspot or modem, becomes a salvation when traveling, in the country or when the home router suddenly stopped working. However, not all users know how to properly configure the Wi-Fi distribution on the Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO F4 or other models to avoid connection problems or fast battery discharge.
In this article, weβll look at all the current ways to share the Internet from Xiaomi phones, from the classic Wi-Fi hotspot to lesser-known methods via USB and Bluetooth. Weβll focus on common errors (for example, when devices canβt see the network or connect, but the Internet doesnβt work) and optimize settings to save charge. And at the end, youβll find an FAQ with answers to the most common questions on the topic.
1. Preparing the phone before handing out Wi-Fi
Before you turn on the hotspot, make sure your Xiaomi Redmi is ready for the task.
- πΆ Mobile Internet: Make sure that mobile traffic is activated on the phone (Icon) 4G/5G Without it, the distribution will not work.
- π Battery Charging: Wi-Fi distribution consumes a lot of power. Charge your phone to at least 30% or plug in to charge.
- π± Updates MIUI: Older versions of firmware may have modem bugs. Check the software's relevance in Settings β The phone. β Updating the system.
- π Operator restrictions: Some tariffs block the distribution of the Internet. Check the terms with your provider (for example, MTS, Beeline, MegaFon).
If you plan to give out the internet with Redmi regularly, we recommend turning off background activity of unnecessary apps. To do this, go to Settings β Battery and Performance β Battery Management and select Charge Saving Mode (but not for the hotspot!).
β οΈ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A or POCO M3) post-update MIUI 14 may miss the Wi-Fi distribution option via the Quick Settings menu. In this case, use an alternative path: Settings β SIM-maps and mobile networks β Access point.
2. Method 1: Distributing Wi-Fi via hotspot
This is the most popular and convenient method. Your Xiaomi Redmi creates a full-fledged Wi-Fi network to which you can connect to the Internet. 10 The instructions are relevant to the devices at the same time (depending on the model). MIUI 12/13/14:
- Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
- Go to the section Network and Internet β Access Point and modem.
- Select the Wi-Fi Access Point.
- Activate the switch at the top of the screen.
- Click Access Point Settings to Change: π Name of the network (SSID) β Think of something unique (for example, Redmi_Hotspot_123). π Password minimum 8 Symbols, preferably with numbers and letters. π‘ Range - select. 2.4 GHz for better compatibility or 5 GHz for speed (if supported).
Save your settings and connect other devices to the network you have created.
On 5G-enabled models (such as the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ or Xiaomi 13T), the access point automatically uses a faster channel if the operatorβs network allows it, but in densely populated areas, 2.4 GHz may be more stable due to less interference.
Access point is enabled (indicator in status bar)
Password entered without errors (registration is important!)
Mobile Internet is active (the 4G/5G icon is on)
On the connected device, it's off. VPN (It can block traffic)-->
3. Method 2: Distribution of the Internet over USB (USB-modem)
If you only need to connect one computer or laptop to the Internet and the Wi-Fi on it is broken, use it. USB-This is a modem. It saves the phone power, because the power comes from the power. USB-PC port instructions:
- Connect Xiaomi Redmi to your computer through the original USB-cable (preferably with data transmission support).
- On the phone in the Settings menu β The Internet and the Internet β Access Point and modem select USB-modem.
- Wait for the drivers to install on the PC (usually takes 10-30 seconds).
- On your computer, check the connection: in Windows, open Network settings, in Linux/Mac β System settings β Network.
β οΈ Note: On some laptops with USB-C You may need an adapter to connect to a standard USB-A. Also make sure that other network connections (e.g. Ethernet) are disabled on your PC to avoid routing conflicts.
π‘
If USB-The modem is not working, try to turn on the phone developer mode (Settings) β The phone. β Version. MIUI β Press 7 times and activate the Debugging option USB. Sometimes it solves driver problems.
4. Method 3: Distributing the Internet via Bluetooth
A lesser-known but useful method is Bluetooth Internet sharing, which is suitable for devices that don't support Wi-Fi (like some smartwatches or old tablets), or when you need to save battery power, which will be slower than Wi-Fi or USB, but for instant messengers and mail, it will be enough.
How to set up:
- Turn on Bluetooth on both devices.
- On Xiaomi Redmi, go to Settings β Connection Devices β Bluetooth and find the target device in the list.
- Confirm the pairing (code must match on both screens).
- Return to Settings β Network and Internet β Access Point and modem and activate Bluetooth modem.
| Parameter | Wi-Fi | USB | Bluetooth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max, speed. | up to 150 Mbps (5 GHz) | up to 480 Mbps (USB 3.0) | up to 3 Mbps |
| Number of devices | 10 | 1 | 1-3 (depending on profile) |
| Battery consumption | High-pitched | Low (charged from USB) | Medium. |
| Delay (ping) | low-key | low-lying | high-pitched |
Bluetooth modem is convenient for connecting Xiaomi Mi Band 7 or Redmi Watch 3 to the Internet without a smartphone, but for watching videos or downloading files it is not suitable due to the low speed.
Wi-Fi (access point)
USB-modem
Bluetooth
I don't use the handout.-->
5. Typical errors and their solutions
Even after setting up the right Wi-Fi distribution with Xiaomi Redmi may not work, and letβs look at the most common problems and ways to fix them:
- π« "Unable to connect to the network": Check if the password matches (registration is important!).Reboot the phone and the connected device. Change the range from 5 GHz to 2.4 GHz (or vice versa).
- π "It's connected, but the internet isn't working: Shut it down. VPN Or a proxy on the connected device. Check your mobile account balance (possibly out of traffic). β SIM-maps and mobile networks β Enable the option to allow other users to control the access point.
- π "Access Point turns off itself": In the AP settings, set "Disable when inactive: Never. Turn off power saving mode for the Settings app. Check if the phone is overheating (if so, let it cool down).
A special case for Redmi with two SIM-If the Internet is not distributed, try to change the main one SIM-map for data transfer to Settings β SIM-maps and mobile networks β Mobile Internet: Sometimes the operator links traffic to a particular slot.
What if the access point disappeared from the settings?
6.Optimizing Wi-Fi Distribution: How to Save Traffic and Battery
Long-term Internet outages can quickly drain Xiaomi Redmi and exhaust mobile traffic. Hereβs how to avoid it:
- π Speed Limit: In the Access Point settings (Settings) β Access Point and modem β You can set a speed limit for connected devices, which is useful if you're giving the Internet to your kids or your colleagues and you don't want them to download large files.
- β±οΈ Auto-Disable: Activate the option to Disable the access point through and set a timer (for example, 30 minutes.
- π Use charging: Connect your phone to an outlet or powerbank. on the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ and newer supports fast charging 67W, which compensates for battery consumption.
- π΅ Turn off background data: On a connected device (like a laptop), turn off automatic app updates and file sync (like Google Drive or OneDrive).
For models with MIUI 14, modem mode is available, which optimizes power consumption during the distribution, to enable it:
- Go to Settings. β Special facilities.
- Select Modem Modem.
- Activate the option to save energy when distributing the Internet.
π‘
On Xiaomi Redmi with Snapdragon 7xx/8xx processor (such as POCO F4 GT or Redmi K50), the access point is more stable thanks to an improved modem. On budget models with Helio G, communication breaks can occur at high load.
7. Wi-Fi distribution on older Xiaomi models (Redmi 4X, 5A, Note 7, etc.)
If you have a Xiaomi phone released before 2019 (like the Redmi 4X, Redmi 5A or Redmi Note 7), the process of setting up the hotspot may be different.
- π± MIUI 9/10/11: The path to settings: Settings β Additionally. β Modem mode β Wi-Fi hotspot.
- π Device Restriction: Older models only support connectivity 5-8 devices simultaneously (against) 10 new).
- πΆ Absent. 5G: These phones only work on networks. 4G (LTE), Therefore, the maximum speed of distribution is limited. ~50 Mbps.
- π Fast discharge: 3000-4000 mAh batteries (e.g. Redmi 6) sit down in 2-3 hours of continuous handout.
Redmi Note 7 and similar models may not have an option USB-modem due to the limitations of the Snapdragon 660 chipset, in which case use Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
If the access point settings have disappeared after upgrading to MIUI 12+, try resetting the network settings:
Settings β System β Additional β Resetting β Resetting Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth8. Alternative ways of distributing the Internet
If standard methods donβt work, consider these options:
- π Wi-Fi apps: Google Play has utilities like PdaNet+ Or ClockworkMod Tether, which bypass carrier restrictions, but they require root rights and may violate the tariff terms.
- π‘ Outside 4G-Modem: If the handset is unstable, buy USB-modem (e.g. Huawei) E3372) and put it in. SIM-This will solve the problems with overheating and discharge of Redmi.
- π Repeater mode (for hardened phones only): On custom firmware (like LineageOS), you can configure your phone as a Wi-Fi repeater, but it requires technical skills.
For owners of Xiaomi Mi A3 (with pure Android One), the path to access point settings is different:
Settings β Network and Internet β Access Point and modem β Wi-Fi access pointThere is also a Bluetooth portable access point option available, which is not available in the standard MIUI.
β οΈ Note: Using third-party apps to distribute the Internet can lead to blocking SIM-card operator for violation of tariff rules. Before installing such programs, specify the terms of the contract.