A modern smartphone has long ceased to be just a device for calls, becoming a full-fledged control center for digital space, and the question of how to distribute the Internet through a Xiaomi phone becomes critical in situations where a fixed router is unavailable or out of order. Owners of devices with a MIUI shell often face the need to quickly provide Wi-Fi access to a laptop, tablet or gadgets of colleagues using only the mobile network of their device. The functionality of the access point in Xiaomi is extremely convenient, but has a number of hidden nuances that affect the connection speed and traffic consumption.
In this article, we will take a look at all the ways you can build a local network, from a standard Wi-Fi hotspot to a more stable wired connection, how to set up security settings to keep your network from being connected by strangers, and what energy saving settings can block your modem, and understanding these processes will allow you to stay online at all times, regardless of the provider’s infrastructure.
The main thing to note is that the MiFi (Mobile Wi-Fi) interface may differ slightly visually from one firmware to another, but the logic of the work remains the same for the entire brand ecosystem. We will look at the latest Android and HyperOS shells that are being actively implemented by the manufacturer. The right configuration today is not only access to the network, but also the security of your personal data transmitted through public communication channels.
Preparation of the smartphone and checking the settings of the mobile network
Before you activate the modem, you need to make sure that the Internet source itself is working correctly and has a sufficient signal level. Go to the settings and check if the data is activated, because without a mobile Internet, traffic distribution is technically impossible. Often users forget to turn on this option when trying to launch the access point, and are surprised at the lack of result.
It is also important to pay attention to the type of network you prefer, especially if you are in the area of insecure reception. 4G/LTE or 5G, If your plan and SIM card support these standards, in a weak signal environment, the smartphone may try to switch between standards, leading to connection instability for all connected customers.
⚠️ Before you start giving out the internet, make sure your plan allows you to use your phone as a modem, as some carriers may block the service. P2P-traffic or charge extra charge for tethering.
Check your account balance, as active Internet use on multiple devices can quickly exhaust packet limits. In mobile network settings, you can set a traffic limit so that the system automatically disables data transfers when you reach a certain threshold, which will save you from unexpected expenses.
Setting up a classic Wi-Fi access point
The most popular and convenient way is to create a wireless network that can connect to various devices without the need for cables. To do this, go to the settings menu, select the Wi-Fi Access Point (sometimes located in the Connection and Sharing section), Here you are asked to specify the network name (SSID) and the password that the connected gadgets will use.
The same menu offers advanced settings to change the frequency range. You can choose between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. The former provides better signal penetration and compatibility with older devices, while the latter guarantees faster data rates but at a smaller distance. For modern laptops and smartphones, the preferred range is 5 GHz.
- 📶 Frequency Range: Choice between 2.4 GHz for range and 5 GHz for speed.
- 🔒 Type of encryption: It is recommended to use WPA2 PSK or WPA3 maximum data protection.
- 👥 Connection Limit: The ability to limit the number of devices connected at the same time (usually up to 10 devices).
Be sure to set a strong password consisting of letters and numbers to prevent unauthorized access to your network. By default, the system often offers complex combinations, but if you change settings manually, be vigilant. Weak security can lead to your traffic being used by unauthorized persons.
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Use it. QR-Quick Connection Code: Xiaomi Access Point menus often have a “Share” button that generates a “Share” button. QR-Scanning it with another phone's camera, the guest will instantly connect to Wi-Fi without entering a password.
Use of the USB-stable-connection modem
If you need maximum connection stability or need to charge your smartphone during the distribution of the Internet, the best solution will be the use of the device. USB-This is especially true for desktop computers that don't have a Wi-Fi module, or in a situation of heavy radio interference. Connect your phone to your PC with a good cable and wait for the system to determine the device.
After the physical connection, you need to activate the appropriate mode in the smartphone settings. Go to the Wi-Fi Access Point section and find the item USB-If this item is inactive (gray), check the cable or try another one. USB-Unlike the wireless method, you don't need to enter a password, because authorization is done automatically through a physical connection.
Activation path: Settings -> Connection and Sharing ->USB-Modem (Switch to HCL position)The computer recognizes the phone as a new network device and automatically installs the necessary drivers. In most cases, with Windows 10/11, the process is completely automatic. However, on older versions of the OS or Linux, you may need to manually install drivers, which can be found on the manufacturer's official website.
☑️ Verification USB-connection
Distribution of the Internet through Bluetooth connection
While this method is far inferior in speed to Wi-Fi and USB, it can be a lifeline in emergency situations where other options are not available or require minimal power consumption. Data speed is limited by Bluetooth protocol, so you should not count on watching high-resolution video, but it is quite enough for texting or mail.
To get started, you need to pair your Xiaomi phone with your receiving device (laptop or tablet). Make sure that Bluetooth is on both devices and they see each other. After successfully pairing in the Bluetooth settings on the phone, activate the Bluetooth modem. On the receiving device, select the phone from the list of available devices and initiate a network connection.
The main advantage of this method is extremely low power consumption compared to the active Wi-Fi module. The phone will discharge more slowly, which is important in field conditions or on long trips when there is no charger at hand.
⚠️ Attention: Connection speeds via Bluetooth modem rarely exceed 2-3 Mbps, which makes this method unsuitable for video calls or downloading large files, but ideal for background data synchronization.
Connected Device Management and Security
Shell MIUI It provides a convenient toolkit for monitoring all devices that are currently using your Internet. In the access point menu, you can always see a list of connected customers. IP-This allows you to quickly identify "undesirable guests" and block their access with a single click.
To improve security, it is recommended to change your Wi-Fi password regularly, especially if you often use the distribution function in public places. Also useful is to set a time limit for the access point to shut down automatically, which prevents situations where you forget to turn off modem mode, and the phone continues to waste battery power.
| Parameter | Recommended value | Impact on work |
|---|---|---|
| Frequency range | 5 GHz | High speed, less interference |
| Encryption | WPA2/WPA3 | Protection against password cracking |
| Time out | 10 minutes. | Savings of battery when downtime |
| Max. clients. | 3-4 | Speed stability for everyone |
Watch the temperature of the smartphone body when the Internet is actively distributed, especially in hot weather or when using cases with poor heat transfer. The processor and radio module are in high mode, which can lead to heating. If the device becomes too hot, the system can automatically limit the speed or turn off the access point to protect the components.
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Regularly checking the list of connected devices is the best way to protect your traffic from unauthorized use by unauthorized persons.
Solution and optimization of speed
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the access point is turned on, but the Internet on the connected devices does not work. First of all, check whether there is access to the network on the phone itself. If the mobile Internet is working, try rebooting the network service or switching flight mode. Often, resetting the access point settings to factory values helps.
Another common problem is the aggressive power saving of MIUI, which can kill the process of distributing in the background. To avoid this, find in the battery settings the application responsible for the access point (usually called "Access Point" or has a system icon Wi-Fi), and set it to "No restrictions", which will prevent the system from turning off the module for the sake of energy savings.
- 🔄 Reboot: Banal on/off flight mode often solves the problem of the hover module.
- 🔋 Energy saving: Disabling energy savings for grid system services.
- 📡 Changing the channel: In advanced settings, you can try manually selecting a less loaded Wi-Fi channel.
If the connection speed remains low despite a good signal, check to see if the traffic saving mode in the access point application itself is turned on, and make sure that the phone does not run background downloads of app updates or synchronize large amounts of data that can clog the channel.