How to distribute the Internet from the phone Xiaomi: all ways and settings

Why give away the Internet with Xiaomi and when it is necessary

Xiaomi’s current MIUI-based smartphones can turn into full-fledged routers by distributing mobile internet to other devices, a feature that can be useful in dozens of situations, from connecting a laptop in a cafe to providing Internet to smart speakers on a trip. But many users face problems — speed drops, devices do not connect, battery dies in an hour. In this article, we will analyze all the working ways of distributing Internet to Xiaomi (including hidden settings), optimize energy consumption and solve typical errors.

It is important to understand that the technology of distribution of the Internet (aka modem mode or tethering) works differently depending on the version of MIUI and the model of the smartphone. For example, the flagship Xiaomi 13 Pro and Redmi Note 12 support Wi-Fi 6 in access point mode, and budget models like Poco M5 can be limited to Wi-Fi 4.

Ways to distribute the Internet with Xiaomi: which to choose

Xiaomi smartphones have three main ways to distribute the Internet, and each has its own pros and cons. The choice depends on which devices to connect and in what conditions you are:

• 📶 Wi-Fi hotspot is a universal method for connecting laptops, tablets and other smartphones. 10 meters, supports up to 8-10 devices at the same time (depending on the model).
• 🔌 USB-modem - suitable for desktop PCs or laptops without Wi-Fi. Advantages: stable connection, minimal battery consumption (phone charges in parallel.
• 📱 Bluetooth modem – optimal for connecting smart watches, fitness bracelets or old devices without Wi-Fi. Cons: low speed (up to the speed of the device) 3 Mbit/s) and limitation on 1-2 device.

In practice, Wi-Fi is used 80 percent of the time, but there are exceptions, like if you're giving out the Internet on the subway, where the Wi-Fi signal is blocked, you'd better choose the right one. USB And for game consoles like the Nintendo Switch, sometimes you need it. USB-Connection due to problems with NAT wifi-style.

Step-by-step setting up Wi-Fi access point on Xiaomi

To enable Wi-Fi on a Xiaomi smartphone, follow the following steps: The instructions are relevant for MIUI 12-14 and Android 10-14, but may differ slightly on older versions:

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
2. Go to the Network and Internet section (or Connections on some models).
3. Select modem modem and access point (in some firmwares – Wi-Fi access point).
4. Activate the Wi-Fi Access Point switch.
5. Click on Access Point Settings to change the network name (SSID), password, and other settings.

By default, the network will be called Xiaomi_XXXX (where XXXX — last-minute IMEI Your phone's password is automatically generated, and we recommend changing the network name to more memorable, and the password to more complex (at least not less than the same). 8 symbols with numbers and letters to avoid unauthorized connection.

Hidden Access Point Settings: How to Increase Speed and Stability

Few people know, but MIUI has hidden parameters that allow you to optimize the access point, such as changing the frequency range (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz), channel width, or even limiting the speed for connected devices, to access these settings:

1. Enable the access point as described above.
2. Go back to the main Settings menu and open the About Phone section.
3. Click 7 times in a row on the MIUI version to activate the developer mode.
4. Go back to Settings, open Additional → for developers.
5. Find the Network section and select the Wi-Fi hotspot settings.

Here you will see the advanced options:

On models that support Wi-Fi 6 (such as Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Redmi K60 Pro), the “Wi-Fi 6 Mode” option appears in hidden settings, which increases speeds by 20-30%, but can cause compatibility issues with older devices (released before 2019).

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If after changing the settings, the access point stopped working, reset its settings to factory: go to Settings → Modem Mode → Wi-Fi Access Point → Reset settings

Distribution of the Internet via USB and Bluetooth: the nuances of settings

If Wi-Fi is not suitable for some reason, you can use alternative methods. USB-The modem is the most stable option for PCs, as it is not dependent on interference and provides minimal delays (ping around the clock). 20-30 To activate it:

1. Connect your phone to your computer via the original cable (importantly, cheap cables may not support data transmission).
2. In the phone settings, go to modem modem and access point.
3. Turn on the switch. USB-modem.
4. A new connection must appear on a PC in Network Connections (usually called Remote NDIS).

For a Bluetooth modem, the algorithm is different:

1. Turn on Bluetooth on both devices and pair.
2. On the phone in the Modem section, activate the Bluetooth modem.
3. On a second device (like a laptop) in Bluetooth settings, select your Xiaomi and enable the Internet Access option.

⚠️ Attention: When in use USB-Some operators (for example, MTS or Beeline) can block traffic if the tariff does not provide the option "Distribute Internet", in which case the Internet will work only on the phone itself, but not on connected devices. The solution is to call the operator and activate the corresponding service (usually free of charge or for a fee). 50-100 ruble-month).

Problems in the distribution of the Internet and their solutions

Even after setting it up correctly, users often encounter errors, and here are the most common problems and ways to fix them:

• 🔴 "Impossible to turn on the access point" - usually due to operator restrictions. Check balance and active services in your personal account. Also help to reboot the phone or reset network settings (Settings → The Internet and the Internet → Resetting Wi-Fi, Mobile Data and Bluetooth).
• 🔄 "Connects, but the Internet does not work" - most often the fault settings APN. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Access points (APN) Check that the correct parameters of your operator are indicated (they can be found on the official website).
• 🐢 "Very low speed" - if the speed is below 1 Mbps, try changing the range from 2.4 GHz to 5 GHz (or vice versa). VPN proxy.
• 🔋 "Battery sits down for 1-2 "hours" - the Internet distribution greatly loads the processor and the Wi-Fi module. To reduce consumption, reduce the brightness of the screen, turn off background applications and turn on the power saving mode (Settings) → Battery → Energy saving regime).

If none of these methods worked, try updating your firmware to the latest version of MIUI. Older versions (such as MIUI 11 and below) had modem bugs that were fixed in subsequent updates. To check for updates, go to Settings → About Phone → System Update.

How to Save Traffic and Battery When Distributing Internet

Internet distribution is one of the most energy-consuming features of a smartphone. According to our tests, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 in hotspot mode discharges by 1% in 2-3 minutes with active use. To extend your life and reduce traffic consumption, follow these tips:

• 📉 Limit speed for connected devices – in the access point settings (Modem Modem) → Setting up the access point → Speed limit) you can set a limit, for example, 10 Mbps. This will reduce the load on the processor.
• ⏱ Turn on auto-disconnect - set the timer on 5-10 minutes of inactivity so that the phone does not work idle.
• 🔄 Use it. USB Instead of Wi-Fi, if you connect your laptop, USB-modem spends in 2-3 less energy.
• 📵 Disable background applications – before turning on the access point, close all programs, especially messengers and social networks that are constantly synchronized.

Also worth paying attention to is the plan. Many operators offer special options for distributing the Internet. For example, Tele2 has a My Online tariff that includes 30 GB of traffic specifically for the modem. MTS has a similar option called Internet for devices. Without these options, the operator can limit the speed after the main package is exhausted.

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The most economical way of distributing — USB-It not only saves the battery, but it also provides the most stable speed, because it does not depend on interference in the air.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions