How to give away Wi-Fi from a Xiaomi phone: a complete guide to all models

Introduction: Why give away the Internet with Xiaomi

Xiaomi's modern smartphones are not just phone and social devices, but full-fledged mobile routers. The ability to distribute Wi-Fi from your phone will come in handy in dozens of situations, from connecting a laptop in a cafe to providing the Internet to a tablet on a trip. 4G-routers, access point on Xiaomi wins in compactness and battery saving.

In this article, we will look at all the current ways to distribute Internet from Redmi, POCO and Mi phones, including hidden MIUI settings. Particular attention will be paid to typical errors (for example, when devices are connected but the Internet does not work) and security measures, because an open access point can be a tasty target for hackers, and at the end you will find an FAQ with answers to the most frequent questions of users.

Preparing your phone before handing out Wi-Fi

Before you turn on the hotspot, check a few key settings. First, make sure your Xiaomi has mobile internet activated. → SIM-maps and mobile networks and enable data transfer. SIM-The access point will use the same network as the main mobile Internet – this is important if you have different rates on the SIM.

It's also worth checking out:

• 🔋 Battery charge – Wi-Fi is actively consuming power. At a level below 20%, the phone can automatically turn off the access point.
• 📶 Signal level - in areas with weak coating (1-2 dividing) the speed of distribution will be lower and the ping higher.
• 🔒 Operator restrictions – some tariffs block the distribution of the Internet (especially unlimited packages).

If you plan to connect more than 5 devices to the access point at a time, change your energy saving settings in advance. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Energy saving mode and turn it off – this will prevent spontaneous dispensing.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi phones with MIUI 14+ When the hotspot is activated, Bluetooth automatically turns off. This is done to save power, but it can interfere if you use wireless headphones at the same time.

Method 1: Standard access point in MIUI settings

The easiest method is to use the built-in Modem Modem. The interface may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI, but the general logic is maintained. Open Settings → Connections and Sharing → Modem Modem Mode (on some models, path: Settings → Wi-Fi Access Point).

Follow the step-by-step instructions:

1. Click on the Wi-Fi Access Point (or Portable Access Point on older versions).
2. Turn on the slider at the top of the screen.
3. Click Access Point Settings to Change: 🔐 Name of the network (SSID) — The default phone model is used (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro).+). 🔑 Password – minimum 8 characters, it is recommended to use letters, numbers and special characters. 📡 Range – Choose 2.4GHz for better compatibility or 5GHz for faster speed (not available on all models).

Save the changes and connect the devices.

By default, Xiaomi limits the number of connected devices to 8, but in practice, already with 5-6 gadgets, the speed begins to sag. For stable operation, it is recommended to connect no more than 3-4 devices at a time.

Method 2: Distribute Wi-Fi over USB (Reverse Tethering)

Few people know, but Xiaomi smartphones support reverse tetering – the distribution of the Internet on the Internet USB-This is useful when you need to connect a PC or laptop without a Wi-Fi adapter, or when the wireless network is unstable:

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 Settings → Connections and Sharing → Modem Mode.

3. Activate the option USB-modem.

4. on the computer wait for the driver installation (usually takes 10-30 seconds).

Advantages USB-tetering:

• ⚡ Higher speed compared to Wi-Fi (up to 300 Mbps vs 150 Mbps for wireless distribution).
• 🔋 Lower battery consumption – the phone charges at the same time.
• 🛡️ Security – physical connection, no risk of interception of traffic.

⚠️ Attention: On Windows 10/11 When you first connect, you may see a "Device not recognized" error, in which case download the Mi driver. USB Driver from Xiaomi’s official website and install it manually through Device Manager.

Method 3: Distribute via Bluetooth (to save charge)

If you need to connect just one device (like a tablet or other phone) and save battery power, use Bluetooth tetering. This method consumes 40-50% less power than Wi-Fi, but the speed is limited to ~3 Mbps – enough for instant messengers and mail, but not for high-resolution video.

Connection algorithm:

1. Turn on Bluetooth on both devices.

2. On Xiaomi phone go to Settings → Connections and Sharing → Modem Modem → Bluetooth modem.

3. On the second device in the list of available connections, select your Xiaomi and confirm pairing.

4. In the connection settings on the second device, activate the option Use to access the Internet (the wording may differ).

Bluetooth tetering is ideal for smartwatches (such as the Xiaomi Watch S3) or fitness bracelets that do not require high speed, and it is also useful in airplanes where Wi-Fi is often prohibited and Bluetooth is allowed.

Table of comparison of ways of distribution of the Internet

Solving common problems

Even with the right setup, Xiaomi users often encounter errors when distributing Wi-Fi. Consider the most common cases and ways to fix them:

Problem 1: Devices are connected, but the internet is not working.

• 🔄 Restart the phone and connected device.
• 📱 Check if the phone is activated Flight Mode or Traffic Saving in the settings SIM-map.
• 🔧 Reset the settings. APN: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Access points (APN) → Reset to factory.
• 🛠️ If you use VPN on the phone, turn it off - some VPN block.

Problem 2: The access point is permanently shut down.

• 🔋 Turn off the Adaptive Battery in the Power Settings.
• 📴 Check if the phone is overheating (optimum temperature is up to 40).°C).
• 🔄 Update. MIUI until the latest version - in the old firmware was a bug with spontaneous disconnection.
• 📶 If the network signal is weak, the phone can turn off the distribution to save charge.

💡

If the access point is off after 5-10 minutes, check the Auto Shutdown settings in Modem Mode → Additional. Some Redmi models have a default shutdown timer after 10 minutes without activity.

Problem 3: Low speed of distribution.

• 📶 Switch from 2.4 GHz to 5 GHz (if supported) – this reduces interference from other networks.
• 📵 Disable background apps that consume traffic (such as app updates or cloud backups).
• 🔄 Change the frequency range in the settings of the access point on the Auto.
• 📡 If you are using Xiaomi with Wi-Fi 6 support (such as Xiaomi 13 Ultra), turn on this mode in the settings.

Security of Wi-Fi from your phone

An open hotspot on your phone is a potential threat to your data, and attackers can intercept traffic, connect to your network, or even infect devices with viruses, and to minimize the risks, follow these rules:

Basic protection measures:

• 🔐 Use a complex password (example: X7#p9K2!mQ1) instead of the standard 12345678.
• 🔄 Change your password every time. 2-3 Especially if you are often giving out Wi-Fi in public places.
• 📵 Disable the access point when it is not needed – this will reduce the risk of unauthorized connection.
• 🛡️ Turn on the filter. MAC-Addresses in the access point settings (available on MIUI 12+).

Additional advice:

• 📱 Do not connect devices with questionable applications to the distributed network (for example, hacked games).
• 🔍 Regularly check the list of connected devices in the settings of the access point.
• 🌐 For important tasks (e.g. online banking) use USB-tetering instead of Wi-Fi.
• 🔄 If you notice suspicious activity, immediately change your password and check your phone for viruses using Mi Security.

💡

Never use an open access point without a password, even if you are lazy to enter it. In 2023, 18% of cyberattacks on mobile devices occurred through unsecured Wi-Fi networks (Kaspersky data).

Xiaomi phones with MIUI 14+ have a Hidden Network feature, which when activated, will not show your access point in the public network list. Only those who know the exact name (SSID) and password can connect to it. To enable this mode, go to the Access Point Settings → Additional → Hide the network.

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