Are you in a situation where you urgently need to share the Internet from a second phone, tablet or laptop, and only a Xiaomi smartphone is at hand? No problem - modern devices of the brand support several ways to distribute traffic at once, from a classic access point to a new device. USB-But there's a nuance here: the settings may vary depending on the version. MIUI, operator and even device models.
In this article, we will look at all the current ways to distribute Internet from Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO phones, including hidden features and bypassing carrier restrictions. And you will learn why sometimes the speed through the access point drops by 2-3 times and how to fix it. If you have previously encountered errors like “failed to enable the access point” or “restricted by the operator”, here you will find solutions.
1. Method. №1: Wi-Fi hotspot (most popular)
This is a standard method that works on all Xiaomi smartphones regardless of the model. The bottom line is simple: your phone turns into a mini-router that distributes Wi-Fi to other devices, the advantages of the method are high speed (up to 100 Mbps on new models) and the ability to connect up to 10 gadgets at a time.
There are pitfalls, however: some operators (like Tele2 or Yota) block the Internet by default, requiring an option to be added, and older versions of MIUI (below 12) may also have a traffic restriction, which will drop to 64 Kbps after 1-2 GB.
☑️ Preparation for the distribution of Wi-Fi
Step-by-step:
- Open Settings → Access Point and modem (on MIUI 14, the path can be Settings → Connections → Modem Modem).
- Slip on the item "Wi-Fi access point".
- Turn on the slider in the top right corner. If you see a warning about operator restrictions, click "Enables Even."
- Set a network name (SSID) and password (minimum 8 characters). Select the WPA2-PSK protection type for security.
- On the connected device, find the network you created in the Wi-Fi list and enter the password.
If the access point does not turn on or immediately shut down, try:
- 🔄 Rebooting your phone – sometimes helps with crashes MIUI.
- 📱 Reset network settings in Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Reset your Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth settings.
- 📡 Change Wi-Fi range: Select 2.4 GHz instead of 5 GHz (or vice versa) in the access point settings – this solves compatibility issues with older devices.
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If the speed through the access point is too low, try turning off the Traffic Savings feature in the settings. SIM-It artificially limits the speed for background applications.
2. Method. №2: USB-modem (for laptops and PCs)
This method is suitable if you need to distribute the Internet to a laptop, PC or even another phone through a laptop. OTG-The main advantages are stable connection without loss of speed (as opposed to Wi-Fi) and automatic charging of the phone during use. USB-port.
Important: on Xiaomi phones with a connector USB-C (For example, Xiaomi 13 or POCO F5) You will need to connect to another phone OTG-adapter USB-C — USB-C. On older models with Micro-USB (e.g. Redmi) 4X) standard-wire.
How to set up USB-modem:
- Connect your phone to another device with a cable.
- On Xiaomi, go to Settings → Access Point and Modem → USB modem.
- Turn on the slider. The notification will appear on the screen «USB-modem active».
- On the connected device (laptop or phone), select the connection type «USB-Modem" (on Android) or wait for the automatic driver installation (on Windows).
If the computer does not see the connection:
- 🖥️ Update drivers for Xiaomi on PC (download from the official website).
- 🔌 Try another cable – cheap cables often don’t support data transmission.
- 🔄 Reboot both devices and reconnect.
3. Method. №3: Distribution via Bluetooth (economical but slow)
This method is suitable for saving battery power, since Bluetooth consumes 3-5 times less power than Wi-Fi. However, the speed will be limited to ~1-3 Mbps – this is enough for messengers or mail, but not for high-resolution video.
How to turn on:
- Activate Bluetooth on both devices.
- On Xiaomi, go to Settings → Access Point and Modem → Bluetooth modem.
- Turn on the slider and select the device from the list to connect.
- On the second device, confirm the pairing.
Limitations of the method:
- 🐢 Low speed – not suitable for downloading files or streaming.
- 🔋 Limit the number of devices – usually you can connect only 1 gadget.
- 📱 Not all apps support Internet access via Bluetooth (e.g., some banking apps).
Why are the operators blocking the distribution of the Internet?
4. Solve the error: "Can't turn on the access point"
This is one of the most common problems on Xiaomi, and it can range from a simple MIUI failure to an operator lockdown.
1. Network resetting
Go to Settings → System → Settings Reset → Reset your Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth settings. This will delete all stored networks and connection settings, but often helps with software failures.
2.Amending APN
Sometimes the problem lies in the incorrect settings of the access point (APN) to reset them:
- Open the Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → [Yours. SIM] → Access points (APN).
- Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Reset to Default Values.
- Reboot the phone.
3. circumvention of operator restrictions
If the operator blocks the distribution, try:
- 🔄 Reboot the phone to airplane mode for 30 seconds, then turn on the mobile Internet and access point.
- 📡 Use it. VPN (For example, 1.1.1.1 or ProtonVPN, this masks the TTL-packet.
- 📱 Install the PDANet application+ Google Play – it bypasses the locks through USB Bluetooth.
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If none of these methods worked, check if you have activated the "Disable Internet" option on your tariff, for example, MTS may call it "Modem Restriction".
5. How to increase the speed of Internet distribution with Xiaomi
Users often complain that the speed through the hotspot is 2-3 times lower than when connecting directly to the mobile network, due to several factors: MIUI limitations, operator settings or phone hardware features.
1. Change the Wi-Fi range
On new Xiaomi smartphones (like the Xiaomi 14 or POCO X6 Pro), the default access point is in the 5GHz band. It's faster but has a smaller coverage area. If you're far from the phone or have obstacles (walls), switch to 2.4GHz:
- Open the access point settings.
- Slip on “Wi-Fi settings” (or “Advanced”).
- Select the 2.4 GHz range and save the changes.
2. Disable background applications
When you distribute the Internet, MIUI defaults to reserve some traffic for system processes, to free up the channel:
- Go to Settings → Applications → Autostart and disable autostart for unnecessary programs.
- Enable the “Energy Saving” mode for background applications in Settings → Battery.
3.Use third-party applications
Applications like NetShare or ClockworkMod Tether allow you to fine-tune the distribution options, including:
- 📶 Network priority (3G/4G/5G).
- 🔒 Encryption of traffic (for example, WPA3 instead WPA2).
- ⚡ Optimization MTU (maximum package size) to reduce delays.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Low speed through the access point | Operator Limitation or 5GHz Band with Interference | Change the range to 2.4 GHz or use a VPN |
| Access point is turned off after 5-10 minutes | Power saving MIUI or processor overheating | Add an access point to battery optimization exceptions |
| Devices are connected, but the internet is not working. | Incorrect APN settings or operator lock | Reset the APN or activate the operator’s handout option |
| You can not change the network name or password | Limitation of corporate policy (on work phones) | Reset your network settings or contact the administrator |
6. Hidden Internet Distribution Features on Xiaomi
There are some little-known features in MIUI that can be useful in non-standard situations, such as, did you know that you can distribute the Internet without a password or set up an automatic shutdown of the access point at low charge?
1. Passwordless access point
If you need to quickly share the Internet with a friend and do not want to dictate a complex password, you can temporarily turn off the protection:
- Open the access point settings.
- Slip on “Security settings” (or “Protection”).
- Select the “No” option (no password).
- Enable the access point. ⚠️ Attention: anyone within a 10-15-meter radius will be able to connect to your network and use your traffic!
2. Automatic shutdown at low charge
To prevent the phone from running out of power during the handout, set a shutdown threshold:
- Go to Settings → Battery → Modem Modem.
- Activate the option “Switch off at low charge” and set a value (for example, 15%).
3. Internet distribution via NFC
On phones with an NFC chip (such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi Note 12 Pro+), you can quickly connect another device by simply attaching it to the back.
- Enable NFC and an access point on Xiaomi.
- On the second device, also activate NFC and select the “Connect to the Access Point” option.
- Attach the devices to each other with the back panels.
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On phones with MIUI 14 and later, the “Quick Access Point” function appeared – it allows you to turn on the Internet distribution directly from the notification panel without going into the settings.