Why Use Xiaomi as a Modem
Xiaomi’s modern smartphones are capable of not only receiving calls and running apps, but also serving as a full modem, a feature that is a lifeline when you don’t have a router at hand and need Internet access on a laptop, tablet or even another phone, especially for owners of 4G/5G-enabled devices, which often exceeds the speed of home Wi-Fi.
In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to turn Xiaomi into a modem: from a standard Wi-Fi hotspot to hidden features. USB-You'll learn what settings affect speed, how to get around carrier restrictions, and what to do if your phone doesn't want to give away the Internet. Instructions are relevant for all models, from the Redmi Note 10 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra.
Important: Before setting up, check that your tariff supports Internet distribution. Some operators block this feature or charge an additional fee. Also note that prolonged operation in modem mode drains the battery - keep the charger on hand.
Method 1: Distribution of the Internet via Wi-Fi (hotspot)
The most popular and versatile method is to create a Wi-Fi hotspot. It works on all Xiaomi devices regardless of the MIUI version and does not require additional hardware. Connection speed is limited only by your tariff and 5 GHz support (if you have one on your phone).
To activate the hotspot:
- 📱 Open the Settings. → Access Point and modem (in older versions) MIUI The path may be called Settings. → Wireless networks → Modem mode).
- 🔄 Switch the slider Wi-Fi Access Point to the position "On.".
- ⚙️ Click Access Point Settings to Change Network Name (SSID), Password and range (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz).
- 🔒 Set a strong password (recommended) WPA2-PSK or WPA3).
Once activated, other devices will see your network on the Wi-Fi list available, connect to it by entering a password. Note that if there are more than 5 connected devices, the speed can drop markedly, which is a limitation of the hardware of most smartphones.
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If the hotspot is not turned on, check if the mode Saving traffic in the settings is activated. SIM-It can block the distribution of the Internet.
⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g, POCO X3 Pro) automatically turn off the hotspot after 10 minutes without activity. To avoid this, set the settings of the access point to turn off in the absence of devices in the position "Never".
Method 2: USB-Modem: stable connection without battery
If you need a long and stable connection (for example, to work on a laptop), USB-The modem is the best choice. It's a different way:
- 🔋 The phone is charged during the handout, which excludes battery discharge.
- 📈 Speed is faster than Wi-Fi because there is no signal loss.
- 🔒 The connection is protected from external connections (unlike open Wi-Fi).
To set up:
- Connect your phone to your computer through USB-cable (preferably original).
- In the phone settings, select Settings → Access Point and modem → USB-modem.
- On the computer, wait for the driver to install (usually they are installed automatically).
- Windows Network Connections will include a new Remote NDIS or Xiaomi Mobile Network connection.
If the drivers are not installed, download them from the official Xiaomi website or use the Mi PC Suite program. MacOS may require additional configuration of network settings in System Settings → Network.
Original cable connected|Regime on. USB-modem|Drivers are installed on the computer|The tariff allowed the distribution of the Internet-->
| Parameter | Wi-Fi hotspot | USB-modem | Bluetooth modem |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum speed | Up to 300 Mbps (5 GHz) | Up to 1 Gbps (USB 3.0) | Up to 3 Mbps |
| Battery consumption | High-pitched | Low (charges) | Medium. |
| Number of devices | 10. | 1 | Up to 5. |
| Delay (ping) | Medium (20-50 ms) | Low (5-10 ms) | High (100+ms) |
Method 3: Bluetooth modem – saving charge for older devices
If you don't have a cable or Wi-Fi is off for some reason, you can use a Bluetooth connection, which is suitable for connecting to tablets, laptops or even game consoles (like the Nintendo Switch), which will be slower than Wi-Fi, but battery consumption is minimal.
Instructions:
- Turn on Bluetooth on both devices.
- On your phone, go to Settings → Access Point and modem → Bluetooth modem.
- On your computer or second phone, find your Xiaomi device in the list of available and connect.
- In the connection settings, select Use to access the Internet (on Windows, this is done in Settings → Devices → Bluetooth).
On some models (e.g. Redmi 9A), the Bluetooth modem only works after the devices are paired through the standard Bluetooth menu. If the connection is interrupted, try turning off Bluetooth power saving mode in the battery settings.
Wi-Fi hotspot|USB-modem|Bluetooth modem|I don't use the handout.-->
Problems and solutions: why Xiaomi does not give away the Internet
Even if you set it up properly, the distribution of the Internet may not work, and here are the most common reasons and ways to address them:
- 🚫 Operator blocks distribution: Check the tariff conditions or call support. Some operators (e.g. Tele2) require the option "Modem" to be connected".
- 🔄 Reset Network Settings: Go to Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings.
- 📵 No signal: Make sure the phone catches the network (check the signal indicator). 3G, if 4G unstable.
- 🔧 Conflict IP-Addresses: In the Hotspot settings, change the range IP s 192.168.43.x on 192.168.1.x.
If the problem persists, try resetting your network settings or updating your MIUI to the latest version, and in rare cases, resetting your phone to factory settings helps (be sure to back up!).
What to do if the hotspot is turned on, but the Internet is not working?
⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi firmware (especially custom) the distribution of the Internet may not work due to the lack of a file /system/bin/pppd. In this case, the reflashing to the official version will help. MIUI.
Hidden settings: how to increase the speed of distribution
Xiaomi by default limits the speed of the handout to save battery power, but these restrictions can be removed through hidden settings or engineering menus.
To increase speed:
- Enter the code ##4636## in the phone application.
- Go to the phone information section.
- Scroll down to the Wi-Fi information block and press the Wi-Fi AP Config.
- Change the Max Wi-Fi AP Clients setting to 10 (default 5).
- In the Wi-Fi AP Frequency Band field, select 5 GHz (if the phone supports).
For USB-The speed of the modem depends on the protocol version:
USB 2.0 – up to 480 Mbit / s (real ~200-300 Mbit / s).
USB 3.0 – up to 5 Gbit / s (real ~500-800 Mbit / s).
To check the version, connect the phone to your computer and see the port properties in Device Manager.
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Using 5 GHz reduces the number of connected devices, but increases speed and reduces latency, optimal for gaming and video conferencing.
Security: How to Protect Your Access Point
Open access points are an easy target for hackers to protect their data.
- 🔐 Use a complex password (at least 12 characters with numbers and special signs).
- 🔄 Change your password once a month if you use a hotspot in public places.
- 📵 Turn off the distribution when it is not needed – this will reduce the risk of connecting strangers.
- 🛡️ Turn on the filter. MAC-Addresses in the access point settings (not available on all models).
If you suspect that outsiders have connected to your network, check the list of devices in the hotspot settings (Settings) → Access Point and modem → Connected devices. All active connections are displayed, with the indication MAC-address.
For additional protection, you can use a VPN on your phone, in which case all traffic passing through the modem will be encrypted, and we recommend free services like ProtonVPN or Windscribe (up to 10 GB of traffic per month).