How to turn on the distribution of the Internet on Xiaomi: the full guide

The modern smartphone has long since ceased to be just a device for calling, becoming a full-fledged control center for the digital world. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices often face the need to provide access to the network to a laptop or tablet when a stationary router is not available. The traffic distribution feature, known as “Access Point”, is built into the shell of MIUI and HyperOS by default, but has a number of nuances that not all users know about.

Using a smartphone as a modem is convenient, fast and requires no additional hardware. However, to ensure that the connection is stable and the battery does not evaporate in a couple of hours, you need to adjust the network settings correctly. It is important to understand that the connection methods may vary depending on the version of the operating system and the model of your gadget, although the overall algorithm of actions remains similar throughout the brand ecosystem.

In this article, we will take a closer look at all the ways to organize a wireless network, look at hidden settings and answer frequent questions when trying to distribute the Internet. You will learn how to protect your network from outsiders and why the WPA3-Personal security protocol is the most relevant choice for modern devices, providing maximum protection of transmitted data.

To get started, make sure your device is mobile-friendly. Without a 4G or 5G carrier connection, it is physically impossible to distribute traffic, as the phone will have nothing to broadcast to other gadgets. Check the balance and availability of free traffic in the tariff plan to avoid unpleasant surprises after the end of the handout.

Basic setting of Wi-Fi access point via menu

The most common and convenient way to distribute the Internet is to create a Wi-Fi network. In Xiaomi smartphones, the path to this feature is standardized, but the names of items can vary slightly depending on the locale and the version of MIUI. To get to the desired menu, lower the “curtain” of notifications and pinch the icon “Access Point” or go through the Settings → Wi-Fi Access Point.

In the window that opens, you will need to specify the network name (SSID) and password. By default, the system offers a standard name that includes the phone model, but for ease of search, it is better to rename the network into something recognizable. The password should contain at least 8 characters, including letters and numbers, to prevent unauthorized access by neighbors to your traffic.

Note the dual-band hotspot switch. If your client laptop or tablet supports 5GHz, activating this feature will achieve higher data rates and lower latency. However, it is worth remembering that the 5GHz band has a shorter range and passes through walls less than the classic 2.4GHz.

⚠️ Warning: When you turn on the Wi-Fi hotspot, the smartphone begins to actively consume battery power and heat up. Do not cover the device with a pillow or blanket while operating in modem mode to avoid overheating the processor.

Once you have set the settings, you just need to put the Wi-Fi hotspot slider back into the active position, so that other devices can see your network in the list of available connections, and you just need to type in your password to connect, and the Internet will be available for all needs.

Distribution of the Internet through USB-cable

Wired connection is often underestimated, considering it a relic of the past, but for stationary work behind a laptop it is one of the most reliable options. USB-The modem provides a stable connection without the speed losses typical of wireless networks, and at the same time charges the smartphone, which is critical for long sessions.

To activate this mode, you will need a quality cable that can transmit data, not just charge the device. Connect the phone to your computer, then go to the Settings menu. → Wi-Fi hotspot → USB-If the item is not active, check if the mobile data transmission is enabled.

A Windows computer usually automatically installs the drivers for Xiaomi and Redmi. In rare cases, you may need to manually install ADB drivers, but in 95% of situations, the system itself recognizes the phone as a network device. MacOS may require the installation of additional Android File Transfer software or specific drivers.

The advantage of this method is the absence of delays (ping), which is especially important for online games or video conferencing. In addition, the phone does not discharge, but on the contrary, receives power from the computer port. The only disadvantage is the binding to a single device, since it is technically impossible to distribute the Internet over a cable on several gadgets at once without complex software.

Using Bluetooth modem to save energy

Although the Bluetooth modem is significantly inferior in speed Wi-Fi and USB-It's still relevant in situations where you need to send text or mail urgently, and the phone's battery is running out. Data speed is limited by the Bluetooth protocol, so you can't watch videos or download large files.

To enable this feature, you first need to pair the phone with the receiving device (laptop or tablet) through the standard Bluetooth menu. After successful pairing, go to the access point settings on the phone and activate the Bluetooth modem switch.

On a receiving device, in the Bluetooth list, you need to select your phone and click Connect via → Access Point. The connection process can take up to 10-15 seconds, ideal for older laptops without a Wi-Fi module or in environments where minimum power consumption is required.

It's worth noting that Bluetooth modems don't heat up your phone much, making it safe to use in hot weather or in a bag where temperature is important, but 1-2 Mbps may not be enough for today's heavy-graphics web pages to be fully functional.

Advanced settings and access restriction

The MIUI and HyperOS shells provide users with flexible tools to manage the access point. In the Access Point Settings menu, you can not only change your password, but also limit the number of devices you connect, a useful feature if you want to make sure that your network will not connect to an extra gadget.

The Device Management section shows a list of all the connected customers. You can see. MAC-If you notice an unknown device, you can block it with a single click, adding it to a blacklist, which will prevent you from trying to connect again from that address.

Also in the advanced settings, you can find the option “Automatic Shutdown”: if no one connects to the access point within a given time (for example, 10 minutes), the phone will turn off the modem itself, saving battery power, which prevents situations when the user forgets to turn off the distribution and the phone runs out of the bag.

Solving Frequent Connection Problems

Despite the stability of Android, users can experience errors when trying to share the Internet. One of the most common problems is when a laptop sees the network but writes "No Internet access." Most often this is due to incorrect settings. DNS conflict IP-address.

To solve the problem, try rebooting your mobile network: turn on flight mode for 10 seconds, then turn it off, and check if the traffic restriction in the access point settings is worth it. If the limit is exhausted, the distribution will automatically stop until the next billing cycle.

If devices don’t see a 5GHz hotspot, make sure the region in the phone settings is set correctly.Some countries have restrictions on the use of certain Wi-Fi frequencies, and when choosing the wrong region (for example, India or the United States), the 5GHz band may not be available or work with restrictions.

⚠️ Attention: Telecom operators can block the distribution of traffic (Tethering) on tariffs with unlimited Internet. If the distribution does not work, although the settings are correct, contact the operator or use it VPN-circumvention.

In the case of USB-The modem is not computer-defined, try replacing the cable or switching. USB-Sometimes it helps to turn on the debugging. USB In the Developer menu, although this is not usually required for a standard modem modem. USB Charging or File Transfer – sometimes this affects the initialization of the network adapter.

Safety and optimization of traffic consumption

Using the public internet via a personal smartphone imposes a responsibility for data security. Always use WPA2 or WPA3 encryption. Open networks without a password allow attackers to intercept traffic, including logins and passwords from sites that do not use the secure HTTPS protocol.

To save traffic on connected devices, it is recommended to set limits. In the access point settings, you can set a limit on the amount of data after which the distribution will turn off, which will save your tariff from unexpected costs if the background processes of the laptop decide to download system updates.

💡

Use firewall applications on a connected PC to prevent background programs (cloud storage, torrents) from consuming traffic in the background while handing out from your phone.

Change the password from the hotspot regularly, especially if you've been giving the internet to strangers or colleagues. Changing the SSID and password also helps if the previous network is "hanging" and doesn't want to connect - building a new network from scratch often solves the software glitches of the Wi-Fi module.

💡

Secure Internet distribution requires the mandatory use of a password and regular monitoring of connected devices in the access point management menu.

Compliance with these simple rules will allow you to use the Xiaomi smartphone as a reliable and secure source of Internet anywhere in the world. Technology is constantly being improved, and modern flagships of the brand are able to deliver speeds comparable to home fiber, provided that the network is well covered by the operator.