Modern Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi, POCO and Mi line) can work as full-fledged modems, distributing mobile Internet to other devices, this feature saves on trips, when there is no home Wi-Fi or when you need to urgently connect a laptop to the network, but not all users know how to properly activate modem modem modem modem and avoid typical errors.
In this article, we will discuss all ways to distribute the Internet to Xiaomi โ via Wi-Fi, USB and Bluetooth, and also explain how to fix connection problems.
What is a modem modem and why it is needed
Modem modem (or tethering) allows you to use your smartphone as an Internet access point for other gadgets.
- ๐ No stationary Wi-Fi (in cafes, trains, suburbs).
- ๐ป It is urgent to connect a laptop or tablet to the network.
- ๐ฎ Requires a stable connection for online PC gaming.
- ๐ฑ You need to distribute the Internet to a second phone (for example, to update the software).
There are three types of distribution available on Xiaomi:
- Wi-Fi hotspot is the most versatile solution (up to 10 devices at a time).
- USB-modem โ suitable for PC, provides stable connection and charging of the phone.
- Bluetooth modem saves battery power, but is limited in speed (up to 3 Mbit / s).
Important: Mobile operators can block Internet distribution or charge extra. Check the plan before using modem modem.
Preparing the phone before switching on modem
Before activating the distribution, perform several checks to avoid problems:
Check the balance of the mobile account
Disable VPN (can block traffic)
Make sure that the mobile internet works
Update your phone to the latest version
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If you have Xiaomi with two SIM-By map, select the one that has the mobile Internet activated:
- Go to Settings. โ SIM-maps and mobile networks.
- Choose. SIM-data-card.
- Make sure the mobile data switch is on.
Some models (such as the Redmi Note 10 Pro or POCO X3 Pro) may require additional APN setup. If the internet doesn't work even without handing it out, check the APN settings with your carrier.
โ ๏ธ Attention: On phones with MIUI 13+ When the hotspot is first turned on, the system can request confirmation via SMS. Itโs a security measure โ donโt ignore it, otherwise the handout wonโt work.
How to turn on Wi-Fi hotspot on Xiaomi
This is the most popular way to distribute the Internet, and the instructions are suitable for all Xiaomi models, including the Redmi 9A, POCO F3 and Mi 11:
- Open the Settings. โ Access Point and modem.
- Select the Wi-Fi Access Point.
- Activate the Wi-Fi Access Point slider.
- When you first turn on, the system will suggest setting the network name (SSID) and password. Use a strong password (at least 8 characters with numbers and letters).
By default, Xiaomi assigns the access point a name of the view Xiaomi_XXXX (where XXXX โ last-minute MAC-You can change it in the settings:
- ๐ The name of the access point is any convenient name (for example, My name is not a name_Xiaomi_Hotspot).
- ๐ Password โ minimum 8 characters (we recommend using a password generator).
- ๐ Security - Choose WPA2-PSK (most secure).
- ๐ก Frequency range: 2.4 GHz (better for compatibility) or 5 GHz (faster but shorter range).
After saving the settings, connect another device to the network you have created, and Xiaomi will display a notification about the number of connected gadgets.
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If the speed is low, try changing the frequency range from 2.4 GHz to 5 GHz (or vice versa) in the hotspot settings.
Setting up USB-Xiaomi modem
USB-It's a handout that connects to a PC or a laptop, and it provides a stable connection, and it charges the phone at the same time:
- Connect your phone to your computer through the original USB-cable (faulty cables may not transmit data).
- On your phone, select File Transfer (MTP) or Charge Only (depending on the model).
- Go to Settings. โ Access Point and modem โ USB-modem.
- Activate the slider USB-modem.
On a Windows PC, drivers are installed automatically. If the connection is not working:
- ๐ฅ๏ธ Check Device Manager for unknown devices (May require manual installation of Xiaomi drivers).
- ๐ Try another one. USB-port (preferably) USB 3.0).
- ๐ Restart your phone and computer.
MacOS or Linux may require additional network setup, such as Ubuntu, where you need to manually configure the nmcli connection:
nmcli con add type ethernet ifname eth0 con-name "Xiaomi USB"โ ๏ธ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 8 Pro) USB-The modem turns off when the screen locks. To avoid this, add the Settings app to the battery optimization exceptions.
Bluetooth modem: charge savings but low speed
This is a way to distribute the Internet to devices without Wi-Fi (for example, old laptops or smart watches), speed is limited to ~3 Mbps, but battery consumption is minimal.
Instructions for setting:
- Turn on Bluetooth on both devices.
- Connect them (on your phone: Settings โ Bluetooth, select your target device).
- On your phone, go to Settings โ Access Point and modem โ Bluetooth modem.
- Activate the slider and confirm the connection on the second device.
On a Windows PC after pairing:
- Open Settings โ Devices โ Bluetooth and other devices.
- Select your Xiaomi, click Connect through โ Access point.
For macOS:
- Open System settings โ Bluetooth.
- Find your phone, click Connect to the network.
Why is a Bluetooth modem slower than Wi-Fi?
Table of comparison of ways to distribute the Internet on Xiaomi
| Parameter | Wi-Fi hotspot | USB-modem | Bluetooth modem |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max, speed. | Up to 100 Mbps (depending on the tariff) | Up to 50 Mbps (limited to USB 2.0) | Up to 3 Mbps |
| Number of devices | 10. | 1 (PC) | 1-3 (depends on device) |
| Battery consumption | High (especially at 5GHz) | Low (phone charging) | Minimum |
| Compatibility | Any Wi-Fi devices | USB-ported PC | Devices with Bluetooth 3.0+ |
| Delay (ping) | 10-50 ms. | 5-20 ms. | 50-200 ms. |
USB-The modem provides the most stable connection for online gaming, but requires cable.The Wi-Fi hotspot is versatile but drains the battery faster.
Solving problems with modem modem on Xiaomi
If the distribution of the Internet does not work, check these points:
- ๐ถ No mobile internet: Make sure you SIM-There's enough money in the card and the traffic pack is activated. APN.
- ๐ USB-Modem is not defined: Try another cable or port. On PC, update Qualcomm or MediaTek drivers (depending on your Xiaomi processor).
- ๐ Devices do not connect to Wi-Fi: Check password, change security type to Wi-Fi WPA2-PSK, turn off VPN.
- ๐ Distribution turns off itself: In the battery settings add Settings and Access Point to optimization exceptions.
On models with MIUI 12+, traffic restriction can be triggered to turn it off:
- Go to Settings. โ SIM-maps and mobile networks โ Transfer of data.
- Turn off Traffic Restriction.
- Reset the traffic counter (if it has reached the limit).
If the problem persists, reset the network settings:
- Settings โ System and device โ Resetting settings โ Resetting network settings.
- Confirm the action and restart the phone.
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On phones with a MediaTek processor (e.g. Redmi) 9T) USB-The modem may not work without the original cable. Use a kit cable or a certified accessory.