How to turn on USB modem on Xiaomi: a step-by-step guide

Modern smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO They have powerful functionality that allows them to be used not only for calls, but also as full-fledged routers. In situations where there is no Wi-Fi signal or too weak, and a laptop requires urgent access to the network, the function comes to the rescue. USB-Modem: This is the most stable way to transmit data, providing minimal latency and high connection speeds compared to Bluetooth or a standard access point.

Many users mistakenly believe that the Internet is distributed exclusively through Wi-Fi, ignoring the wired method. However, it is the cable connection that ensures no interference and saves battery power, since the device simultaneously receives power from the computer. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to activate this mode on the shell of MIUI and HyperOS, and also consider possible difficulties with drivers in the Windows operating system.

The setup process takes only a few minutes and does not require root rights or third-party software installation. All the necessary tools are already built into the Android system menu. USB-cable and the availability of an active tariff plan with mobile Internet enabled on the SIM card.

Advantages of wired connection over Wi-Fi

Using a smartphone as a USB-The modem has some undeniable advantages that often go unnoticed, and the first is signal stability, and the cable connection completely eliminates the effects of external factors, such as walls, appliances, or neighborhood routers, which can interfere with the airwaves.

Second, the important thing is power consumption, and when you're using Wi-Fi, your smartphone is rapidly drained by the active use of the radio. USB-The modem phone is charged from the computer port, which allows you to maintain the autonomy of the device throughout the day.

In addition, the wired connection provides faster data transfer speeds and less ping, which is critical for online games or video conferencing.The computer perceives the smartphone as a regular network card, which makes it easier to configure network settings and eliminates the need to enter passwords.

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USB-Connection is the best choice for large files and video calls due to stability and no delays.

Preparation of equipment and checking of settings

Before you start activating the modem, you need to make sure that your equipment is ready to go. USB-Cheap cables, which come with some accessories, are often only for charging and have no internal contacts to transmit data.

Use the original Xiaomi cable or certified analogue with the label (data transfer). Also check whether the smartphone itself is on mobile Internet. Without active data transfer via the SIM card, distribution is impossible, even if all settings are correct.

• 📱 Make sure that the mobile Internet is activated on the smartphone (3G/4G/5G).
• 🔌 Use quality. USB-cable that supports data transmission.
• 💻 Check the serviceability. USB-port-port.
• 🔒 Unlock the phone screen before connecting to the PC.

Special attention should be paid to ports on the computer. For maximum speed, it is recommended to connect the device to USB 3.0 ports (usually blue), although the modem will work via USB 2.0. If you use a stationary PC, connect the cable to the ports on the back of the motherboard to eliminate power shortages from the front connectors.

Activation. USB-modem on Xiaomi and Redmi

The process of enabling modem modem on Xiaomi devices is standardized and executed through the settings menu. The interface may vary slightly depending on the version of the MIUI shell or HyperOS, but the logic of actions remains unchanged.

First, connect your smartphone to your computer using a cable. Then go to the settings section. Find the network connection and sharing item. In newer firmware versions, it is often hidden inside the Access Point menu.

The sequence of actions is as follows:

• 🔘 Open the settings on your device.
• 📡 Go to Connect and Sharing (or just Additional Features).
• 📶 Select the Wi-Fi Access Point.
• 💻 Activate the slider USB-modem.

Once the slider is turned on, the system can warn you that the Wi-Fi hotspot will be turned off. This is normal behavior, since the radio module cannot simultaneously operate in client and access point mode on the same frequency. Confirm the action, and after a few seconds the computer will determine a new network connection.

Configuring drivers in Windows

Windows 10 and Windows 11 usually automatically recognizes an Android smartphone as a network device and installs the necessary drivers, but in some cases, especially on older versions of the OS or when using specific Redmi models, manual intervention may be required.

If the modem is turned on, the computer makes a device connection sound but the Internet doesn't appear, check Device Manager. Look for Network Adapters or Other Devices. If you see a device with a yellow exclamation mark or the name "Android" or "RNDIS," the driver is not installed correctly.

To manually install the driver, right-click on the device in Manager, select Update Driver -> Search on this computer -> Select from the list of available drivers. From the list of manufacturers, find Microsoft, and from the list of models, select USB RNDIS Adapter or Remote NDIS based Internet Sharing Device.

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If automatic driver installation fails, try temporarily disabling antivirus or firewall that may block network hardware installation.

Solving Connection Problems and Errors

Despite the simplicity of the procedure, users may encounter a number of common problems, one of the most common being that the computer sees the phone but writes "Without Internet access," often involving operator APN settings or ISP blocking.

Some mobile operators prohibit or restrict the distribution of Internet to other devices, requiring the connection of additional options, in which case, even if you successfully connect the web page will not load.

⚠️ Note: If the Internet on the phone works, and on the PC does not, try in the settings of the access point on the smartphone to change the type APN default,supl or create a new access point with standard operator settings.

Another problem is periodic breaks in the connection, which can be caused by energy saving settings. MIUI. The system can aggressively restrict background activity USB-Go to the battery settings, find the process associated with network connections or system services, and select No Limits mode».

• 🔄 Reboot both devices: both smartphone and computer.
• 🚫 Turn it off. VPN Proxy servers at the time of diagnosis.
• 📶 Make sure that at least one browser is open on the phone to pass the operator’s authorization.
• ⚙️ Reset network settings on your smartphone (Settings) → Connection and sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth).

It is also worth mentioning the problem with USB-If the port is shattered or oxidized, the contact may disappear at the slightest movement, in which case the system will constantly reconnect the device, which will cause the Internet connection to break.

Traffic safety and consumption

Using a smartphone as a modem requires a careful attitude to traffic consumption. Computer programs, unlike mobile applications, are not always optimized to save data. Windows can start downloading major updates or synchronizing cloud storage, which quickly exhausts your limit.

To avoid unexpected costs, it is recommended to set a limit tariff in the Windows network settings, which will prevent the system from downloading large updates and limit the background activity of applications.

⚠️ Note: When connecting through USB The phone heats up more than usual due to the simultaneous charging and operation of the modem.

From a security perspective, USB-The modem is a more secure channel than open Wi-Fi, as data is transmitted over a physical cable. However, do not forget about the risks when connecting to other people's or public computers. In such situations, choose Charge Only mode if you do not need to distribute the Internet.

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Always set a limit on PC traffic when connected via phone to avoid overspending megabytes by Windows background processes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)