Incorporation of the regime USB-modem on Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi line, POCO Mi allows you to distribute mobile Internet to other devices via cable, which is a different method than Wi-Fi or Bluetooth access point: it saves battery power, provides a stable connection without interference and often works faster. However, many users face difficulties with the first setup – from the lack of an option in the menu to problems with drivers on the PC.
In this article, we will analyze not only the basic steps of activating the mode, but also the nuances characteristic of firmware. MIUI different versions including MIUI 14/15 Android 13/14). You will learn how to avoid common mistakes (e.g, NDIS-mistake 10 in Windows), what settings to check on the smartphone itself and how to make sure that your tariff supports the distribution of the Internet. POCO F5, Redmi Note 12 other popular models 2023–2026 year-end.
Preparation of Xiaomi smartphone for use USB-modem
Before you connect your phone to your computer, make sure the key conditions are met:
- 📶 Mobile Internet is active: check that there is a connection on the smartphone (icon) 4G/5G or LTE in the status bar. If the Internet is not available, USB-The modem will not work.
- 🔋 Battery charge above 20%: at low charge level MIUI It can block the distribution of the Internet to save energy.
- 🔒 Unlocked screen: on some models (e.g. Redmi) 10C) USB-The modem turns off when the screen is locked. This behavior can be changed in the settings.
- 📱 Updated firmware: in older versions MIUI (below 12.5) there may be no options for USB-Modem. Update the system to Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
It's important if you're using double. SIM-map, make sure that mobile data is included for the SIM, which supports data transmission (usually noted in the settings) SIM-At some operator rates (e.g. Tele2 or Iota), Internet distribution may be a paid option - check with your provider.
Step-by-step instruction: how to turn on USB-modem
The mode activation algorithm is almost the same for all Xiaomi models, but may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI.
- Connect your smartphone to your computer or laptop using the original USB-Cable (preferably from the kit) Uncertified cables may cause connection errors.
- On your smartphone screen, select File Transfer (MTP) or Charge (if requested) mode, which is a temporary step, and we will change mode to modem later.
- Open the Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Access Point and modem (in some versions) MIUI The way may be settings → Connections and sharing → Modem mode).
- Activate the switch. USB-If you do not have an option, see the section "What to do if there is no item" USB-modem».
- On your computer, wait for the drivers to install (Windows may notify you of a new network adapter). If the drivers do not install automatically, download them manually (see links below).
Critical detail: on models with Android 12+ (for example, Xiaomi 13T or POCO X5 Pro) after activation USB-The modem may need to confirm permission to transfer data through the notification in the curtain!
☑️ Checking before connection
Setting up a computer to work with a USB-modem Xiaomi
Even if it's on a smartphone. USB-The modem is on, PCs may have connectivity issues. Let's look at typical scenarios for different operating systems:
For Windows 10/11
- 🖥️ Automatic Driver Installation: Usually Windows finds and installs the Remote driver itself NDIS. If this does not happen, check Device Manager for unknown devices (yellow exclamation point).
- 🔧 Manual Installation: Download the driver from the official Xiaomi website (the support section of your model) or use the universal Google driver USB Driver.
- 🌐 Network setting: after connecting to Network settings, a new Ethernet connection or USB RNDIS. If the internet is not working, check your settings. IPv4 (must be automatically received).
For macOS
On a MacBook or an iMac. USB-Xiaomi modem usually works without additional drivers, but may be required:
- 🍎 Install Android File Transfer (even if you don’t transfer files).
- 🔄 Reboot the smartphone after the first connection.
- 📡 In System settings → Network to select a new connection USB Ethernet and activate it.
For Linux (Ubuntu, Mint, etc.)
In most distributions, the driver rndis_host It's already in the kernel:
sudo modprobe rndis_host
sudo dhclient usb0If the network interface does not appear, check the output of the lsusb command - the device should be defined as Xiaomi Composite Device.
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If Windows has an NDIS 10 error, try disabling the driver digital signature check. To do this, hold Shift + F8 when booting, select Disable the mandatory driver signature check, and restart your PC.
What to do if there is no Xiaomi item «USB-modem»
The lack of menu options is a common problem, especially on smartphones with custom firmware or older versions of MIUI. Here are the possible reasons and solutions:
| Reason. | Decision | The models on which it is found |
|---|---|---|
| Outdated version of MIUI (below 12) | Update the firmware through Settings → About the phone → System update | Redmi 9A, POCO M3 |
| The operator has blocked the function | Call in support of the operator and request unlock or change the tariff | Any models on MTS, Beeline (tariffs without option "Modem") |
| There is no option in the region | Change region to India or Russia in Settings → More → Region | Xiaomi 12 Pro, Redmi Note 11 (global versions) |
| Custom firmware (such as LineageOS) | Install USB Tethering Enabler via Magisk | Any model with root rights |
If none of these methods helped, try activating the mode through the hidden menu of engineering settings:
- Open the Phone app and type ##4636##.
- Go to the phone information section.
- Scroll down and click the Settings USB → choose RNDIS + USB-modem.
How to check if your tariff supports the distribution of the Internet?
Typical errors and their elimination
Even after the right setup USB-The modem can be unstable. Let's look at the most common problems and how to solve them:
⚠️ Note: If after connecting to the PC smartphone begins to warm up, turn off USB-modem and check if the computer runs programs that consume a lot of traffic (for example, torrents or online games). Prolonged overheating can lead to trottling of the processor and slowing down the speed of the processor.
- 🔌 Device connects but the internet doesn't work: Check if the Windows firewall or antivirus (like Kaspersky) is blocking the new connection. Turn them off temporarily. Also make sure that the smartphone is in Settings → SIM-The maps include mobile data for the correct SIM-map.
- 🐢 Low connection speed: USB 2.0 limits speed to ~480 Mbps, but in practice it can be lower due to interference. Try another cable or port on your PC. 4G, Check the network coverage – it may be worth switching to 3G (customized SIM-map).
- ⚡ The battery goes down fast: USB-The modem consumes less power than a Wi-Fi point, but when data is transmitted actively, the discharge can accelerate. Connect the smartphone to charging or activate the power saving mode in Settings → Battery.
- 🔄 Connection is constantly broken: This may be due to energy savings on PC. In Windows, disable the option Allow Disconnection of this device to save energy in the properties of the network adapter (see Device Manager).
If the problem persists, try resetting the network settings on your smartphone:
- Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings.
- Confirm the reset and restart the device.
- Reactivate. USB-modem.
Features for popular Xiaomi models
Some Xiaomi smartphones have unique nuances when setting up USB-We have gathered up-to-date information for the most common devices of 2022-2026:
- 📱 Redmi Note 12 Pro+/Pro: In these models USB-The modem may conflict with the debugging function USB. If the Internet is not working, turn off debugging in Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (7 Once you click on the version, then return to the additional → For developers).
Models with MediaTek processors (such as the Redmi Note 11 or POCO M4 Pro) may require an additional MediaTek Preloader driver. Download it from Xiaomi's official website in the support section of your model.
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On smartphones with Qualcomm Snapdragon (for example, POCO X3 Pro) USB-The modem is more stable than on devices with MediaTek, where drivers on older versions of Windows can be problematic.
Safety in use USB-modem
USB Internet sharing creates a direct connection between your smartphone and your computer, which could potentially be used for unauthorized access.
- 🔐 Disable the modem after use: do not leave the connection active if you do not transfer data, this will reduce the risk of attack through vulnerabilities in the protocol. RNDIS.
- 🛡️ Use antivirus on PC: some malware can spread through USB-Regularly scan the system (e.g. Kaspersky Internet Security or Bitdefender).
- 🔄 Update the firmware: in older versions MIUI Vulnerabilities that allow protection to be avoided USB (For example, DirtyCow in Android 7/8). Install the latest updates.
- 🚫 Don’t connect to public PCs: Avoid using them USB-modems on other people’s computers (in internet cafes, hotels, etc.) as they may be infected with spyware.
⚠️ Note: On corporate laptops with installed monitoring software (such as Tanium or Microsoft Intune), the modem connection of the smartphone may be blocked by security policies. IT-service.
If you frequently connect your smartphone to different devices, consider using a VPN on your smartphone (like ProtonVPN or Windscribe) to add a layer of traffic encryption and protect your data from being intercepted.