How to turn it on USB-Modem on Xiaomi phone: the full guide

Modern Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones have long since ceased to be just devices for calling, becoming powerful tools for work and entertainment. Often there is a situation when a laptop or desktop computer is left without access to the global network, and a Wi-Fi router is not at hand. In such cases, the Internet distribution function comes to the rescue, and the most stable and fastest way is a wired connection.

Using a USB modem on a phone not only allows for stable ping in games, but also significantly saves battery power of a mobile device compared to a wireless access point. In addition, the data transfer speed through a USB-C cable is always higher and more stable than over a radio channel, which is critical when downloading large files or video calls. However, users often find that the option is not activated immediately after connecting the cable.

In this article, we will take a look at all the steps of setting up, from enabling debugging over USB to choosing the right type of connection in the engineering menu. You will learn how to make your computer see your phone as a network card, and what to do if the drivers are not installed automatically. Follow the step-by-step recommendations to turn your gadget into a full-fledged source of Internet for any technology.

Preparation of equipment and inspection SIM-map

Before you go to software settings, you need to make sure that the hardware is physically ready. The first step should always be to check the mobile traffic on the SIM card. Make sure that there are funds on the balance sheet or a package of services is connected, since the Internet distribution consumes traffic quite quickly, especially if the computer runs background updates.

The second critical element is cable. Not all USB cables are the same: many cheap cords are designed solely for charging and do not have data lines. You need a quality cable that supports data standards, preferably an original or certified accessory with a bandwidth of at least 480 Mbps.

• 📱 Make sure that SIM-card installed in a slot with support 4G/LTE, If your rate allows high-speed access.
• 🔌 Use a cable no longer than 1.5 meters long to minimize signal loss and ensure stable voltage.
• 📶 Check the signal level at the location of the computer; with a weak reception, the speed on the PC will be low even with a wired connection.

Also worth paying attention to the USB port on the computer itself. For maximum speed, it is recommended to connect the phone to USB 3.0 ports (usually blue) located on the motherboard behind the system unit. The front ports of laptops or PCs can give out insufficient voltage, which will lead to permanent connection breaks or the inability to activate modem modem mode.

Configure network settings and APN access point

After physical training, we move to the software part. In the MIUI or HyperOS operating system, mobile network settings can have their own characteristics. Before you turn on the modem, you need to make sure that the mobile Internet works correctly on the smartphone itself. Open the browser and try to load any page.

If the phone has Internet, but the computer does not see the network, the problem may lie in the settings of the access point (APN). Communication operators often require manual registration of these parameters to correctly work the Internet on different devices. Go to the Settings menu, select SIM-maps and mobile networks, then click on the SIM card used and go to Access Points (APN).

⚠️ Warning: Never delete standard settings APN Resetting to factory network settings may require manual input of data that is difficult to find without Internet access.

In the access point menu, check if you have an active point. It often happens that after updating the firmware priorities are lost and the phone tries to use an empty or incorrect configuration. Click on the name of your operator's access point (for example, MTS, Beeline, Megafon) and make sure that the username and password fields are filled in correctly if required by the provider. In most modern networks, it is enough to simply select the correct profile from the list.

For some unlimited internet plans, operators may block the distribution of traffic, in which case standard APN settings may not help, and you will need to change the TTL (Time To Live) of data packets to hide the fact of the distribution. However, first try the standard activation methods described below, since blocking is not common at all rates.

Activation of the regime USB-modem on the Android menu

The main method of enabling the feature is built into the operating system interface. Connect your phone with a cable to your computer and wait until the basic drivers are installed (usually it takes 10-20 seconds).

In the list of options, find Connection and Sharing (in older versions) MIUI It can be called "More" or it can be in the "Wireless Networks" section. This is where all the tools for interacting with the outside world are concentrated. USB-modem and activate it.

If the switch is active but the computer is not responding, try this: turn off the cable, turn off Flight mode for 5 seconds, then turn on mobile data again and reconnect. Sometimes the system requires a reboot of network interfaces for the correct handshake process with Windows or macOS.

After successfully turning on the three tasks of the computer (bottom right, where the clock is) a monitor icon with a cable or a new network interface should appear. The system will determine the new connection as an Ethernet network. If this does not happen, perhaps the phone suggests choosing USB mode.

• 💻 When connecting the cable on the phone screen, the "Use" menu may pop up USB".
• 🔌 Choose an option "USB-"modem" or "Ethernet" if such item is available in the list.
• 🔄 If you select Charge Only, your computer won’t see the network, change the settings.

Using USB Debugging Mode for Advanced Users

In cases where the standard switch is not working or hidden by the operator, it may be necessary to activate the debugging mode. ADB, It also often wakes up hidden network interfaces. → The phone.

Find the MIUI Version (or OS Version) bar and quickly click on it 7-10 times in a row, and the notification will appear, "You became a developer." Then go back to the main settings menu, go to Additional → For developers. Here you need to find and activate the USB Debugging slider.

Settings -> About Phone -> 7 clicks according to MIUI -> For Developers -> Debugging by USB

Enabling this feature gives the system deeper permissions to access the hardware interfaces. Once you activate debugging, try turning it on again. USB-The modem is in the Connection and Sharing menu, often causing the phone to re-initiate the dialogue with the computer and correctly identify the drivers of the network card (RNDIS or ECM).

⚠️ Warning: Be careful in the Developer menu, changing parameters you don't know can lead to system instability or data loss, only changing the settings you believe you need.

Also in this menu may be the item "Select configuration". USB". Click on it and select "USB-modem (RNDIS)" or "MIDI + RNDIS". This will force the phone to appear to the computer as a network device, ignoring standard file transfer protocols.

Solving driver problems in Windows and macOS

One of the most common causes of a broken modem is the lack of necessary drivers in the computer's operating system. Windows 10 and 11 usually automatically find the right components, but older versions or specific Xiaomi models may require manual intervention.

If you see an unknown device with an exclamation mark or a device called "Android" without drivers in Device Manager, you need to update them manually. Right-click on the device, select "Update driver" → "Follow driver search on this computer" → "Select driver from the list of available drivers."

For macOS, the situation is usually easier, since the system has built-in protocol support. ECM and RNDIS. However, if the Mac can't see the phone, try using the original Apple cable or an MFi certified accessory. USB LAN, proof-of-concept.

In some cases, installing Google’s universal Android USB Driver helps, and once it’s installed and rebooted, the phone must be correctly identified, and it’s worth checking whether the antivirus or firewall is blocking a new network connection, classifying it as public or unknown.

Alternative methods and use of third-party software

If the standard means to turn on the modem fails, specialized utilities come to the rescue. One of the most popular and reliable programs is Reverse Tethering No Root. This application allows you to share the Internet from your phone to your PC without the need to obtain superuser rights (Root).

The principle of operation of such programs is based on the creation of a tunnel through the ADB (Android Debug Bridge.You will need to install the app on your phone and the corresponding client on your computer (if required), as well as enable debugging by USB. The program will set up the necessary routes and DNS-server.

• 📲 Install Reverse Tethering No Root from a trusted source.
• 💻 Run the program on PC and connect the phone in debugging mode.
• 🔗 Click the “Connect” button in the app and wait for the success message.

Another method is to use terminal emulators on Android itself, such as Termux. You can manually run distribution services with the command line, but this method requires a deep knowledge of Linux and ndc or service commands. For most users, using ready-made applications will be safer and faster.

⚠️ Note: Download third-party programs to distribute the Internet only from official developer sites or trusted repositories (for example, GitHub, XDA Developers) Modified APK-Files may contain malicious code.

It is also worth mentioning the possibility of using ADB-commands for forced activation, if you have ADB On a computer, the adb shell svc usb setFunctions rndis command can force the switch to the operating mode. USB-However, after the phone is restarted, the settings will reset, so this method is suitable for a temporary solution.

Frequent Questions and Troubleshooting (FAQ)

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The most reliable way to distribute - a regular USB-modem via the settings menu. Use third-party programs only if the standard method does not work or is blocked by the operator.

Finally, the setting USB-Xiaomi modem is a simple process, but requires attention to detail. APN And the drivers that are up-to-date solve 95 percent of all problems, and with wired connectivity, you get the most stability and speed, and you turn your smartphone into a powerful tool to work anywhere in the world.