How to Enable Modem Modem on Xiaomi: A Complete Guide with Settings and Tips

The modem modem on Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi and POCO lines) makes your phone a full-fledged hotspot for distributing mobile Internet to other devices, a feature that is indispensable when traveling without fixed Wi-Fi or when you urgently need to connect a laptop, tablet or even another smartphone to the network. However, many users face difficulties when first turning on the modem modem modem modem – from the lack of an option in the menu to problems with connecting devices.

In this article, we will discuss all ways to activate modem modem on Xiaomi (including hidden settings for some models), explain the differences between the distribution over Wi-Fi, USB We'll give you practical tips to fix common bugs, and we'll focus on the limitations of telecom operators, who often block the Internet distribution function at unlimited rates. MIUI 14/15 and new versions of firmware.

What is a modem modem and why it is needed

Modem mode (or tethering) is a feature that allows your Xiaomi smartphone to act as a router, distributing mobile Internet (3G/4G/5G) to other gadgets. Depending on the model and version of MIUI, three main types of connection are available:

• 📶 Wi-Fi Hotspot – creating a wireless network that can connect to up to 10 devices at a time (the most popular option is the Wi-Fi Hotspot).
• 🔌 USB-modem – cable connection to a computer or laptop (provides stable connection and charging of the phone).
• 🔵 Bluetooth modem – distribution of Internet over Bluetooth (suitable for devices without Wi-Fi, but limited by speed).

Main use cases:

• 💻 Working on a laptop on the road or in a cafe where there is no public Wi-Fi.
• 🎮 Connecting game consoles (PlayStation, Nintendo Switch) to the mobile Internet.
• 📱 Emergency Internet distribution to a second phone (for example, to install applications).
• 🖥️ Set up smart devices (Xiaomi Home, cameras, robot vacuum cleaners) that require a connection to the network.

It is important to understand that not all mobile carriers support Internet distribution. Many providers (for example, MTS, Beeline, Tele2) block the modem function at unlimited traffic rates, requiring additional options to be connected, and we will discuss this in detail in the section on errors.

How to turn on modem modem via Wi-Fi (hotspot)

The most popular way to distribute the Internet is to create a Wi-Fi network from your phone. The instruction is suitable for all modern Xiaomi smartphones, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13 and other models on MIUI 14/15.

1. Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the home screen).
2. Go to Network and Internet → Modem Modem (on some models, the path may be Connections and Sharing → Wi-Fi Access Point).
3. Activate the Wi-Fi Access Point (or Portable Access Point) switch.
4. Click on Setting up a Wi-Fi hotspot to ask: 🔐 Name of the network (SSID) — Think of a unique name (for example, Xiaomi_Hotspot_123). 🔑 Password minimum 8 Symbols (we recommend using letters, numbers and signs). 📡 Frequency range - select 2.4 GHz for better compatibility or 5 GHz for higher speed (if supported).

Save your settings and connect other devices to the network you have created.

By default, Xiaomi hands out the Internet with automatic shutdown in 10 minutes if no devices are connected to the network. To avoid this, activate the option Always enabled in the hotspot settings (not available on all models).

Activation. USB-modem

If you need to distribute the Internet to a laptop or PC, the best solution will be USB-It's a modem, and it's a more stable connection than Wi-Fi, and it charges the phone at the same time:

• ⚡ USB-Type C Cable (or Micro-USB for older models).
• 💻 Computer with Xiaomi drivers installed (usually installed automatically when first connected).
• 🔄 Data Transfer Mode (not "Charging").

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your smartphone to your computer via cable.
2. On the phone in the notification that appears, select the File Transfer mode (or USB-modem, if such option is available).
3. Go to Settings → Network and Internet → Modem mode.
4. Activate the switch. USB-modem.
5. On your computer, check the connection: in Windows, open Settings → Network and Internet → Ethernet – a new connection should appear.

If the internet doesn't come up:

• 🔄 Reconnect the cable or try another port USB.
• 🔧 Install Mi drivers PC Suite from the official Xiaomi website.
• 🛡️ Turn off the firewall or antivirus on your computer (they can block the connection).

💡

If USB-The modem doesn’t work on Windows 11, try manually installing the driver. RNDIS To do this, right-click on an unknown device. → Update the driver → Perform a search on this computer → Network adapters → Remote NDIS.

Internet sharing via Bluetooth: when you need it

Bluetooth modem is inferior in speed to Wi-Fi and USB, but can be useful in specific situations:

• 📱 Connect devices without Wi-Fi (such as some smartwatches or older laptops).
• 🔋 Battery savings (Bluetooth consumes less power than Wi-Fi).
• 🚗 Use in the vehicle where USB-The port is busy charging and Wi-Fi interferes with the operation of the navigator.

How to turn on:

1. Activate Bluetooth on both devices.
2. Couple a Xiaomi smartphone with a target device (like a laptop).
3. Go to Settings → Network and Internet → Modem mode.
4. Turn on the Bluetooth modem switch.
5. On the second device in Bluetooth settings, select an internet connection via your smartphone.

Limitations:

• ⚠️ Speed limited by Bluetooth version (maximum) ~3 Mbps on Bluetooth 5.0).
• ⚠️ Not all devices support Bluetooth Internet (for example, an iPhone cannot be a recipient).

Hidden modem settings on Xiaomi

On some Xiaomi models (especially custom firmware or regional versions of MIUI), the standard modem settings can be hidden.

Method 1: through the Engineering Menu

1. Open the phone app and enter the combination: ##4636##
2. Go to the phone information section.
3. Scroll down and find the Wi-Fi AP (or Tethering) option.
4. Activate the desired type of distribution (Wi-Fi/USB/Bluetooth).

Method 2: Through ADB-Teams (for advanced users)

If the modem option is not in the menu, you can force it to be enabled via ADB:

adb shell settings put global tether_dun_required 0


adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.TetherSettings

After these commands are executed, the Modem Modem section will appear in the settings.

Typical errors and their solutions

Even after setting up the modem on Xiaomi correctly, let’s look at the most common problems and ways to fix them:

⚠️ Attention: On tariffs with "unlimited" Internet operators often set a limit on the distribution of traffic (for example, 10-30 GB per month). Exceeding the limit can lead to a modem lock or a speed decrease to 64 Kbps!

Additional advice:

• 🔄 If the hotspot does not turn on, restart the phone and try again.
• 📶 If the mobile network signal is weak, the Internet distribution may not work smoothly. Try moving closer to the window or using a signal amplifier.
• 🔋 Modem mode is draining the battery very much. Use the charger for long-term distribution.

How to save traffic when giving out the Internet

Mobile Internet can quickly exhaust your plan, especially if you have multiple devices connected to the hotspot. Here are some ways to optimize your traffic consumption:

• 📊 Limit the number of connected devices (in the hotspot settings you can specify a maximum of 1-2 gadgets).
• 🔍 Turn off automatic updates on connected devices (Windows, macOS, Android).
• 🎵 Block background apps that consume traffic (e.g. YouTube, Netflix, cloud services).
• 📱 Use data saving mode in settings MIUI (Settings → The Internet and the Internet → Saving traffic).

For advanced users:

• 🛡️ Set up a firewall on a connected device to block unnecessary connections.
• 📈 Install a traffic monitoring app (like GlassWire or NetGuard) to track which programs are consuming the internet.

⚠️ Note: Some carriers (such as MegaFon or Yota) may count traffic consumed through modem modem mode separately from the main tariff, which can result in you receiving an additional gigabyte bill, even if the phone is left unlimited. Always check the conditions in the operator’s personal account!

💡

The most reliable way to save traffic is to use it. USB-Modem instead of Wi-Fi. When connected via cable, the system automatically blocks background updates on many devices (for example, on Windows). 10/11).

FAQ: Frequent questions about modem modem on Xiaomi