How to use Xiaomi as a modem: full instructions

The modern smartphone has long ceased to be just a device for calls, becoming a universal center of communication and entertainment. POCO Often faced with the need to provide access to the global network other gadgets, whether it is a laptop without a computer. SIM-A card or tablet, and using a phone as a modem is a regular function of the system. MIUI HyperOS, which works stably and does not require third-party software installation.

There are several ways to broadcast traffic, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. You can choose a wireless connection over Wi-Fi, a wired option over Wi-Fi. USB-You can use a cable or even a Bluetooth modem to save energy, and understanding the nuances of each method will allow you not only to distribute the Internet, but also to save battery power, and also to ensure maximum data transfer speed in a particular situation.

In this article, we will take a look at all the options available, the hidden settings of the engineering menu, and how to solve typical problems when the access point is not activated. We will touch on security issues so that no outsiders connect to your network, and discuss the features of working with mobile operators’ tariffs that can block distribution.

Setting up Wi-Fi access point in MIUI and HyperOS

The most popular and convenient way to turn Xiaomi into a router is to use the built-in Wi-Fi module. The standard shell interface offers flexible settings to manage network visibility, frequency range and number of connected users. To start, you need to go to the settings menu, where the connection control center is located.

Open Settings on your device and find the Access Point and modem section. In some versions of the firmware, this item may be inside the Connect and Sharing menu. This is where all the switches that transmit the signal are located. Activate the Wi-Fi Access Point slider, and then the smartphone will start broadcasting the network.

⚠️ Note: If you are using the 5GHz band, make sure that the receiving device (laptop or old tablet) supports this frequency standard, otherwise it will simply not see your network in the list of available connections.

The critical step is to set up security. By default, the system can offer a simple password or leave the network open altogether, which is highly undesirable. Click on your access point name or select Access Point Settings to change the network name (SSID) and set a strong password. It is recommended to use WPA2-Personal or WPA3 encryption for maximum data protection.

In advanced settings, you can limit the number of devices you can connect to. This is a useful feature if you want to save traffic or battery power. Also pay attention to the shutdown timer: the system can automatically turn off the access point if no one is connected to it for 10 or 30 minutes. This prevents wasted energy when you forget to turn off modem mode.

Use of the USB-stable-connection modem

Wired connection through USB-The cable is often ignored by users, although it has a number of undeniable advantages over wireless technology: the main advantages are minimal ping (latency), no packet loss and simultaneous charging of the smartphone. For laptops that have a battery run down or a faulty Wi-Fi module, Xiaomi can be a salvation.

To activate this mode, you'll need a high-quality cable that can transmit data, not just charge the device. Connect the phone to your computer via a USB port. After you connect, the notification curtain will show the appropriate icon. Now you need to go to the Access Point and modem menu in the phone settings.

In the open list of options item USB-The modem will become active (no longer gray) only after the cable is physically connected to the PC, activate it with a switch, and the computer will recognize the new network connection as if you had connected an Ethernet cable. Drivers are usually installed automatically on modern Windows operating systems. 10/11 macOS.

It is worth noting that when using USB-The modem speed is limited only by the capabilities of your tariff plan and the standard USB (However, unlike Wi-Fi, it completely eliminates interference from microwave ovens, neighbor routers and Bluetooth devices, making it ideal for video calls or online games where channel stability is important.

Bluetooth modem: saving charge for older devices

While Bluetooth technology is significantly inferior in speeds to Wi-Fi and USB, it is still relevant in certain scenarios: for example, if you need to give the Internet to a device with a very old communication module, or if the smartphone battery is critically low and the Wi-Fi module consumes too much power. The speed here rarely exceeds 1-2 Mbps, which is enough for instant messengers or navigation, but not enough for video.

The setup process requires pairing devices. Turn on Bluetooth on both gadgets and execute (pair) by entering the confirmation code. After successfully connecting on Xiaomi phone in the Access Point and modem menu, activate the Bluetooth modem option. On the receiving device, in the Bluetooth settings, you need to select your phone and click "Connect through" -> "Access Point".

The main feature of this method is low power consumption. The Bluetooth module works in the background and does not create the same heating of the case as an active Wi-Fi transmitter. However, it is worth considering that, as a rule, only one device can be connected via Bluetooth at a time, which makes this method a personal tool, not a solution for the office.

Hidden settings and engineering menu

The MIUI hides from the average user a number of advanced features available through engineering menus or special commands, one of which is changing the type of security or forcing the access point to run in the 5 GHz band, even if the standard menu offers only 2.4 GHz. This can significantly improve speed in apartment buildings where the air is clogged with neighboring networks.

You can use the application to access hidden parameters MTK Settings (for MediaTek processors) or special codes in dialer, but the safer way is to use them. ADB-This requires you to activate debugging mode on the computer. USB You can connect your phone to your PC and send a command to change regional limits or frequencies.

adb shell settings put global tether_dun_required 0

The above command can help bypass the operator’s tethering restriction if the provider blocks TTL. The mechanism is simple: the team prohibits the system from requiring a DUN (Dial-Up Networking) check, which sometimes allows you to bypass the lock on the part of the cell tower.

Be careful when making changes to system settings through ADB. Incorrect commands can cause the communication module to work unstable or completely reset network settings. Always write down the initial values of the parameters before changing them so that you can roll back the changes in case of problems.

Problems with operators and bypassing locks

Many data plans, especially the so-called “no-limit” plans, actually contain traffic restrictions. Telecom operators can block access or charge an additional fee if they find that you are using a smartphone as a modem, this is due to the analysis of TTL and User-Agent requests that come from a connected laptop.

The most common method of bypassing is to change the TTL value on the Xiaomi device itself. Android defaults 64. When you go through the phone, the value decreases to 63. The operator sees 63 and realizes that traffic is not coming from the phone, but from the PC. To hide this, you need to set TTL to 65 (or 128, depending on the computer's OS) so that after it is reduced, it becomes standard.

TTL requires root rights to change, and if your phone is rooted, you can use applications like TTL Master or manually edit the configuration file through the terminal. Without root rights, you have limited options, and often the only way out is to connect the service to the operator's Internet Distribution service or switch to the tariff, where it is officially allowed.

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If you use your phone as a modem often, buy a USB-C to USB-C cable with fast charging support, which will allow you to simultaneously transfer data at high speed and quickly charge your smartphone from your laptop if it has Power Delivery.

Removal of faults and typical errors

Despite the system’s fine-tuning, Xiaomi users sometimes experience situations where the access point is not turned on or quickly shut down. Often the cause is a frequency conflict or crowded memory buffer network services. First of all, try just to restart your smartphone – this solves 80% of software failures.

If the problem persists, check the APN settings. Sometimes resetting the access point settings to factory values helps resolve the parameter conflict. To do this, select Reset settings from the access point menu. Also make sure that the phone is mobile data enabled, since you can not distribute Wi-Fi without an active Internet connection.

⚠️ Attention: With frequent use of modem modem, the smartphone can become very hot. Prolonged overheating leads to battery degradation and processor trottling, which reduces the speed of the Internet. Remove the case or put the phone on a cold surface when you are actively distributing.

In rare cases, the fault is the antivirus software or firewall installed on the phone. Try temporarily disabling protection or adding an exception for system services. Also make sure that the date and time on the device are set correctly, as desynchronization can prevent you from establishing a secure connection with authentication servers.

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The stability of the modem depends on the quality of the signal of the cellular network. If the place of use 1-2 division of communication, no settings of the phone will not provide high speed, in this case only an external antenna or movement will help.

Questions and Answers (FAQ)