Xiaomi phone like USB-Modem: setting up, drivers and error elimination

In the era of remote work and the constant need for a stable Internet, the ability to turn Xiaomi smartphone into a full-fledged smartphone. USB-The modem becomes a critical skill, allowing mobile traffic to be distributed to a computer or laptop via cable, which is especially important in the context of weak Wi-Fi, no router or the need to save battery power (compared to a Wi-Fi access point). However, many users face challenges, from the lack of drivers to connection errors that turn a simple procedure into a multi-hour quest.

In this article, we will analyze not only the basic setting of the mode. USB-modem on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO, But there are also nuances that the manufacturer doesn't say, like why some models have the option hidden in the engineering menu, how to get around the carrier lock, or what to do if Windows is the only option. 10/11 It refuses to see the smartphone as a network adapter. MIUI 14/15 and features of work on devices with an unlocked loader.

What is the regime? USB-modem and why it is needed

Regime. USB-modem (or USB tethering is a feature where a smartphone connects to a computer via a cable and transmits Internet traffic directly, bypassing wireless networks:

• 🔋 Saves battery power - distribution by USB Consumes 2-3 times less energy than Wi-Fi.
• 🛡️ More secure – the connection cannot be intercepted by third parties (unlike open Wi-Fi points).
• 📶 Stable – no interference from other devices or walls, as is the case with wireless transmission.
• 🚀 Speed is limited only by the mobile network (4G/5G) and USB-port.

Where will this come in handy? First, for travel: connect your laptop to a Xiaomi phone and use the mobile Internet without the risk of draining the battery in an hour; second, in poor Wi-Fi conditions (such as in a hotel or cafe), when wired connection is impossible; third, for devices without a Wi-Fi adapter (such as some industrial PCs or Raspberry Pi).

⚠️ Note: Some mobile operators are blocking USB-If the Internet is not working after connecting, check the terms of your plan - you may need to connect the option "Distribute Internet".

What Xiaomi models support USB-modem

Almost all smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO Since 2016, the regime has been supported. USB-It's a hardware-level modem, but there's some nuances:

• 📱 Older models (until 2018): on some devices (e.g. Redmi) 4X or Mi A1) The option can be hidden in the engineering menu or require manual inclusion through the ADB.
• 🔄 Devices with custom firmware: if you use the unofficial version MIUI or AOSP (For example, LineageOS, the function may not work smoothly.
• 📡 5G-Models: Xiaomi 12 Pro, Redmi K50): support USB-Modem, but requires a cable for maximum speed USB 3.0 and port USB-C PC-only.

Below is a table of compatibility of popular models:

If your model isn't in the table, check the support experimentally: connect your phone to your PC and try to turn on mode (instructions in the next section). 95% of the time, the function will work.

Step-by-step instruction: how to turn on USB-modem

The activation process takes less than a minute, but requires all the steps to be performed in strict sequence.

• Xiaomi smartphone with activated mobile data transfer (3G/4G/5G).
• Original or qualitative USB-cable (cheap cables may not transmit data).
• A computer running Windows, macOS or Linux.

Follow the instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your computer through USB-On the smartphone screen, select File Transfer Mode (MTP) — It is temporary, and the regime will change automatically.
2. Open the settings on your phone and go to the Network and Internet section → Access Point and modem.
3. Activate the switch. USB-On some models, the option may be called USB-Internet or Tethering.
4. Wait for the notification to appear. USB-The modem is active. The PC will have to determine a new network adapter at this time.

If it is successful, a new network connection will appear on the computer (usually called Remote). NDIS You can now use the Internet.

On macOS or Linux, you don't usually need any additional drivers -- it automatically recognizes your smartphone as a network adapter -- but on Windows, you might have problems, which we'll talk about later.

Solving the Problems: Why USB-The modem is not working.

If the Internet did not appear on the PC after the mode was turned on, the reasons can be different from the banal absence of drivers to the blocking by the operator.

1 The computer does not see the smartphone as a modem

Symptom: In the Windows Device Manager, an unknown device with a yellow exclamation point appears.

Decision:

• 🔧 Install Mi drivers PC Suite (official software from Xiaomi) or download drivers for developers.
• 🔄 Try another one. USB-port (preferably) USB 3.0 blue).
• 📱 On the phone in the section For developers, turn on debugging by USB (Sometimes it helps the system to correctly identify the device).

2. the Internet is connected, but it is not working

Symptom: the PC displays a connection, but the pages do not load, and the data transfer rate is 0.

Decision:

• 🌐 Check if the mobile data transfer on the phone is enabled (sometimes after connecting to the PC it turns off automatically).
• 🔒 Make sure your fare supports the internet distribution (some operators block the service). USB-modem).
• 🔄 Reboot your phone and PC – sometimes it resets network settings.

3. Low speed or breakage of connection

Symptom: The speed is lower than expected (for example, 10 Mbps instead of 100 Mbps), the connection is periodically broken.

Decision:

• 🔌 Replace. USB-More high-quality cables (better original from Xiaomi) are often not supported by high data rates.
• 📶 Check the signal level of the mobile network on the phone. If it is weak (1-2 divisions), the speed will be low regardless of the type of connection.
• 🖥️ On PC, turn off energy saving for USB-Ports in Device Manager (Controllers section) USB → Properties → Power management).

⚠️ Attention: If you are using VPN on the phone, some applications (for example, banking) can block traffic when distributed through the USB-In this case, turn it off. VPN or set up exceptions.

Driver for USB-Xiaomi modem: where to download and how to install

Windows. 10/11 driver USB-The modems are usually automatically installed, but sometimes the system doesn't recognize them, so you have to manually install them:

• 🔗 Mi PC Suite is the official software from Xiaomi, which automatically installs all the necessary drivers.
• 🔧 Qualcomm Drivers – if you have a smartphone on a Snapdragon processor (most Xiaomi models), download the drivers from the Qualcomm website.
• 🖥️ Google USB Driver is a universal driver for Android devices, suitable for most models.

If the automatic installation does not work, follow the following steps:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and open Device Manager (Win + X → Device Manager).
2. Find a device with a yellow exclamation point (usually under Other Devices or Network Adapters).
3. Right-click on it → Update the driver → Search for drivers on this computer.
4. Specify the path to the downloaded drivers (for example, folder with Mi). PC Suite) and wait for installation to be completed.

After successful installation in Network adapters should appear Remote device NDIS Internet based Sharing Device or similar.

1. Press Shift and click Reboot in the Start menu.

2. Select Problem Finding and Resolving → Additional parameters → Loading parameters → Reboot.

3. After restart, press F7 disable signature verification.

4. Repeat installing drivers.-->

USB-Wi-Fi Hotspot modem vs. Wi-Fi Hotspot: What’s best for Xiaomi

Both methods of distributing the Internet have their pros and cons, depending on your task:

Conclusion: USB-The modem is preferred for stationary work (for example, at home or in the office), where speed and stability are important. Wi-Fi Hotspot is more convenient for mobile devices (tablet, second phone) or when you need to connect several gadgets at the same time.

💡

If you need to download a large file as quickly as possible or hold a video conference, use the USB-For everyday tasks (mail checks, messengers) Wi-Fi Hotspot is enough.

Hidden settings: how to speed up USB-modem

Default mode USB-The modem is standard, but there are ways to increase speed and stability of the connection, which are hidden in the engineering menu or require superuser rights).

Warning: changing these parameters can lead to unstable network operation.

1. Incorporation of the regime RNDIS + ECM

On some models Xiaomi can be forced to activate the mode ECM (Ethernet Control Model, which is faster than standard RNDIS.

For this:

1. Enter the code ##4636## and select Phone Information.
2. Scroll down to the Wi-Fi Settings section (yes, this applies to and USB!).
3. Select the Wi-Fi frequency band → Auto (this indirectly affects the USB-modem).
4. Go back to the main menu and select USB settings → ECM.

Optimization MTU

MTU (Maximum Transmission Unit: The maximum size of a data packet, which can be overstated by default, leading to fragmentation and slowdown.

To change MTU Windows:

1. Open the Command Prompt on behalf of the administrator.
2. Enter the command: netsh interface ipv4 set subinterface "LAN Connection* X" mtu=1400 store=Persistent where X is your connection number (see ncpa.cpl).
3. Restart the PC.

⚠️ Attention: do not install MTU below 1300 or above 1500, which can cause a connection to break.

3. Disconnection of energy saving for USB

Windows is deactivated by default USB-ports for energy saving, which can cause connection breaks.

To fix this:

1. Open Device Manager. → Controllers USB.
2. For each device called the Root USB-Concentrator Open Properties → Power management.
3. Uncheck the tick from Allow this device to be turned off to save energy.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions