How to share internet from a Xiaomi phone to a laptop via Wi-Fi: a complete guide

It's also worth updating the firmware to the latest version. In older versions MIUI (below 12) there were bugs with automatic access point disconnection. You can update in Settings → About phone → System update.

2. Step-by-step instructions: how to enable a hotspot on a Xiaomi

The algorithm for activating modem mode is the same for most models. Xiaomi, but may differ slightly depending on the version MIUI. Follow these instructions:

1. Open Settings (gear icon on the main screen).

2. Go to the section Portable Hotspot (in Russian firmware - Modem mode or Access point).

3. Tap on the item Setting up a Wi-Fi hotspot (or Wi-Fi Hotspot).

4. Turn on the slider Wi-Fi hotspot (at the top of the screen).

After this, the phone will start broadcasting the network, but its name and password will be generated automatically (usually the phone model plus random numbers). To change them:

Network Name (SSID): Create a unique name (e.g. Xiaomi_Hotspot_YourName)

Password: Use at least 8 characters (numbers + letters)

Range: Select 2.4 GHz for better compatibility

Safety Mode: Leave WPA2-PSK (the most reliable)-->

⚙️ Additional settings (available after tapping on the three dots) ⋮ in the upper right corner):

• 🔄 Auto power off: Disable this option if you do not want the hotspot to turn off after 5-10 minutes of inactivity.
• 📶 Max connected devices: Default is 8, but for stability it is better to limit it to 3-4.
• 🔋 Energy saving: Turn this on if you are distributing the Internet from battery power (it will reduce the speed, but extend the operating time).

On models with a Qualcomm chipset (for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro+) in the menu Settings → Battery a separate item will appear Optimizing Wi-Fi distribution - turn it on to reduce processor heating.

3. Connecting a laptop to a Xiaomi hotspot

Once the hotspot is activated on your phone, all that's left is to connect to your laptop. The process is essentially the same as connecting to regular Wi-Fi, but there are a few nuances:

🖥️ For Windows 10/11:

1. Click the Wi-Fi icon in the lower right corner of the taskbar.
2. In the list of available networks, find the name of your access point (the one you specified in the settings Xiaomi).
3. Click on the network and enter the password.
4. Check the box Connect automatically, if you plan to use this network regularly.

🐧 For macOS (MacBook):

1. Open the Wi-Fi menu in the top bar (antenna icon).
2. Select a network from Xiaomi and enter the password.
3. If the connection does not occur, try to forget the network (Forget this network) and try again.

❗ What to do if the laptop does not connect?

• 🔄 Reboot your access point: Turn the tethering mode on your phone off and on again.
• 📱 Check MAC address restrictions: In the access point settings Xiaomi MAC filter may be enabled (disable it).
• 🔧 Update your laptop's Wi-Fi driver: Outdated drivers often cause problems connecting to mobile hotspots.

⚠️ Attention: If your laptop connects but the internet doesn't work, check if the internet connection is turned on on your phone. airplane mode or traffic savings (V Settings → Connections → Data Usage). Also make sure that mobile internet is not blocked for the current SIM card.

4. Optimizing connection speed and stability

A common problem when distributing the Internet with Xiaomi — slow speed or connection drops. Here's how to avoid them:

📊 Checking the current speed:

Download the application to your laptop Speedtest (or use the online version speedtest.net) and measure the speed. If it is lower 10 Mbps If you have a good 4G/5G signal, try the following methods:

🔧 Speed-up methods:

• 📶 Change Wi-Fi band: In the access point settings (Settings → Tethering & Personal Hotspot → Wi-Fi Setup) select 2.4 GHz instead of 5 GHzThe latter is faster, but less stable over distance.
• 🔄 Disable background apps: Close all programs on your phone except those that are absolutely necessary. This especially applies to instant messengers and cloud services (for example, Google Photos or Mi Cloud).
• 📴 Use a USB cable: If Wi-Fi distribution is too slow, connect your phone to your laptop via USB cable and turn on the mode USB modem in the settings XiaomiThis will provide a more stable connection.

📉 Operator restrictions:

Some tariffs artificially limit the speed of distribution (for example, up to 64 kbps). To check this:

1. Insert the SIM card into another phone and try sharing the Internet.
2. If the speed is still low, the problem is with your plan. Contact your operator's support and ask them to remove the restriction. tethering.

5. Common mistakes and their solutions

Even after proper configuration, users Xiaomi They face typical problems. Let's look at the most common ones:

🚫 Error: "Failed to enable access point"

This error occurs if:

• 📵 Mobile Internet is disabled on the phone.
• 🔒 The operator blocks the distribution (see the section above).
• 📱 In the settings MIUI included Power saving mode (turn it off in Settings → Battery).

🔌 Error: "Connected, but no internet access"

Most often this means that:

• 🌐 Mobile internet isn't working on my phone (check your balance or coverage area).
• 🔧 The APN settings contain incorrect parameters (relevant for operators like Yota or Tinkoff Mobile).
• 📡 The phone is connected to Wi-Fi and a mobile network at the same time (turn off Wi-Fi on the phone).

🔋 Error: "The access point will disconnect in 5 minutes."

This is related to the power saving settings:

1. Go to Settings → Battery → Power saving mode.
2. Find the item Optimizing Wi-Fi distribution and turn it off.
3. In the access point settings (Portable Hotspot) turn it off Auto power off.

6. Alternative ways to share internet with Xiaomi

If Wi-Fi sharing isn't working or the speed isn't satisfactory, consider alternative methods:

🔗 USB modem (the most stable option)

Connect your phone to your laptop via USB cable (preferably original) and:

1. Turn it on on your phone Modem mode → USB modem.
2. On your laptop, wait for the drivers to install (Windows usually installs them automatically).
3. Check your connection in Network Settings → Ethernet.

✅ Pros: higher speed, lower battery consumption, more stable connection.

❌ Cons: The phone is connected to the laptop with a cable.

📶 Bluetooth modem (economical, but slow)

Suitable if you need to distribute the Internet with minimal battery consumption:

1. Turn on Bluetooth on your phone and laptop.
2. Pair the devices (enter the same PIN code).
3. Activate on your phone Modem mode → Bluetooth modem.

⚠️ The speed rarely exceeds 1–2 Mbps, but battery consumption is minimal.

📡 Using an external Wi-Fi router

If you need an access point often, buy a portable router (for example, Xiaomi Mi Wi-Fi Router 4C or TP-Link TL-MR6400). Insert a SIM card into it, and it will distribute the Internet to several devices simultaneously without loading the phone.

7. Security when sharing the Internet from your phone

Sharing Wi-Fi from your phone exposes potential vulnerabilities. Follow these guidelines to protect your data:

🔐 Password protection

• 🔑 Use a complex password (at least 12 characters, with numbers and letters).
• 🔄 Change your password every 1–2 weeks if you frequently share your internet connection in public places.

👤 Access restriction

• 📱 Enable MAC address filtering in the access point settings (allow only your laptop to connect).
• 🛡️ Turn off the feature WPS (if it is in the settings) is an outdated and insecure protocol.

📵 Traffic control

• 📊 Monitor your mobile internet usage Settings → Connections → Data UsageSome applications on the laptop (for example, Torrent or Steam) can "eat" gigabytes in the background.
• ⚠️ Set up a limit exceeding warning (in the same traffic settings).

💡 Additional measures:

If you connect to important services (Internet banking, mail), use VPN on a laptop. This will protect your data from interception, especially in public places.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about tethering with Xiaomi