How to Share Wi-Fi with a Xiaomi Redmi 7: 3 Proven Methods + Troubleshooting

Xiaomi Redmi 7 It remains a popular budget smartphone, despite the release of new models. One of the most popular features is the ability to share mobile internet with other devices, turning the phone into a full-fledged router. But how do you do this correctly when the MIUI settings aren't always intuitive? In this article, we'll explore Three working methods for distributing Wi-Fi (including hidden features), typical user mistakes and ways to speed up data transfer.

Important: The procedure may differ slightly depending on the version. MIUI (12, 13, or 14) and the telecom operator. For example, some plans block internet tethering—we'll talk about that separately. If your Redmi 7 After the update, it stopped distributing Wi-Fi. There is a section with solutions at the end of the article.

1. Standard method: access point in MIUI settings

The most obvious method is to use the built-in function Modem modeIt works on all MIUI versions, but has a limit on the number of connected devices (usually up to 8). Here are the step-by-step instructions:

1. Open Settings (gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the section Network and Internet → Access point and modem.
3. Tap on Wi-Fi hotspot.
4. Activate the switch in the upper right corner.
5. When you turn it on for the first time, the system will prompt you to set network name (SSID) And passwordUse a password of at least 8 characters, including numbers and letters, to protect your access point from unauthorized access.

Once activated, an icon will appear in the status bar. 📶 with an inscription The access point is activeNow other devices (laptops, tablets, TVs) will be able to connect to your network. To change the settings later, return to the same menu section.

Mobile Internet (3G/4G) is enabled|Power saving mode is disabled|Device is charged at least 30%|The access point password is written down

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⚠️ Attention: Some operators (eg. Tele2 or Iota) by default, internet tethering is blocked on plans without the "Modem" option. If devices connect after enabling the hotspot, but the internet still doesn't work, check your plan's terms in your personal account.

The speed of distribution depends on mobile network quality and base station load. In urban conditions Redmi 7 usually gives out up to 10-15 Mbps on 4G, but in rural areas the speed may drop to 2-5 MbpsTo check your current speed, connect your laptop to the access point and run a test on Speedtest.net.

2. Alternative Method: USB Modem for PC

If you need to distribute the Internet only to a computer or laptop, you can use USB connectionThis method is more stable than Wi-Fi, as it's not affected by interference or distance. The downside is that it requires a cable and a free USB port.

Instructions:

• 🔌 Connect Redmi 7 to the computer via a USB cable (preferably the original one).
• 📱 On your phone in the menu Settings → Network & Internet → Hotspot & Tethering select USB modem.
• 💻 On your PC, wait for the drivers to install (Windows usually does this automatically).
• 🌐 Check your internet connection – a network icon should appear in the tray.

If the drivers are not installed, download them from the official website. Xiaomi (support section for Redmi 7). In rare cases, it may be necessary to enable USB debugging V Developer settings.

3. Hidden function: Bluetooth sharing (to save battery)

Few people know, but Redmi 7 can distribute the Internet BluetoothThis method uses significantly less energy than Wi-Fi, but the speed is limited—suitable for instant messaging or email, but not for high-definition video.

How to set up:

1. Turn on Bluetooth on both devices.
2. On Redmi 7 go to Settings → Connectivity → Bluetooth.
3. Tap the name of the target device (e.g. laptop) and confirm pairing.
4. Return to Access point and modem and activate Bluetooth modem.

On a computer with Windows 10/11, the connection will occur automatically. MacOS You may need to select manually Redmi 7 in the list of network connections.

⚠️ Attention: When sharing via Bluetooth on some MIUI versions, a bug occurs: the internet connection disappears after the screen is locked. To avoid this, add an app Settings in battery optimization exceptions (Settings → Battery → Battery optimization).

Wi-Fi hotspot|USB modem|Bluetooth|I don't use data sharing

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4. Troubleshooting: Why Wi-Fi Sharing Doesn't Work

Even with the correct settings, users Redmi 7 sometimes encounter errors. Here top 5 problems and their solutions:

• 🔄 "Unable to turn on the access point" → Restart your phone. If that doesn't help, reset your network settings (Settings → System → Reset settings → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile network, and Bluetooth settings).
• 🔌 The devices connect, but the internet doesn't work. → Check that your mobile data plan is enabled on your phone. Also, make sure your carrier isn't blocking data sharing (see your plan).
• 🔋 The access point turns off after 5-10 minutes → Turn off Adaptive battery in the power settings or add Modem mode in exceptions.
• 📶 Weak Wi-Fi signal → Move your phone closer to the devices you're connecting to. Avoid metal obstacles and microwaves.
• 🔒 Unable to change access point password → Update MIUI to the latest version or reset network settings.

If the problem persists, try change the Wi-Fi band:

1. Go to Settings → Wi-Fi Hotspot → Set up hotspot.
2. Click Additionally (or AP range in new versions of MIUI).
3. Select 2.4 GHz instead of 5 GHz (or vice versa). Range 5 GHz faster, but passes through walls worse.

What should I do if the operator blocks the distribution?

Some operators (eg. MTS On the "For Our Own" tariffs, modem functionality is limited. Workarounds:

1. Connect a VPN on your phone (for example, 1.1.1.1 from Cloudflare) - sometimes this resets the restrictions.

2. Change the APN settings manually (the parameters can be found on the operator's website in the "Internet Settings" section).

3. Switch to a tariff with the "Modem" option (usually +100-150₽/month).

5. How to speed up internet sharing on Redmi 7

The upload speed depends not only on the operator, but also on the phone settings. Here 5 working methods increase speed:

• ⚡ Disable background apps → Go to Settings → Applications → Autostart and disable autostart for unnecessary programs.
• 📡 Use the 5 GHz band → If your devices support 5 GHz, switch to it in the access point settings (see the previous section).
• 🔄 Change DNS → In the mobile network settings (Settings → SIM cards and mobile networks → Access Point Name (APN)) specify DNS 1.1.1.1 or 8.8.8.8.
• 🔋 Connect your phone to the charger → When the battery level drops below 20%, MIUI automatically limits performance, which affects speed.
• 📱 Update MIUI → The new firmware versions have optimized the modem's performance. Check for updates in Settings → About phone → System update.

Critical detail: on the Redmi 7 with MIUI 12 and below, speed limitation may be triggered when more than three devices are connected. This is a hardware limitation of the chipset. Qualcomm Snapdragon 632Update to MIUI 13/14 to remove the limit.

6. Security: How to protect your access point

An open access point poses a risk not only to your traffic but also to your sensitive data. Follow these rules:

1. Use a complex password → Minimum length is 12 characters with letters, numbers and special characters (e.g. Wifi@Redmi7_2026!).
2. Turn off the hotspot when not in use → Long-term activity increases the chances of hacking.
3. Hide your SSID → In the access point settings, activate the option Hide networkYou'll have to connect manually, but others won't see your network listed.
4. Limit the number of devices → In MIUI, you can set a connection limit (for example, only 2 devices).

If you suspect that someone else has connected to your network:

• 🛡️ Check the list of connected devices in Settings → Wi-Fi hotspot → Connected devices.
• 🔄 Change the password and restart the access point.
• 📵 As a last resort, disable the modem function and re-enable it with the new settings.

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 7 With root access, attackers can access the file system through vulnerabilities in the WPA2 protocol. If you share Wi-Fi in public areas, disable root access (if enabled) and update the firmware.

7. Frequently asked questions about Wi-Fi sharing with Redmi 7

Is it possible to share Wi-Fi from Redmi 7 without a SIM card?

No, to share mobile internet, you need an active SIM card with a connected data plan. However, you can share Internet from another source (for example, if the phone is connected to the router via Wi-Fi). To do this:

1. Connect Redmi 7 to the Wi-Fi network.
2. Activate Wi-Fi hotspot in the settings.
3. In the access point menu, select Settings → Internet Source → Wi-Fi.

Now the phone will "transmit" the Internet from the router to other devices.

How long does the hotspot work on one charge?

Operating time depends on the battery capacity (4000 mAh for Redmi 7) and loads:

• 🔋 Wi-Fi (2-3 devices): 4-6 hours.
• 🔌 USB modem: 6-8 hours (the phone is charging at the same time).
• 📶 Bluetooth: up to 10 hours.

To extend battery life, reduce screen brightness and disable unnecessary background apps.

Why did the hotspot stop working after updating MIUI?

This is a common issue when upgrading to MIUI 13/14. Solutions:

1. Reset network settings (Settings → System → Reset settings → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks, and Bluetooth).
2. Update operator profile (in SIM card settings).
3. If it doesn't help, roll back to the previous version of MIUI via Fastboot (instructions are on the forum) 4PDA).

Is it possible to share internet from Redmi 7 to Smart TV?

Yes, but there are some nuances:

• 📺 Modern Smart TV (Samsung, LG, Sony) support connecting to a phone as a router.
• 🔍 In your TV's Wi-Fi settings, select your network Redmi 7 and enter the password.
• ⚠️ Older TV models (pre-2018) may not have enough processor power to play 4K video over mobile internet.

For stable viewing of movies, we recommend using USB modem (if the TV supports internet connection via USB ports).

How to share internet from a Redmi 7 to another phone?

The process is no different from connecting other devices:

1. Turn on the hotspot on Redmi 7.
2. On the second phone, go to Settings → Wi-Fi and select your network Redmi 7.
3. Enter your password.

If the second phone does not connect:

• 🔄 Restart both devices.
• 📶 Make sure that on Redmi 7 Mobile Internet is enabled.
• 🔒 Check if the operator is blocking the distribution (see section 4).