How to Share Internet from a Redmi Phone to a Computer: 4 Proven Methods

Internet distribution with Xiaomi Redmi Connecting to a computer is a challenge faced by millions of users. Whether it's remote work, the lack of a wired connection, or the need to share mobile data, modern smartphones easily turn into full-fledged hotspots. However, not everyone knows that, in addition to the standard mode, Wi-Fi modem hotspot There are 3 more alternative ways - through USB, Bluetooth and even reverse tethering.

In this article, we will examine all the current methods, their pros and cons, and also solve common problems: why the computer does not see the network from Redmi, how to bypass operator restrictions on data distribution, and what to do if the speed through an access point drops by 2-3 times. We will pay special attention to hidden MIUI settings, which allow you to optimize distribution for games, video calls, or downloading large files.

1. Method #1: Wi-Fi hotspot (the most popular)

A classic method that works on all models Redmi - from budget Redmi 9A to the flagship Redmi K60 ProIts main advantage is its ease of setup and compatibility with any device (PCs, laptops, tablets). However, it also has its drawbacks: high battery drain and possible restrictions from your mobile operator.

To activate the hotspot:

  • 📱 Open Settings → Hotspot & Tethering (on some firmware versions Settings → Connections → Access Point).
  • 🔄 Tap on Mobile hotspot and turn on the slider.
  • ⚙️ Click Setting up an access pointto ask:
    • Network Name (SSID)
    • Password (minimum 8 characters, recommended to use WPA2-PSK)
    • Frequency range (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz - the latter is faster, but has a shorter range)
  • 💻 On your computer, connect to the created network as you would to a regular Wi-Fi connection.

The network name does not contain Cyrillic characters or emojis|

The password consists of Latin letters and numbers|

Mobile Internet is enabled on the phone|

VPN and proxy are disabled on the PC (they may block the connection) -->

If your computer does not see the network, check:

  • 🔋 Battery level Redmi — when the battery level drops below 15%, the access point may automatically turn off.
  • 📶 Mobile network signal - if the indicator shows H+ or E, the speed will be extremely low.
  • 🚫 Operator restrictions - some tariffs (for example, "For smartphone" from MTS) block traffic distribution.

2. Method #2: Sharing the Internet via USB (the most stable)

Connection via USB — the best option if you need maximum stability and minimal battery drain. This method offers higher speeds than Wi-Fi (up to 300 Mbps against 150 Mbps on 2.4 GHz), and delays (ping) below, which is critical for online gaming or video conferencing.

Setup instructions:

  1. Connect Redmi and a computer with the original USB cable (cheap cables may not support data transfer).
  2. On your phone, select the connection mode File Transfer (MTP) or USB modem (will appear in the notification bar after connection).
  3. On PC:
    • 🪟 Windows 10/11: will automatically install the driver Remote NDIS and will create a new network connection.
    • 🐧 Linux: manual configuration may be required via nmcli or NetworkManager.
Parameter Wi-Fi hotspot USB modem
Max. speed 150–866 Mbps up to 1 Gbps (USB 3.0)
Battery consumption High (5–10% per hour) Low (1–2% per hour)
Latency (ping) 20–50 ms 10–30 ms
Compatibility Any devices PCs/laptops only

If Windows does not recognize Redmi as a modem:

⚠️ Attention: Make sure that in Device Manager there is no exclamation mark next to Remote NDIS or Mi USB ModemIf the driver does not install, download it. official driver package from Microsoft or use Mi PC Suite.
📊 Which distribution method do you use most often?
Wi-Fi hotspot
USB modem
Bluetooth
I don't give away

3. Method #3: Bluetooth Sharing (economical, but slow)

A Bluetooth connection is suitable if you need to share the internet with your computer while minimizing phone battery drain, but don't require high speed. This method consumes 3-5 times less power than Wi-Fi, but is limited by bandwidth. Bluetooth 4.2/5.0 (maximum 50 Mbps in practice).

Step-by-step instructions:

  • 🔵 Turn on Bluetooth on phone and PC.
  • 🤝 Pair the devices (on Redmi: Settings → Bluetooth, on PC - via Settings → Devices).
  • 📲 On your phone, go to Settings → Hotspot & Tethering → Bluetooth Tethering and activate the slider.
  • 💻 On the computer in Control Panel → Network Connections find a new connection Bluetooth Network Connection.

Features of the method:

  • 🎮 Suitable for messengers And web browsing, but not for downloading files or streaming.
  • 🔋 Battery consumption Redmi: ~1–3% per hour (versus 5–10% for Wi-Fi).
  • 🛡️ More secure than an open Wi-Fi network as it requires prior pairing.
How to speed up Bluetooth connection?

To increase the speed a little, turn off the Adaptive Bluetooth (in developer settings) and use Bluetooth 5.0 (available at Redmi Note 10 Pro and newer). Also, make sure that your PC has the latest version of the adapter driver (for example, for Intel AX200 Download the driver from the manufacturer's website).

4. Method #4: Reverse tethering (distribution from PC to phone)

This method is useful in non-standard situations when the computer has Internet access (for example, via Ethernet), but you need to connect Redmi to the network. In fact, we are deploying reverse distribution — from a PC to a phone. For this, you can use:

  • 🔌 USB cable (most stable)
  • 📡 Wi-Fi Direct (if the PC supports the mode SoftAP)
  • 🔵 Bluetooth (slowly but easily)

Instructions for USB connections:

  1. Connect Redmi to PC via USB.
  2. Turn on your phone USB debugging (Settings → For developers).
  3. On your computer, open Command line as administrator and run:
    adb shell settings put global tether_dun_required 0
    

    netsh interface set interface "Ethernet" enable

    netsh interface ipv4 set address "Ethernet" static 192.168.42.1 255.255.255.0

    netsh interface ipv4 set dnsservers "Ethernet" static 8.8.8.8 primary

  4. On the phone in Settings → Access Point turn on USB modem.
⚠️ Attention: This method requires unlocked bootloader on some models Redmi (For example, Redmi Note 8 ProIf the Internet doesn't appear after connecting, check if Windows Firewall or your antivirus is blocking it.

5. Troubleshooting: Why sharing isn't working with Redmi

Even with proper setup, users still encounter common errors. Here are the most common ones and how to fix them:

Problem Cause Solution
The computer does not see the access point. Invalid network name (SSID) or password Restart your phone and recreate the point with Latin characters
There is a connection, but the Internet doesn't work. The operator blocks data sharing (for example, the "For Smartphone" tariff) Change it APN V Settings → SIM cards → Access point on internet or web
Low speed (1–5 Mbps) Network congestion or tariff restrictions Check the speed on your phone via SpeedtestIf it's low there too, the problem is with the operator.
The access point turns off after 5-10 minutes Energy saving MIUI or low battery Turn it off Adaptive battery in the settings and connect the phone to the charger

If nothing helps, reset your network settings Redmi:

  1. Go to Settings → SIM cards & mobile networks → Reset network settings.
  2. Confirm the reset and restart your phone.
  3. Please recreate the access point.

6. Distribution Optimization: How to Increase Speed ​​and Stability

By default MIUI Limits your hotspot's bandwidth to save battery. But if you need maximum performance, try these tips:

  • 🔋 Disable power saving for the access point:
    1. Go to Settings → Battery & performance → App power management.
    2. Find Access point and select No restrictions.
  • 📶 Change Wi-Fi channel:
    • Install the application WiFi Analyzer from Google Play.
    • Find the least congested channel in the range 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz.
    • In the access point settings (Settings → Access Point → Setup) select this channel manually.
    • 🔒 Use a static IP:

      On your PC, set a fixed IP manually (for example, 192.168.43.100) to avoid DHCP conflicts.

    • For advanced users:

      How do I enable bridge mode to share Ethernet over Wi-Fi?

      If your PC is connected to the Internet via a cable, but you need to share it through Redmi as a repeater, do it on your phone (required root):

      1. Install Termux and run:
        su
        

        setprop tether.dun_required 0

        setprop sys.usb.config rndis,adb

      2. On PC in Network and Control Center Allow Ethernet sharing for the connection Remote NDIS.

      This method allows you to distribute wired Internet via your phone's Wi-Fi without losing speed.

      7. Security: How to secure your hotspot

      Open access point on Redmi — a tasty target for attackers. They can not only "eat" your traffic but also intercept data (passwords, cookies). To avoid this:

      • 🔐 Use a strong password: minimum 12 characters with numbers, capital letters and special characters (e.g. K7#pL9@xQ2$v).
      • 🔄 Change your password once a month (especially if you connect in public places).
      • 📵 Turn off the access pointwhen it is not needed - this will reduce the risk of connecting third-party devices.
      • 🛡️ Enable MAC address filtering:
        1. In the access point settings (Settings → Access Point → Setup) find MAC filter.
        2. Add MAC addresses of only those devices that are allowed to connect.
      • ⚠️ Attention: Do not use WEP or WPA — these protocols are outdated and can be hacked in minutes. The best choice: WPA2-PSK or WPA3-SAE (available at Redmi With MIUI 13+).

        FAQ: Frequently asked questions about giving away Redmi

        ❓ Is it possible to share Wi-Fi from Redmi without a password?

        Technically yes, but it's extremely insecure. To remove the password:

        1. Go to Settings → Access Point → Setup.
        2. In the field Password leave blank and save.

        ⚠️ All devices within range will be able to connect to your network and use your data!

        ❓ Why is the speed lower when sharing from my Redmi than on my phone?

        It is normal for some bandwidth to be lost on:

        • 📡 Packet processing the phone's processor (especially on budget models like Redmi 9C).
        • 🔋 Energy savingMIUI artificially limits speed to save battery.
        • 📶 Wi-Fi interference - if there are many networks nearby on the same channel.

        To reduce losses, use USB modem instead of Wi-Fi.

        ❓ How do I share internet from my Redmi to a PC without accessing settings (for example, on a work phone)?

        If you don't have permission to change settings (for example, on a corporate phone), try:

        1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB and in the notification shade select USB modem (does not require access to settings).
        2. Use Bluetooth — pairing and turning on the modem is also available without deep settings.

        If these methods are blocked, please contact your device administrator.

        ❓ Is it possible to share the Redmi's internet connection with multiple computers simultaneously?

        Yes, but with restrictions:

        • 🖥️ Wi-Fi hotspot: to 10 devices (depending on the model).
        • 🔌 USB modem: only 1 PC.
        • 🔵 Bluetooth: to 7 devices, but the speed will be divided between them.

        For stable operation of more than 3-4 devices, it is better to use an external router.

        Why is my carrier blocking data tethering from my Redmi?

        Some tariffs (for example, "For smartphone" from Beeline or "Smart" from Tele2) limit tethering to:

        • 💰 Sell individual packages for distribution (30–50% more expensive).
        • 📉 Reduce network load (sharing creates more load than regular surfing).

        You can bypass the blocking by changing APN or using a VPN on your phone (for example, 1.1.1.1), but this may violate the operator's rules.