How to Share Wi-Fi from a Xiaomi Phone: 3 Methods + Troubleshooting

Smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi And POCO allow you to share the Internet with other devices without a router - just activate it modem modeThis feature is useful when traveling, at the cottage, or if the main Wi-Fi connection suddenly goes down. However, not all users know how to properly configure the access point, avoid connection errors, and minimize battery drain.

In this article you will find step-by-step instructions for all current versions MIUI (including MIUI 14/15 And HyperOS), comparison of distribution methods (Wi-Fi, USB, Bluetooth), as well as unique tips troubleshooting common problems. We've tested all methods on models Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12/13 And POCO F5/X5 — instructions are relevant for 90% of the brand's devices.

⚠️ Important: Mobile operators may block internet tethering on some plans. If the hotspot doesn't turn on or devices fail to connect, check your plan's terms in your operator account.

1. Preparing your Xiaomi phone for Wi-Fi sharing

Before activating tethering, make sure your smartphone is ready to share the internet. Here are some key points that users often overlook:

✅ Check your mobile internetThe hotspot will share the same data traffic as your phone. Make sure:

• 📶 Mobile data is enabled (Settings → SIM cards and mobile networks → Mobile Internet).
• 💰 There are sufficient funds in the account (some operators block distribution if the balance is zero).
• 📊 This tariff supports data sharing (check in your personal account or with your operator).

✅ Update the firmwareIn older versions MIUI (below 12.5) access point configuration options may be missing. Update your system:

1. Go to Settings → About phone → System update.
2. Download and install the latest version MIUI or HyperOS.

✅ Turn off battery savingTethering is a power-hungry device, and if optimization is enabled, your phone may automatically disable the hotspot. To avoid this:

• 🔋 Go to Settings → Battery & performance → Battery saver.
• 🚫 Disable the mode or add an app Modem mode in exceptions.

2. Method 1: Sharing Wi-Fi via an access point (the most popular)

This is a standard method that works on all models. XiaomiIt allows you to connect up to 10 devices simultaneously (on some flagships, up to 15). Speed ​​depends on your phone's support for the standards Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) or Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax).

📱 Instructions for MIUI 14/15 and HyperOS:

1. Open Settings → Connections and Sharing → Personal Hotspot.
2. Select Wi-Fi hotspot.
3. Activate the slider Wi-Fi hotspot.
4. Click Setting up an access pointto change:
   • 🔐 Network name (SSID) — Come up with a unique name.
   • 🔑 Password — minimum 8 characters (we recommend using letters, numbers and symbols).
   • 📡 Range — choose 2.4 GHz for better compatibility or 5 GHz for greater speed (if supported).

Save the settings and connect other devices to the created network.

⚠️ Attention: If the internet connection on your phone disappears after activating the hotspot, check your APN settings. Some operators (for example, Tele2) require a separate APN for tethering. Check with your carrier or their official app for details.

The network name (SSID) does not contain spaces or special characters|

The password is 8+ characters long and includes letters/numbers|

The 2.4 GHz band is selected for compatibility with older devices|

Mobile Internet works on the phone (check the speed in the browser) -->

3. Method 2: Sharing the Internet via USB (for PCs and laptops)

If you need to connect to the Internet laptop or desktop PCIf your Wi-Fi adapter is missing or broken, use a USB cable. This method is more stable than wireless and uses less battery power.

⚡ Advantages of a USB modem:

• 🔌 No speed loss (unlike Wi-Fi).
• 🔋 Minimal battery consumption (the phone can even be charged from a PC).
• 🛡️ More secure connection (no risk of traffic interception).

🖥️ How to set up a USB modem on a Xiaomi:

1. Connect your phone to your PC/laptop with the original USB cable (cheap cables may not support data transfer).
2. On your phone, select the mode File transfer (if prompted).
3. Go to Settings → Connections and Sharing → Personal Hotspot.
4. Activate the slider USB modem.
5. On your PC, check the connection: usually the network appears automatically (on Windows driver installation may be required Mi Phone Manager).

⚠️ Attention: If your PC doesn't see the connection, try:

• 🔄 Reconnect the cable or use a different USB port.
• 🔧 Update drivers Xiaomi on PC (download from the official website).
• 📱 Enable USB debugging V Settings → About phone → MIUI version (click 7 times) → Additional → For developers.

What should I do if the USB speed is lower than the Wi-Fi speed?

This is a rare issue, but it occurs due to USB 2.0 limitations on some Xiaomi models. Try this:

1. Use a cable that supports USB 3.0 (usually blue).

2. Connect the cable to the USB 3.0 port on your PC (marked blue or SS).

3. In the developer settings (Settings → Advanced → For developers) enable the option Select USB Configuration → RNDIS.

4. Method 3: Sharing the Internet via Bluetooth (to save battery)

This method is suitable if you need to connect one device (for example, a tablet or another phone) and save battery life. The speed will be lower than Wi-Fi or USB, but the power consumption will be minimal.

🔵 How to share internet via Bluetooth on a Xiaomi:

1. Turn on Bluetooth on both devices.
2. Pair them: on the sending phone, go to Settings → Bluetooth and select the target device.
3. Open it on your phone Settings → Connections and Sharing → Personal Hotspot.
4. Activate the slider Bluetooth modem.
5. On the second device, in the Bluetooth settings, select the Internet connection (on Android this can be called Network access).

⚠️ Limitations of the method:

• 🐢 The speed usually does not exceed 1-2 Mbps (enough for instant messengers, but not for video).
• 🔄 Supported only one connected device.
• 📱 Some models Xiaomi (For example, Redmi 9A) do not support this mode.

5. Comparison table of internet sharing methods with Xiaomi

💡 Conclusion: optimal for most tasks Wi-Fi, for PC - USB, A Bluetooth Suitable only for instant messengers or emergency situations.

6. Common mistakes and their solutions

Even after proper configuration, the access point may not work. Here top 5 problems and ways to eliminate them:

🚨 1. Devices do not connect to the access point

• 🔄 Restart your phone and the target device.
• 🔐 Check your password (sometimes it resets after an update) MIUI).
• 📡 Change the range with 5 GHz on 2.4 GHz (many devices do not support 5 GHz).
• 📱 Turn on the mode Visibility for all in the access point settings.

🚨 2. There is Internet on the phone, but it is not being shared.

• 📶 Check if the operator is blocking the distribution (especially relevant for MTS And Beeline on some tariffs).
• 🔧 Reset APN settings: Settings → SIM cards and mobile networks → Access point names (APN) → Factory reset.
• 🛡️ Disable VPN or proxy on your phone.

🚨 3. The access point keeps disconnecting

• 🔋 Disable battery saving for the app Modem mode.
• 📴 Check if your phone is overheating (if it is overheating Xiaomi automatically turns off the Wi-Fi module).
• 🔄 Update firmware - in older versions MIUI There are bugs with auto-shutdown.

🚨 4. Low distribution speed

• 📶 Check the quality of your mobile network: switch from 4G on 3G or vice versa in Settings → SIM cards & mobile networks → Preferred network type.
• 🔌 If you are using USB, try a different cable/port.
• 🚫 Disable background app refresh on connected devices.

🚨 5. The USB modem on my PC doesn't work

• 🖥️ Install the drivers Mi Phone Manager from the official website Xiaomi.
• 🔧 Turn on USB debugging (see instructions above).
• 🔄 Try a different USB port (preferably USB 3.0).

7. How to save battery life when sharing Wi-Fi

The modem mode puts a lot of load on the processor and the Wi-Fi module, which is why the phone discharges in 2-3 times faster. Here 7 working methods reduce battery consumption:

🔋 Optimizing phone settings:

• 🌑 Turn on Dark theme (Settings → Display → Dark Theme) — AMOLED screens Xiaomi consume less energy.
• 🔕 Reduce screen brightness to 30-40%.
• 📵 Turn off NFC, GPS And Auto-synchronization, if they are not needed.
• 🔋 Activate Power saving mode, but add Modem mode in exceptions.

📡 Setting up an access point:

• 🕒 Install Auto power off after 5-10 minutes of inactivity (Settings → Tethering → Auto-disconnect).
• 📶 Use range 2.4 GHz - it is less energy-consuming than 5 GHz.
• 🔑 Set a simple password (but not too short) to help devices connect faster.

⚡ Additional life hacks:

• 🔌 Connect your phone to powerbank or charging - this way the battery will not discharge.
• 📴 Close all background applications (especially games and social networks).
• 📱 Use USB modem instead of Wi-Fi if you only need to connect a PC.

Critical information: On Xiaomi models with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor (e.g., the Xiaomi 13 Ultra), using Wi-Fi in the 5 GHz band can cause overheating and a forced shutdown of the module. If the phone becomes excessively hot, switch to 2.4 GHz or use a USB modem.

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

Technically yes, but that's unsafeTo disable the password:

1. Go to Settings → Tethering → Set up hotspot.
2. Select No in the field Security.
3. Save the settings.

⚠️ Attention: Without a password, outsiders will be able to connect to your network, which will lead to:

• 🐢 Internet slowdown.
• 💰 Additional expenses (if the tariff includes payment for traffic).
• 🛡️ Risk of hacking devices on your network.

❓ How many devices can I connect to a Xiaomi hotspot?

Depends on the model:

• Budget models (Redmi 10A, POCO M5) — up to 5 devices.
• Middle segment (Redmi Note 12, Xiaomi 12T) — up to 10 devices.
• Flagships (Xiaomi 13/14, POCO F5 Pro) — up to 15 devices.

💡 Advice: The more devices you connect, the more the speed drops. For stable performance, limit yourself to 3-5 devices.

❓ Why is my carrier blocking internet tethering?

Some plans (especially those with unlimited internet) limit data sharing to prevent abuse. For example:

• MTS: On the "Everything for Our Own" plan, data sharing is enabled, but on the "Smart" plan, it is blocked after 10 GB.
• Beeline: on "Everything is Possible" distribution is allowed, on "My Beeline" it is not.
• Megaphone: Blocks data sharing on plans with unlimited internet for social networks.

📌 To clarify the terms:

1. Open your carrier's official app.
2. Check the "My Services" or "Tariff" section.
3. Look for the options "Internet Sharing," "Modem," or "Tethering."

How can I increase the range of my Xiaomi hotspot?

By default, the Wi-Fi coverage radius from the phone is 5-10 metersTo increase it:

• 📡 Change the range to 2.4 GHz (Passes through walls better than 5 GHz).
• 📌 Place the phone in the center of the room, away from metal objects.
• 🔋 Connect your phone to a charger - when the battery is low, the transmission power decreases.
• 🛠️ Use it Wi-Fi repeater (signal repeater).

⚠️ Attention: on some models (POCO X3 Pro, Redmi Note 11) there is an option in the developer settings Wi-Fi transmitting power. Set value High, but remember - this will increase battery consumption.

❓ Is it possible to share Wi-Fi from a Xiaomi phone if the phone itself is connected to a different Wi-Fi network?

No, receive and distribute Wi-Fi simultaneously smartphones Xiaomi They don't know how. However, there are workarounds:

1. USB modem + Wi-Fi: Connect your phone to your PC via USB and share the Internet connection from your PC via Wi-Fi (if your PC has an adapter).
2. Bluetooth + Wi-Fi: Connect your phone to another network via Wi-Fi, and share the Internet connection with one device via Bluetooth.
3. Applications for re-distribution: some programs (for example, NetShare) allow you to distribute Wi-Fi by connecting to another network, but they require root rights.