Modern smartphones Xiaomi Redmi have wide functionality that allows them to be used not only for calls, but also as a powerful tool for accessing the Internet. In situations where there is no home Wi-Fi or mobile router, the function USB modem becomes a real salvation. It allows you to transfer mobile data from your phone to a computer, laptop or tablet via a cable, providing a stable connection without losing the speed characteristic of wireless networks.
Unlike a Wi-Fi access point, a cable connection does not drain the smartphone’s battery so quickly and provides protection from outside connections. However, users often encounter the fact that the desired menu item is hidden or inactive. To activate modem mode on a Redmi device, you need to perform a number of simple steps and check the system settings. In this article, we will analyze in detail the setup process, possible errors and ways to eliminate them.
⚠️ Attention: For the USB modem to work, network adapter drivers must be installed on the computer. In modern versions of Windows 10 and 11, they usually download automatically, but for older operating systems manual installation may be required.
Preparing the equipment and checking the SIM card
Before proceeding with the software settings, make sure that the equipment is physically ready. You will need a working USB cable, preferably the original one that came with your smartphone Redmi. Cheap "charge-only" cables do not have internal data lines, so the computer will not see the phone and the modem function will not work.
Make sure your SIM card has an active data plan with Internet access and has a positive balance. Many operators block the distribution of traffic to other devices or charge additional fees for this. Check the terms of your tariff in your operator's personal account to avoid unexpected charges after connection.
- 📱 Use a high-quality cable that supports data transfer.
- 📶 Check the cellular network signal level at your location.
- 💳 Make sure there is available Internet traffic on account.
- 🔌 Connect the cable to the USB 3.0 port (blue) on your computer for maximum speed.
If you are using an old computer, try connecting the cable to different USB ports. Sometimes the problem lies in a faulty connector or lack of power on a specific port on the motherboard. After physical connection, the phone should emit a characteristic sound indicating recognition of a new device.
☑️ Check before connecting
Activating the USB modem mode in the MIUI settings
The shell interface MIUIinstalled on Redmi smartphones has its own specifics. The modem enable option often becomes active only after the phone is physically connected to the PC. Go to the main menu and select section Settings. Next, find the item Additional functions or Connection and sharing, depending on the firmware version.
In the menu that opens you will see switch USB modem. If it is inactive (gray), check the cable connection. Once the connection with the computer is established, the slider will become clickable. Activate it by moving it to the "on" position. The system will automatically configure the network connection.
⚠️ Attention: After turning on the USB modem mode, the Wi-Fi icon on the phone may disappear or stop working, since the system redirects all traffic through the USB interface.
The path may differ on some firmware versions. Try using the settings search. Enter the word “modem” or “USB” into the search bar, and the system itself will suggest the desired section. This is especially convenient if you have updated your smartphone to a new version Androidwhere the menu structure may have changed.
If the USB tethering switch is grayed out, try first turning on the "Charging only" mode in the USB connection notification, and then switching it back to "File transfer".
Setting up an access point and settings APN
Sometimes the operator’s automatic settings are not suitable for Internet distribution, especially if you use specific tariffs or roaming. In this case, manual configuration of the access point is required APN. Go to menu Settings → SIM cards and mobile networks → Access points (APN).
Select the active SIM card and click on the current access point. You need to check the "Name" and "APN" fields. Usually they should match the settings of your operator (for example, internet for MTS or internet.beeline.ru for Beeline). If the fields are empty or filled in incorrectly, create a new access point by entering the current data.
| Operator | Point name (Name) | APN | Authentication type |
|---|---|---|---|
| MTS | MTS Internet | internet.mts.ru | PAP or CHAP |
| MegaFon | Megafon Internet | internet | No |
| Beeline | Beeline Internet | internet.beeline.ru | PAP or CHAP |
| Tele2 | Tele2 Internet | internet.tele2.ru | No |
After making changes, be sure to save the settings and restart your smartphone. This is a critical step because without a reboot, the new settings may not be applied to the network module. Check the Internet on the connected computer.
What to do if there is no Internet after setting up the APN?
Try deleting all existing access points and creating one new one from scratch, using the data from the table above. Sometimes a conflict between old profiles interferes with work.
Solving problems with drivers on the computer
Even if everything is configured correctly on the smartphone, the computer may not see the network. In Windows Device Manager, this often shows up as an "Unknown Device" or a device with a yellow exclamation mark. This means that the operating system cannot find a suitable driver for the Android network adapter.
To solve the problem, open Device Manager on your PC. Find your device under Other Devices or Network Adapters. Right-click and select Update Driver. Select automatic search, but if it does not help, download universal drivers Android USB Driver from the official website of the developer or use the app Universal ADB Driver.
- 🖥️ Check the device manager for errors.
- 🔄 Try updating the driver through the update center Windows.
- 📥 Download drivers from the website of the smartphone or chipset manufacturer.
- ⚙️ In rare cases, disabling driver signature in Windows helps.
Sometimes the problem is solved by simply disconnecting and reconnecting the cable. It's also worth checking to see if your firewall or antivirus is blocking your new network connection. Add the network to the list of trusted ones to allow data exchange.
USB debugging and advanced settings
In complex cases when standard methods do not work, you may need to activate the mode USB debugging. This mode is intended for developers, but sometimes helps the system correctly determine the connection type. To enable it, go to Settings → About phone and quickly press 7 times on the item MIUI version.
After the message “You have become a developer” appears, return to the main settings menu, find the section Advanced → For developers. Find the switch USB debugging and activate it. Confirm the action in the pop-up window. Now, when connected to a PC, the phone will ask for permission to debug - click "Allow".
⚠️ Attention: Debugging mode provides extended access to the system. Do not connect your phone to unknown computers in this mode to avoid data theft.
In the same developer menu you can find the "Default USB Configuration" item. Set the value USB modem or RNDIS (USB Ethernet). This will force the phone to always offer modem mode when connecting a cable, bypassing the selection of the operating mode.
Activating USB debugging often solves problems with incorrect device detection by the computer operating system.
Operator restrictions and bypassing blocking
Many mobile operators are implementing internet distribution detection systems (TTL). They analyze the Time To Live value in data packets. If the TTL differs from the standard for a mobile device, the operator understands that traffic is being distributed and can block the connection or charge additional fees.
To bypass these restrictions on the computer side (Windows), you can change the registry. Click Win + R, enter regedit and follow the path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters. Create a DWORD value with Name DefaultTTL and Value 65 (or 64, depending on operator requirements). After this, restart the PC.
On the smartphone itself, changing TTL requires root access, which is not recommended for ordinary users, as it voids the warranty. Therefore, it is more efficient to configure this parameter on the receiving device - a laptop or desktop computer. Also, some operators block distribution at specific tariffs, and in this case, only changing the tariff plan will help.
Why is the USB modem button gray and cannot be pressed?
Most often this happens because the phone is not connected by cable to the computer or the cable is faulty. Also check if mobile data is turned on. In rare cases, rebooting both devices helps.
Is it possible to distribute the Internet via USB to an iPhone with Redmi?
No, USB modem technology on Android is designed for connecting to computers (Windows, macOS, Linux). To distribute the Internet on an iPhone, use a standard Wi-Fi access point.
Does modem mode affect the speed of mobile data?
The speed depends on the quality of the signal and the load on the tower. The speed via cable is usually higher and more stable than via Wi-Fi, since there are no losses in wireless transmission and no interference from other networks.
Do you need to pay for Internet distribution via USB?
It depends on your tariff plan. Many modern tariffs include unlimited distribution, but some operators charge for each gigabyte or day of using modem mode.
Does the phone get very hot when working in modem mode?
Yes, this is normal. The process of encrypting and transmitting data loads the processor and radio module. Remove the case for better cooling and do not place the phone on soft surfaces during operation.