The Mini USB Router made by Xiaomi is a tiny little USB dongle which can create a Wi-Fi hotspot. The dongle sucks internet data from the PC and disperses it in the form of Wi-Fi network. You can then connect any WiFi enabled device to this network and access internet. All it needs is a free USB port on an internet-connected desktop or laptop computer.
You can also use the Mini USB Router as a Wi-Fi Adapter to connect your PC/Laptop to Wi-Fi. So, if your desktop does not have a WLAN card, you can use the Mi Mini USB Router to connect it to Wi-Fi networks. You can also use it on a laptop if its WLAN card is not functioning.
The only hard thing about setting the device is that the provided software is in Chinese. However, there’s a small hack to change the language to English. That’s what we will use to set up the USB dongle for your use case – As a WiFi Hotspot or As a WiFi Adapter.
Contents
Setup as a WiFi Hotspot (Create WiFi)
Setting up the Mi Pocket WiFi for a quick hotspot is a fairly easy task. All you need to do is install the Mi WiFi software on your PC and then plug-in the USB device. You need to have internet access on the PC via either a LAN port, data card or another WiFi receiver.
- Download Mi WiFi software (miwifi_setup.exe) from the Xiaomi website – MiWiFi.com.
- Install the file by by following the on-screen instructions. Just launch the setup and click the big blue button to install the software & drivers.
- Plug in the Mi Pocket WiFi USB device. It will be detected by the system and a default WiFi network will be created. You can then make changes as per your wish.
You can now connect any WiFi enabled device to the network created by the Mi Pocket WiFi. You can also use other options such as block list and speed limiter.
Change Language of Software to English
There is no option to change the language, but a quick registry hack can change many options within the software to English.
Just download and run the file from THIS LINK. Alternatively, open Registry Editor (regedit.exe) and browse to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\XiaoMi\MiWiFi. Here, change the value for Language from chinese to english.
Restart the software after making the changes and it will start in English.
Sharing Files with Others
You can share files with other devices connected to the WiFi network created by Mi Pocket WiFi. Just follow these simple steps:
- Click on the Folder icon () on the main window of the software.
- Drag and drop files and folders which you wish to share. You can also click on Add a shared file and browse to the file/folder to share.
- Now simply open the address http://192.168.123.1:49152/content.html to access the shared files on any other device connected to the WiFi Network of Pocket WiFi.
You can also download and install the Android app to access shared files or to upload files from the phone to PC. The app also has options to remotely shut down the PC.
Setup as a WiFi Receiver (Adapter)/WLAN Card
You can also use the Mi Pocket WiFi as a WiFi enabler for your desktop or laptop PC. You will then be able to connect to nearby WiFi networks and access the internet.
- Just if you’ve not done it already from the previous process, download and install the Mi WiFi software.
- Right click on the Mi WiFi icon from the system tray and choose the 2nd last option as shown in the image below. It will be in Chinese even if you’ve changed the language to English.
- Confirm the action by clicking on the Chinese button that appears in the pop-up window.
- Wait a few seconds and the device will now start acting as a WiFi receiver for your PC. Just use the Windows wireless networks menu to scan and connect to WiFi networks.
If you wish to change the mode back to WiFi Hotspot, you should repeat the same steps above. Don’t forget to leave a comment if you need any additional information about setting up the Mi Pocket WiFi 🙂
can I find any update for Xiaomi Mi Pocket WiFi USB Router…..
After update on windows 10, doesn’t work the wired internet on pc
failed to establish wifi connection
it gives this error. I installed and uninstalled eyebrows but it doesn’t work. not connecting.
it gives this error. I uninstalled it but it doesn’t work. not connecting.
Hi, did you try setting the region to Mainland China?
Hi, Thank you for sharing this post. I tried and its work great. Please can you provide the link or name of application for mobile to upload/download data ad use it as remote access. I tried to scan the qr code given in the desktop application but it download the Mi Home. I cannot find the solution. Thanks in advance.
hi. this post is great. It works on Windows 7 pc. But when I tried it on Windows 10, it won’t share the internet. is there any update for this?
Hi, I’d like to say thank you because I successfully change the menu to English, at least most of them, and learn to make it as wifi receiver.
Aside from that, its weird that although the wifi is successfully connected to my phone, there are no internet on the wifi, while the internet on my PC still running smoothly. I’m using XP btw. Do you have any idea how to fix this?
disculpa pero no puedo conectar mi telefono reconoce al pocke pero no puede conectarce
How to change language of MiWifi Chinese to English?
I’m using my PC here in office so that all installer will run in Administrator Mode. To bypass the admin rights I used Universal Extractor to extract the installer then Booom!!! the .exe file run in Chinese language.
Change Language of Software to English
There is no option to change the language, but a quick registry hack can change many options within the software to English.
Just download and run the file from THIS LINK. Alternatively, open Registry Editor (regedit.exe) and browse to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\XiaoMi\MiWiFi. Here, change the value for Language from chinese to english.
thank you so much……………!
how to set up in english language
You can modify the registry values as mentioned in the article. That will change most of the options to English.
thanks a lot bro ,,,you habe made the things so clear
How can i use it on Ununtu???
If I install the driver using wine,would it work?
no need software for ubuntu
Can I use this to create an access point without internet?
Can i use it on linux?
Yes, I’ve been testing it on Ubuntu, Fedora, OpenSuse, there is no issue. It is working fine. It is just that you can only use it as wifi adapter but not hotspot
Hi,
I am using this wifi receiver but I can’t receive my wifi network. it’s working for me only as a wifi adapter. I mean, I can only share my network.
You have to change the settings from the Mi WiFi software as mentioned in the article.
I could not change the language! I have tried a couple of time but it showing you cannot edit the language!
Thanks a lot! You are a lifesaver!!
Thank you so much…
Even after following your steps for “Change Language of Software to English”. Its not changing the language.
Did you try editing the registry manually?
Yes, I tried, it was already changed to english on language spot and nothing changed. :/
not working on me.windows ultimate 32bit.the device is connected but no internet.
Hi, I can’t set up the WiFi receiver. The second from the bottom option isn’t showing on my desktop . I’m running Windows 8. Thanks
Can I use the dongle to connect Philips Blue-ray DVD player to WiFi?
No, that won’t work because there are no specific drivers of the Mi Router for the Philips DVD player.
Hi guys,
I have found the problem. The registry key for the language is on a different location now.
Open Windows registry and go to this location:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE –> SOFTWARE –> WOW6432Node –> Xiaomi –> MiWiFi
In here you will find the language key and it will say chinese. Double click on language and replace chinese with english. Then click on OK and restart the Mi Wifi app.
The app wouldn’t be in English entirely but the main functions will. Good luck.
Richard
Thank you for the update, Richard. It seems you’re running a 64-bit version of Windows and the system I tried it on ran 32-bit. I’ll update the post for registry location for both versions of Windows 🙂
thanks man, thanks a lot
Yeah, the registry key is not there on Window 10. Please let us know when you have a fix. Thanks.
Hi,
Thanks for the great guide on how to setup this device! Only problem I have is that i can’t change the language of the software. Could you check if the method that you described with the registry key still works? Maybe the software updated and this method of changing the language doesn’t work anymore..
Thanks in advance.
Richard
Hi Richard,
Sorry for the trouble. Can you please try browsing the registry and changing the value manually? I’ll also give it a try when I go home 🙂
Hi Narender,
Thanks for the fast reply! I also noticed that the Xiaomi rigistry is missing. Maybe it’s because I’m using windows 10. Not a big deal tho, everything works wel. Its just confusing sometimes 🙂
Richard
Ah! I did try it on Windows 10 only when writing this guide. Maybe the updated software has brought changes.
I still haven’t had time to try it again. I’ll get back to you if I find out something 🙂
i put the mi mini wifi usb router adapter but it does not do anything it connects with my pc but it still says insert mi pocket wifi