Xiaomi Hotspot Connected But No Internet on Giffgaff

Quick Answer

If your Xiaomi hotspot connects but devices have no internet on Giffgaff, first verify mobile data works on your phone. Then check Settings → Battery → Battery saver → Turn OFF. Also check Settings → Connection & sharing → Personal hotspot → Data limit → Set to "No limit". If still failing, edit your APN and try adding dun to APN type as a potential fix.

Connected Device Gets an IP Address but Websites Won't Load

If your laptop or tablet connects to the hotspot, gets an IP address, but no websites load, follow this guide. This specific pattern ("connected but no internet") is one of the most common hotspot complaints on Xiaomi devices with Giffgaff.

First Step – Verify Mobile Data Works on Your Xiaomi

Hotspot shares your phone's mobile data connection. If mobile data isn't working on the phone itself, hotspot will never work.

Test: Open Chrome or any app on your Xiaomi while mobile data is ON and WiFi is OFF. If no internet, fix mobile data first. If mobile data works, proceed below.

Check Hotspot Data Limit on Xiaomi

Xiaomi's HyperOS has a built-in hotspot data limit that can block internet to connected devices when reached.

Navigation: Settings → Connection & sharing → Personal hotspot → Data limit

Set to "No limit" or increase the value significantly. If set to a low value (e.g., 100MB), hotspot will stop passing data once reached.

Disable Battery Saver – Common Fix

Battery saver can restrict hotspot functionality on some Xiaomi devices. When enabled, HyperOS limits tethering to save power.

Navigation: Settings → Battery → Battery saver → Turn OFF

Also check: Settings → Apps → Manage apps → Personal hotspot → Battery saver → Select "No restrictions"

After disabling battery saver, restart your phone and test hotspot again.

Giffgaff APN Settings – Verification and Potential Fix

HyperOS updates can corrupt or reset APN settings. Check your APN configuration first.

Navigation: Settings → SIM cards & mobile networks → Giffgaff SIM → Access Point Names

Correct Giffgaff APN settings (based on Giffgaff official documentation):

Field Value
Name Giffgaff
APN giffgaff.com
Username (leave blank)
Password (leave blank)
Authentication type PAP or None
APN type default,supl

If the above doesn't work – Potential additional fix: Some users on Giffgaff community forums report that adding dun (Dial Up Networking) to APN type helps restore tethering. Change APN type to default,supl,dun, save, select the APN, and restart your phone.

Note: This is reported as helpful by some users but not required for all devices. Test without 'dun' first.

Hotspot Band – 2.4GHz vs 5GHz

Some connected devices (especially older laptops) have compatibility issues with 5GHz hotspot band, connecting but passing no data.

Navigation: Settings → Connection & sharing → Personal hotspot → Set up Wi-Fi hotspot → AP Band

Try both:

  • 2.4GHz – More compatible with older devices, better range
  • 5GHz – Faster but some devices may connect with no internet

If 5GHz doesn't work, switch to 2.4GHz. This resolves the issue for many users.

Check Giffgaff Plan – Tethering Allowance

Giffgaff allows tethering on most current plans, but verify your specific plan:

  • Giffgaff app → My plan → Check "Personal hotspot" or "Tethering" allowance
  • Text "INFO" to 43430 (free) – Giffgaff will send plan details
  • Goodybags: Most Goodybags include tethering within your data allowance

If your plan doesn't include tethering, change Goodybag in the Giffgaff app.

Giffgaff Hotspot Not Working After HyperOS Update

User reports on Xiaomi Community forums indicate HyperOS updates may reset APN settings or tethering preferences.

Fix sequence after update:

  1. Check hotspot data limit – often resets to a low value
  2. Check battery saver – may re-enable after update
  3. Verify APN settings – may revert to defaults
  4. Restart phone after checking all three

SIM / Network Reset Actions for Giffgaff Hotspot

If above steps fail, perform in this order:

  1. Airplane mode – ON for 30 seconds, then OFF
  2. Restart device – full restart, wait 2 minutes after boot
  3. Reinsert SIM – power off, remove Giffgaff SIM, clean contacts, reinsert firmly
  4. Forget hotspot clients – In hotspot settings, remove connected devices and reconnect fresh

Reset Network Settings (Last Resort)

If above steps fail:

Path: Settings → Connection & sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks, and Bluetooth

⚠️ Removes saved Wi-Fi passwords and paired Bluetooth devices. Does not delete photos or contacts.

After reset:

  1. Restart device
  2. Re-enter Giffgaff APN settings (giffgaff.com as APN)
  3. Set hotspot data limit to "No limit"
  4. Disable battery saver
  5. Test hotspot with one device first

When Hotspot Works Intermittently – Network Congestion

If hotspot works sometimes but not others (e.g., works at 6am but fails at 6pm), network congestion is a likely cause.

Test: Run speed test on your phone vs connected device at the same time. If phone is fast but connected device is slow or times out, the issue may be on the network side. Try hotspot during off-peak hours.

Giffgaff Hotspot on Xiaomi – Device-Specific Notes

Based on user reports across Giffgaff community forums:

Series Commonly Reported Hotspot Status
Xiaomi 14 / 15 series Works after disabling battery saver
Redmi Note 13 series Works, some users need 2.4GHz band
POCO F6 / X6 series Works, hotspot data limit may need adjustment
Older Redmi / POCO APN check usually resolves, network reset if needed

Contact Giffgaff – When to Call

If you've tried all steps and hotspot still doesn't work:

  • Giffgaff community forum: community.giffgaff.com – Search "Xiaomi hotspot"
  • Giffgaff support (call back): Request call back via Giffgaff app or website
  • Giffgaff on social media: @giffgaff on Twitter/X

Request them to check:

  • Tethering is enabled on your account
  • Your plan includes hotspot (some older plans may not)

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Xiaomi hotspot show connected but no internet on Giffgaff?

Common causes include: mobile data not working on the phone itself, APN settings corrupted after HyperOS update, battery saver restricting hotspot, or hotspot data limit reached. Work through the fixes in order above.

How to fix Giffgaff hotspot on Xiaomi?

First verify mobile data works on your phone. Then check hotspot data limit (set to No limit), disable battery saver, and verify APN settings. Some users report adding 'dun' to APN type helps, but test without it first.

Does Giffgaff allow hotspot on Xiaomi?

Yes, Giffgaff allows tethering on most current plans. Check your plan in the Giffgaff app under "My plan" – look for Personal hotspot allowance. Text "INFO" to 43430 to receive plan details.

Why is Giffgaff hotspot slow on Xiaomi?

Network congestion is one of the common causes. Test at different times – if speeds improve at quiet hours (early morning), the issue is likely network congestion. Try hotspot during off-peak hours.

Hotspot works on other phones but not Xiaomi with Giffgaff?

This suggests a HyperOS-specific issue. Check APN settings, disable battery saver, check hotspot data limit, and try switching hotspot band from 5GHz to 2.4GHz.

Related Guides

Final Verdict

Start with the basics – verify mobile data works on your phone first. Then check hotspot data limit (set to No limit) and disable battery saver – these two fixes resolve many cases. Verify APN settings are correct (giffgaff.com). Only after trying these, some users report adding 'dun' to APN type helps, but this is not required for all devices. Reset network settings only as last resort. If hotspot works intermittently, network congestion may be the cause – test during off-peak hours.

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