Wireless coverage is often a necessity in today’s thick-walled or multi-storey apartments. Xiaomi’s Mi WiFi Amplifier Pro is a compact and efficient solution to eliminate dead zones, which requires no complex computer setup and works almost immediately after plugging in, if you know the right algorithm.
Unlike full-fledged routers, this gadget is designed solely to expand the existing network, copying its parameters and amplifying the signal. Xiaomi Mi WiFi Pro supports the 802.11n standard and operates at 2.4 GHz, providing speeds up to 300 Mbps, which is quite enough for watching HD video and surfing the Internet. It is important to understand that for proper operation you will need a smartphone with the installed Mi Home application or Xiaomi WiFi, since the primary configuration occurs through a mobile device.
Before you start installing directly, you need to make sure your main router is working and spreading the Internet. The device will automatically determine the interface language of the main router, if it is also made by Xiaomi, and copy the network settings without the user. However, if you use another manufacturer's hardware, the process will require manually entering a password, which will also be easy when following the instructions. In this article, we will detail all the steps, from unpacking to fine-tuning the indicators.
Installation preparation and equipment requirements
The first step is to get the work place properly prepared and check the equipment, and you'll need a repeater that looks like a small white box with a small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small, small USB-It's a connector, and it's a power source, although it's often a short kit. USB-cable, for stationary use it is better to prepare a high-quality power supply with a current of at least 1A and a voltage of 5V. The use of weak chargers from old smartphones can lead to unstable operation or constant reboots of the amplifier.
The critical thing is knowing the password from your main Wi-Fi network. Without the exact security key (password), the repeater will not be able to connect to the router and therefore will not be able to broadcast the signal further. Make sure that the main router is on and within reach at the time of setting up - the distance between them should not exceed 2-3 meters during the initial pairing.
For owners of Android and iOS, the Mi Home app (formerly Xiaomi Smart Home), which is the main tool for managing the ecosystem of a smart home from Xiaomi, is available. Alternatively, the Xiaomi WiFi application, which is more focused specifically on network equipment, but the Mi Home functionality is more versatile and preferred for most users, can serve as an alternative.
☑️ Checking before setting up
Note frequency compatibility. Since Xiaomi Mi WiFi Pro only works in the 2.4 GHz band, it will not be able to extend the 5 GHz network. If your main router is dual-band, make sure you are trying to connect to the 2.4 GHz network, or that the network names (SSIDs) for both bands are currently different so that there is no confusion when choosing a signal source.
Primary configuration through the Mi Home app
The configuration process through the mobile application is the easiest and most visual way to activate the device. After installing the Mi Home application, you need to log in to your Xiaomi account. If you do not have one, it will take no more than a couple of minutes to register, then you need to click the add-on button in the application (usually this is plus in the upper right corner) and select the automatic search mode.
Put the repeater in the socket next to the main router. The indicator on the case should light up in orange, which signals the setting standby mode. The application on the phone should detect the new device and suggest adding it. If the automatic search did not work, select the category "Routers" manually or type in the "Mi WiFi Amplifier" model in the search.
⚠️ Attention: During the setup process, the phone must be connected to the main router's Wi-Fi network, which you plan to strengthen (3G/4G) At this point, it is better to turn off to avoid routing errors.
Once you have selected the device, the app will ask you to select the Wi-Fi network you want to strengthen and enter the password for it, and at this point, the encryption keys are exchanged between the repeater and the router, which can take anywhere from 30 seconds to 2 minutes, during which time the indicator on the device will flash, and then, if you successfully connect, it will light up in blue.
The final step in the initial setup is to choose the installation location. The application may suggest renaming the device for easy control in a smart home. The logical name will help you quickly identify the amplifier in the list, especially if you have several. Once successfully completed, the setup wizard will suggest moving the device to the point where the main router signal is weakening, but still present.
Configure without application and through a web interface
Although the mobile app is the primary tool, there are situations where using a smartphone is inconvenient or impossible, and in such cases you can use a web interface or a quick connection feature. To access the web interface, you first need to connect to the Wi-Fi network of the repeater itself «Xiaomi_repeater_XXXX» It doesn't require a password, but it won't have access to the Internet yet.
Open any browser on the connected device and enter in the address bar IP-192.168.31.1 or miwifi.com domain, you will be taken to the control panel where you need to set the administrator password, and then the system will prompt you to select the network to expand and enter the access key. This method is more time-consuming, as it requires manual input of all parameters, but gives access to advanced settings that are hidden in the mobile application.
There is also a fast connection (QSS/WPS) method, if your main router supports this technology and has the appropriate button. By pressing the WPS button on the main router, and then briefly pressing the reset button (or using a pin code in the application) on the repeater, you can hide devices without entering a password. However, this method does not work with all models of third-party routers.