Xiaomi and Redmi have powerful networking modules that not only allow you to receive the Internet, but also to distribute it efficiently to other devices. Turning your phone into a full-fledged access point is the perfect solution when there is no fixed router at hand, and Wi-Fi in a hotel or cafe is unstable.
The process of activating the distribution function in the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS is as simple as possible for developers, but many users are unaware of the hidden configuration options. For example, few people realize that the standard 2.4 GHz band can be changed to a faster 5 GHz, significantly increasing the data transfer speed for connected laptops and tablets.
In this article, we will take a look at all the steps of setting up, from basic power up to a thin security and energy saving configuration, how to extend battery life when you are actively distributed, and what settings should be changed to ensure maximum protection of your traffic from unauthorized connections.
Before you get to the practical steps, make sure that your device is activated mobile Internet or has a wired network connection through the Internet. USB-Adapter (for advanced scenarios) The phone will act as a gateway, so the quality of the incoming signal will directly affect the speed of all connected gadgets.
Basic setting of the access point through the notification curtain
The fastest way to activate your router mode on Xiaomi is to use the Quick Access Panel, a versatile method that works the same on all current firmware versions, whether it’s the old MIUI 12 or the latest HyperOS. You don’t have to dive into the deep settings menu if you just want to give the Internet away for a few minutes.
To start, swipe the notification curtain down from the top edge of the screen. In the icon menu that opens, look for an item called Access Point or Hotspot. If you don't see it on the first page of the widgets, swipe left to open the additional pages of the control panel. Click on the icon to activate the feature - it should be illuminated in blue or orange.
However, just by turning on the switch, you leave the network open or with a factory password, which is not safe. To change the settings, press and hold your finger on the access point icon for about two seconds. This action automatically takes you to the menu of detailed settings, where you can change the network name (SSID) and set a strong password.
☑️ Pre-insertion check
Note that when you first turn on, the system may request permission to use geolocation. This is a requirement of the Android operating system for correct scanning networks and operation of some services, although the Internet distribution itself works without GPS. Ignoring this request is not recommended to avoid potential conflicts in the operation of network modules.
Extended configuration in the MIUI and HyperOS settings menu
For those who want to gain full control of their virtual router, go to the deep menu of the system, the path to it is standard: open Settings, select Connection and Sharing (or Connections in older versions), and then click on Wi-Fi Access Point, where key parameters affecting connection stability are hidden.
In the hotspot settings section, first look at the "Setting up the hotspot" section, which is where you set your network name that other users will see when searching for Wi-Fi. It's recommended to use a unique, non-personal name to make it difficult to identify the network owner in crowded places.
The choice of security protocol requires special attention. In the list of available options, you will find WPA2-Personal and WPA3-Personal. WPA3 is a more modern and secure standard, but older devices (for example, laptops from 2010-2015) may not see it. If you need to connect a variety of equipment to your access point, you better stop at WPA2.
⚠️ Warning: Never leave a hotspot without a password (a “No” or “Open” type of protection), in which case anyone within range will be able to connect to your internet and, theoretically, access your device’s shared folders if the phone doesn’t have a firewall installed.
Also available on this menu is Hide Device, which when activated, your phone won't broadcast the network name on the air. To connect, other users will have to manually enter SSIDs in their gadgets' Wi-Fi settings, which reduces your phone's visibility to random network scanners, but is not a full defense against a targeted attack.
Why hide the SSID?
Using the 5GHz band for high speed
By default, most Xiaomi smartphones create an access point in the 2.4 GHz band. These are longer range frequencies, but they are heavily loaded in apartment buildings, which leads to a drop in speed and ping growth.Switching to 5 GHz allows you to significantly increase the channel throughput.
To activate this mode, in the access point settings menu, find the "Band" option. Change the value from 2.4 GHz to 5.0 GHz. After that, the data transfer speed between the phone and the connected laptop will increase, especially if you plan to watch high-resolution video or play online games.
It's important to understand the physical limitations of this range. 5GHz is worse at breaking through walls and has a shorter range. If you move from your laptop phone to the next room, the connection can break, so it's ideal for one table, but it's not good for sharing the Internet throughout the apartment.
Also, not all client devices support this standard: If your old tablet or e-book stopped seeing the network after switching, just return the setting back to 2.4GHz. Universality is often more important than top speed, especially on trips.
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For top speeds in the 5GHz band, make sure that the mobile internet itself (LTE/5G) has a good signal.The access point cannot transmit more data than it receives from a cell tower.
Restricting Connections and Managing Users
The Internet distribution function significantly loads the processor and radio module of the smartphone. To prevent the device from drowning out from the number of requests, MIUI and HyperOS have a mechanism for limiting the number of connected customers. By default, the system can allow connection to 10 devices, but for stable operation it is better to reduce this limit.
In the hotspot menu, find the "Maximum Connections" option, set a 2 or 3 if you only share the Internet with a colleague or family member, and this will prevent people from accidentally connecting to your network if the password is selected, or when background processes on multiple devices start to eat up all traffic.
At the bottom of the settings screen, you always see a list of connected devices. MAC-And if you click on a particular device, you can block it from accessing the network with one click, and it's a powerful way to fight freeloaders without changing the common password.
Check this list regularly if you see a device called "Unknown" or strange. MAC-If you don't recognize an address, block it immediately. It's recommended that you change the password of the access point after blocking, because the fact of unauthorized access indicates that the security key may be compromised.
| Parameter | Recommended value | Impact on work |
|---|---|---|
| Frequency range | 5.0 GHz | High speed, small radius. |
| Protocol of protection | WPA2-Personal | Maximum compatibility |
| Device limit | 2-4 pcs. | Ping stability and speed |
| time-out | 10 minutes. | Savings of battery when downtime |
Optimizing energy and working without Wi-Fi
Router mode is one of the most energy-intensive processes in a smartphone. Active data transfer through a radio module causes the housing to heat up and quickly discharge the battery. Xiaomi’s shell has built-in protection mechanisms that can turn off the access point when the battery is low, usually below 10-15%.
To extend the time, in the access point settings, turn on the "Switch off the access point" (or "Time out"). Set an interval, for example, 10 or 15 minutes. If during this time no one connects to the network or all devices disconnect, the phone automatically turns off the router mode, saving charge.
An interesting feature of modern Xiaomi phones is the ability to work in the Wi-Fi repeater mode (Wi-Fi Share), the phone can receive Internet over Wi-Fi and simultaneously distribute it further, also via Wi-Fi (on other frequencies) or via USB. However, the classic access point mode usually requires that the source of the Internet is mobile data.
When using the hotspot, the phone can get warmer, remove the thick protective case if it interferes with heat transfer, and do not put the router-based phone on soft surfaces (sofa, bed), as this will overheat and potentially trottling (decreased performance), which will worsen the speed of the Internet.
Resolving Connection Problems
Despite the system's fine-tuning, users sometimes face problems: devices can't see the network, connections are there, but the Internet is not, or speeds are extremely slow, most often due to incompatibility of encryption standards or failure of network settings of the phone itself.
If the laptop doesn’t see the network, try changing the channel in advanced settings (if your model allows) or switching the range from 5 GHz to 2.4 GHz. Also helps reset the network settings on the phone: go to Settings → Connection and Sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, cellular networks and Bluetooth. This action will remove saved Wi-Fi passwords, but fix configuration errors.
In case the internet on connected devices is not working (“Without internet access”), check the balance. SIM-maps and make sure your plan allows for the distribution of traffic.Some carriers block or charge separately the use of the phone as a modem.
⚠️ Warning: If, after switching on the access point, the mobile Internet stopped working even on the phone itself, try turning on and off flight mode. This will forcibly re-register the device in the operator's network and update the device. IP-address.
Sometimes the problem is solved by a banal smartphone reboot. During the work in the cache of network services, errors can accumulate that interfere with the correct distribution. IP-Reboot clears RAM and resets network sockets.
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The most common cause of problems is incompatibility of the 5GHz band with older devices. If a 2012 laptop can't see the network, switch the hotspot to 2.4GHz.