Managing Wi-Fi Networks on Xiaomi: A Complete User Guide

If you've ever encountered your Xiaomi smartphone spontaneously connect to unfamiliar networks, lose connection to home Wi-Fi, or waste mobile traffic instead of using an available wireless network, the problem lies in the Wi-Fi management settings. This feature, hidden in the depths of the MIUI system, is responsible for automatically switching between networks, optimizing speed and even saving battery power. But how does it actually work, and why does it sometimes behave unpredictably?

In this article, we will explore what Wi-Fi management is like on Xiaomi, how it affects the device, and why its settings can both improve and worsen the user experience. You will learn how to turn off automatic connection to public networks, why a phone can “forget” saved passwords, and how to manually set connection priorities.

What is Wi-Fi Network Management on Xiaomi and Why You Need It

The Wi-Fi Network Management function is a set of algorithms in MIUI firmware that automatically controls the device's connections to wireless networks.

• 🔄 Automatic switching between available networks (e.g., from mobile internet to Wi-Fi when a familiar access point appears).
• 📶 Speed optimization by selecting the most stable channel or range (2.4 GHz / 5 GHz).
• 🔋 Energy savings by turning off the Wi-Fi module when inactivity or switching to low-consumption mode.
• 🛡️ Protection against insecure networks (blocking connections to open or suspicious access points).

In practice, this means that your Redmi Note 12 or Xiaomi 13T can connect to a cafe network on its own if you have already been there, or switch to mobile Internet if your home Wi-Fi starts to slow down. However, these decisions are not always justified - sometimes the system mistakenly chooses a slow network instead of a fast one or spends traffic on background check of available access points.

It’s important to understand that network management works not only on smartphones, but also on other devices of the Xiaomi ecosystem: tablets (Pad 6), smart watches (Watch S3), and even some models of routers (for example, Xiaomi Router 4A Gigabit).

Where is the Wi-Fi network management in Xiaomi settings

Depending on the MIUI version and device model, the path to Wi-Fi control settings may vary slightly. Here is a universal guide for most modern smartphones (relevant to MIUI 14 and later):

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
2. Go to the Wi-Fi section.
3. Tap the three-point menu (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Additional Settings (or Advanced Settings).
4. Find Wi-Fi Network Management (some firmware may call Automatic Connection or Network Settings).

On the screen you will see a few key options:

On some devices (e.g. POCO F5 or Xiaomi 12 Lite), these settings can be hidden deeper – in the section Network and Internet → Wi-Fi → Network preferences. If you do not find the right item, search by settings (the icon of the magnifier at the top of the screen).

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On devices with MIUI for POCO, the path may be different. Try pinching the Wi-Fi icon on the home screen and selecting the app settings for quick access.

Why Xiaomi is spontaneously connected to other networks

One of the most common complaints users have about Xiaomi’s smartphone connecting to unfamiliar networks without permission.

• 🔄 Auto Connection is enabled in the settings (see table above) and the system remembers all the networks you have ever connected to and tries to connect to them again.
• 📱 Sync with Mi Account: If you’ve previously logged in on another Xiaomi device (like a tablet), the data could be transferred automatically.
• 🤖 Optimization MIUI: The firmware can decide that an “alien” network is better than your current one (for example, if the home Wi-Fi signal is weak).
• 🛠️ Wi-Fi failure (rarely, but after updates or resets).

To fix this:

1. Open the Settings. → Wi-Fi.
2. Slip on the network you don’t want to connect to and select Forget the network.
3. Turn off the option of Autoconnect to open networks in additional settings.
4. If the problem repeats, reset the network settings: Settings → System → Reset → Network settings reset.

Importantly, some public networks (such as malls) use a “captive portal” mechanism that forces the device to connect automatically, in which case only a complete Wi-Fi shutdown in that location will help.

How to Manually Set Your Wi-Fi Network Priorities on Xiaomi

By default, MIUI connects to the network with the strongest signal, but that's not always optimal. For example, your Xiaomi 13 Pro can cling to neighbors instead of a home router if it's standing further away.

1. Connect to the network you want to prioritize.
2. Go to Settings → Wi-Fi, tap the name of the network.
3. Enable Priority Connection (or Always Connect to this Network)
4. If you don’t have this option, remove all unnecessary networks from the saved list, leaving only those that you use regularly.

For advanced users, there is a way through ADB (requires an unlocked bootloader):

adb shell cmd wifi set-country-code RU


adb shell cmd wifi set-wifi-enabled true




adb shell cmd wifi add-network [SSID] [PASSWORD] priority=1

Where [SSID] is the network name, [PASSWORD] is the password, and priority=1 is the top priority, be careful: the wrong commands can disrupt the Wi-Fi module.

Remove unnecessary networks from the list|Enable "Priority Connection" for the home network|Disconnect Autoconnection to Open Networks|Reset the device to apply changes-->

Hidden Wi-Fi management features you didn’t know about

There are several non-obvious networking opportunities in MIUI that can significantly improve the user experience:

• 🔍 Scanning. QR-Network code: instead of entering a password manually can be scanned QR with Wi-Fi settings (available in the Wi-Fi menu) → Add a network → Scanner QR).
• 📊 Network usage statistics: shows how much data is spent through each network (path: Settings → Connections & Sharing → Data Use → Wi-Fi).
• 🔄 Fast switching between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz: If your router supports both bands, you can manually select your preferred one in network settings.
• 🛡️ Protection against counterfeit access points: MIUI 14+ has a phishing network detection feature (included in Settings → Privacy → Wi-Fi protection).

Another useful feature is the Wi-Fi Assistant mode (available on some models, such as the Xiaomi 12S Ultra), which automatically connects to trusted partner networks (such as hotels or airports) without having to enter a password.

1. Activate the option in Settings → Wi-Fi → Wi-Fi Assistant.
2. When you first connect to a supported network, confirm the terms of use.
3. In the future, the connection will occur automatically.

Note that this mode can transfer limited data about your device to Xiaomi partners (such as the phone model and MIUI version).

Frequent Wi-Fi Issues on Xiaomi and How to Solve Them

Even with the right network management settings, Xiaomi users sometimes face typical problems, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

If none of these methods worked, try resetting your network settings:

1. Go to Settings → System → Reset.
2. Select Network Reset (not to be confused with a full reset!).
3. Confirm the action and restart the device.

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Before resetting the network, write down the passwords from all saved Wi-Fi – after the procedure, they will be deleted!

⚠️ Warning: If a Wi-Fi problem occurs after the MIUI update, try rolling back to the previous firmware version. Some builds (e.g., MIUI 14.0.4 for Redmi Note 11) have bugs with Wi-Fi drivers.

How to Protect Your Wi-Fi Connection on Xiaomi

Managing Wi-Fi networks is closely linked to the security of your device, and here are the key precautions:

• 🔐 Disable auto-connection to open networks (how to do this - see section above). Public networks are often used to steal data.
• 🛡️ Use VPN when connecting to unfamiliar Wi-Fi. MIUI has a built-in VPN- client (Settings → Connections & Sharing → VPN).
• 📱 Check the list of saved networks and remove the ones you don't use, which will reduce the risk of automatically connecting to malicious access points.
• 🔄 Update your firmware — newer versions MIUI often fix vulnerabilities in the Wi-Fi module.

Pay special attention to setting up MAC- addresses. MIUI has the option of random generation of MAC for each network (protects from tracking):

1. Go to Settings. → Wi-Fi.
2. Tap the name of the network → Privacy.
3. Enable the option to Use a random MAC.

On some routers (e.g. Xiaomi Router AX6000), you can set up a "white list" of MAC- addresses to connect only allowed devices, which will add an additional layer of protection.

⚠️ Warning: If you are using a corporate network with security certificates (e.g., in an office), random MAC may cause connection problems.

FAQ: answers to frequent questions about managing Wi-Fi on Xiaomi