How to set up a Wi-Fi distributor on a Xiaomi smartphone: from base point to hidden features

Xiaomi’s modern smartphones can not only connect to Wi-Fi, but also distribute the Internet to other devices themselves, a feature that is a salvation when there is no router at hand and access to the network is needed on a laptop, tablet or second phone, but many users face problems: the access point either turns off on its own, works too slowly, and devices can not connect to it.

In this article, we will discuss all the steps of setting up a Wi-Fi distributor on Xiaomi, from basic activation to subtle parameters such as changing the channel, speed limiting and even creating a guest network. MIUI, which increase the stability of the connection to 30-40% You will also learn how to circumvent common errors (such as the lack of Internet access with an active access point) and protect your network from unauthorized access.

Preparing a smartphone before setting up an access point

Before you turn on your Wi-Fi distributor, make sure your Xiaomi is ready for the role.Here are key points that are often overlooked:

• 📶 Check the mobile Internet: the hotspot relays it, make sure that the smartphone has a stable one. 4G/5G signal (in the settings the icon is displayed) LTE or 5G). If there are traffic restrictions, they will have to be temporarily disabled.
• 🔋 Battery charge: Wi-Fi distribution consumes energy actively. At a charge level below 20%, the system can automatically turn off the access point.
• 🔄 Update. MIUI: In older versions of firmware there are bugs with the operation of the Wi-Fi module. Check the relevance of the software in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

If you use Xiaomi with two SIM-By default, the access point may try to distribute the Internet with the "wrong» SIM-card (for example, one that does not have a connected packet) to avoid this:

1. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
2. Choose. SIM-The card you want to give out the internet.
3. Activate the option Mobile data for it.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro) POCO X3 Pro) when the access point is activated, Wi-Fi automatically shuts down. This is normal behavior - the phone cannot be both a client and a network distributor at the same time.

Basic setup of Wi-Fi distributor on Xiaomi

The easiest way to enable the access point is through the Quick Settings Panel:

1. Swipe your finger down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification curtain.
2. Find the Access Point icon (usually hidden under the Edit button – pull it to the left).
3. Tap the icon to activate the sender.

By default, the network will be called Xiaomi_XXXX (where XXXX is the last digits of your phone's IMEI), and the password will be generated automatically. To change these settings:

1. Go to Settings. → Access Point and modem (on some firmware - Settings) → Connections → Access point).
2. Slip on the Access Point setting.
3. Enter a new network name (SSID) — Use Latin and numbers without spaces.
4. Select the type of security: recommended WPA2-PSK (most reliable).
5. Create a password that is at least 8 characters long, and avoid simple combinations like 12345678 or date of birth.
6. Save the changes.

You can then connect other devices. On a Windows laptop, for example, this is done through the taskbar: click on the Wi-Fi icon. → Choose the name of your network → enter the password.

Advanced settings: Optimization of speed and stability

If the base access point is not working smoothly (often interrupted, slow speed), it is time to look into the advanced settings. MIUI They are hidden deeper, but can significantly improve the quality of the connection.

The first thing to look at is the Wi-Fi mode, which is that the default is that the smartphone chooses the channel automatically, but in a dense urban environment, it can cause interference.

1. Activate the access point.
2. Go to Settings → Access Point and Modem → Access Point settings.
3. Slip on the additional (or advanced settings).
4. Find the Wi-Fi Channel and select the value manually. 2.4 GHz channels are recommended 1, 6 or 11 (They don't cross over with the neighbors. 5 GHz – any channel from the range 36-48 or 149-165.

Another important parameter is the frequency bandwidth. On modern Xiaomi (for example, Xiaomi 13 or Redmi). K60) The access point can operate in two bands:

• 📡 2.4 GHz - long range, but lower speed and higher congestion channels.
• 🚀 5 GHz – faster speed, but shorter range and worse passage through walls.

To switch between them:

1. In the same advanced settings, look for Wi-Fi Range (or Frequency Range).
2. Choose the option you want. If your connected devices support 5GHz, you'd prefer it.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI (Especially custom ones, after manually selecting the channel, the access point may start to work unstable. If the speed drops or the connection breaks, return the setting to Auto mode.

💡

If connected devices “see” the network, but cannot access it IP-address, try in the advanced settings of the access point to enable the option Fixed IP and manually prescribe a range, for example 192.168.43.2–192.168.43.100.

Speed and traffic restrictions for connected devices

If you have multiple devices connected to your access point, one of them can clog the channel — for example, by downloading large files. MIUI There is a built-in speed limiting tool, but it's hidden:

1. Activate the access point and connect at least one device to it.
2. Go to Settings. → Access Point and modem.
3. Slip on the connected devices.
4. Select the device from the list.
5. Press Limit Speed and set a limit (e.g. 5 Mbps).

You can also limit the total traffic that a smartphone sends out, which is useful if you have a limited mobile Internet bundle:

1. In the access point settings, look for Traffic Limit (or Data Limitation).
2. Specify the maximum amount of data in megabytes (e.g., 1024 MB) = 1GB).
3. Activate the option to Disable the access point when you exceed the limit.

On Xiaomi models with MIUI 14 and later, the device prioritization feature, which allows you to allocate more bandwidth to certain gadgets (for example, a laptop that is video conferencing on) to customize it:

1. In the list of connected devices, tap on the desired.
2. Select Priority and set the High value.

Solving common problems with a Wi-Fi distributor

Even after setting up the hotspot correctly, Xiaomi can malfunction, and here are the typical problems and ways to solve them:

1. Devices are connected, but the internet is not working

Reasons:

• 🔌 There is no mobile Internet on the smartphone itself (check the balance, settings). APN).
• 🔄 Conflict IP-Addresses (try to reset the access point).
• 🛡️ Blocking by the operator (some tariffs prohibit the distribution of the Internet).

Solution: Turn off the hotspot, turn on the In-plane mode for 10 seconds, then activate the spreader again. APN (Path: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Access point (APN)).

2.The access point itself is off.

Reasons:

• 🔋 Charge savings (in battery settings there may be a limitation for the Access Point function).
• 📵 No connected devices (by default, the smartphone disables the point through the 5-10 minute).
• 🔥 CPU overheating (Wi-Fi distribution loads the chipset, especially on budget models like Redmi) 9A).

Solution: in battery settings (Settings) → Battery. → Battery Optimization) Find the Settings app (or Access Point) and turn off optimization for it. You can also increase the timeout of the shutdowns in the advanced access point settings.

3. Low connection speed

Reasons:

• 📶 Weak signal of the mobile network (check the number of “rods” of the signal on the smartphone).
• 🌐 Overloaded Wi-Fi channel (change the channel manually as described above).
• 🖥️ Restrictions on the connected device (for example, a load limit may be enabled on a laptop).

Solution: try switching from 2.4 GHz to 5 GHz (or vice versa). Also disable background updates on connected devices (for example, on Windows this is done in Settings. → Network and Internet → Additional parameters).

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi models (e.g, POCO F3 Xiaomi 11T) post-update MIUI 13/14 There's a bug that only makes the access point work when the charger is connected, and it's associated with aggressive power optimization, so the solution is to roll back the firmware or use third-party software like NetShare.

💡

If the access point on Xiaomi is unstable, in 80% of cases the problem is solved by changing the Wi-Fi channel, disabling battery optimization for system applications or resetting the mobile network settings.

Security: How to Protect Your Access Point from Hacking

An open access point is like an unlocked door for hackers to not only "freely" use your Internet, but also to intercept data (passwords, cookies) from connected devices.

1. Complex password: Use a combination of letters (different registers), numbers and symbols: kL9#pR2!mQ1. Avoid words from the dictionary.
2. Hiding the network (SSID): In the access point settings, activate Hide the network, and now only those who know the exact name can connect to it (SSID).
3. Filtration by MAC-Addresses: Find MAC-Addresses of devices that are allowed to connect (on Windows this is done via the command line: ipconfig) /all). In the settings of the access point, activate the filter MAC-Add only the addresses you need to be on the whitelist.
4. Shutdown WPS: This feature makes it easier to connect, but it has vulnerabilities. WPS (if such a clause exists).

You can use additional protection for VPN In this case, all traffic passing through the access point will be encrypted, free services like ProtonVPN or Windscribe will work, they have speed limits, but for basic protection, there will be enough).

If you often give out the Internet in public places (cafes, airports), consider a guest network.

1. Install Guest Wi-Fi from Google Play (it works with most Xiaomi devices) MIUI).
2. Set up a separate network with limited access to local resources.
3. Set a time or traffic limit for guest devices.

Alternative ways to distribute the Internet with Xiaomi

If the built-in access point is not working well, you can use alternative methods:

1. Distribution through USB (USB-tethering)

Suitable for connecting to a laptop or PC. Advantages:

• ⚡ Faster than Wi-Fi (speed is limited only) USB-port).
• 🔋 Less consumption of the smartphone battery.

How to turn on:

1. Connect your smartphone to your computer through USB-cable.
2. In the notification curtain, select the Data Transfer mode by USB (or USB-tethering).
3. A new network connection will appear on the PC.

2. Distribution via Bluetooth

Less popular, but useful (for example, for devices without Wi-Fi), the speed is low (up to 3 Mbps), but very economical in power consumption.

How to turn on:

1. Turn on Bluetooth on both devices.
2. Make sure you have them (on Xiaomi: Settings) → Bluetooth).
3. In Bluetooth settings on your smartphone, activate the Access Point via Bluetooth.

Third-party annexes

If a standard access point is glitching, try:

• 📱 NetShare – Creates a secure access point with additional settings.
• 🌐 PdaNet+ — circumvents restrictions of operators on the distribution of the Internet.
• 🔒 ClockworkMod Tether – for rooted devices (requires root rights).

⚠️ Note: When using third-party applications to distribute the Internet, the mobile operator may consider this as a violation of tariff rules. SIM-Before using the card, check the terms of your tariff plan.

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up a Wi-Fi distributor on Xiaomi