In today’s world, mobile internet has become an integral part of life, and there are often situations when it is urgent to provide access to the network to another device. Xiaomi smartphones running on the shell of MIUI or HyperOS, have powerful functionality for creating an access point that significantly exceeds standard Android solutions, which allows not only to distribute traffic, but also to do it safely by limiting the number of connections or hiding the network from prying eyes.
The process of turning your smartphone into a full-fledged router takes only a few seconds, but many users are unaware of hidden settings that can significantly improve connection stability. Wi-Fi distribution from Xiaomi’s device works steadily even with a weak cellular signal due to energy optimization. In this article, we will discuss all the nuances, from basic activation to advanced methods of protecting your channel.
It's worth noting that the functionality may vary slightly depending on the firmware version, but the overall logic remains the same for all models of the brand: you can set up an automatic shutdown so that the battery does not run out of power, and also choose the optimal frequency range for maximum speed.
Basic settings of Wi-Fi hotspot on Xiaomi
You need to get to the access point control menu first. The quickest way is to lower the notification curtain and find the access point icon, but to fully customize it, you need to log into the deep system menu. Go to Settings, then select Wi-Fi Access Point. This shows your network name and default password, which you better change to a more complex one right away.
Click on your access point name to change your SSID (network name). It is recommended to use Latin letters to avoid connection problems on older devices. Below is the password box - use a combination of letters and numbers at least 8 characters long for strong protection against unauthorized access.
Special attention should be paid to the frequency range. In the paragraph "Range of frequency of the access point", you can choose between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz.
- 📶 2.4 GHz – Provides greater range and better breaks through walls, but speeds are lower and more interference from neighboring networks.
- 🚀 5 GHz – guarantees maximum data transfer speed, but the range is much smaller, and the signal worse passes through obstacles.
- 🔄 Automatically - the system itself will choose the best option depending on the conditions of admission.
⚠️ Note: When choosing a 5GHz band, make sure the receiving device (laptop or old phone) supports this standard, otherwise it will simply not see your network.
After making all the changes, remember to press the save button, which is usually located in the upper right corner of the screen. Now your network is ready to go, and other devices can connect by entering the password you have set.
Advanced security settings and network hiding
MIUI offers features that are rare in Android stock. One of the most useful options is the ability to hide the access point. If you activate Hide Device, your phone will stop broadcasting the network name on the air, and only those users who manually enter the exact network name (SSID) and password will be able to connect.
To activate this feature, go to Settings → Wi-Fi Access Point → Set up a Wi-Fi hotspot. At the bottom of the list, find the Hide Device Switch and activate it. This is a great way to protect your traffic in crowded places where lots of people are trying to connect to open networks.
Also available on this menu is an encryption type setting, which is the default WPA2 PSK, which is the gold standard for security at the moment, and older protocols like WEP or WPA are not recommended, as they are easily hacked by special utilities.
Why should you hide the SSID?
Another important feature is setting a limit on connected devices, so you can limit the number of gadgets that can use your Internet at the same time, and this will prevent someone from hooking up on your Wi-Fi and downloading heavy files, a fully saturating channel.
Managing Connected Devices and Limits
The people who use your Internet are controlled through the Connected Devices menu, and here you can see in real time a list of all the gadgets and their devices. MAC-If you notice an unfamiliar device, you can instantly lock it by pressing the appropriate button next to the name.
For more subtle control, use the Traffic Limit feature, where you can set a limit that will automatically stop your Internet distribution, especially if you have a tariff for every gigabyte or a limited packet of traffic.
The setting of the limit is as follows:
- In the access point menu, select the "Limit traffic" option.
- Set the desired volume (e.g., 1 GB or 500 MB).
- Select the period of validity of the restriction (daily, monthly or one-time).
⚠️ Attention: The traffic meter on the phone is approximate. 5-10% due to the data and the characteristics of the transmission protocols.
Timer is also available, and you can set up an automatic shutdown if no one connects to it for a certain time (e.g. 10 minutes), which helps save battery power, which is used very intensively when you actively distribute Wi-Fi.
Connection problems and their solution
Despite Xiaomi's stability, there are times when other phones can't see the network or can't connect, most often the problem is incompatible encryption standards or overflowing the communication channel. First, try rebooting both devices, which solves 80% of software failures.
If the problem persists, check if the power saving mode on the dispenser is turned on. Aggressive battery optimization can block the background processes necessary for the hotspot to run smoothly. Add the Access Point app to battery exclusions or turn off the power saving mode.
The table below shows the main errors and ways to eliminate them:
| Mistake. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| It's not possible to get IP-address | Address conflict or DHCP failure | Forget the network on the client and connect again |
| The internet is there, but there is no internet. | There is no 4G/5G signal from the distributor | Check the balance and coverage of cellular communication |
| The device doesn't see the network. | Unsupported range (5 GHz) | Switch the access point to 2.4 GHz |
| Persistent communication breaks | Smartphone overheating | Remove the cover, reduce the brightness, let cool down |
If nothing works, try resetting your network settings. Go to Settings → Connection & Sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth. Note that this action will remove all saved passwords from Wi-Fi networks.
☑️ Diagnostics of the problem
The effect of Wi-Fi on battery and heating
The access point mode is one of the most energy-intensive processes for a smartphone. The Wi-Fi module works to transmit a signal at maximum power, which leads to rapid battery discharge and heating of the housing. This is especially noticeable on models with a plastic case or when using the device. 5G-network.
To minimize the negative impact, it is recommended to reduce the brightness of the screen or turn off the display altogether during the handout, it is also worth closing heavy applications that work in the background so that the processor does not experience double load. If you plan to distribute the Internet for a long time, you should connect the phone to the charger.
Critical: If the phone has warmed to a state where the system is issuing a temperature warning, immediately stop the distribution. Prolonged overheating can lead to battery degradation and detachment of the screen.
💡
Use it. USB-cable to distribute the Internet to a laptop instead of Wi-Fi, which will provide a more stable connection, lower latency (ping) and simultaneous charging of the phone.
Alternative ways to distribute the Internet
If classic Wi-Fi is not suitable due to low battery power or lack of module on the receiving device, Xiaomi offers other options. USB-This method is ideal for laptops and desktop computers, because it provides a wired connection without loss of speed.
To activate, connect your phone to your PC with a cable, then go to Settings. → Wi-Fi access point and turn on the item «USB-The computer automatically detects a new network connection, and the advantage of this method is that the phone charges simultaneously from the port. USB.
Another option is Bluetooth, where the data transfer speed is much lower (no more than 2-3 Mbps), which is only enough for messaging or text browsing, but the power consumption is minimal. You need to connect the devices via Bluetooth and select a "Bluetooth modem" from the access point menu.
💡
USB-The modem is the best choice for stationary work, as it eliminates signal loss and saves battery power from the computer.
The choice of method depends on your current tasks: for fast file transfer and video, choose Wi-Fi 5 GHz, for long work in the office – USB, and for an emergency with minimal energy consumption – Bluetooth.