How to connect a vacuum cleaner Xiaomi to Wi-Fi without a password: all the ways of 2026

Why does Xiaomi vacuum cleaner require a Wi-Fi password and can you get around this requirement?

Xiaomi’s robot vacuum cleaners (including Mi Robot Vacuum, Dreame, Viomi models) traditionally connect to the home network via the Mi Home or Dreamehome app, where the Wi-Fi password is required to be entered during the setup stage. However, this password is not always available – for example, if the router is set up by a guest, the network is public, or the password is lost.

It’s important to understand that Xiaomi does not provide an official method of connection without a password for security reasons. All “bypass” paths are based on the features of Wi-Fi protocols (for example, WPS or Hotspot) or temporary loopholes in firmware. In this article, we will discuss the working methods of 2026, their limitations and risks – from legal to technically complex.

Before you start, check:

• 🔄 Is the vacuum cleaner firmware updated?: Older versions (before 2022) could support vulnerable connection methods that the later patched.
• 📶 Type of network: If it’s 5 GHz, some Xiaomi models don’t see it – switch to 2.4 GHz.
• 🔒 Router settings: turn off filtering by MAC-Addresses or "customer isolation" if they are active.

Method 1: Connect via WPS (the fastest method)

The WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) protocol allows you to connect devices to the network without entering a password — just press a button on the router. Most Xiaomi models (except the newest ones) support this method, but with nuances.

How it works:

1. Activate WPS mode on the router – usually you need to press the physical WPS button (hold 3-5 seconds) or enable the option in the web interface along the way Wireless Mode → WPS.
2. In the Mi Home app (or analogue) at the vacuum cleaner connection stage, select the option to Connect via WPS (may be called Other Ways → WPS).
3. The vacuum cleaner will automatically find the network and connect within 2 minutes.

Limitations of the method:

• ⚠️ Does not work on routers with disconnected WPS (For example, Apple AirPort, some of which are ASUS).
• ⚠️ Xiaomi models after 2023 can be blocked WPS due to protocol vulnerabilities.
• ⚠️ If the router requires PIN-code WPS, method will not work.

Make sure the router supports WPS|Check that the vacuum cleaner is charged (>20%)|Push. WPS on the router before starting the connection in the application|Use a 2.4 GHz network (not 5 GHz)-->

Method 2: Using Hotspot on your phone

If the main network is password protected and the vacuum cleaner doesn't accept it, you can temporarily create an open hotspot on your smartphone, which is suitable for initial setup, but has stability limitations.

Step-by-step:

1. On your phone (Android or iOS), turn on Access Point mode (in Network and Internet settings or Modem).
2. In the access point settings: Set the network name (SSID) without spaces and Cyrillic (for example, Xiaomi_Vacuum). Select security: No password (or WPA2-PSK password-type 12345678). Make sure the frequency is — 2.4 GHz.

Mi Home

After successful connection, return to the main network (see the section "How to transfer the vacuum cleaner to another network").

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Dreame) D10 Plus) block the default connection to networks without a password. In this case, use an 8-digit password (11112222).

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If the vacuum cleaner doesn't see the access point, restart it by holding the power button for 10 seconds. After rebooting, repeat the network search.

Method 3: Alternative applications (Mi Home Mod, Dreamehome+)

Xiaomi’s official apps often restrict functionality to regions outside China. Alternative versions (such as Mi Home Mod or Dreamehome+) may offer advanced connectivity options, including bypassing password checkers.

How it works:

• 📱 Mi Home Mod is a modified version of the official application with support for all regions and old connection protocols. 4PDA.
• 🌐 Dreamehome+ — unofficial Dreame vacuum cleaner client, supports manual addition of devices over Token (see next section).
• 🔧 Home Assistant – a smart home system that can connect to Xiaomi vacuum cleaners MQTT or LAN wireless.

Risks of use:

• ⚠️ Unofficial applications may contain malicious code. Check files on VirusTotal.
• ⚠️ Xiaomi may block account for using modified customers.
• ⚠️ Some functions (such as cleaning cards) may not work properly.

Method 4: Connecting via Token (for power users)

Each Xiaomi device has a unique Token, a digital identifier that allows you to manage it without being tied to Wi-Fi. If you’ve already connected a vacuum cleaner before, you can remove the Token and use it to reconnect to another network.

How to extract Token:

1. Install the Packet Capture app (for Android) or HTTP Toolkit (for iOS) on your phone.
2. Start capturing traffic and open the official Mi Home app.
3. Find a request for api.io.mi.com domain with the did (device ID) and token settings in the logs.
4. Copy the value of token – that is your key.

How to use Token to connect:

• In alternative applications (e.g. Dreamehome+), select Add Device via Token.
• Enter Token, DID (ID devices IP-vacuum address on the local network.
• If the vacuum cleaner is not on the network, connect it to the phone’s access point (see Method 2).

⚠️ Warning: Transferring Token to third parties gives them complete control over your device!

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Token extraction is the only way to control a vacuum cleaner without Wi-Fi (for example, via a local area network or the cloud).

Method 5: Bypassing resetting and “deception” of the system

Some users have successfully connected Xiaomi vacuum cleaners to networks without a password using a combination of reset and fast connection.The method does not work on all models, but can help in a hopeless situation.

Instructions:

1. Reset the vacuum cleaner to factory settings: Hold the Power + Home (or Power + Spot Clean) buttons for 10-15 seconds before the beep.
2. Without connecting the vacuum cleaner to Wi-Fi, start the setup process in the Mi Home app.
3. At the network selection stage, select Another Network and enter an arbitrary name. SSID (for example, Xiaomi_Open) passwordless.
4. If the vacuum cleaner gives an error, try again, but this time quickly switch the phone to the access point without a password (see Method 2).

Why it sometimes works:

• Older firmware (Mi Robot Vacuum 1S, Dreame D9) could cache network data and connect to it even after a reset.
• Some models allow you to connect to “empty” networks in the first 5 minutes after resetting.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even if you successfully connect without a password, you can have problems.-5 errors and ways of correcting them:

• 🔴 Unable to connect to the network error: Check that the network is running at 2.4 GHz (Xiaomi vacuum cleaners do not support 5 GHz). WPA3 — Use only WPA2-PSK.
• 🔴 Vacuum Cannot Find Network: Make sure the network name (SSID) It doesn't contain spaces, Cyrillic or special symbols.
• 🔴 The app freezes during the connection stage: Try using another app (e.g. Mi Home Mod instead of the official). VPN or a proxy on the phone.
• 🔴 After you connect, the vacuum cleaner shuts down: Check your router settings: turn off Band Steering and Fast Roaming. Assign a static vacuum cleaner. IP customized DHCP.
• 🔴 Control not working after network change: Reset the Mi Home app cache in phone settings. Reconnect the vacuum cleaner via Add device → My devices.

If the vacuum cleaner was previously linked to another Xiaomi account, it must first untie through the official app or contact support with proof of purchase.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions