How to connect Wi-Fi on a Xiaomi phone: instructions for all models

Connecting to Wi-Fi on Xiaomi smartphones seems like a simple task, but even here users face unexpected difficulties: the phone does not see the network, then constantly asks for a password, then the connection breaks in a few minutes. This article will help you understand all the nuances from basic settings to solving rare problems.

We’ll look at the official ways to connect via the settings menu, alternative methods for hidden networks, and give tips for correcting typical bugs. The instructions are relevant for all modern models: Redmi Note 12/13, POCO X5/F5, Xiaomi 14/13T and older devices on MIUI 12-14. If your phone runs on pure Android (for example, Xiaomi A3), some menu items may be slightly different – we’ll mention this too.

Basic method: connection through the settings menu

The most obvious and recommended method by the manufacturer is to use the standard MIUI interface, which is suitable for 90% of users and takes no more than a minute.

1. Open “Settings” (the gear icon on the desktop or in the application menu).
2. Go to the Wi-Fi section (in some versions of MIUI it may be called Connections and Sharing → Wi-Fi).
3. Activate the Wi-Fi slider at the top of the screen if it is turned off.
4. In the list of available networks, select the desired access point. If it is not available, click Update (round arrow in the upper right corner).
5. Enter the password from the network (registration is important!) and click Connect.

If it's a success, there's a tick next to the network name, and there's a Wi-Fi indicator in the status bar, and you can use the Internet now, but what if the network doesn't show up or the connection goes down?

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Connecting to a hidden Wi-Fi network

Some users configure the router so that it does not broadcast the network name (Hide SSID or Hide SSID option), in which case standard search will not help - you need to add the network manually.

1. In the Wi-Fi menu, click Add Network (usually at the bottom of the list of available networks).
2. In the Network Name (SSID) field, enter the exact name of your Wi-Fi network (with spaces and registers in mind!).
3. Select the security type: usually WPA2-PSK or WPA3-PSK (check in the router settings).
4. Enter the password and click Save.

If you don’t know the network name or type of security, look at them on the sticker on the back of the router or in the device’s web interface (usually at 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1).

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If your smartphone persists in not connecting to a hidden network, try temporarily disabling the Hide SSID option in your router settings, plug in, and then turn it back on, which often solves the problem.

Solving Connection Problems

Even if you did everything right, you can make mistakes, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

If none of these things worked, try resetting your network settings. Go to Settings → System & Device → Settings Reset → Reset your Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth settings. This operation will remove all saved passwords from the networks, so prepare a list of them in advance.

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Configure advanced Wi-Fi settings

MIUI has hidden options that help optimize your wireless network, so you can see them:

1. Connect to any Wi-Fi network.
2. Click on its name in the list of saved networks.
3. Slip on Advanced Settings (or additionally in some versions).

Here you will find useful options:

• 🔄 Autoconnection – includes an automatic connection when in the network area.
• 📡 Performance mode – prioritizes connection speed (can reduce battery life).
• 🔒 Security type – allows you to manually select an encryption protocol (useful for enterprise networks).
• 📱 MAC-Address - You can change it here MAC Devices (sometimes required to bypass router restrictions).

Be careful about the change. MAC-Addresses: some providers link access to the original address. If the Internet goes missing after the change, return the standard value or restart the router.

Connection via WPS (for supported routers)

If your router supports WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) technology, you can connect to the network without entering a password. This method does not work on all Xiaomi models, but it is worth trying if the standard method does not work.

Instructions:

1. Make sure the router has a WPS indicator on the light (or press the physical WPS button on the device body).
2. On your smartphone, open Settings → Wi-Fi.
3. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select WPS (or WPS Connection).
4. Follow the instructions on the screen – usually you need to confirm the connection on the router within 2 minutes.

If there is no WPS option on the menu, your Xiaomi model does not support this feature, and the alternative is to use an application from the router manufacturer (for example, Mi Wi-Fi for Xiaomi routers).

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WPS is convenient, but less secure than manual password entry. Once connected, turn off WPS on the router to avoid unauthorized access.

What to do if Wi-Fi is not working properly

Unstable connection is one of the most common complaints of Xiaomi users, and here are proven ways to improve the situation:

• 🔋 Turn off battery saving for Wi-Fi: Go to Settings → Battery and productivity → Savings in battery charge → Settings → Wireless Networks and Disable Restrictions.
• 📶 Change the Wi-Fi channel on the router: in the router’s web interface (usually 192.168.0.1), find the Wireless section and select the channel manually (recommended 1, 6 or 11 for 2.4 GHz).
• 🔄 Update the firmware of the router and smartphone: outdated software often causes conflicts.
• 📱 Reset network settings on your phone: how to do this, we told in the section about fixing problems.

If the problem persists, try connecting to another network (such as a cafe or friends), and if there are failures, the smartphone's Wi-Fi module may not work, in which case only the service center will help.

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To diagnose the problem, install the Wi-Fi Analyzer app from Google Play, which will show the signal level, the load of channels and help you choose the optimal settings for the router.

Security: How to Protect Your Connection

Public Wi-Fi networks (in cafes, airports, hotels) are convenient but carry risks.

1. Disable automatic connection to open networks: Settings → Wi-Fi → Additional → Autoconnect to open networks.
2. Use it. VPN: into MIUI built-in VPN-client (Settings) → Connections and sharing → VPN), But it is better to install a reliable solution like ProtonVPN or Windscribe.
3. Forget the network after use: In the list of saved networks, click on the name of public Wi-Fi and select Delete.
4. Turn off file sharing over Wi-Fi: Settings → Connections and Sharing → File Transfer.

If you frequently connect to corporate networks, ask the administrator for a security certificate, which can be installed through Settings → Security → Certificate Installation.

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Never enter logins and passwords from important services (banks, mail, social networks) through public Wi-Fi without a VPN.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions