Poco’s current smartphones, which run MIUI or HyperOS, offer a wide range of wireless communication tools, including Wi-Fi Direct, which allows direct connections between devices without the need for a router or mobile Internet, and is the perfect way to quickly transfer bulk files, 4K video, or even display images on a TV screen with minimal latency.
Unlike standard Bluetooth, this technology provides a much faster data exchange rate, estimated at tens of megabits per second. Users often confuse this feature with a conventional connection to an access point or hotspot, but the principle of operation here is radically different: devices communicate directly, forming a local network. Wi-Fi Direct channel bandwidth can reach 250 Mbit / s, which is 10-15 times faster than classic Bluetooth.
In this article, we will discuss in detail how to activate and configure this connection on Xiaomi Poco devices. You will learn about the nuances of the security system, how to solve typical problems with the visibility of devices and understand in which scenarios the use of this protocol will be most effective.
What is Wi-Fi Direct and why is it needed in Poco?
Wi-Fi Direct technology is a wireless standard that allows two devices to connect directly to each other, bypassing a traditional wireless network (WLAN). In the context of Poco smartphones, this means that your phone can act as a router or client, transferring data to another gadget at high speeds, especially in the absence of Internet access or when mobile traffic is limited.
The main advantage is that you don't have to enter passwords every time you've paired a device before, and you automatically choose the best channel and frequency, but you have to consider that when you're using Wi-Fi Direct, you can use more battery than you would normally do when you're surfing, because the radio is in high power mode.
- 🚀 Instant transfer of large files (video, archives, games) between phones.
- 📺 Output of image and sound on Smart TVs TV wirelessly (Miracast).
- 🖨️ Printing documents and photos on printers that support wireless communication.
- 🎮 Organizing a local multiplayer game between several smartphones.
⚠️ Note: When transferring sensitive data over public Wi-Fi Direct networks, make sure you connect to a trusted device, as the network name can be copied by attackers.
It's important to understand the difference between Wi-Fi Direct and Hotspot. In hotspot mode, the phone distributes the Internet received over the mobile network to other devices. Direct creates a tunnel to exchange data between specific devices, and the Internet may not even be used. For Poco owners, it is often a hidden but powerful feature integrated into the file transfer system.
Where to find the function in the settings MIUI and HyperOS
Modern firmware versions from Xiaomi and Poco often don’t have a separate “Wi-Fi Direct” button in the top notification curtain or in the basic Wi-Fi settings. The company’s engineers have integrated this technology deeper into the system, making it available through system applications or file transfer applications, and this is done to simplify the interface for the average user.
Most often, connection management is done through the standard Explorer app or the system function Mi Share (formerly known as Mi Drop), which uses Wi-Fi Direct for its work, and to find the necessary settings, you will need to go to the wireless network settings menu, where advanced options are hidden.
The path to settings may vary slightly depending on the Android version and shell, and it usually looks like this: you need to open Settings, then go to Connect and Sharing or Additional Features. In some builds, the desired settings are located inside the Wi-Fi menu at the "Wi-Fi Direct" item in the lower or upper corner of the screen.
Hidden Developer Settings
It’s worth noting that in HyperOS, the logic of the work could have changed to even more automation, and the system itself determines when to use Wi-Fi Direct, for example, when trying to send a file through the Share menu. Manual control is rarely required and is mainly required for specific tasks, such as connecting to old printers or specialized equipment.
Step-by-step instruction for connecting to the device
The process of connecting two devices, such as a Poco smartphone and a TV or other phone, requires sequential action. It is important that both devices have Wi-Fi on, and even if you are not connected to the Internet, the radio module itself must be activated to scan the airwaves.
First, on a receiver device (such as a TV), you need to start the connection standby mode or select the Screen Mirroring / Wi-Fi Direct function. After that, proceed to the settings on your Poco. Open the Wi-Fi menu and find a list of available networks or a separate Wi-Fi Direct item. The phone will begin scanning the environment.
☑️ Connection algorithm
When the target device name appears in the list, click on it. A request for confirmation of pairing with an indication may appear on the screen. PIN-It's a code or just an "Accept" button (WPS) ensures that the connection is established with the gadget that is near you.
⚠️ Note: If requested when connecting PIN-code, make sure that the numbers on the smartphone screen and the screen of the receiving device (e.g. TV) are completely the same.
Once successfully paired, the status will change to Connected, and you can now transfer files through any file manager, either by selecting Send over Wi-Fi or using specialized applications, and the connection speed will be significantly faster than Bluetooth, allowing you to transfer a movie in seconds.
To turn off, it is enough to simply break the connection in the same menu or turn off Wi-Fi. The MIUI system will remember the device, and the next time you connect, you usually do not need to re-authorize unless you reset your network settings.
Transfer files via Mi Share and Explorer
The most common Wi-Fi Direct scenario on Xiaomi Poco smartphones is the fast transfer of photos, videos and apps, which is routinely used by Mi Share, which combines Bluetooth technology for detection and Wi-Fi Direct for data transfer, providing a balance between power consumption and speed.
To send a file, open the gallery or file manager Explorer. Select the desired document, click the "Send" button (Share icon) and select Mi Share from the list of methods. The phone will automatically turn on the necessary communication modules and begin searching for devices nearby. Make sure that the receiving device also includes file reception.
The advantage of this method is that it doesn't require you to configure complex network parameters. The user simply selects the file and the device. The Wi-Fi Direct protocol here works under the hood, creating a temporary tunnel. Transmission speeds can reach 20-40 MB/s depending on distance and interference.
| Parameter | Bluetooth | Wi-Fi Direct (Mi Share) | Mobile Internet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission speed | Up to 2 MB/s | Up to 40MB/s | Depends on the tariff. |
| Battery consumption | Low. | Medium/High | High-pitched |
| The Necessity of the Internet | No need. | No need. | Mandatory. |
| Maximum distance | ~10 meters | ~50 meters (direct visibility) | Covering the tower |
If the transmission is interrupted or slow, try to get closer to the receiving device, walls and metal structures can shield the signal, and it is also worth checking whether background downloads are running, which can conflict over antenna resources.
Use to display the image on the screen (Translation)
One of the most useful features of Wi-Fi Direct is the ability to stream a smartphone screen to a TV, often called Miracast or Wireless Monitor, which allows Poco owners to duplicate images from their phone to a large screen without having to wire, which is convenient for viewing photos, videos or presentations.
To get started, make sure your TV supports Miracast or Wi-Fi Direct. On today's Smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, this feature is built in by default. Open the signal source menu on your TV and select Screen Mirroring, Translation, or the like.
On a Poco smartphone, open the notification curtain and find the Cast icon. If it's not on the first screen, click the editing button of the panel (usually a pencil or three dots) and add it. Once it starts, the phone will start looking for compatible devices. Select your TV from the list.
⚠️ Note: When broadcasting the screen in high resolution (1080p or 4K) The smartphone can get noticeably warmer. It is recommended to remove the protective case for better heat sink or connect the charger if the battery is discharged.
Image quality depends on the load of the wireless channel. If the image twitches or is late, try closing the background apps on the phone or approaching the router/TV. Some applications (such as Netflix or YouTube) have a built-in broadcast button that works more efficiently than simply duplicating the screen, because it uses a different stream coding algorithm.
💡
Broadcasting via Wi-Fi Direct provides less latency compared to Chromecast, as the data goes directly, without router mediation, which is critical for gaming.
Solution: The phone can't see the device
Despite the technology's fine-tuning, Xiaomi and Poco users may find themselves in a situation where a smartphone fails to find another device or disconnects, most often with power saving settings or frequency conflicts. MIUI aggressively optimizes background processes, which can interfere with the stable operation of Wi-Fi Direct.
The first thing to do is check if Flight mode or energy saving is enabled. Also make sure that geolocation is enabled on both devices. In Android versions above 6.0, geolocation access is mandatory for the Wi-Fi scanner to work, as it can be used to determine the location of the device.
If the problem persists, try the following:
- 🔄 Reboot both devices – it will drop network stack errors.
- 📶 Switch Wi-Fi frequency: If the router is running on 5GHz, try switching to 2.4GHz as some older devices don't see 5GHz in Direct mode.
- 🗑️ Remove old connection profiles: In Wi-Fi settings, find the saved networks and delete those that relate to the problem devices, then try connecting again.
- 🛡️ Check Antivirus: Third-party security apps can block direct connections between devices.
In rare cases, network resets help. Go to Settings → Connection and Sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth. Note: this action will remove all saved passwords from Wi-Fi and Bluetooth pairing, but often resolves driver software conflicts.