How to connect to WiFi in the subway on Xiaomi: a step-by-step guide

Traveling by public transport often turns into waiting times that you want to spend with benefit or entertainment. POCO Internet access in the subway is becoming a critical resource for navigation, listening to music or working. Moscow_WiFi_Free or Metro_Free_Wi-Fi, provide this capability, but the connection process on shell devices MIUI HyperOS has its own technical nuances.

Often users are faced with the fact that automatic authorization does not occur, and the login page does not open, blocking access to the global network. This can be due to the default browser, system security settings or certificate conflict. In this article, we will discuss in detail the algorithm of actions for successful authorization in the subway, consider typical errors and propose solutions that will help you stay online even at great depth.

Getting the device right before you first try to log in will save you time and nerves during rush hour.We'll look at both standard methods through a pop-up, and manually configuring DNS and proxy if the automatic mode fails.Understanding how Android handles unsecured networks will allow you to avoid typical pitfalls and ensure a stable connection throughout the trip.

Network Search and Primary Connection

The first step is always to find an available access point. Unlike home routers, subway networks often have multiple duplicate names or hidden identifiers that can confuse the user. On Xiaomi smartphones, you need to lower the notification curtain and activate the Wi-Fi module if it is turned off. The system will automatically start scanning the airwaves and in a few seconds will offer a list of available networks.

The list usually contains names like Moscow_WiFi_Free, Metro_Free_Wi-Fi or MT_FREE It's important to choose the official network of the operator, not suspicious points with similar names created by attackers to steal data. Once the network is selected, the phone will try to connect, and in the ideal scenario, the system will open the authorization window itself.

⚠️ Note: If you see a network with a name that is very similar to the official one, but with extra characters or numbers (e.g., a name that is similar to the official one, Moscow_WiFi_Free_5G_Ext), This could be a phishing attempt or an evil twin created by hackers to intercept traffic.

In practice, however, the automatic opening of the Captive Portal does not always occur, and the MIUI shell may find the network unsafe and block redirection, in which case the "Connected, no Internet access" notification appears on the screen. This is a normal situation, requiring manual intervention to complete the authentication process.

Authorization algorithm through the browser

If the automatic window does not appear, you need to initiate it manually. Open any browser installed on the device. The Mi Browser system browser, as well as Chrome, Yandex or Firefox, will be suitable for this task. In the address bar, you need to enter any site address that does not use a secure connection. HTTPS, or IP-check-in.

The most reliable way is to enter the address 1.1.1.1 or 8.8.8.8. These addresses belong to the public. DNS-servers and often lack strict redirect protection, which allows the subway gateway to intercept the request and redirect you to the login page. http://news.ru (Pay attention to the http protocol without 's').

Once you enter the address and click on it, the subway server must redirect your request to the login form page. SMS-Enter the data, get the code in the message and enter it in the appropriate field. Successful authorization will be confirmed by a message on the screen and the appearance of the Wi-Fi icon in the status bar.

In some cases, the browser may issue a warning that the connection is not secure, this is a standard reaction to the operation of a public network interceptor, you must accept the risks and go to the site, otherwise the authorization will not end, after entering the code, Internet access is provided for a limited time, usually from 30 minutes to 2 hours, after which the procedure must be repeated.

Configuring MIUI Certificates and Security

Android security systems and MIUI shells are becoming increasingly strict on insecure connections. Starting with certain versions of Android, the system can block connections to networks that do not use encryption or warn of risks. To minimize problems, it is recommended to check the certificate settings. Go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Privacy → Encryption and accounts.

You can manage trusted certificates here. Sometimes corporate or public networks require the operator's root certificate to work properly, although this is rarely required for the subway, and more importantly, make sure you don't have backdoor blocking or aggressive power saving features on the browser through which the authorization is being done.

⚠️ Note: If you have a "Private" mode enabled DNS" (Private DNS) In connection settings, the authorization page may not open. During the connection to Wi-Fi in the subway, it is recommended to temporarily switch this setting to "Disconnected" or "Auto" mode".

You should also look at the Fraud Protection feature in your system browser, which can block redirects to your login page as suspicious, so try using Incognito mode or another browser where these protections are less aggressive or disabled.

Solving problems with permanent connection break

One of the most common complaints of Xiaomi users is the connection instability: the phone connects, but after a couple of minutes the Internet disappears, and re-authorization is required. This is often due to the power saving function, which “kills” the background processes that support the connection. To fix this, you need to adjust the behavior of the system for a particular browser application or Wi-Fi system process.

Go to Settings → Applications → All apps. Find the browser you are logging in to (e.g. Chrome or Mi Browser). Go to Battery and select No Restrictions mode. This will prevent the system from turning off the browser, even if it is running in the background and supports a connection to the authorization portal.

Another reason for the gaps may be conflict. MAC-In the settings of a particular Wi-Fi network (click on the gear next to the network name in the list of available), find the item "Privacy" or "Type" MAC-Try changing the value from "Random" MAC-address"MAC-Device address. Some subway gateways do not properly handle randomized addresses and may reset a connection, considering it a new device each time you reconnect.

If the problem persists, try "forget" the network. Click on the network name in the saved list and select "Delete" or "Forget." Then reconnect by entering the login data, which will clear old, possibly corrupted configurations of the connection profile.

Use of third-party applications for autoconnection

Users often turn to third-party snails to automate the process. There are many applications in the Play Market that promise to “automatically log in” to Wi-Fi networks, which work by emulating the browser and automatically replacing stored data. However, on modern versions of Android, the effectiveness of such programs is reduced due to security limitations.

A popular solution is the Wi-Fi Master Key app or specialized scripts, but using them on Xiaomi devices requires advanced permissions. A safer and more efficient method is to use the MIUI or HyperOS shell automation features, if available in your area, or create scripts through Google Assistant.

• 📱 Wifi Map – an application with a map of access points, can help find stable networks, but does not always know how to log in.
• 🔐 Wifi Login Pages – database of authorization pages, helps to understand where the browser should redirect if there is a failure.
• ⚙️ MacroDroid is a powerful automation tool that allows you to create a macro: Moscow_WiFi_Free, Open Chrome and go to Chrome. 1.1.1.1".

⚠️ Be extremely careful with apps that require root rights or trust profiles to intercept traffic. By typing your phone numbers into questionable "car" programs, you risk losing privacy.

The most reliable “app” is often a properly configured standard browser with an added login page, which eliminates the need to install excess software that can slow down the smartphone and consume battery power.

Static IP and DNS configuration (for advanced ones)

In rare cases, when DHCP-The metro hearter works incorrectly or gives out addresses with conflicts, manual adjustment helps IP. To do this, in the menu of the selected Wi-Fi network, click on the arrow or gear, go to Settings. IP and select Static. You'll need to enter here. IP-address, gateway and DNS.

Usually, leave the IP and gateway fields blank (or copy the current ones if they are displayed), and in the DNS field 1 write 8.8.8.8 (Google) or 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare), which can speed up the resolution of domain names and make the login page load faster. However, if the subway gateway requires DNS for redirection, this method can, on the contrary, block the entry.

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If the login page is “hanging” and not loading, try turning off IPv6 in the Wi-Fi settings. Go to the advanced network settings and check the checkbox “Use IPv4 only.” This often solves compatibility problems with old ISP hardware.!

When you change your settings, save your profile and reconnect to the network. If the Internet doesn't show up, return your settings to DHCP. Manual setting is a "last resort" method where standard DHCP address mechanisms fail due to rush hour network congestion.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

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The main secret of stable Wi-Fi in the subway on Xiaomi is to turn off "Private DNS" for the duration of the trip and set up the browser to work without restrictions in the background.