How to change the password of the access point on Xiaomi: the complete guide

Modern smartphones have long been universal tools that allow not only to access the Internet, but also to distribute it to other devices through the built-in hotspot function. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices often use this feature when traveling or in the absence of home Wi-Fi. However, the standard password generated by the system on the first run is often difficult to remember or, conversely, too simple to provide the proper level of protection.

Changing your access key is not just a whim, it’s a cybersecurity imperative: If an outsider connects to your network, they can not only consume your traffic, but also access the data they transmit. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how you change your password on different versions of MIUI and HyperOS firmware, and look at the potential problems that arise when you reconfigure.

Changing your Internet distribution settings takes only a few minutes, but requires careful character input. An incorrect type of encryption or password that is too short can make your network vulnerable or incompatible with your guests' old devices. Let's look at how to properly manage your personal Wi-Fi settings right in your smartphone interface.

Why You Should Change the Standard Access Point Password

By default, the Android operating system on Xiaomi smartphones generates a random set of characters when the feature is first turned on. While this provides basic protection, such passwords often contain complex combinations that are difficult to manually enter on a friend's tablet or laptop. Changing the password to a more memorable but reliable option greatly simplifies the process of connecting trusted devices without compromising security.

There's also the aspect of traffic control, and if you use a hotspot often, you need to make sure that only the people you choose have access to it, that a standard password may have been photographed or recorded before, and that changing your access key regularly is an effective way to kick uninvited guests out of your network and keep mobile data safe from unauthorized spending.

⚠️ Note: Using simple passwords like “12345678” or “password” makes your network vulnerable to automatic pickup by attackers within range of the signal.

Also, if you change your password, all previously connected devices will lose connection. This is a good time to do a review: you will know exactly who and when you connected to your Internet. For those with limited traffic, this is a critical cost management feature.

Preparation for changing distribution settings

Before you go directly to change the network settings, you need to make sure that your device is ready to make changes to the system settings. First of all, check if you have the access point function itself on. If it is active, changing the password will cause a short-term disconnection of the connection with all the connected clients. This is normal behavior of the system.

It is also important to decide on the frequency range that your smartphone will use. Modern Xiaomi models support the distribution in both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz range. The 5 GHz range provides a higher data rate, but has a shorter range and penetrates walls worse. If you plan to distribute the Internet in a room with thick walls, you better choose 2.4 GHz.

Another important point is the operating system version. The settings interface in MIUI 12, MIUI 14 and the new HyperOS may differ slightly in the layout of the elements, but the logic remains the same. Make sure that your device does not run energy-saving modes that can block the background operation of the access point after changing the settings.

Step-by-step: change password through settings

The process of changing the password on Xiaomi smartphones is standardized, but the path to the desired menu can vary depending on the version of the shell. The fastest way to get to the desired menu is to use the search by settings. Swipe your finger down the main screen to open the control panel, and click on the icon of the access point with your finger. This will immediately open the configuration menu.

If you prefer the classic menu path, the action algorithm is the following: Open the Settings app on your device. Find a section that could be called Access Point and Modem or Connect and Sharing. In newer versions of HyperOS, this item is often listed in a separate Access Point menu in the top settings block.

Inside the menu, find the "Setting up the access point" (or "Access point password"). Click on the field where the current password is displayed. The system will prompt you to enter a new access key. There are certain rules here: the password must contain at least 8 characters. It is recommended to use a combination of letters of different register and numbers for maximum protection.

⚠️ Note: When entering a new password, carefully monitor the register of letters. The characters "A" and "a" are perceived by the system as different, and an error when entering on the connected device will lead to the inability to connect.

Once you have entered the desired character combination, be sure to click the Save button or the tick in the upper right corner of the screen. The system will apply the changes, and the access point will restart with new security options. Now your devices must reconnect using the new key.

Security setting and type of encryption

When you change your password, you may also be faced with a choice of security type: In modern Xiaomi smartphones, the default and most often the only option is WPA2 PSK. This is a reliable encryption standard that is supported by the vast majority of devices released in the last 10-12 years.

In some scenarios, especially new flagships with Wi-Fi 6 support, the WPA3 option may be found.This standard provides even higher levels of protection against brute force passwords. However, if older laptops or budget smartphones connect to your access point, they may simply “don’t see” your network or refuse to connect.

There is also an Open mode that completely disables passwords. Using an open access point is strongly discouraged in public places, as all traffic will be transmitted in plain view.Any technically competent person within range will be able to intercept your data, including passwords from sites that do not use a secure HTTPS connection.

Using the access point widget for quick access

For those who change passwords or give the Internet away all the time, it's not easy to go deep into the Settings menu, and the MIUI and HyperOS shells allow you to put access point control on your desktop or lock screen, which greatly speeds up the process of managing the network.

To add a widget, press and hold your finger on the free desktop space. In the menu that appears, select "Widgets" (or "Add widgets"). In the list, find the category "Tools" or immediately "Access Point." Drag the widget onto the screen. Now, when you click on it, you will instantly go to the control menu, where you can quickly change your password or see a list of connected devices.

There's also a Quick Menu feature in the notification curtain, so if you press the access point icon in the curtain for a long time, the settings menu will open, and if you don't, you can edit the button set in the curtain, adding a shortcut to the curtain for deeper access, which is especially useful when you need to urgently check who's connected to your network.

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Use it. QR-In the access point settings menu, Xiaomi often generates QR-Guests don't have to dictate their passwords, just scan the code with the camera.

Solving common problems and errors

Despite the simplicity of the procedure, users may encounter situations where the access point is not turned on or devices can not see the network after changing the password. One of the common reasons is frequency conflict. If you switched to 5 GHz and the client device supports only 2.4 GHz, it simply will not detect the network. Go back to settings and change the range to 2.4 GHz.

Another common problem is the error “Can’t configure the hotspot” which often happens if the network services fail, in which case a simple restart of the smartphone helps, if the problem persists, try resetting the network settings (this will not delete your photos or contacts, but you will have to re-enter the saved Wi-Fi passwords).

Also worth checking is the traffic limit. The access point settings have a Traffic Limit feature. If you accidentally set a limit, like 100MB, and it's exhausted, the Internet distribution will automatically stop. Check this option in the Traffic Limit menu and if necessary, increase it or turn it off.

⚠️ Attention: If after changing your password, your phone starts to get very hot and discharge quickly, you may have too many devices connected to your network or you are actively booting.

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The most common cause of connection problems after changing a password is an input error (letter register) or frequency range incompatibility (2.4 GHz vs. 5 GHz).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)