Why itโs important to know your Wi-Fi frequency and how to do it on Xiaomi
Have you ever noticed that the speed of the Internet on Xiaomi drops sharply in some rooms, even though the router shows a full signal? Or why 4K video starts to โslow downโ when you have a tariff of 300 Mbps? The reason often lies in the Wi-Fi frequency โ 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz, which is connected to your smartphone. These ranges are fundamentally different in range, speed and resistance to interference, and choosing the wrong frequency can negate all the benefits of your tariff.
Xiaomi manufacturers (including Redmi and POCO) donโt always show this information on the surface. Unlike some brands, where the frequency is displayed directly in the status bar, in MIUI this data is hidden deeper. But there are at least 5 ways to get it, from standard settings to hidden engineering menus. In this article, we will discuss each method, including nuances for different versions of MIUI (12 to 15) and Android (11-14).
Before you get into the instructions, remember: Wi-Fi frequency is not equal to connection speed. Yes, 5 GHz is usually faster, but it passes through walls worse, and 2.4 GHz can be clogged by neighboring networks, so frequency checking is only the first step to optimizing the connection.
Method 1: Using standard Wi-Fi settings (MIUI 14/15)
The simplest method that works on most modern Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13 and later) is that you donโt need third-party apps or technical knowledge โ just a few taps on the screen.
Open Settings โ Wi-Fi and find your network (it should be connected) in the list. Click on its name to open additional settings. Depending on the version of MIUI, you will see one of two:
- ๐ถ Direct frequency indication โ the string โFrequencyโ or โBandโ with values of 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz (found on the MIUI 14+).
- ๐ Indirect signs โ if there is no frequency, please note the Standard (e.g, 802.11ac means 5 GHz, and 802.11n could be any).
- ๐ Connection speed โ if the Speed section indicates a value above 300 Mbps, it is most likely 5 GHz (2.4 GHz rarely exceeds 150 Mbps in real-world conditions).
โ ๏ธ Note: Some firmware (especially global) may not have a frequency item, in which case move on to the following methods. MIUI Sometimes it shows the maximum theoretical speed, not the real one โ donโt focus on that value alone.
Method 2: Using the Wi-Fi Analysis app (without root)
If the standard settings don't show the frequency, third-party utilities come to the rescue. One of the most reliable is WiFi Analyzer (from VREM Software), which not only determines the current frequency, but also analyzes the load of channels. The application is free, without advertising and works on all Xiaomi smartphones with Android 8.0 and above.
Instructions for use:
- Download WiFi Analyzer from Google Play.
- Open the app and wait for the network scan.
- Find your network in the list (it will be marked as โConnectedโ).
- Note the Band column, which will be 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz.
The advantage of this method is that the app shows the actual connection frequency, not what the system thinks it will show, and you will also see how busy your channel is โ if there are too many networks in the 2.4 GHz band, this can be the reason for slow Internet.
Determine the current frequency (2.4 or 5 GHz)
View the load of the channel (the fewer networks โ the better)
Check the signal level (should be above -60 dBm)
Compare speed with other networks in range-->
โ ๏ธ Note: Some routers (e.g. Xiaomi Mi Router) 4A) By default, 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks are combined under one name (SSID). In this case, the smartphone can automatically switch between frequencies, and the app will show the current one. To turn off this behavior, go to the router settings and activate the option "Separate networks by frequenciesยป.
Method 3: Through the Engineering Menu (for Advanced)
If youโre not afraid to dig deeper, you can use the hidden engineering menu (Engineer Mode), which works on all Xiaomi smartphones, but you need to be careful โ do not change other settings unless you are sure of their purpose.
Instructions for entry:
- Open the Phone app and enter the combination: ##4636##.
- In the menu that opens, select Wi-Fi (or Wi-Fi information) information.
- Scroll down to the Wi-Fi frequency block โ there will be a frequency in megahertz (for example, 2437 MHz = 2.4 GHz, 5180 MHz = 5 GHz).
In the engineering menu you can also see other useful data:
- ๐ก Signal strength โ the optimal value above -60 dBm.
- ๐ Link speed โ the real speed in Mbit/s.
- ๐ถ Channel width โ for example 80 MHz (typical for 5 GHz).
โ ๏ธ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F4 Xiaomi 12T) The engineering menu can be blocked, and in this case, use alternative methods or applications like this. MTK Engineering Mode (for devices running MediaTek processors).
What to do if the engineering menu is not opened?
Method 4: Through a terminal (ADB or Termux)
For users familiar with ADB or Termux, there is a way to check frequency through the command line.This method is universal and works on any Xiaomi smartphone, regardless of the MIUI version.
Instructions for Termux (does not require root):
- Install Termux from Google Play.
- Enter the command: dumpsys wifi | grep frequency
- In the output, find the string with frequency=-the number after the sign is equal and there is a frequency in MHz (for example, frequency=5745 means 5.745 GHz).
For ADB (requires PC connection):
- Connect your smartphone to your computer and enable USB debugging in the developer settings.
- In the command line (or PowerShell) run: adb shell dumpsys wifi | find "frequency"
This method is the most accurate, because it reads information directly from the system, but it requires minimal technical skills. If you've never used ADB or Termux, you'd better choose one of the previous methods.
cat /proc/net/wireless | grep wlan0It will show the signal strength and frequency (if supported by the kernel).-->
Method 5: Through router settings (indirect method)
If none of the above methods worked, you can go from the opposite to check how many other devices on your network are connected to, and you need access to the routerโs web interface.
Instructions:
- Open the browser and enter IP-router address (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1).
- Log in (logins/passwords are indicated on the router sticker by default).
- Find Wireless Network (or Wi-Fi) โ Customer List (or Connected Devices).
- Find your Xiaomi smartphone in the list โ the frequency (2.4G or 5G) will be indicated next to it.
This method is not always accurate because:
- โ ๏ธ Some routers do not show the frequency for each device.
- โ ๏ธ If you have Smart Connect enabled, your smartphone can migrate between bands.
However, itโs a good way to check which devices on your network are using 2.4GHz and which are using 5GHz. For example, if all smartphones are sitting at 5GHz and smart light bulbs are sitting at 2.4GHz, this could explain the connectivity issues.
Comparison of 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands: which one to choose for Xiaomi
Now that you know how to check the frequency, the main question remains: what range is best to use on a Xiaomi smartphone? The answer depends on your tasks and conditions.
| Parameter | 2.4 GHz | 5 GHz |
|---|---|---|
| Range of action | High (passes through walls) | Low (signal weakens at a distance) |
| Maximum speed | Up to 150-300 Mbit / s (real ~50-100 Mbit / s) | Up to 1-2 Gbit / s (actually 300-800 Mbit / s) |
| Channel loading | High (much interference from neighbors) | Low (fewer networks in this range) |
| Support for devices | All devices (including IoT) | Only modern smartphones, laptops, TV |
| Best application | Video viewing, messengers, smart home | Online games, 4K-streaming, file uploading |
๐น Choose 2.4 GHz if:
- ๐ก You have a lot of smart home devices (Xiaomi Mi Home, Yeelight, etc.) that only work at 2.4 GHz.
๐น Choose 5 GHz if:
- ๐ฎ You play online games (PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty or watch video in the video 4K.
- ๐ You have a high-speed fare (300)+ Mbps, and you want to make the most of it.
- ๐ There are few 5GHz networks in your home (check in WiFi Analyzer).
๐ก
If your router supports Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), prioritize 5GHz, which is where the new standard delivers the best results in speed and stability.
Frequent problems and their solutions
When you check or change the frequency of Wi-Fi to Xiaomi, users often face typical problems, and let's look at the most common and ways to solve them.
Problem 1: The smartphone does not see a 5GHz network.
โ ๏ธ Note: If your Xiaomi does not detect a 5GHz network, check it out: ๐ง Router settings: some models (e.g. TP-Link) TL-WR840N) default to shut down 5 GHz. ๐ฑ Smartphone support: old models (Redmi) 4A, Xiaomi Mi A1) It may not work with 5 GHz. ๐ Regional restrictions: in some countries (e.g. Russia until 2020) the 5GHz band has been restricted.
Problem 2: Band Steering is not working properly.
Many Xiaomi routers (such as Mi Router 4 or AX3600) use Smart Connect technology, which should automatically select the best frequency. However, in practice, it often sticks to 2.4 GHz, even if 5 GHz is free.
- ๐ Turn off Smart Connect in router settings and divide networks by frequency (give them different names, for example, MyWiFi_2G and MyWiFi_5G).
- ๐ต Forget the network on your smartphone and connect again by selecting the desired frequency manually.
Problem 3: Low speed at 5 GHz.
If the speed is 5 GHz lower than expected, check:
- ๐ถ Signal level โ if it is weak (below) -70 dBm, move closer to the router.
- ๐ง Channel width โ set 80 MHz in router settings (if supported).
- ๐ Channel โ in WiFi Analyzer, select the least loaded channel in the 5GHz band (e.g., 36, 40, 44, 48).
โ ๏ธ Note: Xiaomi smartphones with MediaTek processors (such as the Redmi Note 10) sometimes have problems with Wi-Fi drivers, which artificially restricts the speed of 5 GHz. โ System system โ Reset โ Resetting Wi-Fi settings).