Modern smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO have long ceased to be just devices for calls and social networks, becoming full-fledged mobile routers that can provide the Internet laptop, tablet or gadgets of friends. The function of the access point in the shell of MIUI and its successor HyperOS is implemented as conveniently as possible, allowing in a matter of seconds to turn mobile traffic into a stable wireless network, this is especially true in travel, business trips or situations when the home provider suddenly ceased to cope with the load.
However, standard settings are often not enough for advanced users who need a thin range configuration, managing connected customers or hiding the network from prying eyes. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to distribute Wi-Fi on Xiaomi Android, consider the hidden features of the menu and answer frequent questions that arise when organizing the mobile Internet.
The modem activation process on the Chinese giant’s devices is almost identical across models, whether it’s a budget Redmi Note or a flagship Xiaomi 14. However, the location of some switches may vary slightly depending on the version of the firmware installed. Let’s move on to the direct setup.
Basic setting of the access point through the menu
The fastest way to activate the Internet is to use the notification curtain. Swipe your finger from the top edge of the screen down to open the control panel, and find the Access Point icon. If it's not on the first screen, swipe left or click the menu edit button to add this shortcut. Once activated, the smartphone will start broadcasting the signal, but for security, you'd better set the name and password right away.
To get a deeper setup, you need to go to the system menu. Open Settings, then select Wi-Fi Access Point (in some versions of MIUI it may be called Portable Hotspot) This displays your network name and current password, which can be copied or changed. Changing your password to a complex set of characters is the first line of defense against unauthorized access to your traffic.
The same section also provides security settings. The default encryption protocol is WPA2-Personal, which provides strong protection for the data being transmitted. It is not recommended to choose the Open Network option, as this will allow any nearby user to connect to your Internet without the owner's knowledge.
⚠️ Warning: When the access point is turned on, the system can warn you that the Internet will increase battery consumption.
Advanced settings: frequency and standards
One of the most useful features in Xiaomi smartphones is the ability to select the frequency range. In the access point menu, find the Setting up Wi-Fi hotspot and scroll down to the AP Range section. Here you will be asked to choose between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz.
The 2.4 GHz band is versatile: it supports long-distance communication and is compatible with all devices, even very old ones. However, its speed is often lower, and the air can be jammed with signals from neighbouring routers and bluetooth headsets. If you want maximum data speed and you are close to the receiving device, it makes sense to switch to 5 GHz.
5 GHz provides significantly higher bandwidth, which is critical for watching 4K video or online games. In addition, this range is less crowded, which reduces the amount of interference. However, the range of the signal is significantly smaller, and older gadgets may simply “not see” your network.
- 🔄 Auto: The system will choose the best option depending on the connected device.
You can also set up the Wi-Fi standard in this section. If you have problems connecting older laptops, try manually setting the 802.11 b/g/n standard instead of the newer versions. This often solves compatibility issues when a device sees a network but can't join it.
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If you give out the Internet for a laptop to work with large files, be sure to choose the 5 GHz band - this will speed up the download by 2-3 times.
Managing Connected Devices and Limits
Controlling who is connected to your network is an important part of security and traffic saving. There is a Connected Devices section on the Xiaomi hotspot menu, which shows a list of all the gadgets currently using your Internet, indicating their use. MAC-address.
You can block an unwanted user at any time by clicking on their name and selecting the appropriate option, this will instantly break the connection. In addition, the system allows you to set a limit on the number of connected devices. Usually the default value is 10, but to save the battery, it is better to reduce it to 3-5.
The Traffic Limit feature is particularly noteworthy, because it allows you to set the amount of data that will automatically stop your Internet distribution after it's exhausted, and it will save your data plan from suddenly going into deep negative.
☑️ Checking security settings
To set the limit, go to the appropriate menu and specify the limit volume (for example, 1 GB or 5 GB). You can also set a period, for example, to reset the meter daily or monthly, This is especially convenient for package rates.
Network Hiding (SSID) and Other Parameters
To increase privacy, you can hide your network name (SSID), which will not appear on the list of available networks on other devices, and to connect, the user will have to manually enter the network name and password in the Wi-Fi settings.
This feature is useful if you want to make sure that no one will try to connect to your access point by accident or out of curiosity, but it is worth remembering that hiding SSID is not a method of encryption and does not protect data from professional interceptors, but it saves you from “random passers-by.”
Another interesting option is the shutdown timer, which is that you can set up an automatic shutdown of the hotspot if you don't have a connection for a long time, and it helps to keep the battery powered, because it's a very energy-intensive process to broadcast the signal continuously.
| Parameter | Recommended value | Impact on work |
|---|---|---|
| Frequency range | 5 GHz (for speed) | Speed and stability of connection |
| Security | WPA2-Personal | Protection against burglary |
| Device limit | 3-5 pcs. | Savings in traffic and battery |
| Sleep timer | 1-5 minutes | Conservation of the battery charge |
Why hide the SSID?
Distribution of Internet via USB and Bluetooth
It is not always convenient to use a wireless connection, especially if maximum stability is important or you need to save the battery charge of the receiving device. USB-Modem. Connect your smartphone to your computer with a cable, go to the access point settings and activate the switch «USB-modem».
The computer recognizes the phone as a wired network device, and the advantage of this method is that the smartphone receives a charge from the PC at the same time, and the connection speed is usually higher and more stable than over Wi-Fi. In addition, USB can distribute Internet even to devices that do not support Wi-Fi (for example, some stationary PCs without an adapter).
Bluetooth is less common because of the slow data rate, but it can be a lifeline in an emergency, so you can attach your Bluetooth devices to activate, then turn on the "Bluetooth modem" option in the access point menu, and it's going to be slow, only for instant messengers and easy correspondence.
⚠️ Attention: When in use USB-Make sure that the required drivers are installed on the computer. 10/11 It is installed automatically on older systems (Windows). 7) It could be difficult.
Connection problems and their solution
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the access point is turned on, but other devices can not see the network or can not connect. One of the common reasons is band incompatibility. If you set 5 GHz, and the receiving device (for example, an old tablet) supports only 2.4 GHz, it simply will not detect the network. Solution: switch the range in the settings.
Another common problem is region: Some countries have restrictions on the use of certain Wi-Fi channels. If you bought a smartphone designed for the Chinese market, or upgraded to a global firmware with a changed region, conflicts may arise. Try changing the region in the system settings (Settings → Advanced Settings → Region) to Singapore or Indonesia, where there are fewer restrictions.
It’s also worth checking if there’s a back-end ban for system services, although this is rare in modern versions of MIUI. If nothing helps, reset your network settings: Settings → Connection & Sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth.
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In 90% of cases, the problem with network visibility is solved by switching the frequency from 5 GHz to 2.4 GHz or changing the region of the smartphone.
The impact of Wi-Fi on battery and system
Active Internet distribution is a serious strain on the hardware of the smartphone, the radio module is in constant reception and transmission, which causes heating of the case and rapid reduction of battery power, especially in models with a plastic case or when using the device. 5G-network.
To minimize harm, try not to keep the hotspot on all the time without customers connected. Use the auto-disconnect function. It is also not recommended to play heavy games or shoot 4K videos simultaneously with active Internet distribution - this can lead to trottling (decreased performance) due to overheating.
If you plan a long session, it is better to remove the case from the phone to improve heat sink or put the device on a cool surface.Ideally, keep the phone on charge, but watch the temperature so that the battery does not damage.