Modern POCO smartphones have long since ceased to be just a device for calling, becoming full-fledged mobile offices. The situation when a tablet or laptop runs out of Internet and there is no available network nearby is a classic for many users, and it is at such moments that the Wi-Fi distribution function becomes a salvation, allowing you to instantly organize a local network for other gadgets.
Unlike older versions of Android, the MIUI or HyperOS shell on Xiaomi smartphones has advanced access point management functionality, so you can not just turn on the mode, but also flexibly adjust frequency range, set traffic limits, and even manage connected devices in real time, making the distribution of the Internet safe and controlled.
In this guide, we will take a look at all the details of the setup, from basic turn-on to hidden settings that will help save battery power and improve data transfer speeds. You will learn how to protect your network from uninvited guests and why sometimes a laptop does not see the network of a smartphone, while on other devices everything works steadily.
To get started, make sure your POCO has mobile internet activated. Without a valid connection to the operator's cellular network, data distribution will be impossible, as the smartphone will have nothing to broadcast to the outside world. Check whether the 4G or 5G icon is in the status bar before setting up.
Basic setting of the access point through the menu
The fastest way to activate modem modem mode is to use the notification curtain. Swipe top-down twice to reveal the full list of widgets, and find the Access Point icon. However, this method only includes the function, not allowing you to change important security or frequency settings, so it is better to use a deep menu for the initial setup.
Go to the main device settings and select Wi-Fi Access Point. This displays the default name of your network that usually contains a phone model, such as the POCO X5 Pro. It is recommended to immediately change this name to more recognizable, so as not to get confused in the list of available networks in public places.
The key is setting a password. The system offers WPA2-Personal, which is the best choice for balancing compatibility with protection. Don't set too simple combinations, as attackers can quickly pick up a four-digit code and use your traffic for illegal activities.
☑️ Pre-insertion check
Note the frequency range. The default is often automatic or 2.4 GHz. If your devices support 802.11ac or later, switching to 5 GHz will allow you to achieve a significantly higher file transfer rate, although the signal range will be slightly reduced.
Advanced settings and connection management
Deep setting of the access point on Xiaomi POCO allows you to control not only the name and password, but also the technical aspects of the radio module. In the menu Setting up the Wi-Fi access point hidden options that can significantly affect the stability of the connection and battery life of the smartphone.
One of the most important functions is to set a timeout, so you can set up an automatic shutdown of the access point if no one is connected to it for a long time, and this prevents unnecessary energy consumption when you forget to turn off the modem mode after using it.
⚠️ Attention: Hidden Network makes your access point invisible to general search, and you will need to manually enter not only your password, but also the exact network name (SSID) receiver.
Traffic Limitation is also available, and you can set a limit in megabytes or gigabytes, after which the Internet will automatically stop being distributed, which is critical for data-limited rates to avoid unexpected charges.
💡
Use the 5GHz band only if the receiving device is in close proximity to the phone, otherwise the signal will be unstable due to poor penetration through walls.
In the connected user section, you see a list of all the devices that are currently using your Internet, and you can block any suspicious device at a single click without even changing the shared password. MAC-address and amount of data transferred for each client.
Differences in frequency 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz
Choosing a frequency range is always a trade-off between speed and range, and understanding the physical differences between these standards will help you make better decisions in different situations when using a POCO smartphone as a router.
The 2.4 GHz range is the most versatile, providing better coverage and penetrating ability through walls and floors, but in apartment buildings, this range is often overloaded with signals from neighbouring routers, which can lead to a drop in speed and increased ping.
The 5GHz band offers wider channels and less interference, which allows for maximum data speeds, and is ideal for watching 4K video or online games, but the range of such a signal is much narrower and it does less well with physical obstacles.
| Parameter | 2.4 GHz | 5 GHz |
|---|---|---|
| Speed. | Up to 150 Mbps | Up to 800+ Mbps |
| Range. | Tall. | Medium/Low |
| Penetration | Good. | Bad. |
| Compatibility | 100% devices | Only modern gadgets |
If you are in an office or home with a lot of electronic devices, try switching to 5 GHz for a cleaner link. On outdoor travel or in transport, where there is less interference and the distance to the customer may be greater, it is better to leave the standard 2.4 GHz band.
Security and protection against hacking
By turning your smartphone into an access point, you create a local network that must be tightly controlled, and hackers and just curious neighbors can try to connect to your network if it is not protected by a reliable encryption protocol.
Always use WPA2-PSK or WPA3 encryption if your devices support the latest standard. Avoid using the outdated WEP protocol, which is broken in minutes using standard utilities. The password must contain at least 8 characters, including different case letters and numbers.
⚠️ Warning: Never use an open access point (without a password) in public places. Attackers can intercept the data you transmit, including passwords from sites that do not use secure access. HTTPS-linkage.
Check the list of connected customers regularly in the hotspot settings. If you see a device you don't know, lock it immediately and change your password. Some users recommend changing the SSID (network name) periodically to make it harder for those who may have saved the data for auto-connection.
For maximum security, you can configure the Whitelist if your version is MIUI This feature is supported by additional settings, in which only devices with pre-approved devices can connect to the network. MAC-Addresses, all other requests will be ignored by the system.
Connection problems and their solution
Despite the stability of Android, sometimes there are situations when a laptop or tablet does not see the network of the smartphone or can not get a phone. IP-The most common problem is incompatibility of security standards or overflow of network settings cache.
The first thing to do when you have an error is to restart the Wi-Fi module on both devices. If that doesn't work, try changing the encryption type in the AP settings to POCO. Sometimes older laptops don't work properly with the new WPA3 standards, and going back to WPA2 solves the problem.
Resetting network settings
Another common cause is conflict. IP-If a device is trying to get an address that's already occupied on the LAN, it won't connect, and that's helped by simply rebooting the pay phone, which updates the address pool. DHCP.
It’s also worth checking whether the smartphone should limit background activity for network-related system processes. Aggressive battery optimization in MIUI sometimes kills the Wi-Fi distribution process to save energy if the smartphone screen goes out.
Impact on battery and optimization
The access point mode is one of the most energy-intensive processes in a smartphone. The radio module operates in a constant mode of transmitting and receiving data, which leads to rapid heating of the case and a significant consumption of battery power.
To minimize energy losses, try not to use your phone while you’re giving out the Internet. Running heavy apps or games in the background will additionally load the processor, which, combined with the operation of the Wi-Fi module, can cause overheating and trottling (decreased performance).
Use of the USB-cable (USB-Modem) instead of Wi-Fi allows you to charge the phone at the same time and provides a more stable connection without loss of speed on the wireless interface.
If you need to keep your access point on for a long time, reduce the brightness of the screen or turn it off completely, and turn off the search for other devices (Bluetooth, GPS) to reduce the overall load on the system and extend battery life.
💡
For long-term operation in router mode, it is best to use a wired connection via USB, since it eliminates energy loss for radio waves and heats the phone less.