Xiaomi’s modern smartphones have long since ceased to be just a phone and become powerful tools for work and entertainment. One of the most popular features is the ability to use a mobile device as a router for the Internet, which is especially true when you are away from home or office, and a laptop or tablet urgently needs access to the network.
The process of activating the modem on the shell of MIUI or the new HyperOS is quite simple, but it hides many subtleties that not all users know about. You can not only launch the access point, but also configure its parameters in detail for maximum security and stability of the connection.
In this article, we’ll take a look at all the steps of setting up, from basic power on to advanced frequency manipulation and network hiding, and learn how to optimize battery consumption and avoid common bugs that prevent other devices from connecting to your phone.
Basic activation of the access point through the curtain
The fastest way to start sharing the Internet is to use the notification panel, which is ideal for situations where you need to urgently distribute Wi-Fi on Xiaomi and do not have time to dig into the deep settings menu, just swipe down from the top of the screen to open the control center.
In the menu that opens, find an icon called "Access Point" or "Hotspot." If it's not on the first screen, click on the edit icon (usually a pencil or three dots) and drag the desired item to the active zone. Click on the icon once for instant activation.
However, simply turning on through the curtain often uses standard security settings that may not be robust enough. The default password may be too simple or, conversely, difficult to manually enter on another device.
Setting up network parameters in the smartphone menu
For a full configuration, you need to go to Settings → Wi-Fi Access Point. This is where all the important controls of your mini router are hidden, and first of all, you should pay attention to the network name (SSID), which other users see when they search for available connections.
It is recommended to change the standard name containing the phone model to something more neutral or personalized.This will not only help you find your network easily on the list, but also add a security element by hiding information about the type of your device from prying eyes.
Pay special attention to the type of encryption. In modern versions of MIUI, you can choose between WPA2 and the newer WPA3. Using the current encryption protocol is critical to protect the transmitted data from interception in public places.
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Use complex passwords containing different register letters and numbers to prevent unauthorized access to your access point.
Frequency range choice: 2.4 GHz vs. 5 GHz
One of the key settings that affect signal speed and range is the choice of frequency range. The access point menu often features the option "AP Range" or "Frequency." By default, many smartphones choose the 2.4 GHz band, which has better penetration.
However, if you want top data speeds for watching high-resolution video or gaming, it’s worth switching to 5GHz.This range is less crowded by neighbouring routers and provides a more stable ping, although it has a smaller range.
It is important to consider the compatibility of connected devices: Older laptops or tablets may simply “not see” the network if it is exclusively in the 5 GHz band, in which case you will have to go back to a more universal but slow standard.
| Parameter | 2.4 GHz | 5 GHz |
|---|---|---|
| Speed. | Up to 150-300 Mbps | Up to 800+ Mbps |
| Range. | Tall. | Medium |
| Wall penetration | Good. | Low. |
| Workload | Tall. | Low. |
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Choose 5 GHz for speed in one room and 2.4 GHz for covering the entire apartment or connecting older devices.
Hiding the network and managing connected devices
To increase the level of privacy in the settings of the access point Xiaomi provides the function of hiding SSID. If you activate the option “Hide the device”, your network will no longer appear in the general list of available Wi-Fi networks on other gadgets.
To connect to such a hidden network, the user will need to manually enter the exact name (SSID) and password in their device’s Wi-Fi settings, an effective way to protect the access point from curious neighbors who may be trying to find a password.
You can control the list of connected customers in real time, the access point menu displays the number of active devices and their names, and you can block an unknown user at any time by simply clicking on the appropriate switch next to his name.
⚠️ Note: When hiding the network, make sure you remember the exact name. SSID, Without it, connecting new devices will be impossible.
Automation and shutdown timer
The Internet is a huge battery drain, so it's important not to leave the point on unnecessarily. MIUI and HyperOS have a useful "Switch off timer" feature that will automatically turn off the Wi-Fi distribution if no one connects to it within a predetermined time.
You can also set up an automatic shutdown after the traffic limit has expired if your mobile operator provides a limited package of gigabytes, which will save you from unexpected expenses or complete speed blocking.
For advanced users, script automation is available, for example, you can create a condition where the access point is turned on automatically when a particular navigator or messenger is launched, saving time on manual actions.
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The solution: why devices are not connected
Sometimes, users are faced with a phone that gives away Wi-Fi, but a laptop or tablet can't connect to it, and most often the problem is that the security protocols or frequency bands we talked about earlier are incompatible.
Another common cause is a failure in the network settings of the smartphone itself, in which case helps reset network settings, which returns all the parameters of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and mobile Internet to factory values without affecting personal files.
If the problem persists, try restarting both the transmitter and the receiver. IP-Addresses are solved by a simple system restart.