In today's digital world, the smartphone has long since ceased to be a mere means of communication, becoming a full-fledged mobile office and entertainment center, and situations where it is urgent to provide Internet access to another device arise everywhere: In cafes, on the street or on a trip when the home router is not available. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco devices often look for ways to distribute WiFi from phone to phone, so as not to waste mobile traffic on a connection via Bluetooth or USB-cable.
The MIUI or HyperOS interface is flexible enough to allow not only signal transmission but also fine-tuning security settings. However, standard settings sometimes hide nuances that can be critical to connection stability or battery life savings. Understanding these features will help avoid common mistakes such as fast discharge or the inability to find a network by other devices.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the process of activating modem modem, consider the hidden options for setting the frequency range and methods to improve the security of your personal network. You will learn how to properly configure the network name and password to avoid unauthorized access, and what to do if potential customers do not see the access point.
Preparation of the smartphone to work in the mode of the access point
Before you activate the modem modem, you need to make sure that your Xiaomi smartphone is technically ready to distribute traffic.The first step should always be to check the balance and availability of available traffic in the tariff plan, since the distribution of mobile Internet consumes data much faster than normal use.
The second important aspect is the battery charge level. The access point mode places a high load on the radio module and the processor, resulting in intense heat generation and rapid energy consumption. If you plan a long session, it is recommended to connect the device to an external battery or charger to avoid a sudden shutdown.
⚠️ Warning: Prolonged operation in the mode of the access point can lead to overheating of the case of the smartphone. If the device becomes too hot, take a break or remove the protective case for better heat sink.
Automatic network synchronization is preferred, but if it is disabled, make sure the time is set correctly. Errors in system time can lead to problems installing a secure WPA2/WPA3 connection, as security certificates may be invalidated.
☑️ Pre-launch checks
Activation of the access point through system settings
The most reliable and functional way to distribute WiFi is to use the built-in settings menu of the operating system, which gives you complete control over the network parameters, allowing you to choose the encryption standard and frequency range. First, you need to go to the Settings menu, which is usually represented by a gear on the desktop or in the notification curtain.
In the list of options that opens, you'll find the wireless connection section, and depending on the version of the MIUI shell, it can be called Connection and Sharing, or just Access Point, and that's where all the controls on your personal hotspot are, and if you click on Wi-Fi hotspot, you'll be taken to the configuration menu.
At this point, the system will suggest that you specify the network name (SSID) and password. The network name is how your device will be seen by others. It is better to use a neutral name that does not contain personal information, such as your name or address. The password should be complex, contain letters of different registers and numbers to prevent the access key from being selected by attackers.
Once you input the data, you just activate the slider at the top of the screen, and now your smartphone broadcasts the signal, and other devices can connect to it using the mobile Internet.
Where to find the settings in older versions of MIUI?
Frequency range and security standards
One of the key features of the access point setting on Xiaomi is the ability to select the frequency range. By default, the system often chooses automatic mode or 2.4 GHz, which provides maximum compatibility with older devices, but does not give maximum speed. Switching to 5 GHz allows you to achieve higher bandwidth, but the range of the signal and its penetrating through the walls will be lower.
To switch the range, you need to find the Access Point Settings menu and select the "Frequency Range" line. There are 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz or "Prefer to 5 GHz" options available. The choice of 5 GHz range is relevant if you distribute the Internet for watching high-resolution video or online games, and the devices are in close proximity.
The choice of security protocol is equally important. Modern smartphones support WPA2-Personal and WPA3-Personal standards. WPA3 is recommended if all connected devices support it, as this protocol provides better protection against data interception. However, if your friends have old gadgets, they may simply not see the network or be unable to connect to it.
| Parameter | 2.4 GHz | 5 GHz |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission speed | Up to 150-300 Mbps | Up to 800+ Mbps |
| Radio of action | Tall (up to 50 m) | Medium (up to 20 m) |
| Wall penetration | Good. | Low. |
| Compatibility | Nearly 100%. | Only modern devices |
When choosing between speed and coverage, consider the current situation: In a crowded place with many neighboring networks, you should try 5 GHz to avoid interference in crowded air, while for Internet distribution in a large room or on the street, where range is important, 2.4 GHz will be a more stable choice.
Hiding the network name and restricting access
To increase privacy and prevent persistent connection requests from outsiders, Xiaomi’s SSID hide feature is included in its settings. When this option is activated, your phone stops translating the network name into the general list of available connections. To connect, another user will have to manually enter the exact network name in their device’s WiFi settings.
The hidden network is activated in the same Access Point Settings menu, and you scroll down to find the Hide Device or Hide SSID switch. Once you turn on this feature, your smartphone becomes invisible to random scans, which is an effective measure against those who like to eat other people's traffic.
⚠️ Note: When hiding the network name (Hidden) SSID) Some older Android smartphones and iOS devices may have difficulty automatically reconnecting.Be prepared to manually type in the network name on each device.
An additional protection measure is to set a limit on the number of devices you can connect, so you can set a limit on the access point control menu to, for example, 3 devices, and this will prevent a dozen unknown gadgets from connecting to your Internet by completely exhausting your data plan in a matter of minutes, and the system will automatically reject attempts to connect beyond the established limit.
Managing Connected Devices and Monitoring Traffic
The access point owner has full control over the list of connected customers. MIUI And HyperOS shows you a list of all the devices that are currently using your Internet. MAC-The address and volume of the data transmitted, which allows you to track in real time who is "eating" traffic.
If you notice an unknown device on the list, you can block it instantly, just click on the client name and select the option “Disable” or add to the blacklist, after which the device will lose the connection and will not be able to reconnect, even knowing the correct password until it is removed from (blacklist).
It also provides traffic usage statistics, so you can see how many megabytes have been spent since the hotspot was turned on, which is especially useful if you have a limited Internet bundle, and regular monitoring helps you avoid unexpected charges by the operator.
💡
Use the "one-time" function. QR-code" in the notification curtain for quick password transfer. The guest just point the camera, and the connection will occur without manually entering the characters.
Frequent problems and ways to solve them
Despite the system's fine-tuning, users may encounter situations where the hotspot is not working properly. One of the common problems is when the phone is handing out WiFi but there is no internet on the connected devices. Most often this is due to the mobile operator's APN settings. Check if the mobile Internet on the sender smartphone itself is active by opening any page in the browser.
Another common mistake is not being able to turn on the access point (button returns to its original position), which may be due to a conflict with Bluetooth or power saving mode on, try temporarily turning off the power saving mode and restarting the wireless modules, and the problem may lie in a crowded cache of system services.
If devices can't see the network even though it's on, check your region settings. Some countries have restrictions on the use of certain WiFi channels. Changing the region in your phone's settings (temporarily) can help activate the desired frequency range. Also, make sure that the phone doesn't have third-party firewalls or antiviruses on it that block outbound connection.
⚠️ Note: If you change operator SIM-maps, but not reset the access point settings, old settings APN They may conflict with new ones. Reset the access point settings to the factory.
In rare cases, a complete reset of network settings helps, which will return all WiFi, Bluetooth and mobile network settings to factory values by removing saved passwords and profiles. Before performing this operation, make sure you remember passwords from important networks.
💡
Most connectivity problems are solved by simply restarting your smartphone or switching flight mode for 10 seconds.
Effect of modem modem modem on battery and system
Constant operation in the mode of the access point has a significant impact on the battery life. The radio module operates in a constant data transfer mode, which causes heating of the lithium polymer battery. High temperature is the main enemy of battery longevity, accelerating the degradation of its chemical composition.
Xiaomi systems have built-in protection mechanisms that can automatically turn off the access point when a critical temperature or low battery charge is reached. the user will see the relevant notification.
To minimize the harm, it is recommended to use energy-saving themes and turn off background synchronization on the phone itself. The fewer tasks the processor performs in parallel with the WiFi distribution, the less heating is required.