In the era of ubiquitous digitalization, a smartphone has long ceased to be just a device for calls, becoming an indispensable tool for accessing the global network. Owners of Xiaomi brand devices and the Redmi line often face the need to quickly provide access to the network laptops, tablets or gadgets of colleagues, being out of range of a fixed router. The mobile hotspot function, or Hotspot, is built into the shell of MIUI by default and allows you to turn your phone into a full-fledged router in seconds.
The process of activating the distribution of traffic on Redmi devices is as simplified as possible by developers, but many users are unaware of the hidden possibilities of this feature. You can not only turn on the Internet, but also adjust the range of the signal, limit the number of connected devices or even create a hidden network for maximum data privacy. Understanding the intricacies of the Wi-Fi module will help you avoid unnecessary traffic costs and prolong battery life.
In this guide, we will go into detail all the stages of configuration, from basic turn on to advanced security parameters. We will discuss how to choose the right frequency range to ensure a stable connection, and what to do if other devices do not see your access point.
Basic activation of the access point through settings
The most reliable and functional way to set up your Internet distribution is to use the system's regular menu. Unlike the quick switch in the notification curtain, the full settings interface allows you to manage security and network visibility. First, you need to open the main application menu and find the Settings icon, which usually looks like a gear, which ensures that you do not miss any important configuration settings.
In the menu that opens, you'll scroll down to Wi-Fi Access Point, which is often in the Connection and Network settings group. Clicking on this, you'll be taken to the Mobile Hotspot Control Center. This displays the default network name (SSID) that normally contains your device model, like the Redmi Note 10.
To start the handout directly, you need to activate the slider at the top of the screen, moving it to the On position. Immediately after that, the smartphone will start broadcasting the signal, and a notification will appear on the screen about the number of connected devices (usually “0 users”). It is important to note that when you first turn on, the system can request permission to use mobile data if it was disabled previously.
- 📱 Open the Settings app on the main screen.
- 📡 Select the Wi-Fi Access Point section in the list of options.
- 🔌 Activate the Wi-Fi Access Point switch at the top.
- 🔐 Set a strong password to protect against unauthorized access.
⚠️ Note: When activating the access point through the settings menu, the system will automatically turn off Wi-Fi reception on the smartphone itself, since the antenna cannot simultaneously receive and broadcast a signal at the same frequency in standard mode.
Remember that basic activation through settings is the best way to check the current distribution status and see detailed connection statistics. You can track in real time which devices are connected to your Xiaomi, and if necessary, block unknown gadgets directly from this interface, this provides an additional level of control over your traffic.
Set up security and network parameters
The security of the data being transmitted should be a priority for each user. The access point menu on Redmi has a section called Setting up the Wi-Fi hotspot, where you can change the standard settings to more secure ones. First of all, it is recommended to change the network name (SSID) to a unique one that does not contain personal information, such as your name or address, which will make it difficult for attackers trying to identify the network owner.
The choice of encryption protocol is a critical element. Modern Xiaomi devices support the WPA2-Personal standard, which provides reliable encryption of traffic. Using an open network without a password is strongly discouraged, as it allows anyone in range to intercept your data, including passwords from sites and correspondence in messengers. The password must be complex, contain letters of different registers and numbers.
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Use a password generator to create a complex character combination and save it to the password manager so you don’t forget when you reconnect new devices.
The frequency range is particularly worth adjusting. In the parameters menu, you can choose between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. The 2.4 GHz range provides more coverage and better penetration through walls, but it is often overloaded with neighbouring routers and Bluetooth devices, which reduces speed. The 5 GHz range offers significantly higher data rates and less interference, but has a smaller range and less travel through obstacles.
| Parameter | 2.4 GHz | 5 GHz |
|---|---|---|
| Speed. | Up to 150 Mbps | Up to 866 Mbps and up |
| Radio of action | High-pitched | Medium. |
| penetrating ability | Good. | Low. |
| Channel loading | Tall. | Low. |
Hide the Network is also available in this section, and if you activate this switch, your device will stop translating the network name into the general list of available connections. To connect to such a hidden access point, users will need to manually enter the exact network name (SSID) and password in the Wi-Fi settings on the client device, which is an effective method of protecting from prying eyes in public places.
Use of quick menus and widgets
To enable Internet instantaneously in situations where there is no time to dive deep into the settings, MIUI offers the use of a control center. Swipe down from the top right or left corner of the screen (depending on the version of the shell) to open the notification curtain. Among the feature shortcuts, find the Access Point icon, which usually looks like two connected rings or a Wi-Fi icon with arrows.
However, simply clicking on the icon only turns on or off the feature with the last settings used. For more subtle control without going to the main settings menu, you can use a long tap on this icon. This action often opens the pop-up window or immediately transfers to the desired menu section, allowing you to quickly change the password or check the connected devices. This saves time and makes management more intuitive.
Newer versions of HyperOS and MIUI 14 have the ability to add an access point widget directly to the desktop. Long taps from the blank space of the screen allow you to select widgets and find the hot spot control there. By placing it, you can turn the hot spot on and off with a single touch, without unlocking the phone completely and without looking for the desired icon in the menu. This is especially convenient for users with large smartphones, where reaching the top corner of the screen with one hand is difficult.
Using widgets and quick menus does not negate the need to periodically check security settings.Make sure that the automatic shutdown of the access point in the absence of connections is activated to save battery power.This feature is usually enabled by default, but its status is easy to check through long-term tapping on the icon in the curtain.
Device Connection and Customer Management
Once the access point on Xiaomi is active, the process of connecting other devices becomes standard. On a laptop, tablet or other smartphone, you need to open a list of available Wi-Fi networks and find the name you previously specified. When you click on it, the system will request a password. After successful authentication, a notification of a new connection will appear on the screen of the smartphone-dealer, and the Internet icon may change in the status bar.
Connected clients are managed through the access point menu. MAC-If you notice an unfamiliar device, you can immediately block it by clicking on the appropriate item or switch next to the name, which will instantly break the connection for the selected client and prevent reconnection without changing the password.
☑️ Network security check
There is also a limit on the number of devices connected at once, which depends on your Redmi model and Android version. Usually the system allows you to connect from 4 to 10 devices at a time. Exceeding this limit will result in new customers not being able to establish a connection even knowing the correct password. In the settings menu, you can often manually limit the maximum number of users, for example, to 3, to reserve bandwidth for important tasks.
⚠️ Attention: Constant connection of a large number of devices (more) 5-6) can cause overheating of the processor and modem of the smartphone, which will lead to trottling (decrease in performance) and accelerated wear of the battery.
For corporate use or meetings, you can use the function QR-In the interface of the access point on Xiaomi often has a button to generate QR-By showing this code to the other person, you allow them to connect to your network with a simple camera scan, without having to dictate a complex password, which speeds up the collaboration process and minimizes character input errors.
Compatibility issues and frequency ranges
One of the common problems with the distribution of Internet from modern Xiaomi smartphones is the invisibility of the network to older devices, which is due to the fact that by default new phones can create a hotspot in the 5 GHz band or use the Wi-Fi 6 standard, which is not supported by outdated laptops or tablets older than 5-7 years. If your device does not see the network, the problem lies in the frequency incompatibility.
To solve this problem, you need to force the access point to be switched to compatibility mode. In the hotspot settings, find the Wi-Fi hotspot frequency range and select 2.4 GHz. This standard is universal and supported by almost any device that has a Wi-Fi module, regardless of the year of release. Data transfer speeds may be lower, but the stability of the connection will be maximum.
Why is 5GHz faster?
In advanced settings (often available through engineering menus or special applications, but sometimes present in the stock firmware of global versions), you can change the channel width from 40 MHz to 20 MHz. Reducing the channel width reduces speed, but significantly increases the stability of the signal in conditions of high noise of the ether, for example, in office centers or apartment buildings.
If the problem persists after the band change, try changing the security standard from WPA3 (if available) to WPA2-PSK. Some older Wi-Fi drivers on computers simply can't work with new encryption protocols and refuse to connect to the network, considering it corrupt or incompatible, in which case the protocol is the only working solution.
Optimization of energy and battery
Access point mode is one of the most energy-intensive processes for a smartphone. The constant operation of the radio module in transmission mode, processing network requests and background application activity quickly land the Redmi battery. To minimize battery damage, MIUI offers an automatic shutdown function. In the access point settings, find the item "Unplug the access point automatically and set a timer, for example, 10 minutes. If during this time no one connects, the Internet will turn off itself.
The brightness of the screen also plays an important role. When the Internet is actively distributed, it is recommended to reduce the brightness of the display to a minimum or turn off the screen altogether if it is not used to control traffic. A full-blown OLED or IPS screen combined with an active 4G/5G modem creates a critical thermal load, which can lead to emergency shutdown of the phone's functions by the protection system.
External power is a must for long-term router operation. Connect your smartphone to the Power Bank or the original charger. Note that when you actively distribute Wi-Fi and simultaneously charge the phone can heat up more than usual.
- 🔋 Activate Power Saving Mode for Background Applications.
- 📉 Reduce the brightness of the screen to a comfortable minimum.
- ❄️ Remove the protective cover during long-term work under load.
- 🔌 Use fast charging to compensate for energy costs.
⚠️ Warning: Do not cover a charging and distributing Wi-Fi smartphone with a blanket or pillow. Overheating of the lithium polymer battery can lead to its bloating and irreversible damage to the device.
There is a myth that giving away Wi-Fi kills the battery forever. In fact, it is heat, not the data transfer process that causes the damage. If you monitor the temperature of the case and keep it from overheating above 40-45 degrees, using your smartphone as a modem is safe for its life. Modern power controllers at Xiaomi effectively manage charge and discharge currents.