Xiaomi Redmi Note 7: 3 ways to enable an access point

Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 is still a popular choice due to its balanced performance and stable performance. One of the most popular features is the ability to distribute mobile Internet to other devices, which saves you when you travel, when you turn off your home Wi-Fi or when you need to urgently connect your laptop to the network, but not all users know how to properly set up an access point on this model, especially if you have previously used devices from other brands.

In this article, you will find step-by-step instructions for all versions of MIUI (including global and Chinese firmware), a comparison of 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz modes, and decision errors like “Cannot turn on the hotspot.” We will also reveal hidden settings that will help save battery power during long Internet distribution.

If you have previously encountered problems when setting up hotspot on the Redmi Note 7, please note the section on alternative on-boarding methods – sometimes the standard menu method does not work due to the carrier’s software limitations.

Before you start, make sure that your data transfer is allowed on your tariff (some operators block this feature for economical packages). Also check that the smartphone has an up-to-date version of MIUI installed - some options may not be available in old builds.

1. Standard method: through the "Settings" menu

This is the most reliable method that works on all versions of the Redmi Note 7 firmware. The interface may vary slightly depending on the regional build (global, European or Chinese), but the general logic remains.

Open the Settings app (the gear icon) and follow the following steps:

• 📱 Go to Network and Internet (or Connections and Sharing in some versions) MIUI).
• 🔄 Select Access Point and modem (may be called Modem Modem).
• 🌐 Tap on Wi-Fi Access Point (or Portable Access Point).
• 🔘 Switch the slider to the position On. - After that, a notification of active distribution will appear on the screen.

The default network will be called Redmi Note. 7_XXXX (where XXXX — last-minute MAC-The password is automatically generated, and you can change it by clicking on Setting up the access point in the same menu. 8 symbols using numbers and letters of different registers – this will protect your network from unauthorized connection.

Important! If the access point is turned on, other devices can't see the network, check if the power saving mode for the access point function is turned off. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Three points (menu) → Special access → Battery optimization and find the access point list. Make sure that the status No restrictions is next to it.

Mobile Internet is on and running stably

Data transfer is allowed at the tariff (no operator restrictions)

The device is charged at least 30% (dispensing strongly puts the battery)

VPN is disabled in security settings (can block traffic)

-->

2. Quick access through the notification panel

If you need to turn on the Internet urgently, you can use the Quick Settings Panel, which takes only 2-3 seconds, but requires pre-configuring the displayed switches.

Swipe your finger down from top to bottom across the screen to open the notification bar, and then swipe down again to turn it around completely. Find the Access Point icon (usually it looks like two arcs with a dot in the middle).

• ⚙️ Click on the Pencil (or Edit) icon in the upper right corner of the panel.
• 🔍 In the list of available switches, find the Access Point and drag it to the active area.
• 📌 Record the changes by clicking on the checkmark or the Ready button.

Now you can turn on the handset with a single touch, and notice that when you first use this method, the system may request confirmation of mobile data being turned on -- that's fine, just click OK.

On the Redmi Note 7 with MIUI 12 firmware and later, the access point through the notification panel is turned on with a delay of 1-2 seconds - this is not a failure, but a feature of energy optimization. If the network does not appear longer than 5 seconds, try the standard method through the Settings menu.

3. Network settings: name, password, range

By default, the Redmi Note 7 creates a network with an automatically generated name and password, but these can be changed for convenience, and additional options are available that affect connection speed and stability.

To set up the access point:

1. Open Settings → Network and Internet → Access Point and modem → Access Point settings.
2. In the Network Name field, enter the desired name (for example, MyRedmi_Hotspot).
3. In the Password field, specify a new security key (minimum 8 characters).
4. In the Security section, select the encryption type – WPA2-PSK is recommended.
5. In Network Range, select between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz (more on the differences in the table below).

Once the changes are saved, the access point will automatically restart, the connected devices will be disabled and must reconnect with the new parameters.

For most tasks (watching videos, working with documents) 2.4 GHz is enough. Switch to 5 GHz only if you need high speed to download large files or online games, and the connected devices are in close proximity to the smartphone.

💡

If you frequently use the access point in one place (e.g. at home), save it as a profile. To do this, in the Settings of the access point menu, click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Save as a profile, which will allow you to quickly switch between different configurations.

4. Alternative ways to include distribution

If standard methods don’t work (such as a gray slider in settings or an error called “Can’t turn on the access point”), try one of the alternatives. They will also come in handy if you have non-standard firmware or root access.

Method 1: Engineering menu (for experienced users)

1. Open the Phone app and enter the combination ##4636##.
2. In the menu that appears, select Phone Information.
3. Scroll down to the Wi-Fi hotspot block and click Enable.

Method 2: Use of the ADB-commands (PC required)

1. Connect Redmi Note 7 to your computer via USB with debugging enabled (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – press 7 times; then Additional → For developers → Debugging over USB).
2. Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (macOS/Linux) Enter: adb shell settings put global tether_dun_required 0 adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.TetherSettings
3. After the commands are executed, the access point must be turned on bypassing the operator’s restrictions.

Method 3: Third-party applications

Google Play has utilities like Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot or NetShare that can bypass carrier locks.

• ⚠️ Some apps require root rights, which voids the warranty.
• ⚠️ Possible security issues – data transmitted can be intercepted.
• ⚠️ Mobile operators can block traffic from such applications.

5. Solving common mistakes

Even after setting up correctly, the access point on the Redmi Note 7 can be unstable.

Error: “I failed to turn on the access point”

• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone – 60% of the time it helps.
• 📱 Check if the In-plane or Energy Saving mode is on.
• 🔧 Reset network settings: Settings → System system → Reset → Resetting network settings.
• 📶 Make sure that mobile internet is working (open your browser and check the page load).

Problem: Devices are connected, but the internet is not working

• 🔄 In the settings of the access point, change the network mode from the car to only LTE.
• 🔒 Check if the traffic is blocked by an antivirus or VPN plugged-in.
• 📡 Switch the range from 5 GHz to 2.4 GHz (or vice versa).
• 🔄 Turn off and turn on the access point again.

Problem: The access point itself shuts down after 5-10 minutes

⚠️ Attention, Redmi Note 7 with MIUI 11 and older, there is a hidden limitation: if no device is connected to the access point, it automatically shuts down after 5 minutes to save battery. To avoid this, connect at least one device (even if it is not in use) or turn off battery optimization for the Access Point function.

If none of these methods worked, try updating your firmware to the latest version or reset to factory settings (don’t forget to back up your data).

6. How to save battery power when giving the Internet

Wi-Fi distribution is one of the most energy-consuming features of a smartphone. On the Redmi Note 7 with a 4000 mAh battery, the hotspot can drain the battery in 3-4 hours of active use.

• 🔋 Connect your smartphone to charging during the handout – this will prevent overheating and prolong the battery life.
• 📶 Use the 2.4 GHz band instead of 5 GHz band – it’s less energy intensive.
• 🔄 Reduce the brightness of the screen to a minimum and turn off the autoturn.
• 📴 Close all background apps, especially instant messengers and social media.
• ❄️ If the phone is warming, remove the case and place it on a flat surface for better cooling.

Hidden settings for advanced users:

In the engineering menu (#4636##) you can limit the maximum data rate, which will reduce the load on the processor and reduce battery consumption.

1. Go to Phone Information → Battery settings.
2. Find the Wi-Fi hotspot power save option and set the Enable value.
3. In Wi-Fi hotspot idle timeout, increase the timeout to 30 minutes.

These changes will reduce the speed of the Internet 10-15%, but will increase the battery life on 30-40%.

💡

If you use the hotspot frequently, purchase an external power bank with a capacity of at least 10,000 mAh, which will allow you to distribute the Internet for 8-10 hours without connecting to the outlet.

7.Security: How to Protect Your Access Point

The open access point is an easy target for hackers and neighbors who want to profit from your traffic. The Redmi Note 7 has WPA2-PSK encryption enabled by default, but there are additional security measures:

• 🔐 Change the standard password to a complex one (example: k7F#9pL2$qR1).
• 📛 Hide the network: in the access point settings, activate the option to Hide the network (SSID Now only those who know the exact name of the network will be able to connect.
• 👥 Limit the number of connected devices: in the menu Setting up the access point → Set a limit (for example, 3 devices).
• ⏱️ Turn on Automatic Shutdown: Set the timer in the settings (for example, turn off after 1 hour of inactivity).

If you notice suspicious activity (such as unknown devices in the connected list), immediately change your password and check your smartphone for viruses using Google Play Protection or Mi Security.

⚠️ Warning: Never use an access point to transmit sensitive data (e.g., login to an Internet bank) on public devices, and attackers can intercept traffic even when encryption is enabled.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions