How to Enable Wi-Fi Direct on Xiaomi Mi 9: A Step-by-Step Guide

Modern smartphones like the Xiaomi Mi 9 feature a host of wireless technologies that make data sharing much easier. One of the most useful features is Wi-Fi Direct, which allows files to be transferred between devices without the need to connect to a router or mobile Internet. Owners of Xiaomi flagships often look for ways to activate this mode for quick synchronization with TVs, printers or other phones.

However, the MIUI shell that is installed on the Xiaomi Mi 9 does not have one simple “Enable Wi-Fi Direct” button in the standard settings menu, which is due to the peculiarities of the Android architecture and the manufacturer’s interface. To activate the function, you need to use special methods or third-party utilities, which we will discuss in detail in this article. Understanding the principles of this technology will help you effectively use the potential of your gadget.

Unlike conventional Wi-Fi, where traffic passes through an access point, Direct technology creates a direct connection between two gadgets, which provides high data transfer speeds, which is critical when working with high-resolution video files or large archives. Next, we will discuss all the available ways to configure this protocol on your device.

What is Wi-Fi Direct and Why You Need It

Wi-Fi Direct is a wireless standard that allows two devices to connect directly to each other without using a wireless router. In the context of using the Xiaomi Mi 9, this technology opens up a wide range of possibilities for users who want wires and limitations of cloud storage.

The main advantage is that you can connect your smartphone to a Smart TV to stream an image, send a document to an office printer, or transfer gigabytes of photos to another phone, and the quality of the files is not compromised because the compression is minimal or nonexistent, making the technology indispensable for multimedia professionals.

It's important to understand the difference between normal hotspot and Direct. In hotspot mode, your phone actually becomes a router, and other devices connect to it as a network. In Direct mode, devices are peer-to-peer and negotiate on-the-fly connectivity settings, which allows for more flexible setup and less power consumption in certain use cases.

• 📡 Direct connection without intermediaries in the form of routers.
• 🚀 High data transfer speeds that exceed Bluetooth by tens of times.
• 🔒 Encrypting traffic by protocol WPA2 protection.
• 📱 Support for multimedia profiles for streaming on screens.

⚠️ Note: When using Wi-Fi Direct, the Xiaomi Mi 9 battery can discharge faster than usual due to the constant operation of the radio module at high power.

Why MIUI doesn’t have an explicit button

Many Xiaomi Mi 9 users, when they go into the Wi-Fi settings, can't find the switch to activate Direct Mode. It's not a bug or a lack of function on the back of the phone. It's because Xiaomi, following the general trend in Android, has hidden the manual control of this protocol. The system automatically activates the module you need when you launch an application that requires a direct connection.

This approach is designed to make it easier for the user to interact with the interface, and instead of manually turning on and off modes, the operating system itself determines the needs of the programs running, for example, when you try to send a file through the built-in Explorer or Mi Share, the phone itself goes into detection mode.

However, for advanced users or when working with specific equipment (for example, old printers or industrial controllers), automation may not work correctly. In such cases, it requires the forced activation or use of third-party software that takes control of the module.

Method of activation through system settings

Despite the lack of an explicit switch, there are system paths that allow you to initiate device search. On the Xiaomi Mi 9, this process is often tied to file transfer functions. First, make sure that the main Wi-Fi module is on. Without the active Wi-Fi module, Direct Mode cannot be started, since they use a single antenna group.

Go to the settings menu and find the connection section. It can be called differently in different versions of MIUI, but the logic remains the same. You'll need to find a point related to data transfer or connection to external displays, and that's where the triggers to run the protocol are hidden.

Then you have to choose the type of content or device you transmit, the system will start scanning the airwaves, if you are trying to connect to a printer or TV, the phone may suggest installing a special plug-in application, and agree to install it, because it contains the necessary drivers and profiles for the connection to work properly.

In some cases, resetting network settings if the module is not working correctly helps, and this will return all network settings to factory values, which can eliminate software errors that prevent you from starting Direct mode, and after reset, you will need to re-enter passwords from your main Wi-Fi networks.

Using the Mi Drop application to transfer files

The easiest and most efficient way to use Direct technology on the Xiaomi Mi 9 is the built-in Mi Drop app (in newer versions of MIUI it may be called ShareMe), which is specifically designed to implement Wi-Fi Direct capabilities without the need for complex manual configuration.

To send a file, open Mi Drop and select the recipient. If the recipient is also using a Xiaomi device, the connection will be established instantly via the device. QR-If you connect to a device of another brand or a PC, the application will create an access point through which the data will pass, emulating the work of the Direct Protocol, while the speed remains maximum.

To receive files, make sure that the app settings allow data to be collected from all devices or only from contacts.This is an important security aspect that protects you from unwanted transfer of junk files in public places. The app also allows you to transfer files to your computer via a web interface using the same LAN principle.

• 📂 Support for file transfer of any type and size.
• 🔒 Encrypting a connection when transmitting confidential data.
• 🌐 Working without access to the global Internet.
• 📲 The ability to transfer to several devices at once.

⚠️ Note: When transferring files to non-Xiaomi devices via Mi Drop, you may need to install a receiver application on the receiving side for the protocol to work correctly.

Connection to TV and other devices

One of the most popular use cases for the Xiaomi Mi 9 is the display of images on the big screen, using Miracast technology, which is based on Wi-Fi Direct. Unlike the Chromecast, which requires a router, Miracast creates a direct connection between the phone and the TV.

To start the broadcast, lower the notification curtain and look for "Translation" or "Cast." In some versions of MIUI, it may be hidden in the curtain button editing menu. Click on it and the phone will start looking for available displays. Make sure your TV supports Screen Mirroring or Wi-Fi Direct and is in standby mode.

Once you select a TV from the list, you may see a confirmation request on the screen. Use the TV remote to allow connection. The image from the Xiaomi Mi 9 screen is duplicated on the TV. The picture quality will depend on the signal power and the distance between the devices. To watch video in 4K, it is recommended to minimize the distance.

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If the TV isn’t found, try restarting the Wi-Fi module on your phone or temporarily shutting down mobile internet to speed up your search for local devices.

It's worth noting that when you're using an active connection to stream, your phone's Internet may stop working if you don't configure the traffic, which is normal because the antenna is busy transmitting the video, and if you're watching online content, you'd better use the built-in Smart TV apps if you're connected to the network by cable or through your Wi-Fi.

Application of third-party applications for activation

If standard methods fail or you need a specific connection setup, third-party apps from Google Play come to the rescue. Programs like WiFi Direct File Transfer or SuperBeam take over the Wi-Fi module, forcing it to go to Direct mode, and they are especially useful when working with older hardware that is not supported by native MIUI.

When installing such an application, be sure to provide all the permissions requested, including access to location and files. Without these permissions, the application will not be able to correctly scan the airwaves and detect neighboring devices.

Using third-party software also allows you to see technical details of the connection, such as: IP-The addresses assigned to the Wi-Fi Direct group and the signal strength, which can be useful for diagnosing connection problems, but remember that these applications can consume more battery life than embedded solutions.

Solution and diagnosis

Despite the reliability of the technology, users of Xiaomi Mi 9 can face difficulties. Often the device simply “does not see” the target gadget. First of all, check whether the phone is not on “Flight” mode or energy saving, which can limit the operation of the Wi-Fi module. Also make sure that both devices are geolocated, since Android is a mandatory requirement for scanning networks.

Another common problem is disconnection when transferring large files, which may be because the system is trying to optimize power consumption and kills the background process. To avoid this, add the application you are using to transfer to the battery exception list or fix it in memory.

If nothing works, try resetting your network settings. This action will delete all stored Wi-Fi passwords and Bluetooth settings, but often resolves driver software conflicts. Once reset, the phone will be like new in terms of network connections, and often it returns the Direct module to work.

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In 90% of cases, the problem with the visibility of the devices is solved by enabling geolocation and restarting both smartphones.

In rare cases, the problem can be in frequency incompatibility. Xiaomi Mi 9 supports the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Some older devices only work at 2.4 GHz. Make sure your router or other device does not block certain channels, although with a direct connection this affects less than when working through an access point.