How to turn on Wi-Fi Direct on Xiaomi phone: a detailed guide with pictures and tips

What is Wi-Fi Direct and Why You Need It on Xiaomi

Wi-Fi Direct technology allows Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi, POCO and Black Shark lines) to share files, stream video, or even manage other devices without a router. Unlike Bluetooth, it has data rates of 250 Mbps — almost like standard Wi-Fi, but with a direct point-to-point connection — ideal for transferring heavy files (like 4K video or photo archives) between phones or to a printer.

On Xiaomi smartphones, the feature is available since MIUI 8, but its location on the menu has changed with the release of new versions of the firmware. In MIUI 14/15, the on-line algorithm has been simplified, but many users still face problems: devices can not see each other, the connection is broken or the function is not in the settings. In this article, we will analyze all the activation methods, including hidden methods for older models, and solve typical errors.

⚠️ Important: Wi-Fi Direct is not compatible with an active connection to a regular Wi-Fi network. When activated, your Xiaomi will automatically disconnect from the router.

Preparing your phone before turning on Wi-Fi Direct

Before you activate the function, follow a few mandatory steps, which will help you avoid errors such as "Device failed to connect" or "Device not found":

• 📱 Update. MIUI: Go to Settings. → The phone. → System Update: This feature may not be available on older firmware versions (especially for Redmi Note). 5/6 mi 8).
• 🔄 Reboot your phone: sometimes the Wi-Fi module freezes after a long time.A simple reboot solves 30% of the connection problems.
• 📶 Turn off the mobile Internet: in Settings → SIM-Deactivate mobile data, this will eliminate conflicts with background processes.
• 🔒 Reset network settings: path: Settings → Wi-Fi → Additionally. → Reset your network settings. This step will delete all saved Wi-Fi passwords!

If you plan to transfer files between two Xiaomi smartphones, make sure that both devices:

• 🔋 Battery charge above 20% (at low charge, the system can block energy-intensive functions).
• 🛡️ Disabled. VPN Proxies (they can block local connection).
• 📂 Freed at least 500 MB of memory (for stable transfer of large files).

Method 1: Standard Enablement through MIUI Settings

This is the main method that works on most modern devices (MIUI 12-15).The instructions are relevant for the models Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X4/X5, Xiaomi 12/13 and later:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the Wi-Fi section.
3. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner (or swipe down on some models) and select Additional.
4. In the list, find the Wi-Fi Direct item (on some firmwares it may be called Wi-Fi P2P).
5. Activate the slider. In a few seconds, the phone will start scanning the available devices.

If Wi-Fi Direct is not on the menu, it means:

• 📵 Your model does not support the function (relevant for budget Redmi). 9A/9C old Mis A1/A2).
• 🔧 The function is hidden by the manufacturer (see Method 3).
• 🔄 Firmware update required (check in Settings) → The phone).

Method 2: Enable via notification panel (fast access)

On devices with MIUI 13/14, you can activate the function directly from the notification curtain without going into the settings.

1. Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
2. Swipe left by shortcuts to fast settings (if Wi-Fi Direct is not visible immediately).
3. Find the Wi-Fi Direct icon (usually stylized as two phones with a Wi-Fi signal) and tap it.
4. If the icon is not available, tap on the pencil (Edit) and add it to the panel from the list of available shortcuts.

⚠️ Attention: on some models (POCO F3, Redmi K40) The label may not be available even after editing. In this case, use Method 3.

After activation:

• 🔍 Xiaomi will be visible to other devices within a radius of 10-20 meters.
• 🔐 An input may be required for connection PIN-code (displayed on the screen of the receiving device).
• ⚡ The transmission speed depends on interference: under ideal conditions it reaches 10-15 MB / s.

Method 3: Hidden mode for older models (via engineering menu)

If your Xiaomi is released before 2019 (Redmi 5/6, Mi 8, Mi Mix 2), the Wi-Fi Direct feature can be hidden in the engineering menu.This method requires caution, as improper actions can disrupt the network.

Instructions:

1. Open the phone app and enter the combination: ##546###
2. The Wi-Fi Test menu will open. Select the P2P Wi-Fi option.
3. Enable P2P (Enable P2P)
4. Back to the basic Wi-Fi settings – now the Wi-Fi Direct option should appear.

⚠️ Note: After using the engineering menu:

• 🔄 Restart your phone to avoid Wi-Fi module failures.
• 📵 Do not change other options in the Wi-Fi Test menu – this can cause network loss.

Compatibility table Wi-Fi Direct on Xiaomi

Not all Xiaomi models support Wi-Fi Direct equally well, as follows are the most popular devices (relevant to MIUI 14/15):

If your model is not in the table, check the support function as follows:

1. Press the Wi-Fi icon in the notification curtain.
2. Hold your finger for 2-3 seconds – if a menu with Wi-Fi Direct appears, the function is supported.

Solving Common Wi-Fi Direct Errors on Xiaomi

Even after being enabled correctly, users face problems.-5 errors and ways of eliminating them:

1.The devices can't see each other

Causes and solutions:

• 🔌 Different Wi-Fi standards: if one device supports only one device 802.11n, other — 802.11ac, Solution: Update the firmware on both devices.
• 📡 Interference from other networks: in densely populated areas (such as offices), Wi-Fi channels are congested. Try to move to another place or turn off the router.
• 🔒 Firewall blocks connection: disable antivirus (e.g. Avast or 360 Security) during transfer.

2. connection is interrupted during file transfer

This is most often due to:

• 🔋 Energy Savings: Go to Settings → Battery → Performance mode and select No restrictions for the application through which the transfer is going.
• 📱 Overheating: If the phone is heated above 45°C, the system is forced to shut down power-intensive functions.

Low transmission speed (less than 1 MB/s)

The problem is typical of older models (Redmi 7, Mi 9T).

• 📶 Change Wi-Fi channel: In router settings (if enabled), select channel 1, 6 or 11 – they are less loaded.
• 🔄 Switch to 5GHz: If both devices support 5GHz Wi-Fi, activate it in Wi-Fi Direct settings.

💡

If you’re transferring files between Xiaomi and a device of another brand (Samsung, Huawei), try connecting in reverse order first: sometimes the initiator of the connection affects stability.

4. "Unable to connect" error

The most common reasons are:

• 🔑 Wrong. PIN-code: on some devices (e.g. printers) the code is displayed for only 30 seconds. If you don't have time to type, restart the search for devices.
• 📱 Bluetooth conflict: Turn off Bluetooth in the notification curtain – sometimes it interferes with the installation of Wi-Fi Direct.

5. The function is not in the settings

If there is no Wi-Fi Direct option even after the update:

• 🔧 Check the firmware region: on some global versions MIUI The function is off. EU-firmware through Fastboot.
• 📲 Use third-party apps: WiFi Direct or SuperBeam from Google Play can emulate the feature, but will require additional permissions.

💡

If none of the methods worked, check the hardware health of the Wi-Fi module. On models older than 3 years, the antenna often fails, which blocks all wireless functions.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Wi-Fi Direct on Xiaomi