Network Manager in Xiaomi Devices: A Complete Guide to Setup Network Connections

If you’ve ever looked at your Xiaomi smartphone or Mi Router, you’ve probably come across Network Manager (or Network Manager in Russian localization), a section that often raises questions about what it does, why it sometimes resets Wi-Fi settings, and whether it’s possible to speed up the Internet? In this article, we’ll look at how Network Manager works in the Xiaomi ecosystem, what features it hides, and how to use it properly to avoid connection problems.

Network control in Xiaomi devices is more complex than many competitors, combining standard Android tools (for smartphones) or OpenWRT firmware (for routers) with company-branded improvements. For example, in smartphones, Network Manager is responsible not only for connecting to Wi-Fi or mobile network, but also for automatically switching between them depending on the signal quality — a feature that Xiaomi calls Smart Network Switch. And in routers, this module manages traffic prioritization, guest networks and even integration with the Mi Home smart home.

We analyzed the work of Network Manager on different devices – from the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra smartphones to budget routers Mi Router. 4A, — And we've highlighted some key points that will be useful for both beginners and experienced users:

What is Network Manager in Xiaomi and Why You Need It

Network Manager is a system component that manages all network connections on Xiaomi devices, and its functions vary depending on the type of gadget:

• 📱 In smartphones and tablets: controls Wi-Fi, mobile Internet (2G/3G/4G/5G), VPN, access points and even some Bluetooth settings (e.g., data transfer via Mi Share).
• 📶 In routers: responsible for setting up wireless networks, distribution IP-address (DHCP), Device Prioritization, Guest Access and Cloud Integration.
• 💻 In laptops and PCs with MIUI for PC (Experimental firmware: Manages Wi-Fi and Ethernet adapters, but is rare.

Xiaomi’s Network Manager is a major feature of automation, where it chooses the best Wi-Fi channel, switches between mobile and Wi-Fi when the signal is weak, and in routers, distributes bandwidth between devices, but sometimes this “smart” logic doesn’t work properly, leading to loss of connection, slow Internet or unexpected connections to other networks.

For example, many users of smartphones Redmi and POCO complain that the phone spontaneously connects to open networks such as Xiaomi_AP_**** — This is the Network Manager's merit, trying to save mobile traffic, and in routers, a common problem is changing the Wi-Fi channel on its own, which causes connection breaks on older devices.

Where to find Network Manager on Xiaomi smartphone

Depending on the version MIUI (Or HyperOS in new models, the path to Network Manager may be different:

If you don’t find Network Manager on the menu, try:

1. Enter the search by settings request Network Manager or Network.
2. Update the firmware to the latest version (in older versions) MIUI This section may not be available).
3. Install the patch through Xiaomi Community (relevant for Chinese firmware).

💡

On HyperOS smartphones, some Network Manager features are duplicated in the Settings section. → Special facilities → Network settings. For example, you can turn off automatic connection to open networks.

The main functions of Network Manager in Xiaomi smartphones

Network Manager in smartphones performs several key tasks, and let's take a closer look at them:

• 🔄 Smart Network Switch: Automatic switching between Wi-Fi and mobile if the signal is weak, for example, if you step out of your home Wi-Fi coverage, the phone will switch to a mobile phone. 4G/5G free-to-break.
• 📶 Network Priority Management: You can manually specify which network to use first (Wi-Fi, 5G, 4G). It is useful if you have unlimited mobile Internet, but slow Wi-Fi.
• 🔒 Control of Open Network Connections: Blocking automatic connection to public hotspots (e.g., cafes or airports).
• 📊 Traffic monitoring: displaying data consumption for each application with the possibility of background restriction.
• 🌐 VPN Proxy: Configure secure connections directly from Network Manager (in new versions of HyperOS).

One of the most useful features is to limit background traffic, so if you have a small mobile Internet bundle, you can prevent apps like TikTok or YouTube from spending data in the background.

1. Go to Network Manager → Use of data.
2. Select the app from the list.
3. Activate the option to limit background traffic.

HyperOS Network Manager smartphones are integrated with energy saving: if the Ultra-Saving mode is enabled, automatic switching between networks may not work properly, in which case it is recommended to either turn off energy saving for network functions or set priorities manually.

Network Manager in Xiaomi routers: features and hidden functions

In Xiaomi routers (series Mi Router, AX, Redmi Router) Network Manager is the center for managing all connected devices and network parameters, and it has more capabilities than smartphones:

• 📡 Wi-Fi Channel Management: Automatic or manual channel selection to minimize interference.
• 🔐 Access control: locking devices on MAC-address, time limit (for example, disconnecting the Internet to a child after 22:00).
• ⚡ Traffic Prioritization (QoS): Speed distribution between devices (e.g., priority for Smart) TV game console).
• 🌍 Guest network: creating a separate network for guests with limited access to local resources.
• 🔄 Backup channel: automatic switching to mobile Internet (if connected to the router) USB-modem) at break of main connection.

One of the most useful, but hidden, features is network analysis, and you can see in the router's Network Manager:

• 📊 Neighborhood Channel Congestion (helps you choose the least congested channel for your network).
• 📱 List of connected devices with their indication MAC-address, IP and traffic consumption.
• 🔌 Port status (relevant for models with multiple Ethernet connectors).

To open Network Manager in the router:

1. Connect to the router network.
2. Enter the address 192.168.31.1 (or miwifi.com) in your browser.
3. Log in (the default login and password is usually the combination listed on the router sticker).
4. Go to the section Additional → Network Manager (or Advanced) → Network Manager in English version).

Make sure the router is connected to the internet.|

Open the web interface at 192.168.31.1|

Go to Network Manager → QoS|

Select a device to prioritize (e.g., Smart) TV)|

Save settings and restart the router-->

⚠️ Note: in Xiaomi routers with OpenWRT firmware (for example, Mi Router) 4A Gigabit Edition) Some Network Manager features may conflict with manual settings in LuCI (alternative web interface).If the network stopped working after changes to Network Manager, try resetting to factory settings.

Common Network Manager Problems and How to Solve Them

Despite the convenience, Network Manager is often a source of problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to fix them:

1. Unintentional connection to other people's networks

Symptom: the phone connects to open networks such as Xiaomi_AP_**** or CMCC (china).

Decision:

1. Go to Network Manager → Wi-Fi settings → Additionally.
2. Turn off the option of Autoconnection to open networks.
3. Remove all unknown networks from the list of saved ones.

2. Constant switching between Wi-Fi and mobile network

Symptom: the phone is losing Wi-Fi and switches 4G, even if the signal is stable.

Decision:

• Turn off the Smart Network Switch in Network Manager.
• Or set a threshold signal to switch (in HyperOS, this is done in Settings). → Network → Additionally. → Switching threshold).

3.The router itself changes the Wi-Fi channel, which causes the communication to disappear

Symptom: devices are periodically disconnected from Wi-Fi, in the router logs, a change in the channel is visible.

Decision:

1. Go to the Network Manager of the router.
2. Go to the Wi-Fi settings → Canal.
3. Select a fixed channel (e.g. 6 or 11 for 2.4GHz) instead of Auto.

4.Slow internet speeds on some devices

Symptom: on one device, the speed is normal, on the other - 10 times lower.

Decision:

• In Network Manager, check the QoS section, and it is possible that this device has a low priority.
• Update the router’s firmware (new versions fix bandwidth allocation errors).

💡

If Network Manager problems started after the firmware update, try to roll back to the previous version. In Xiaomi, this can be done via Fastboot mode or using the Mi Flash utility.

⚠️ Note: If the router stopped giving out the Internet after the Network Manager changes, don't rush to reset:

• Is the provider’s cable connected to the port? WAN (It's usually blue).
• Is Bridge mode activated in the settings?
• Does the provider block the MAC-Router address (sometimes required to clone) MAC arch-story).

Hidden capabilities of Network Manager: what can, but not advertise

Network Manager in Xiaomi devices hides a few useful features that few people know about.

• 🔗 Connecting networks: HyperOS smartphones can use Wi-Fi and mobile network to increase speed (Dual Network Acceleration) at the same time.
• 📡 Wi-Fi Scanner: Routers have a hidden tool to analyze the surrounding networks (shows loaded channels, signal strength of neighbors). To open it, type in the address bar of the browser 192.168.31.1/cgi-bin/luci/admin/status/wireless.
• 🔒 Blocking Advertising at Level DNS: In some versions of the router firmware, you can enable filtering DNS-Requests directly to Network Manager (Security section) → DNS-filter).
• 🌐 Local. VPN-server: Xiaomi routers AX6000 And newer ones allow you to expand your own VPN-server for remote access to the home network.

One of the most interesting features is Game Turbo, which is available in both smartphones and routers, and in smartphones, it optimizes the network connection for online gaming (reduces ping), and in routers, it allocates maximum bandwidth for gaming devices (such as PlayStation or PC) to activate:

1. In Smartphone: Network Manager → Special regimes → Game Turbo.
2. Router: Network Manager → QoS → Game mode.

Another little-known feature is the setting MTU (Maximum Transmission Unit: You can manually set the value on Xiaomi routers MTU The optimal value depends on the provider, but it's usually 1472 or 1500:

1. Go to the Network Manager of the router.
2. Go to Settings. WAN → Additionally.
3. Find the field. MTU and set the right value.
4. Save the settings and restart the router.

💡

If you have a Xiaomi router AX9000 Or more recently, Network Manager has a hidden Mesh option that allows you to merge multiple routers into one network without losing speed. To activate it, upgrade to the latest version of the firmware and go to the Additional. → Mesh mode.

How to Reset Network Manager Settings to Factory

If you've been experimenting with Network Manager, if the network has stopped working properly, the most reliable solution is to reset, and here's how to do it on different devices:

On a Xiaomi smartphone

Resetting network settings will return all connections (Wi-Fi, mobile network, Bluetooth) to factory parameters, but will not affect personal data.

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Network Resetting.
3. Confirm the action (a password may be required).

On the Xiaomi router

There are two ways to discharge:

• Software reset (via web interface):
• Hardware reset (if the web interface is not available):

⚠️ Note: After resetting the router, you will have to reconfigure:

• Internet connection (logins / passwords from the provider).
• Wi-Fi name and password.
• QoS and Parental Controls.