Why Xiaomi is not connecting to Wi-Fi from iPhone: a complete guide to fixing the problem

You're trying to spread the Internet from your iPhone to your Xiaomi smartphone, your Mi Band smartwatch or your robot vacuum cleaner, but the device stubbornly refuses to connect to the hotspot? This problem is more common than it seems - and the reasons lie in both Apple's settings and MIUI firmware. In 80% of cases, the decision takes no more than 5 minutes if you know where to look.

In this article, we will analyze all possible scenarios: from the banal incompatibility of Wi-Fi standards to the hidden limitations in Xiaomi’s firmware. You’ll learn why the Redmi Note 12 doesn’t see the network from the iPhone 14, why the Mi Band 7 doesn’t connect to the hotspot, and what to do if the device sees the network but can’t get it. IP-And also, how to get around the restrictions. MIUI Connecting to “unsafe” networks.

Spoiler: Half the time, the Wi-Fi mode on the iPhone is to blame, which is not widely known, but there are deeper reasons, such as the conflict of the WPA3 and WPA2 protocols, or the blocking of Xiaomi connections to networks with suspicious names, and then step-by-step instructions with pictures, a compatibility table and answers to frequent questions.

1. Check the basic settings of Wi-Fi distribution on the iPhone

Before digging deep into Xiaomi's settings, make sure the problem isn't on the iPhone's side. 30 percent of the time, users simply forget to turn on the Internet distribution or put a password with invalid characters.

• 📱 Is the handout enabled? Swipe down the iPhone screen (or up on models with the Home button) and make sure the modem icon is active. If not, turn it on to Settings. → Modem mode.
• 🔒 Xiaomi (especially older models) do not support passwords with Russian letters or characters like @#$%. Use only Latin and numbers.
• 🔄 iPhone reboot. Sometimes the Wi-Fi module freezes. Just reboot the iPhone and turn the handout on again.
• 📶 Coverage check: If the iPhone has a weak signal from the mobile network (1-2 - division, the distribution may be unstable.

If all of the above is in order, but Xiaomi is still not connecting, then we move on to the next step. Note: on the iPhone with iOS 17+, there is a hidden setting that can block connections.

2. Hidden iPhone settings blocking Xiaomi connection

Apple has added Wi-Fi Compatibility Mode (Wi-Fi Compatibility Mode) since iOS 14, which is disabled by default. If your iPhone is giving away a network in Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) and your Xiaomi device only supports Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), the connection may not work. Here's how to fix it:

1. Open Settings → Modem Modem → Wi-Fi Password.
2. Click on the password box and notice the words "Maximum Compatibility" (or "Maximize Compatibility" in English firmware).
3. Activate this switch. iPhone will now distribute the network in Wi-Fi 5 mode, compatible with most Xiaomi devices.

Another possible reason is the limit on the number of connected devices, which is that the iPhone defaults to 5 devices, but sometimes that number is reduced to 1-2 because of system errors, to reset the limit:

Settings → Modem Mode → Disable Modem Modem → Reboot iPhone → Enable Back

If Xiaomi doesn't connect after this manipulation, it's probably on the side of the Xiaomi device.

💡

On iPhone with iOS 17+ You can temporarily shut down the protection. MAC-Wi-Fi address. For this purpose, in Settings → Modem modem hold your finger on the network name and select "Disable private" MAC-address".

3. Xiaomi settings that interfere with the connection to the iPhone

Xiaomi devices (especially on MIUI 12-14) have built-in protection against “unsafe” networks. If the network name (SSID) from the iPhone contains words like “iPhone”, “Personal Hotspot” or random characters, MIUI can block the connection.

• 🔄 Rename the network to iPhone. Go to Settings → Modem mode → Wi-Fi Password and Change Network Name (SSID) on simple, for example MyHotspot (without spaces and special characters).
• 🛡️ Disable Fraud Network Protection on Xiaomi: Settings → Wi-Fi → Additionally. → Security → Disable "Preventing Connection to Fraudulent Networks"
• 📱 Reset your network settings on Xiaomi: Settings → The phone. → Resetting settings → Resetting Wi-Fi, Mobile Network and Bluetooth
• 🔧 Update the firmware. MIUI 14.0.5+ Fixed bugs with connection to iPhone hotspots. check for updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

If you use Xiaomi smart devices (such as Mi Band, Roborock or Mi Home Security Camera), the problem may be network-type restrictions. Many Xiaomi gadgets only work with 2.4 GHz networks, and the iPhone defaults to give away a network in the 5 GHz band.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi smart devices (other than flagship models) do not support 5GHz networks from iPhone. Forced to turn on the 2.4GHz distribution through modem settings (if available) or use another Wi-Fi source.

4. Security protocol conflict: WPA3 vs WPA2

One of the most common causes of problems is the incompatibility of encryption protocols. iPhone with iOS 14+ Defaults give away a network with protection WPA3, Many Xiaomi devices (especially those released before 2021) only support the WPA2. As a result, the device sees the network, but cannot connect – there is an error “Receiving” IP-addresses" or "Authentication".

The solution is simple: force WPA2 on your iPhone, and unfortunately Apple doesn't let you do it directly, but there's a workaround.

1. Connect to the iPhone hotspot any device on Android or Windows.
2. On a connected device, open a list of Wi-Fi networks and find your access point.
3. Click on it and see what security protocol is used. If WPA3, turn off the iPhone, restart it, and turn it on again. Sometimes the system automatically switches to WPA2.

If this method does not work, you can only use another device for distribution (for example, an Android smartphone) or update the firmware on Xiaomi to the latest version, where WPA3 support is added.

5. Problems with IP-addressing: DHCP no-address

If Xiaomi sees the network from the iPhone, enters a password, but then writes “Getting” IP-Addresses and remains in this state - the problem in the settings DHCP. It could be because of:

• 🔢 Conflict IP-Addresses (if there is already a device on the network with the same address).
• ⏱️ Too short rental time. IP (iPhone defaults to give address for 1 hour).
• 🚫 Lockdowns MAC-Addresses (if previously blacklisted).

To solve the problem:

1. On Xiaomi, go to Settings → Wi-Fi, find the network from the iPhone and click “Forget the network”.
2. On the iPhone, turn off and turn on modem mode again.
3. If it doesn’t help, manually ask. IP on Xiaomi: Settings → Wi-Fi → Additionally. → Settings IP → Static IP-Address: 192.168.43.100 Gateway: 192.168.43.1 Network mask: 255.255.255.0 DNS: 8.8.8.8

If the connection is working after that, but the Internet is not working, check if the option “Allow others to connect” is enabled in the modem settings on the iPhone.

Disable/enable modem modem on iPhone|Rename the network (SSID) free-character|Check compatibility WPA2/WPA3|Reset your network settings on Xiaomi|Update firmware MIUI-->

6. Features of Xiaomi smart devices (Mi Band, robot vacuum cleaner, etc.)

Xiaomi’s smart gadgets (such as Mi Band, Roborock, Mi Home Camera) often have strict Wi-Fi connection restrictions.

• 📱 Mi Band doesn't connect: Xiaomi fitness bracelets only work with 2.4 GHz networks. If the iPhone is giving away 5 GHz, connection is impossible. Solution: use another Wi-Fi source or router.
• 🤖 Roborock sees the network, but doesn’t connect: Robot vacuum cleaner requires that the network name (SSID) No gaps and no Cyrillic. Rename the network to iPhone to XiaomiHotspot.
• 📷 Mi Home Camera makes a mistake: Xiaomi cameras do not support networks with enabled WPA3. Turn it off (see section 4).

For most Xiaomi smart devices, there is an alternative way to connect via Bluetooth, for example, the Mi Band can be synchronized with a Xiaomi smartphone over Bluetooth, and then transfer data through it to the Internet.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi smart devices do not support connection to hotspots with enabled VPN - On the iPhone. VPN pre-wifi.

7. Alternative ways to connect if nothing helps

If all of the above methods have failed, don't despair. There are a few workarounds:

• 📶 Use another smartphone. If you have an Android device on hand, give away Wi-Fi from it. Xiaomi usually connects to Android hotspots without any problems.
• 🔌 USB-Connect (smartphone only) Connect Xiaomi to iPhone via cable USB-C/Lightning and turn on "Modem Modem" through USB iPhone-setting.
• 🌐 Personal access point via router. Set up a portable router (e.g. Xiaomi Mi Router) 4G) And connect both devices to it.
• 📡 Repeat mode on another device. If you have a second smartphone or tablet, connect it to your iPhone hotspot and then distribute Wi-Fi from that hotspot (in repeater mode).

If you need to transfer files or configure a smart device and Wi-Fi is not working, use alternative protocols:

• For smartphones: Bluetooth, AirDrop (if supported), or FTP-Servers with an application like Mi File Manager.
• For smart devices: setting up through QR-code in the application (for example, for Roborock or Mi Home).

1. Enable Wi-Fi compatibility mode on the iPhone.

2. Network renaming (SSID) without special characters.

3. Forced switching with WPA3 on WPA2 (via iPhone reboot).-->

FAQ: Frequent questions