Many users face the challenge of quickly providing guests with Wi-Fi or connecting smart devices without a long password. In the Xiaomi and Android ecosystem, this process is often associated with WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) technology, which should theoretically simplify life. However, owners of Redmi and Poco smartphones often find that standard systems can not find the activation button.
This is not a firmware defect. MIUI It's a change in the security policy of the Android operating system itself, and since some versions, Google has completely removed support for generation. WPS-This is a signal from the smartphone, leaving this function only for routers. However, there are workarounds and alternative methods that allow you to achieve the desired result without losing time.
In this article, we will explain why the button disappeared. WPS, How to connect the device to the network QR-code, which is a modern analogue WPS, You will learn about the real risks of using outdated security protocols and receive step-by-step instructions for various use cases.
Why Xiaomi lost WPS function and where to look for it
The first thing a user faces when searching for an answer to the question "how to connect" WPS Xiaomi Android, the lack of a corresponding item in the menu settings Wi-Fi. For a long time this feature was the standard for fast synchronization, but modern versions of the shell MIUI No longer support the native access point WPS. This is because the protocol WPS has known vulnerabilities that make the network susceptible to hacking by selection method PIN-code.
Xiaomi engineers follow safety guidelines, so you won’t find a switch in the standard Settings → Wi-Fi → interface. If your smartphone is relatively new (released after 2016-2017), the built-in Wi-Fi module simply can’t initiate a connection using this protocol at the software level. Attempts to find hidden menus through engineering mode in new versions of Android also often fail.
⚠️ Note: Use of third-party apps from the Google Play store that promise to activate WPS On modern smartphones, it's often a waste of time. Without root rights, they can't access the Wi-Fi drivers to change the mode of the module.
However, the technology hasn't died completely, it's just gone passive. Xiaomi can still host a smartphone if you initiate a connection from the router, but you can't do it directly through the standard Settings menu. You have to use alternative interfaces or authorization methods to manage the process.
The alternative WPS: connection QR-code
The safest and most effective replacement for the outdated WPS In the Android ecosystem, there is a connection mechanism QR-This function is built into the shell. MIUI And HyperOS, by default, doesn't require any additional software to be installed, and it works instantly. It's actually a digital analogue of password entry that eliminates human error and character typing errors.
To share or connect to your network, you don't need to be manipulated in a complex way, just open a standard Camera app or Wi-Fi menu. The system automatically recognizes the code and prompts you to connect, and this is especially true for Xiaomi smart home owners when you need to quickly add a new light bulb, socket or camera to the network.
- 📱 Open the Camera app or go to Settings → Wi-Fi.
- 🔍 Point the lens at QR-Network code or click on the scanner icon in the Wi-Fi menu.
- ✅ Confirm the connection in the pop-up window without manually entering the password.
It is important to note that for the generation QR-If you're already connected to Wi-Fi on your Xiaomi, you can create a guest code. To do that, click on the name of the active network in the Wi-Fi list, and a square barcode will appear on the screen. Guests can scan it with a camera and access it instantly.
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If you don’t have a printer to print. QR-And if you can just save a screenshot of the access code in the gallery, you can just show this screenshot, and their phones can read it directly from your smartphone screen.
Use of applications for WPS emulation
For those who are in need of functionality WPS, For example, there are specialized applications for connecting an old printer or specific IoT equipment, but it is worth warning that on smartphones without superuser rights (Root), their functionality is very limited. WPS-router, but can help with connection management.
One popular solution is to use applications like WPS Connect or third-party app stores, which attempt to use system APIs to scan networks and check for vulnerabilities, and the effectiveness of such methods on Android 10, 11, 12 and higher tends to be zero due to the closure of the corresponding security loopholes.
Why did the apps stop working?
If you have a Root device, that's different, and you can use a terminal emulator or a dedicated Magisk module that implements WPS support at the kernel level, but for the average user looking for a way to "connect WPS to Xiaomi Android" without flashing it, it's too complicated and risky.
Connecting via a button on the router
The most reliable way to use WPS technology with a Xiaomi phone is to initiate a connection from the router side, in which the smartphone acts as a client that listens to broadcast packets from the router. You don't need to enter a password, just press the physical button on the router's body.
The process is as follows: you turn on Wi-Fi on your smartphone, wait for the list of networks to appear, and then press the WPS button on the router. For a short period of time (usually 2 minutes), the router allows any devices that request a connection without a password to log in. On some models of routers Xiaomi and Mi Router, this process can be started through the web interface.
☑️ Algorithm of connection via router
Note that not all routers support this method in conjunction with mobile devices. Some network equipment manufacturers turn off the ability to connect mobile devices over WPS for security reasons, leaving this feature only for laptops and desktops, in which case you will not see an offer to connect on the phone screen.
Comparison of connection methods: table
To make it easier for you to choose the right option, let’s compare the main ways to connect to Wi-Fi on Xiaomi devices. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages depending on the situation and version of the operating system.
| Method | Security | Speed. | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| QR-code (Standard) | Tall. | Instantly. | Camera / MIUI 12+ |
| WPS (Router Button) | Medium | 10-30 seconds. | Physical access to the router |
| Annexes (Root) | Low. | Depends on the software. | Superuser rights |
| Manual input | Tall. | Slowly. | Password knowledge |
As you can see from the table, QR-Code is the most balanced solution for modern users, combining high speed and no compromises in terms of security. WPS via the router button remains relevant only for legacy devices or specific scenarios when text input is not possible.
WPS setting up in the web interface of the Xiaomi router
If you own a Xiaomi Mi Router or Mi WiFi router, you can control the WPS function remotely. This is convenient if the physical button on the device is inactive or unavailable.
In the web interface, usually at 192.168.31.1 or miwifi.com, you need to go to the Wi-Fi settings section. There may be a WPS switch. Once you activate it, you start a waiting timer for connection, at which point on the Xiaomi smartphone (or any other device) you need to select the network and, if necessary, confirm the login.
⚠️ Warning: After successfully connecting all necessary devices, it is strongly recommended to disable the function WPS Constantly active standby mode makes your network vulnerable to brute force attacks. PIN-code.
Mi Home or Mi Wi-Fi may look different, and often has Guest Wi-Fi, which you can activate when friends come in, and it's a safer alternative, allowing you to isolate your guest devices from your main LAN with printers and other devices. NAS-storehouse.
Security and vulnerability issues of the protocol
Why Xiaomi and other manufacturers are so reluctant to do so WPS? It's about the fundamental vulnerability of the protocol. PIN-code-in WPS It's split into two parts, which allows the attacker to significantly reduce the time of selection, instead of millions of combinations, only thousands of people go through, which takes several hours even on weak equipment.
Using WPS on a regular basis is like opening the door to your digital apartment, and an attacker can not only steal traffic, but also access files shared on the local network, or redirect you to phishing sites, which is why WPS is completely eliminated in modern WPA3 security standards.
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Rejecting WPS at the smartphone level is not a limitation of functionality, but a necessary measure to protect your personal data from theft.
If you still have to use WPS to run your old hardware, try to minimize the risks. Use the guest network for such connections, change Wi-Fi passwords regularly, and keep an eye on the list of connected customers in the router app. Any unfamiliar device should cause immediate reaction and lock.