Where to find Wi-Fi Direct on your phone: a detailed guide with pictures and tips

You are trying to transfer a file from your phone to a TV, printer or another smartphone, but you don’t know where in the settings it is hidden Wi-Fi DirectThis technology allows devices to exchange data directly—without a router, cables, or mobile internet. Transfer speeds are higher than Bluetooth, and setup takes just a couple of clicks... if you know where to look.

The problem is that the manufacturers Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei And Apple This feature is hidden in various menus, sometimes under different names. In this article, we'll explain where exactly to look. Wi-Fi Direct on Android and iOS, how to enable it, and what to do if the feature isn't working. We'll also explain how this technology differs from Wi-Fi Hotspot and why it may not show up on your phone.

What is Wi-Fi Direct and why is it needed?

Wi-Fi Direct — is a wireless communication standard that allows two devices to connect directly, bypassing a router. Essentially, one device temporarily becomes an "access point," and the other a client. Key advantages:

• 🚀 Speed up to 250 Mbps (5-10 times faster than Bluetooth 4.0).
• 🔌 No router dependency — works even in places without internet.
• 📱 Supports most devices: smartphones, televisions LG/Samsung, printers, cameras.
• 🔒 Protection via WPA2 (as in your home Wi-Fi network).

Typical use cases:

• 📺 Transfer video from phone to Smart TV without HDMI cable.
• 🖨️ Print documents on a printer without connecting to a PC.
• 📲 Quickly send photos between smartphones (an alternative to AirDrop on Android).
• 🎮 Connecting gamepads or VR glasses to your phone.

It is important not to confuse Wi-Fi Direct with other technologies:

⚠️ Attention: Some manufacturers (eg Apple) replace Wi-Fi Direct with their own solutions. On the iPhone, this feature is called AirDrop, and on devices Samsung — Quick ShareThey work on the same principle, but only between gadgets of the same brand.

Where to find Wi-Fi Direct on Android: instructions for different brands

On Android The path to the settings depends on the firmware version and manufacturer. We've compiled up-to-date instructions for popular brands (data verified against Android 12–14).

1. Samsung (One UI 5/6)

On smartphones Galaxy S23, A54, A34 and other models with One UI:

1. Open Settings (gear in the notification bar).
2. Go to Connections → Wi-Fi.
3. Tap the three dots in the upper right corner (⋮) and select Wi-Fi Direct.
4. Enable the function using the slider and select the device to connect to.

If the point Wi-Fi Direct not in the menu, try the alternative path:

Settings → Connections → Advanced → Wi-Fi Direct

⚠️ Attention: On new models Samsung (For example, Galaxy S24) the function can be replaced by Quick ShareIt works similarly, but only supports devices Samsung And Google (With Android 10+).

2. Xiaomi (MIUI 14)

On Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13 and others:

1. Go to Settings → Wi-Fi.
2. Scroll down and tap Additional functions (or Advanced settings).
3. Select Wi-Fi Direct.
4. Activate the function and wait for the devices to be searched for.

Xiaomi Sometimes this item is hidden. If it's not there:

• 🔍 Check the section Settings → Connection and Sharing.
• 🔍 Use the settings search (magnifying glass at the top) and type "Wi-Fi Direct".

3. Huawei (EMUI 13/HarmonyOS)

On Huawei P60, Mate 50, Nova 11:

1. Open Settings → Wireless & Networks.
2. Select WLAN (Wi-Fi).
3. Tap on Wi-Fi Direct at the bottom of the screen.
4. Turn on the feature and wait for your phone to find other devices.

On HarmonyOS (new models) the path may differ:

Settings → Connections → File Transfer → Wi-Fi Direct

4. Google Pixel (Android 14)

On Pixel 7, Pixel 8 and other "pure" Androids:

1. Go to Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi.
2. Tap on Wi-Fi Preferences (or Additionally).
3. Select Wi-Fi Direct.

If the item is missing, try:

• 🔄 Restart your phone - sometimes the feature appears after a reboot.
• 📱 Update firmware: on older versions of Android (9 and below) Wi-Fi Direct might be absent.

5. Other brands (Realme, Oppo, Vivo, Nokia)

General algorithm for less popular brands:

1. Open Settings → Wi-Fi.
2. Look for items like:
   • Additional functions / Advanced settings
   • Wi-Fi Direct / P2P (Peer-to-Peer)
   • File transfer / Fast transfer

If you haven't found it, use the search in the settings (magnifying glass icon).

Check your Android version (must be 4.0+)

Update your phone's firmware

Restart your device

Reset network settings (Settings → System → Reset → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile network, and Bluetooth)-->

Wi-Fi Direct on iPhone: Why It's Missing and What to Use Instead

On iPhone (including iPhone 15, 14, 13) there is no classic Wi-Fi Direct. Instead of him Apple uses its own technology AirDrop, which works on the same principle, but only between devices Apple (iPhone, iPad, Mac).

To transfer files between iPhone and Android or other devices, you'll have to use alternatives:

• 🌐 Local area network: Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi and use apps like Send Anywhere or LocalSend.
• 📎 Bluetooth: Slower, but universal (suitable for older printers or headsets).
• 🔗 QR codes: Some TVs Samsung And LG support connection via QR scanning from iPhone.
• ☁️ Cloud services: Upload file to Google Drive or iCloud and share the link.

If you need to connect your iPhone to a printer or TV that supports Wi-Fi Direct:

1. Make sure the device (such as a printer) is turned on and in search mode.
2. On iPhone, open Settings → Wi-Fi.
3. In the list of networks, find the name of the printer/TV (for example, DIR-123-Printer) and connect to it.
4. Enter the password (usually indicated on the device sticker or in the instructions).

⚠️ Attention: Some TVs Sony And Philips require the installation of proprietary applications (for example, TV SideView or Philips TV Remote) for connecting from an iPhone. They do not support pure Wi-Fi Direct.

How to connect to another device via Wi-Fi Direct

Let's say you found Wi-Fi Direct in your phone's settings. Now let's look at how to use it using the example of transferring files to a TV. LG:

1. Enable Wi-Fi Direct on both devices.:
   • On your phone: activate the function (as described above).
   • On TV: Go to Settings → Network → Wi-Fi Direct and turn on search.

Select a device to connect to:

The name of the TV will appear in the list of available devices on the phone (for example, LG_OLED55C2). Tap on it.

Confirm the connection:

Your TV may prompt you to connect - confirm it with your remote. Sometimes you'll need to enter a PIN (usually 0000 or 1234).

Transfer files:

Open your phone's gallery or file manager, select files, and tap "Send" → "Wi-Fi Direct." Your TV should appear in the recipient list.

To connect to a printer (Canon, HP, Epson):

1. Turn on Wi-Fi Direct on your printer (usually a button with a Wi-Fi icon or menu Settings → Wireless).
2. On your phone, connect to the printer's network (the name will be something like DIR-300-series).
3. Start printing from an application (eg. Canon PRINT or HP Smart).

Why Wi-Fi Direct Isn't Working: 7 Common Problems and Solutions

If the feature doesn't turn on, the devices don't see each other, or the connection keeps dropping, check these points:

Problem	Possible cause	Solution
Wi-Fi Direct is not showing up in settings.	Outdated firmware or hardware limitations	Update your Android. If your phone is older than 2015, the feature may not be available.
The devices don't see each other	Different Wi-Fi standards (e.g. 2.4 GHz vs 5 GHz)	Switch both devices to the 2.4 GHz band in Wi-Fi settings
The connection is broken after a few seconds.	Power Saving turns off Wi-Fi	Disable power saving mode or add the app to exceptions
Low transmission speed	Interference from other networks	Move the devices closer to each other or change the Wi-Fi channel in the router settings.
A password is required but there is none.	The device uses WPS	Press the WPS button on the printer/router or enter the standard PIN (0000, 1234)

On some phones (e.g. Xiaomi phones with MIUI 12 and below), Wi-Fi Direct may conflict with the "Dual Wi-Fi connection" feature (Wi-Fi and mobile network simultaneously). Disable it in Wi-Fi settings if you experience issues.

If nothing helps:

• 🔄 Reset network settings on the phone (Settings → System → Reset → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks, and Bluetooth).
• 📱 Check compatibility: Some devices (such as older printers) only work with Android 8 and below.
• 🛠️ Update the firmware on both devices (phone + TV/printer).
What should I do if Wi-Fi Direct is available but doesn't work with a specific device?

Sometimes the problem lies in protocol incompatibility. For example, TVs Samsung 2018–2019 may not see smartphones with Android 13+ Due to changes in the Wi-Fi Direct standard, try:

1. Use the manufacturer's application (eg. Samsung SmartThings for TVs).

2. Connect via Screen Mirroring (instead of direct file transfer).

3. Temporarily disable the firewall or VPN on your phone (they may be blocking the connection).

Wi-Fi Direct Security: Risks and How to Avoid Them

Wi-Fi Direct is convenient, but it has vulnerabilities that can be exploited by attackers:

• 🕵️ Connecting to other people's devices: If you do not confirm the connection on the second gadget, a stranger may connect to your phone.
• 📡 Data interception: When transferring over an open network (without a password), files can be intercepted.
• 🔋 Low battery: Constantly searching for devices via Wi-Fi Direct increases power consumption.

How to protect yourself:

1. Always confirm the connection on both devices (even if no password is required).
2. Turn off Wi-Fi Direct after use (it continues to search for devices in the background).
3. Use complex passwords, if the device asks for a PIN (avoid 0000 or 1234).
4. Do not share sensitive data (passwords, banking documents) via Wi-Fi Direct in public places.

For maximum safety:

• 🔒 Use VPN on the phone (for example, ProtonVPN or Windscribe), if you transfer data over a network with unknown devices.
• 🛡️ Install an antivirus (for example, Bitdefender), which monitors suspicious connections.
• 📵 Turn off Auto-connection in the Wi-Fi settings so that the phone does not connect to unknown networks automatically.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (for example, custom ROMs like LineageOSWi-Fi Direct may be unstable or not work at all. This is due to a lack of proprietary drivers from the manufacturer.

Wi-Fi Direct Alternatives: What to Use When the Feature Is Unavailable

If your phone doesn't support Wi-Fi Direct or the feature isn't working, there are a few alternatives:

To transfer files between Android devices, the best alternative is Nearby Share (built in Android 6+):

1. Open the file in the gallery or file manager.
2. Click "Share" → "Nearby Share".
3. Select a recipient from the list (the device must be nearby and have Bluetooth/Wi-Fi turned on).

For iPhone the best option is AirDrop:

1. Open the file and click "Share".
2. Select AirDrop and tap on the name of the recipient device.
3. Confirm reception on the second gadget.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Wi-Fi Direct

My phone doesn't support Wi-Fi Direct. Is there any way to add it?

No, this feature depends on the hardware (Wi-Fi chip) and firmware. If it's not available in the settings, you can use the following alternatives: Nearby Share, Bluetooth or cable. Some phones can be flashed with custom firmware (for example, LineageOS), but this is risky and does not guarantee the appearance of Wi-Fi Direct.

How to transfer files from iPhone to Android without Wi-Fi Direct?

Use one of these solutions:

1. LocalSend or Snapdrop (work through a browser).
2. Email/Messengers: send the file to yourself Telegram or by email.
3. Cloud: upload file to Google Drive or Dropbox and share the link.
4. Lightning→USB Adapter: Connect the flash drive to your iPhone, copy the files, then insert it into your Android.

Why is Wi-Fi Direct slower than promised?

The speed depends on several factors:

• 📶 Distance: the further the devices are, the lower the speed.
• 📡 Interference: other Wi-Fi networks on the same channel.
• 📱 Hardware limitations: Old phones (before 2017) only support Wi-Fi 4 (max 150 Mbps).
• 🔋 Power saving mode: May limit Wi-Fi performance.

To speed up the transfer:

• Bring the devices closer (within 1-2 meters).
• Turn off other Wi-Fi networks nearby.
• Switch to the 5GHz channel (if both devices support it).

Is it possible to share internet via Wi-Fi Direct?

No, Wi-Fi Direct It's not intended for internet sharing. For that, use:

• Modem mode (Settings → Network & Internet → Hotspot & Tethering).
• Bluetooth modem (slower, but more economical for the battery).
• USB modem (the most stable option for PC).

Wi-Fi Direct creates local network only between two devices, without internet access.

How do I disable Wi-Fi Direct if it keeps turning on by itself?

This may be due to:

• 🤖 Automatic synchronization (for example, with a smartwatch or fitness bracelet).
• 📱 Power consumption optimizations (some firmware versions enable Wi-Fi Direct to save battery).
• 🛠️ Google services crash (on Android).

To disable automatic activation:

1. Go to Settings → Applications.
2. Find Wi-Fi settings or Wi-Fi Direct in the list of applications.
3. Disable autostart and notifications.
4. If the problem persists, reset your network settings (Settings → System → Reset).