Buying a new smartphone Xiaomi or Redmi — this is always an exciting moment, marking the beginning of acquaintance with the advanced capabilities of the operating system MIUI or new HyperOSThe first and most critical step to fully using your device is connecting to the global network; without it, your phone becomes a limited-function gadget. The process of connecting to a wireless network Wi-Fi The developers have simplified the interface as much as possible on devices in this line, but beginners may encounter some nuances of the interface.
In this article, we'll detail the steps required for successful authorization on a home or public network. You'll learn not only about basic settings, but also how to select the correct frequency range and what to do if your device refuses to recognize the router. network setup At the start, it will ensure the stable operation of all services in the future.
Particular attention should be paid to security and entering passwords correctly, as it's during the initial setup that errors often occur, leading to connection issues later. We'll cover standard scenarios and specific cases that require manual intervention. IP addressing.
Initial activation and network selection
After turning on your new device and going through the initial welcome screen, the system will prompt you to select your language and region. Immediately afterward, if your device doesn't have a SIM card with active mobile data or you're outside of cellular coverage, Android will strongly prompt you to connect to an available access point. A list of available networks detected by the module will appear on the screen. Wi-Fi.
Find the name (SSID) of your home router in the list. By default, it usually contains the manufacturer's brand, for example, TP-Link, Keenetic or Asus, possibly with added numbers. Tap the network name with your finger. If the network is secured, which is the security standard, a password entry window will open. Enter the security key, being careful about the case of the letters, as the system authorization sensitive to this parameter.
⚠️ Caution: It's easy to make a mistake when entering a password on a touchscreen. Use the "Show Password" feature (the eye icon) to visually confirm that you've entered the correct characters before clicking "Connect."
Once the data has been successfully entered, the device will begin the handshake with the router. The status under the network name will change to "Connected," and a signal icon will appear next to it. Now your Redmi Ready to sync time, check for system updates, and sign in to your account Google.
Managing settings via the notification panel
operating system MIUI Provides quick access to key communication functions via the notification shade. To access it, swipe down from the top of the screen. The menu that opens contains switches for the main modules, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and airplane mode.
To access advanced settings, you don't need to look for the gear icon in the main menu. Simply long-press (about 2 seconds) the module icon. Wi-Fi in the dashboard. This action will instantly take you to the corresponding section of the settings menu, where all available networks and the current connection parameters are displayed.
Here you can also quickly turn the wireless module on or off. If you're in range of multiple networks, such as at a neighbor's or office location, this menu will display a full list. System scanning Works in the background and automatically updates the list when the signal level changes.
Advanced Wi-Fi settings in the phone menu
For advanced configuration, you need to go to the main settings menu. Find the section Settings → Wi-FiThis menu displays not only the connection status but also a list of saved networks. Clicking the arrow to the right of the active network name takes you to a detailed window with information about the current connection.
Here the user can see technical information: IP address, link speed, channel frequency, and device MAC address. At the bottom of the screen, there's a "Delete Network" button that allows you to forget the current configuration and passwords, which is useful when changing the router or access password.
An important feature is the ability to change the MAC address privacy type. By default Android A router can use a random MAC address to enhance security in public areas. However, some home routers with MAC address filtering may block the connection. In this case, you should switch the setting to "Use device MAC address."
☑️ Checking connection parameters
Choosing a Frequency Band: 2.4 GHz vs. 5 GHz
Modern smartphones Redmi support operation in two ranges: 2.4 GHz And 5 GHzUnderstanding the difference between them is critical to ensuring stable internet speeds. The 2.4 GHz band has better wall penetration, but is often congested by neighbors' routers and household appliances.
The 5 GHz band offers significantly higher data transfer rates and is less susceptible to interference, but it has a shorter range and is less effective at penetrating solid walls. If your router is dual-band, it may broadcast two networks with the same name or with the suffix "5G" appended to the name.
For gaming and watching high definition videos (4K) It's recommended to force the 5 GHz network if you're close to the router. For smart home and background tasks where signal range is important, 2.4 GHz is better. The smartphone automatically selects the network with the best signal if the network names are combined.
| Parameter | 2.4 GHz band | 5 GHz band |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Up to 450 Mbps | Up to 1300 Mbps and higher |
| Range | High | Medium/Low |
| Permeability | Good | Bad |
| Workload | High (a lot of interference) | Low |
Setting up a static IP address
In some cases the standard setting DHCP, which automatically assigns addresses, may not work correctly or be required for specific tasks, such as port forwarding or connecting to network printers. In such cases, you must manually enter static IPTo do this, in the menu of the selected network, click on the settings arrow and find the "IP Settings" item.
Switch the mode from "DHCP" to "Static." Fields for entering numerical values will open. You will need to know the addressing of your local network. Typically, the gateway (router) has the address 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1The phone's IP address must differ from the router's address only by the last digit, being in the range from 2 to 254.
IP address: 192.168.1.150Gateway: 192.168.1.1
Network prefix length: 24
DNS 1: 8.8.8.8
DNS 2: 8.8.4.4
After entering the information, click the save button. Your phone will reconnect to the network with the new settings. This may resolve issues with unstable ping in games or packet loss.
⚠️ Warning: Entering a static IP address incorrectly (for example, due to an address conflict with another device on the network) may result in loss of internet access on both devices. Use this method only if you are confident in your network's addressing.
Hidden networks and advanced options
For security reasons, some administrators hide the network name (SSID), making it invisible to regular scanners. To connect to such a point on Redmi, you need to scroll down the list of networks to the "Add network" item.
In the menu that opens, enter the exact network name (SSID), taking care to include capitalization and special characters. In the "Security" field, select the encryption type used by the router (most often, this is WPA/WPA2-Personal). Enter the password and click "Save." The phone will begin actively searching for the hidden network and attempting to connect.
The Wi-Fi menu also includes a "Wi-Fi Assistant" section. This feature allows the phone to automatically switch to mobile data if the wireless network signal becomes too weak for comfortable use. This is a useful feature, but it may use up your mobile data plan.
Why hide the SSID?
Hiding the network name isn't a reliable security method, as professional sniffers can easily detect hidden networks through their service packets. This is only a measure against "nosy neighbors," not hackers.
Solving common connection problems
Despite the simplicity of setup, users may encounter situations where the phone won't connect or constantly loses connection. This is often caused by time desynchronization or an overflowing network settings cache. First, try simply rebooting the router by unplugging it for 10 seconds.
If rebooting doesn't help, reset your phone's network settings. Go to Settings → Connection and sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks, and BluetoothPlease note that this action will delete all saved Wi-Fi passwords and Bluetooth pairings, but will not affect your personal photos or contacts.
Another reason could be incompatibility of encryption standards. If the router is very old and uses a protocol WEP, modern versions Android may block the connection for security reasons. In this case, you will need to either update your router or change the security type in its settings to WPA2-PSK.
⚠️ Note: The menu interface and item names may differ slightly depending on the MIUI firmware version (12, 13, 14) or the upgrade to HyperOS. The logic remains the same, but the icon layout may vary. Always check the current interface for your device.
Why doesn't my Redmi phone detect my home Wi-Fi, even though other devices are working?
The problem most likely lies with the channel your router is using. Some channels (especially in the 5 GHz band) may not be supported by your phone's regional settings. Try changing the broadcast channel in your router settings to a more standard one (e.g., 36, 40, 44 for 5 GHz or 1, 6, 11 for 2.4 GHz) or changing the wireless module's operating region.
How can I find out the Wi-Fi password if it's saved on my Redmi?
On modern versions of MIUI and Android 10+, you can view the password. Go to Wi-Fi settings and tap the active network. The system will prompt you to scan a QR code to connect another device. The password is often displayed in plain text below the QR code, or you can see it by scanning the code with another phone.
Does the case affect Wi-Fi reception?
Yes, it can. Cases with metal inserts, magnetic rings for car mounts, or very thick rubberized models can shield the antennas, which on Redmi phones are often located at the top or bottom of the case. If the signal is weak, try removing the case and checking the reception level.
What should I do if it says "Obtaining IP address..." and it stays there forever?
This indicates a communication problem between the phone and the router's DHCP server. Try manually entering a static IP (as described above) or temporarily disabling MAC address filtering in the router. Forgetting the network and re-entering the password also helps.