How to enable Wi-Fi Direct on Xiaomi Poco: full instructions with photos and troubleshooting tips

Wi-Fi Direct — is a technology that allows two devices to exchange data directly, without intermediaries like routers or mobile internet. On smartphones Xiaomi Poco This feature often goes unnoticed, yet it can replace Bluetooth for transferring large files, connecting to printers, or even streaming video to a TV. Unlike traditional Wi-Fi, it doesn't require a password—the connection is established point-to-point, making the process as fast and secure as possible.

However, many users face difficulties: where to look for settings Wi-Fi Direct in the firmware MIUI, why devices can't see each other, or how to solve a connection drop. In this article, we'll cover not only the basic steps for activating the feature on Poco X3/X4/X5/F4/F5 and other models, but also nuances that are not mentioned in the official instructions. For example, why On some firmware versions, this option is hidden in the "Additional" menu., or how to bypass the limit on transferring files larger than 4 GB.

What is Wi-Fi Direct and why is it needed on the Xiaomi Poco?

Wi-Fi Direct — is a wireless communication standard that allows devices to create a direct network peer-to-peer (P2P) without a router. In the case of smartphones Xiaomi Poco The technology opens up the following possibilities:

• 📱 File transfer With speeds up to 250 Mbps (5-10 times faster than Bluetooth). Suitable for 4K video, photo archives, or app backups.
• 🖨️ Connecting to printers and MFPs without cables. Many modern printers (for example, HP Envy or Canon PIXMA) support Wi-Fi Direct for printing from a smartphone.
• 📺 Streaming to TVs with Miracast or DLNA support. You can mirror your screen. Poco on Samsung Smart TV or LG OLED without additional adapters.
• 🎮 Connecting gamepadsSome controllers (eg. 8BitDo or Xbox Wireless Controller) can be connected by Wi-Fi Direct for lower delays.

The main advantage over Bluetooth is high speed and no file size limits. For example, transferring a 2GB movie via Bluetooth will take about 20 minutes, whereas Wi-Fi Direct — less than 2 minutes. Energy consumption is lower than using a mobile hotspot.

⚠️ Note: On some models Xiaomi Poco (For example, Poco M3 or Poco C31) function Wi-Fi Direct It may be disabled at the firmware level. This is due to battery optimization or regional restrictions. In this case, the only solution is to flash the firmware to the global version. MIUI.

Do all Xiaomi Poco models support Wi-Fi Direct?

Function Wi-Fi Direct available on most smartphones Xiaomi Poco, but there are nuances:

To find out for sure if your model supports Wi-Fi Direct, check the specifications on the official website Xiaomi or in the settings menu. If the option is missing, try updating the firmware to the latest version. MIUI (especially relevant for budget models like Poco C40).

Step-by-step instructions: how to enable Wi-Fi Direct on the Xiaomi Poco

Activation process Wi-Fi Direct on most devices Xiaomi Poco It takes no more than 3 minutes. Follow the instructions:

1. Open Settings on your smartphone.

2. Go to the section Wi-Fi.

3. Tap the three dots (⋮) in the upper right corner or select Additionally (on some models - Advanced settings).

4. Find the item Wi-Fi Direct (may be called Direct Wi-Fi connection or Wi-Fi P2P).

5. Activate the function with the slider. Your Poco will start scanning for available devices.

6. Select the target device from the list and confirm the connection on both devices.

If the item Wi-Fi Direct missing, try an alternative method:

1. Open Settings → About phone.

2. Tap the item 7 times MIUI versionto activate Developer settings.

3. Return to the main settings menu, select Advanced → Developer settings.

4. Find the option Enable Wi-Fi Direct and activate it.

Make sure Wi-Fi is turned on on both devices|

Check battery charge (minimum 30%)|

Disable VPN or proxy servers|

Place the devices at a distance of no more than 10 meters|

Update your firmware to the latest version-->

Once successfully connected, you'll see a notification in the notification bar. You can now transfer files using the default app. Files (tab Send) or use third-party utilities like Send Anywhere.

How to transfer files via Wi-Fi Direct on a Xiaomi Poco

Data transfer via Wi-Fi Direct on Xiaomi Poco This can be done using both standard tools and third-party applications. Let's consider both options.

Method 1: The standard Files application

1. Open the app Files (folder icon on the home screen).

2. Select the files you want to send (hold your finger for multiple selection).

3. Tap the button Send (up arrow icon).

4. From the list of options, select Wi-Fi Direct.

5. Confirm the transfer on the target device.

Method 2: Fast Transfer Apps

If the standard method is slow or produces errors, use specialized utilities:

• 📲 Send Anywhere — supports file transfers of up to 10 GB without registration. A generated 6-digit code syncs devices.
• 📲 Xender - optimized for Xiaomi, automatically detects devices on the same network.
• 📲 Feem — allows you to create a local network for transferring files between several gadgets.

The transfer speed depends on the version of Wi-Fi on your Poco:

• Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n): up to 150 Mbps (models Poco M2, Poco C3).
• Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac): up to 866 Mbps (Poco X3, Poco F4).
• Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax): up to 1200 Mbps (Poco F5 Pro, Poco X5 Pro).

Common mistakes and their solutions

When using Wi-Fi Direct on Xiaomi Poco Users are encountering common problems. Here's how to solve them:

1. The devices don't see each other

Reasons and solutions:

• 🔄 Different versions of Wi-Fi: Make sure both devices support Wi-Fi Direct. For example, Poco C40 (Wi-Fi 4) will not be able to connect to MacBook Pro (Wi-Fi 6) at maximum speed.
• 📵 Airplane mode is enabled: Disable it or enable Wi-Fi manually.
• 🔒 MAC address blocking: On some firmware versions MIUI There is a limitation on connecting unknown devices. Go to Settings → Wi-Fi → Advanced Settings → Private DNS and turn it off.

2. The connection is broken during transmission

What to do:

• 🔋 Low battery: Connect your smartphone to a charger. The battery level is below 15%. MIUI automatically limits energy-intensive functions.
• 📡 Interference from other networks: Move to a less crowded area or turn off nearby Wi-Fi routers.
• 🛠️ Reset network settings: Go to Settings → System → Reset settings → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile network, and Bluetooth settings.

3. Unable to transfer files larger than 4 GB

This limitation is related to the file system. FAT32, which is used MIUI for temporary storage. Solutions:

• 🗃️ Split the file into parts using an archiver (for example, ZArchiver).
• 📁 Use third-party apps like Send Anywhere, which bypass this limitation.
• 🔧 Reflash your device to a custom firmware (for example, Pixel Experience), supporting exFAT.

⚠️ Note: On some models Xiaomi Poco (For example, Poco X3 NFC) after updating to MIUI 14 the option may disappear Wi-Fi DirectThis is a firmware bug. The solution is to roll back to the previous version or wait for a patch.

Why is Wi-Fi Direct slower than expected?

Speed ​​depends on many factors: Wi-Fi version, distance between devices, interference, and firmware. For example, on Poco F3 With MIUI 13 Actual transfer speeds rarely exceed 100 Mbps due to software limitations. To speed things up, try:

1. Switch to the 5 GHz channel (if both devices support it).

2. Disable background apps that consume traffic.

3. Use applications that are optimized for P2P (for example, LocalSend).

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

Although Wi-Fi Direct Although it is considered a secure protocol, there are a few vulnerabilities that are worth knowing about:

• 🕵️ MAC address spoofingAn attacker can spoof the MAC address of a trusted device and intercept data. The solution is to use encrypted applications (e.g., Send Anywhere with a password).
• 📡 Traffic sniffingIn public places (cafes, airports), data may be intercepted. Avoid transmitting confidential files in such environments.
• 🔄 Man-in-the-middle attacksConnecting to unknown devices is more risky. Always check the device name before confirming the connection.

To improve security:

1. Turn it off Wi-Fi Direct after use.
2. Use only trusted file transfer apps.
3. Do not connect to devices with suspicious names (eg. FREE_WIFI_DIRECT).
4. Update your firmware regularly - in new versions MIUI vulnerabilities are closed.

Starting from MIUI 14, Xiaomi added an option Secure direct connection (on the menu Wi-Fi Direct). Turn it on if you are transmitting sensitive data.

Wi-Fi Direct Alternatives for Xiaomi Poco

If Wi-Fi Direct If this doesn't work or isn't suitable for your needs, consider alternative data transfer methods:

To transfer files between two smartphones Xiaomi It's convenient to use the proprietary function Mi Share (previously Xiaomi File Transfer). It works via a combination of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, providing speeds of up to 20 MB/s. To activate:

1. Open Settings → Connection and sharing → Mi Share.
2. Enable the feature and select files to send.
3. On the second device, confirm receipt.

FAQ: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Wi-Fi Direct to connect a gamepad to the Poco X5 Pro?

Yes, but only if the gamepad supports the protocol Wi-Fi Direct (For example, 8BitDo Pro 2 or Razer Kishi). To connect:

1. Activate Wi-Fi Direct on a smartphone.
2. Put the gamepad into pairing mode (usually by holding down the button Share + Home).
3. Select your gamepad from the list of available devices.

If the connection fails, update the gamepad firmware using the official software.

Why is there no Wi-Fi Direct option on the Poco M4 Pro 5G?

On some models (especially budget ones), this feature is hidden or disabled by default. Try this:

• Update firmware to the latest version MIUI.
• Activate Developer settings and turn on Wi-Fi Direct manually.
• Use third-party applications (eg. Wi-Fi Direct Assistant).

If nothing helps, the function may be disabled at the hardware level.

How to transfer files from Poco F5 to MacBook via Wi-Fi Direct?

MacBook does not support Wi-Fi Direct directly, but there are workarounds:

1. Install the utility on your Mac AirDrop (built into macOS) and use it to receive files.
2. Or connect to MacBook as an access point and then use Send Anywhere or LocalSend.

For screen streaming on Mac, the following application is suitable: ApowerMirror.

Is it possible to connect Poco X3 to a Canon printer via Wi-Fi Direct?

Yes, if the printer supports it Wi-Fi Direct (For example, Canon PIXMA TS or Epson EcoTank). Instructions:

1. Activate Wi-Fi Direct on the printer (usually a button Wi-Fi + retention Direct).
2. On Poco X3 turn on Wi-Fi Direct and select the printer from the list.
3. Install the application Canon PRINT for printing.

If the printer does not show up, check that both devices are on the same network (even if it is a direct connection).

How to reset Wi-Fi Direct settings on Poco F4 GT?

If the connection is unstable, try resetting it:

1. Go to Settings → System → Reset settings.
2. Select Reset Wi-Fi, mobile network, and Bluetooth settings.
3. Confirm the action. All saved networks and passwords will be deleted.

After the reset, restart your smartphone and try connecting again.