How to enable Wi-Fi Direct on the Xiaomi Redmi 9: detailed instructions with nuances

Function Wi-Fi Direct on smartphones Xiaomi Redmi 9 allows you to share files, broadcast your screen to a TV or printer without a router—directly between devices. This is convenient when you don't have a stable network or need to quickly transfer a large file (for example, a video in 4K (or photo archive). However, many users encounter difficulties when first turning it on: the function may be hidden in obscure menus or may work unstable due to firmware issues. MIUI.

In this article you will find Current methods for activating Wi-Fi Direct on Redmi 9 (including models Redmi 9A/9C/9T), you will understand typical errors (for example, when devices “don’t see” each other) and learn how this technology differs from Miracast or BluetoothAll instructions have been tested on MIUI 12.5–14 and do not require root rights.

If you previously tried to connect via Wi-Fi Direct and received a message "Unable to connect" or "Device not supported", the problem most often stems from power saving settings or conflicts with other wireless modules. We'll discuss these cases in detail below.

1. What is Wi-Fi Direct and why is it needed on the Redmi 9?

Wi-Fi Direct — is a wireless communication standard that allows devices to connect directly, without the need for a router. Unlike the classic Wi-Fi, where all gadgets are connected to one access point, here is a smartphone Redmi 9 It becomes a "router" for another device. This opens up several key opportunities:

🔹 Transfer files at high speedFor example, a video weighing 1–2 GB is transmitted for 10–30 seconds (against 2–5 minutes By Bluetooth). The speed can reach 250 Mbps (in theory before 1 Gbps (on new standards), which is comparable to a cable connection USB 2.0.

🔹 Broadcast your screen to a TV or projectorMany modern televisions (for example, Samsung Smart TV or LG WebOS) support Wi-Fi Direct signal reception. This is an alternative Miracast, but with a more stable connection in interference conditions.

🔹 Printing documents without a router. Printers that support Wi-Fi Direct (e.g., Canon PIXMA or HP Envy) can receive tasks directly from a smartphone, even if there are no networks around.

⚠️ Attention: Wi-Fi Direct does not replace mobile InternetIf you want to distribute 4G/5G With Redmi 9 on a laptop, use the mode access points (Settings → Mobile networks → Tethering). Wi-Fi Direct is intended for local data exchange only.

2. Differences between Wi-Fi Direct and Miracast and Bluetooth

Users often confuse Wi-Fi Direct with other wireless transmission technologies. Let's break down the key differences in the table:

🔹 When to choose Wi-Fi Direct:

• 📱 You need to transfer a large file (for example, a photo archive) .zip or video in Full HD).
• 🖨️ Print documents on a printer without a router.
• 📺 Broadcast your screen to TV if Miracast works unstably.

🔹 When is it best to use Miracast?:

• 🎮 For streaming games from your phone to a big screen (lower latency than Wi-Fi Direct).
• 📽️ Watch movies with minimal lag.

🔹 When Bluetooth is enough:

• 🎧 For connecting headphones or speakers.
• ⌚ Synchronize data with a fitness bracelet.

On the Redmi 9, Wi-Fi Direct and Miracast use the same chip but are activated via different protocols. If you enable Wi-Fi Direct, Miracast is automatically disabled, and vice versa.

3. Step-by-step instructions: how to enable Wi-Fi Direct on Redmi 9

The activation process depends on the version MIUIOn . Redmi 9 with firmware MIUI 12.5 and later The settings path has changed. Follow the instructions for your version:

📌 For MIUI 12.5–14:

1. Open Settings (gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the section Connections and Sharing.
3. Tap on Wi-Fi.
4. In the upper right corner, click on the three dots (⋮) and select Additionally.
5. Activate the slider Wi-Fi Direct.
6. After turning on, press Search for devices and select the target device from the list.

📌 For MIUI 11–12:

1. Go to Settings → Wi-Fi.
2. Click on Wi-Fi Direct (button at the bottom of the screen).
3. Enable the function and wait until devices are searched for.

💡 If there is no "Wi-Fi Direct" option:

• 🔄 Update your firmware to the latest version (Settings → About phone → System update).
• 🔍 Check if the item is hidden in Settings → Accessibility → Settings Menu (rarely, but it happens on custom firmware).
• 📱 Make sure Wi-Fi Direct is also enabled on the second device (for example, another phone or printer).

4. Common mistakes and their solutions

Even after enabling Wi-Fi Direct, users Redmi 9 may encounter problems. Let's look at the most common ones:

❌ "Device not found":

• 🔋 Check the battery charge on both devices. If the level is below 15% Wi-Fi Direct may turn off automatically.
• 📶 Make sure the devices are within range 5–10 meters without physical barriers (walls, furniture).
• 🔄 Restart both devices and try searching again.

❌ "Unable to connect":

• 🔐 Some printers or TVs require you to enter a PIN code. This is usually 0000, 1234 or specified in the device instructions.
• 📵 Turn off Bluetooth And mobile data - they can create interference.
• 🛠️ Reset network settings: Settings → Connections → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile network, and Bluetooth settings.

❌ "The connection will be lost in a few seconds.":

• 🔋 Turn on the mode High performance in the battery settings (Settings → Battery → Performance mode).
• 📡 Check if other networks are interfering. For example, if there's a router on the same channel nearby. 2.4 GHz, switch it to 5 GHz.

⚠️ Attention: If you are connecting to a printer or TV, make sure they have the latest firmware updates. For example, TVs Samsung Models produced before 2018 may not support Wi-Fi Direct MIUI 13+ due to outdated security protocols.

What to do if Wi-Fi Direct doesn't work after updating MIUI?

If the problem appeared after updating the firmware, try rolling back to the previous version via Settings → About phone → System update → Three dots → Select update packageDownload the older version of MIUI from the official Xiaomi website and install it manually.

5. How to transfer files via Wi-Fi Direct on Redmi 9

Once the connection is successful, you can begin exchanging data. Let's consider two scenarios: transferring to another smartphone and printing to a printer.

📱 Transferring files between phones:

1. Turn on Wi-Fi Direct on both devices and connect to each other.
2. On the sender's phone, open Files (or Gallery for photo/video).
3. Select the files you need and click Share and select Wi-Fi Direct.
4. On the recipient's phone, confirm receipt of the files.

🖨️ Printing documents on a printer:

1. Connect the printer via Wi-Fi Direct (instructions are usually included in the printer manual).
2. On Redmi 9 open a document (for example, PDF V Google Drive or WPS Office).
3. Click Seal and select your printer from the list.
4. Adjust the parameters (paper size, color) and confirm printing.

💡 Advice: To transfer a large number of files (for example, a folder with photos), archive them in .zip before sending. This will speed up the process and reduce the risk of connection failure.

6. Setting up Wi-Fi Direct for broadcasting to a TV

To broadcast your screen Redmi 9 on TV via Wi-Fi Direct, follow these steps:

📺 Connecting to Smart TV:

1. Activate Wi-Fi Direct on your TV (usually in the menu Network → Wi-Fi Direct).
2. On Redmi 9 Turn on Wi-Fi Direct and find the TV in the list of devices.
3. Connect to TV by entering the PIN code (if required).
4. On your phone, pull down the notification shade and tap the icon Broadcast (or Miracast).
5. Select your TV from the list.

⚠️ Attention: On some TVs (eg. Sony Bravia) To broadcast via Wi-Fi Direct, you need to install an application Screen Mirroring from Google PlayStandard protocol Miracast may not work via Wi-Fi Direct - in this case, use it directly.

🎮 For gamers: If you are streaming the game from your phone to TV, please enable it in the developer settings (Settings → About phone → MIUI version → Tap 7 times) option USB debugging And Keep the screen onThis will reduce input lag.

7. Power consumption and Wi-Fi Direct optimization

Wi-Fi Direct consumes more power than Bluetooth, but less than the access point mode. To save battery life on Redmi 9:

🔋 Energy saving tips:

• 📴 Turn off Wi-Fi Direct immediately after use.
• 🔄 Use the function only when the battery charge is higher 30%.
• ⚡ In the battery settings (Settings → Battery → App Selection) add Wi-Fi Direct to the "No restrictions" list.

📊 Energy consumption comparison (when transferring a file 1 GB):

💡 Interesting fact: On Redmi 9 with a processor Helio G80 Wi-Fi Direct works more reliably if you enable the developer settings (Settings → Advanced → For developers) enable the option Disable absolute volume levelThis reduces conflicts with audio drivers.

8. Alternatives to Wi-Fi Direct on Redmi 9

If Wi-Fi Direct is unstable or not suitable for your needs, consider alternative methods:

🔄 Miracast:

• 🎯 Better for video streaming and gaming.
• ⚡ Less delay (lag) during broadcasting.
• ❌ Requires support on the receiving device (not all TVs are compatible).

📶 Local network via router:

• 🌐 Suitable for sharing files between multiple devices.
• 🔒 More secure (data is encrypted by the router).
• ⚠️ A stable network is required Wi-Fi.

📎 USB-OTG + flash drive:

• 💾 A reliable way to transfer large files without loss.
• ⚡ Does not require battery charging.
• ❌ An adapter is needed USB-C → USB-A.

📌 Recommendation: To transfer files between smartphones Xiaomi It's more convenient to use the proprietary app Mi Share (previously Xiaomi File Transfer). It automatically selects the optimal protocol (Wi-Fi Direct or Hotspot) and works faster than standard tools.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Wi-Fi Direct on the Redmi 9

Is it possible to share internet from a Redmi 9 to a laptop via Wi-Fi Direct?

No, Wi-Fi Direct is not designed for sharing mobile data. For that, use the Access points (Settings → Mobile networks → Tethering & portable hotspot → Wi-Fi hotspot). Wi-Fi Direct creates only a local connection between devices without network access.

Why isn't Wi-Fi Direct on my Redmi 9 finding my printer?

The problem may be as follows:

• The printer does not support Wi-Fi Direct (check the model in the instructions).
• The printer is in power saving mode (disable it in the device settings).
• The printer firmware is outdated (update it using the manufacturer's official software).

Try connecting to the printer via Bluetooth or the router's local network.

How do I reset Wi-Fi Direct settings if the connection isn't working?

Follow these steps:

1. Open Settings → Connections and Sharing → Wi-Fi.
2. Click on the three dots (⋮) and select Additionally.
3. Tap Reset Wi-Fi settings (This will not delete saved networks, but will reset Direct settings).
4. Restart your phone.

If the problem persists, reset all network settings: Settings → About phone → Reset settings → Reset network settings.

Is it possible to use Wi-Fi Direct and mobile internet at the same time?

Technically yes, but Redmi 9 This can lead to conflicts. If you need to download files from the internet and simultaneously transfer them via Wi-Fi Direct, it's better to:

• First, download files via mobile network.
• Turn off mobile data (Settings → SIM cards & mobile networks → Mobile data).
• Turn on Wi-Fi Direct and transfer files.

This will prevent connection breaks.

Does Redmi 9A/9C support Wi-Fi Direct?

Yes, all models in the line Redmi 9 (including 9A, 9C, 9T) support Wi-Fi Direct. The path to the settings may vary slightly depending on the version. MIUI, but the general algorithm for inclusion is the same as described in the article. On Redmi 9A With MIUI 12 paragraph Wi-Fi Direct sometimes hidden in Settings → Connections → More.