James Harper
How To Share WiFi Password Using QR Codes on Xiaomi Devices
Sharing your WiFi password using a QR code on a Xiaomi phone is actually pretty handy—especially when friends drop by and you’re tired of telling them the password every time. This lets them just scan the code, and bam, they’re connected without messing up the password or typing in a long string of characters. The catch? Sometimes, the option isn’t obvious, or it’s flaky depending on the MIUI version. So, this guide is a quick walkthrough to get it working, avoiding some common pitfalls like outdated apps or missed steps. Once you’ve got this figured out, sharing your WiFi becomes a matter of seconds.
Getting Started: Pre-requisites
First off, make sure your Xiaomi is actually connected to the WiFi you want to share. No point generating a QR code if you’re not on that network or WiFi isn’t working. Also, check you’re running a recent MIUI version—usually, MIUI 12 or newer adds this feature natively. And nope, no extra apps needed; this is built into the system menus, at least most of the time. If your MIUI is old, you’ll want to update it first via Settings > About phone > System Update.
How to Generate and Share a WiFi QR Code on Xiaomi
Access the WiFi Sharing Feature
This is where it gets weird sometimes—depending on your MIUI version, the option might be in different spots. On most newer Xiaomi phones, you need to go to Settings, then tap Wi-Fi. Find your current network, tap on it, and look for a gear icon or a menu with ‘Manage network’. From there, you should see a QR code icon somewhere near the network details. If it’s missing, your MIUI version might be too old, or the feature is hidden.
Pro tip: On some setups, it’s under Settings > Wi-Fi > Connected network > Share or a similar route. If you still can’t find it, try searching inside the Settings search bar with keywords like “QR code” or “WiFi share”.
Generate the QR Code
Once you tap that QR code icon, a code will pop up that encodes your WiFi details, including SSID and password. This is pretty much the magic moment. Expect a square barcode with your network info—sometimes, it’s a static image, sometimes it refreshes if you reconnect or toggle WiFi off/on. If that doesn’t work, resetting WiFi (turn it off, then on) sometimes gets it to display. Be sure your device is connected and on the right network—of course, otherwise, the code doesn’t match the network you want to share.
Share the QR Code
Now, the easiest way? Just ask your guest to open their camera app and point it at the QR code. Many modern camera apps support QR code scanning natively; check if theirs does. If not, they might need a QR code scanner app—like Google Lens, or QR Code Reader. On some Xiaomi devices, the camera will recognize the code directly without extra apps. Once scanned, the device usually prompts for a connection—no typing required. I’ve seen this work on multiple phones, but on a few, the scanning process is flaky unless the QR code is clear and well-lit. Been there, done that.
Optional: Using Quick Share or Other Methods
If you’re into Xiaomi’s ecosystem, you can also use Quick Share to send the WiFi password directly to another Xiaomi device. Just head to Settings > Connection > Wi-Fi > Share password or similar—this works if the device supports this feature. But honestly, for quick sharing, QR code beats the hassle of copying or telling passwords aloud.
Additional Tips & Common Issues
- Make sure your camera app is up to date—older versions might not recognize QR codes. Or try Google Lens if your Xiaomi’s default app sucks.
- Some Xiaomi models hide the share option behind a menu like More or Advanced inside WiFi settings. Fumble around if you can’t find it immediately.
- If the QR code won’t display despite being connected, toggle WiFi off and back on, or restart your phone. Sometimes, Xiaomi’s MIUI just refuses to show it until a restart.
- On one setup it worked the first time, on another it was dead silent—kind of weird, but sometimes MIUI updates break or hide features temporarily.
Wrap-up
Getting this to work isn’t always perfectly straightforward, but once it’s set, sharing WiFi becomes super quick. Just be aware of your MIUI version, keep your apps updated, and test the QR code scanning beforehand to avoid missing out on easy sharing. The more modern your MIUI, the more seamless this gets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I share my WiFi password with non-Xiaomi devices?
Definitely. QR codes work across most smartphones, whether iPhone, Samsung, or other Androids. Just make sure their camera app supports QR code scanning—or install a free scanner if not.
What if my QR code isn’t working?
Check that the code is clear and well-lit. Sometimes, a blurry or shaded QR code won’t scan. Also, make sure you’re connected to the correct WiFi network; sharing a QR code from a different network won’t help. If it still fails, try generating a new QR code or rebooting your device.
How many devices can connect via that QR code?
Depends on your router. Most routers have a device limit, usually 20-50. QR code sharing only grants access, but the router still caps how many can be online at once.