Xiaomi Mi WiFi Repeater Problems

LStoibs on 16/08/2017 - 09:21
Last edited 16/08/2017 - 13:53

Hi all, relatively new Ozbargainer here and this is actually my first post/comment.
These Repeaters from some of the recent deals in June/July (https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/321520) just turned up yesterday and I have been having nothing but dramas trying to get them setup.

My first biggest hurdle is that the MiHome app just straight up 'isn't compatible' with any of my devices..
(Nexus 7, Samsung Galaxy S2 Tab, Amazon Kindle Fire 8 tablets; or my Galaxy J1 Mini smartphone)
Won't let me download the app with the aforementioned message being displayed on the Playstore.

All the googling around to see how these things work all just start off with a nonchalant 'Download the app' without much fanfare, and so it's starting to get quite frustrating since I've never even encountered compatibility problems like this before.
Followed some of the minor suggestions like clearing the playstore data and updating the Playstore itself etc. with no success.

Tried to contact Zapals here but haven't heard a reply back yet, wondering if anyone else has any insights?
Thanks.

EDIT: So after getting into contact with support I think it's mostly sorted. For whatever reason the regular googleplay app won't work for me (Someone mentioned tablets, but it still didn't like my phone either), and the QR code I was scanning on the product packaging instructions was more or less just linking and taking me to that same Googleplay store app. Support suggested scanning the QR code near the bottom of the actual Zapals website product page for the repeater (https://www.zapals.com/xiaomi-mi-300mbps-wifi-repeater-2-eng…), and that linked straight to an apk download that seems to be working now.
Just need to wait until I get off work to test it all out now, thanks for all the replies guys. Gotta remember to set location to China etc. ;)

Computing

Comments

  • R-Man on 16/08/2017 - 09:56
    +1

    Hi mate, if possible try finding the .apk file for the Mi Home app, copying it to an android device and installing it from File Manager?

    By the way, I bought the same thing from Zapals and it barely works for me. Set up was no problem using Mi Home but it frequently loses connection to the main Access Point. All connected devices say "No internet on this connection" like every 5 minutes. Pretty annoying.

    • Stoibs on 16/08/2017 - 11:05
      +1

      Thanks, yeah that was my next possible thing to attempt.
      Though I do get wary about downloading and running third party .apk's like this.

      I actually did go looking briefly and found something that threw some malware/virus warnings at me as I attempted to open it, which I noped right back out of.
      Was hoping for a more simple solution and support with the official app for something that is touted and advertised as being simple to setup within minutes =(

      Shame to hear about the spotty connectivity though, indeed I am hearing very mixed things about these the more I poke around. I guess you get what you pay for.

      • donnot on 16/08/2017 - 12:48
        +1

        I just installed and extracted the Mi Home app on my S8. Uploaded to Google Drive here if you'd like to give it a try (without the risk if you trust me ;)), but as Scrimshaw said, probably won't work on any of your devices.

  • eriklee on 16/08/2017 - 10:30
    +1

    i've bought about 5 of these and they work great with existing xiaomi hardware and non-xiaomi hardware.

    just remember to set your locale to china otherwise you might run into dramas - the app works in english.

    So download the app, install, create a xiaomi account, make sure you reset the device (pin in reset hole for about 5 seconds and then it should start flashing) - then whilst in the mihome app it add the device and select the appropriate hardware and follow the onscreen instructions.

    i think there's a few guides on youtube and the web that should assist you.

  • scrimshaw on 16/08/2017 - 12:41
    +1

    The mi home app does not work on tablets. I have tried installing it on Samsung GAlaxy Tab S, Tab S2, Nexus 7 tab, ASUS memoPad, MemoPad FHD 10.1, and none of them are compatible.

    So I'm guessing that the app will only work on devices that are not classed as tablets. Not sure why it's so picky.

    It also won't work on my phones that run operating systems that are too old. THL W8 runs 4.3, and Huawei Ascend ran 4.4, and these won't install.

    It does work on my Xiaomi Mi Max, running 6.0 and Samsung Galaxy S7 running the latest 7. Nougat.

  • AlienC on 17/08/2017 - 13:49

    Just checked the official Google play store on my tablet (Huawei Mediapad M3) wowie the reviews on the play store do not look pretty.

    Device not compatible for my tablet looks like we need to go with option 2.

    Edit: working on Huawei Mediapad M3 tablet through apkpure app

    Got it to work but kind of scared now that I have a mi home app account (xiaomi has my details birthday and gender oh well I will need one anyways for when I maybe get a xiaomi robot vacuum).

    Downloaded it using apkpure https://m.apkpure.com/ (totally legit amazeballs)

    Most of the sign in and settings are in English, selected US (local US server for now supposedly the new one not the old Singapore US Server) and good to go.

    The manually add devices are mostly in Chinese with some mixed English.

    I don't have any xiaomi devices to test it on so can't go any further but yeah if you don't mind using apks get the apkpure app from https://m.apkpure.com/ and download it there.

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