Wi‑Fi Direct is not intended to enable several devices to the same network hub. In reality, Peer-to-Peer Wi‑Fi enables devices to communicate peer-to-peer with each other, doing away with an access point entirely. It establishes a peer-to-peer connection, allowing two or hackmd more devices such as phones to transmit media, play media, or compete online via direct wireless connection independently of a router.

If you want to to link several smartphones to a single router so they can share internet connectivity or access local services on a local network, you must rely on standard Wi-Fi. Just enable the Wi-Fi option on each phone, then pick the router’s network name from the displayed networks. After entering, enter the network key, and all phones will log in separately to the same router.

Wi‑Fi Direct is handy when you want to send images without cloud involvement without consuming cellular data, or when you want to connect a phone to a printer without router dependency. But, it does not replace the function of a router. Trying to employ this feature to bind devices to an access point will fail because Wi‑Fi Direct functions independently of the traditional network infrastructure.

To ensure that all your devices stay connected and can interact seamlessly, rely on conventional wireless networking for access point links. Use Wi‑Fi Direct only if you need a direct wireless link independent of a network. Understanding the difference between these two methods will guide you toward the optimal solution for your needs.