How to view traffic on Xiaomi: full control of data consumption

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphone owners often face the challenge of knowing exactly how much internet traffic a device consumes over a period. MIUI’s shell and its global version of HyperOS provide built-in, powerful network monitoring tools that not only track the total amount of data transferred, but also analyze the behavior of each program in detail, critical for users with a limited plan, as well as those who want to identify hidden processes that consume battery and megabytes in the background.

Understanding how to view traffic on Xiaomi gives you complete control over the device, and you can set tight limits, disable data transfers for specific applications, or set up alerts that will work long before the carrier charges additional funds. Unlike standard Android solutions, Xiaomi’s system offers more flexible profile settings, which is especially convenient for those using two different types of profiles. SIM-card.

In this article, we will take a look at all the monitoring methods available, from quick widget browsing to deep customization of system constraints, and we will look at how to interpret statistics, where to look for hidden settings, and what nuances of the work of telecom operators should be considered when setting up a phone.

Use of the built-in Security application

The main tool for managing resources in Xiaomi smartphones is the system application Security. This is where all the key settings are concentrated, allowing Xiaomi to view traffic and manage its consumption. To get started, you need to launch this application, which is usually located in the Tools folder on your desktop. After opening, go to the Traffic section, which is often represented by an icon with a graph or diagram.

In the menu that opens, you will see a summary of your monthly data consumption. The system automatically pulls up your tariff data if you have previously set up a profile, or shows your total consumption. This shows the amount of mobile Internet and Wi-Fi connections used. It is important to note that the data can be updated with a slight delay, so you sometimes need to update the page with a downward swipe to get up-to-date information.

⚠️ Note: System statistics may differ slightly from your carrier's due to differences in packet counting and rounding methods. 5-10% from your tariff limit.

For more detailed analysis, click on Statistics or Data Use inside this section, which opens a list of all installed applications, sorted by traffic consumed, and you can switch between Mobile Data and Wi-Fi tabs to see which channel the program is most actively interacting with the server through.

Setting up the tariff plan and limits

To make the control function work effectively, you need to adjust your plan correctly, and without this step, the system will not be able to warn you that the limit is approaching. In the Traffic section of the Security app, select Settings (usually the gear icon in the corner) or click on the Setup button in your profile. SIM-map.

You will need to enter several parameters:

• 📊 Traffic limit: specify the exact amount of gigabytes available to you at the rate (for example, 10 GB or 20 GB).
• 📅 Reset date: Select the day of the month when the operator starts a new billing period (often the 1st, 10th or 20th of the month).
• ⚠️ Warning: Set a threshold (in percentages or megabytes) when the phone reaches you will start notifying you.
• 🚫 Limitation: Optionally, you can set a hard limit, when you reach which the mobile Internet will be automatically disabled.

Once the data is entered, the system will start to keep an accurate countdown. If you have an unlimited tariff, it is still recommended to set a "soft" limit, for example, 90% of the speed after which the operator cuts the speed to monitor the quality of the connection.

⚠️ Note: When setting a reset date, be careful. If you specify the wrong day, the statistics will be reset not when the operator does, which will lead to incorrect display of the remaining traffic at the beginning of the new month.

For users with two SIM-It is important to configure these parameters separately for each card. MIUI allow SIM-tag cards (e.g., “Work”, “Personal”), which simplifies navigation and prevents confusion when viewing reports.

Detailed analysis of the annexes

One of the most useful features is the ability to see which app is eating up your Internet. In the list of statistics, you'll see programs ranked from the most voracious to the least active, and it often turns out that not only social networks, but also system services or games consume significant amounts of data.

Clicking on a specific application in the list, you're taken to the menu of detailed settings.

• 📉 Total volume: total amount of data sent and received.
• 📅 Dynamics: consumption schedule for the last 30 days or the current month.
• 🔒 Background mode: the ability to prohibit an application from using the Internet when it is folded.
• 🌐 Wi-Fi access: banning wireless connections (useful for programs that shouldn’t be updated without your knowledge).

Special attention should be paid to system processes such as Google Play Services or MIUI System, which can quietly download updates or sync data in the background. If you see an abnormally high consumption, check the settings for auto-update applications.

⚠️ Warning: Do not disconnect network access for system components unless you are sure of their purpose.This can cause push notifications to malfunction, geolocation, or even interface failures.

You can also set up background activity restriction here, which doesn't block the app completely, but it doesn't allow it to transmit data until you open it, and it's a great way to save traffic for programs that you don't use very often.

Background and autoload management

Background mode is the main source of invisible traffic consumption. Apps can update news feeds, download video previews or sync files even when the phone screen is turned off. At Xiaomi, this process is managed through the Traffic Savings menu.

To move to fine-tuning:

1. Open the phone settings.
2. Go to the Appendix section.
3. Select Application Management.
4. Find the program you want and click Traffic Saving (or Data Use).

Here you'll see the Background Mode switch. If you turn it off, the app will only work when it's open on the screen. There's also the AutoRun option on this menu. Turning off AutoRun prevents the program from starting with the phone, which also indirectly affects network activity in the first minutes after the device wakes up.

Note that for messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber), the restriction of the background mode can lead to a delay in the arrival of messages. You will receive notifications only after opening the application. Use this feature with caution for communication services.

Widgets and quick access to statistics

To keep up with the data consumption, you don't have to go into the menu every time, but MIUI allows you to display traffic information directly to your desktop or lock screen, and this is implemented through widgets.

To add a widget:

1. Hold your finger on an empty place on your desktop.
2. Select Widgets (or swipe right for the widget screen).
3. Find the Security or Tools section.
4. Select the Traffic widget and place it on the screen.

Now, you'll always have a current counter on your desk, and you'll be instantly hit by the detailed statistics menu, and some kinds of widgets will show you a pie chart, where you'll see the color, how much is left until the end of the limit, which is visually very convenient.

In addition, traffic information can be displayed in the notification curtain (status bar). To do this, find the option to display speed in the status bar in the traffic settings. Although this shows real-time speed, not volume, it helps to notice the moment when a program begins to actively download data.

Comparison of Mobile Data and Wi-Fi

It is important to distinguish between what type of connection your device uses. In Xiaomi smartphones, statistics are kept separately for mobile networks (3G/4G/5G) and wireless Wi-Fi networks, which allows you to understand exactly where the overruns occur.

The following is a table showing the key differences in monitoring:

When switching between networks (e.g., you’re out of your home and Wi-Fi is out), the phone can continue downloading a large file over the mobile Internet if the alert is not configured. MIUI has a Traffic Saving Mode feature that blocks background data transfer over the mobile network for all applications except those on the exception list.

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Tip: Turn on the “Disable Switching to Mobile Data” feature if the Wi-Fi signal is weak, and this will prevent accidental megabyte consumption when the router is unstable, but the connection is not formally severed.

As you analyze the statistics, you may notice that some apps (such as maps or streaming services) can cache content over Wi-Fi to avoid wasting mobile traffic.

Resetting statistics and correcting errors

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the statistics are not reset on the right date or show incorrect values, in which case you may need to manually reset counters, this will not delete your applications or data, but only zero the traffic meters.

For the resetting of statistics:

1. Go to the Security app.
2. Go to the Traffic section.
3. Open the menu (three dots or a gear).
4. Select Reset statistics or Reset settings (be careful, don’t confuse it with a full phone reset).

It’s also worth checking if the date and time on the device are lost. Incorrect time can cause daily or monthly reports to be generated incorrectly. Synchronizing time over the network (Settings → Additional → Date and Time → Use Network Time) solves this problem.

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Regular monitoring of statistics and correct setting of the reset date is a guarantee that you will never spend extra money on packet megabytes.

If the traffic count problem persists, you may need to clear the cache of the system application Security, which can be done through the application management menu by finding "Security" in the list of all programs and selecting "Clear Cache".

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)