Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often face the need to constantly monitor connection speeds, which may be due to the unstable operation of the mobile operator, the use of Wi-Fi in areas of poor reception, or simply the desire to control traffic flow. The standard shell of MIUI and the new HyperOS have built-in tools to display this information, but they are not always activated by default or hidden in the depth of the menu.
The need to see the current speed in real time (in kilobits or megabits per second) allows you to instantly respond to a drop in communication quality. Instead of running a browser for verification each time, the user receives current data directly in the status bar or on the desktop. Traffic visualization is especially useful when setting up a router or choosing a location for installing an access point.
In this article, we will discuss all the available ways to activate the speed indicator. We will look at both the standard system tools and proven third-party solutions that perfectly complement the functionality of Xiaomi smartphones. You will learn to customize widgets, change display formats and eliminate typical errors when the numbers stop updating or disappear after a reboot.
Built-in speed display function in MIUI and HyperOS
The easiest and most reliable way to do this without additional software is to activate the system widget, which Xiaomi has built directly into the shell interface, ensuring it runs smoothly and consumes minimal battery life, but the location of the switch may vary depending on the Android version and regional firmware.
To activate the function, you need to go to the device settings. The path is usually: Settings → Lock screen or Settings → Notifications and status bar. In some versions of MIUI, the desired setting is in the Additional settings → Utility. Find the item “Show Internet speed” and move the switch to the active position.
⚠️ Note: Some global versions of the firmware (EU, Global) this item may not be on the standard menu due to limitations of licensing agreements with telecom operators in certain regions.
If the standard path didn't work, try searching by settings. Click on the magnifying glass at the top of the Settings menu and type in the speed request. The system will prompt you to go to the desired switch. The system indicator displays the data in the status bar next to the Wi-Fi or 4G/5G icons without taking up space on the desktop.
Setting up speed widgets on the desktop
For those who don't need a small indicator in the curtain or status bar, placing a speed widget on the home screen is a great solution. The MIUI shell offers a variety of design options, from text to graphic indicators, which not only allows you to see the current speed, but also monitor the total amount of traffic spent per month.
To add a widget, follow the following steps:
- 📱 Press your finger on an empty desktop area to enter editing mode.
- 📂 Click on the “Widgets” button in the lower menu or select the corresponding item in the list that appears.
- 🔍 In the list, find the Security or Traffic Monitor app (the name may vary depending on the location).
- 📊 Choose your favorite style of speed widget and drag it to the desktop.
Once placed, the widget can be scaled. Click on it and select a size (generally available 2x2 or 4x2). Large widgets often show not only the current speed, but also the daily consumption schedule, which helps analyze which apps eat up the most traffic. Also available is a color and background transparency setting to ensure that the interface element fits harmoniously into the wallpaper.
☑️ Checking the widget settings
Importantly, the widget needs certain permissions to function properly, and the system can automatically request them when it first starts, but sometimes network data needs to be manually accessed in application settings, without which the widget can show zero speed or display latency data.
Using the Security App for Monitoring
At the heart of Xiaomi’s ecosystem is its pre-installed Security app, which is not only responsible for antivirus protection but also for managing network connections, and it has a powerful Traffic Monitor tool inside it that allows you to customize your speed and consumption limits in detail.
To access the advanced settings, open the Security app and find the Traffic Monitor (or Data Transfer) section. Here you can see detailed statistics for each application. In the upper right corner, there is often a settings icon (cogwheel) where you can turn on the floating speed display or adjust limits. Deep integration of this module with the system allows it to receive data directly from the network driver, ensuring high accuracy of measurements.
You can set thresholds in your traffic monitor settings, for example, the system can alert you if the speed drops below a certain level, which may indicate signal problems or network congestion, and it also provides a reset feature, which is useful when changing your plan at the beginning of the new month.
| Parameter | Description | Where to find out. |
|---|---|---|
| Current speed | Instant load/return value | Status line/widget |
| Traffic limit | Maximum data volume per month | Security → Traffic monitor |
| Period of discharge | Date of zeroing of statistics | Traffic monitor settings |
| Background traffic | Data used in the background | Settings → Applications → Traffic |
The use of built-in security tools is preferable to third-party counterparts, since they do not discharge the battery with additional background processes. The system is optimized to work with this software, which eliminates conflicts and errors in the display of data.
Third-party applications for accurate measurement
If standard Xiaomi features are not enough or more complex functionality is required (for example, plotting history, real-time ping tests), you should contact third-party developers. There are many utilities specializing in network monitoring in the Google Play store and GetApps.
One of the most popular solutions is the Internet Speed Meter Lite app or NetSpeed Monitor analogues, which offer flexible configuration of the appearance: you can change the font, color, position in the notification bar. Third-party widgets often know how to show not only speed, but also speed. IP-address, connection type, and even processor temperature if the application has access to the appropriate API.
⚠️ Warning: When installing third-party speed display apps, be sure to check the permissions requested. Avoid programs that require access to contacts, microphone, or location without explicitly needing them to work.
To install a third-party app widget on Xiaomi, you often need to allow Auto Start and remove background activity restrictions. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps, find installed monitoring, click on Battery Savings and select No Restrictions. Also turn on Auto Start switch.
Why can the widget not work after the reboot?
Configure the display speed in the developer mode
For advanced users who need technical details, there is a developer mode, and you can find hidden network debugging options that are not available in the regular menu, but be careful: improper configuration can lead to unstable interfaces.
To get to the developer menu, you need to quickly click on the build number in the About Phone section 7 times. After the message “You became a developer”, a new option will appear in the settings menu “Additional” or “For developers”. In this section, look for items related to “Logging” or “Network”.
Some versions of MIUI have "Show network speed" in advanced interface settings. It can duplicate a standard widget but run at a lower system level, which sometimes helps if the standard indicator is buggy. USB debugging is not necessary here, but accessing network logs can be useful for diagnosing problems with specific applications.
If you're experimenting with a developer's settings, remember the original settings, and you can reset all the developer settings with a single button at the top of the menu, returning the system to its original state, and it's a safe way to roll back changes if the phone starts to behave incorrectly.
Problem Solving: Widget does not show speed
Often users are faced with a situation where the widget is installed, but shows "0 KB / s" or simply disappears. The most common reason on Xiaomi is the operation of the energy saving system. MIUI algorithms seek to close any process that is not in active use to extend battery life.
To resolve the problem, follow the following algorithm of actions:
- 🔋 Open the battery settings and find the speed app (Security or third-party widget).
- 🚫 Select “charge savings” and set the value “No restrictions».
- 🔐 Block the application in RAM via the multitasking menu (lock icon).
- 📡 Check if Flight mode is enabled or traffic saving is included in the settings SIM-map.
Another reason could be a design conflict: If you use a third-party theme from Themes, it can overlap system interface elements, including the status bar. Try temporarily switching to a standard Classic or Default theme and see if speeds come up.
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If the widget is missing after a system update, try clearing the Security app cache through the memory settings. Do not delete the app itself, as it is a system component and deleting it could disrupt the network.
In rare cases, the problem is that system files are damaged after a failed update. If nothing helps, resetting network settings (Settings → About Phone → Settings Reset → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth) often returns all network indicators to their places. Note that this action will remove stored Wi-Fi passwords.
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The stability of the speed widget on Xiaomi depends on the correct energy saving settings for a specific monitor application.