For many Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphone owners, traffic control is a critical aspect of daily device usage. The ability to see the current connection speed in real time allows you to instantly assess the quality of the operator’s signal or the stability of the Wi-Fi network without having to run third-party applications. In the shells of MIUI and the new HyperOS, this functionality is implemented at the system level, but often hidden from the user’s eyes by default, so as not to clutter the interface.
It only takes a few seconds to turn on this option, but the path to setting up may vary depending on the operating system version and regional firmware. Sometimes users experience situations where a standard switch does not work or disappears after an update. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the ways to activate the traffic counter, and also consider the reasons why it may not appear on your screen.
We'll cover not only basic settings, but also deeper methods, including using engineering menus and third-party utilities if the standard tools are not available. Understanding how traffic monitoring works on Android will help you manage connections more efficiently and notice anomalies in the operation of communication modules in time.
Standard activation method through lock screen settings
The easiest and most reliable way to enable speed display is to use the built-in system settings menu. In most current Xiaomi firmware versions, this option is located in the section responsible for the appearance of the lock screen. You need to open the Settings app and scroll through the list to the Lock Screen (in some versions it may be called Wallpaper and Personalization).
Once the slider is activated, the digital value will appear in the top right corner of the screen, next to the clock. This value changes dynamically, showing the current channel load in kilobytes or megabytes per second. If you have enabled an option but the numbers have not appeared, try unlocking and locking the device again so that the system updates the status widgets.
It’s worth noting that some global firmware versions may have slightly different paths, such as older versions of MIUI 12 and MIUI 13 often hid the switch in the Additional Settings → Notifications and Status bar menu. Newer beta versions of HyperOS often change the logic of where the interface elements are located, so if you don’t find an item in the main menu, you should search for the settings.
⚠️ Note: If the speed is 0 KB/s after the option is turned on, even when you are actively using the Internet, this may indicate a failure in the system service "Security.
It is important to understand that this indicator shows the current data rate, not the maximum speed of your tariff. At rest, when no applications load content, the value can be minimal or zero, which is absolutely normal system behavior.
Setting up the display in the status bar and status bar
If the standard widget on the lock screen doesn't suit you, you can configure the speed display directly in the status bar, which is always visible. To do this, go to the Notifications and Status bar in the basic settings. Here you need to find the Display Network Speed and activate it. Unlike the widget on the lock screen, this parameter provides constant traffic monitoring.
In some cases, the system suggests choosing the display format: in kilobytes (KB / s) or megabytes (MB / s). For 4G/5G mobile networks, displaying in KB / s will be more informative, since background processes rarely consume gigabytes per second, and the megabyte counter will show zeros most of the time. For high-bandwidth Wi-Fi networks, the MB / s format may be more convenient.
☑️ Checking status settings
There is also the option of fine-tuning through the Advanced Settings → Memory menu. Although this section is designed to display RAM usage, some MIUI builds for China have additional network activity monitoring options, but for global users, this path is often closed or does not contain the necessary switches.
Keep in mind that constant display of speed can minimize but increase battery consumption, as the system has to update the data on the screen more often. If you use energy-saving mode, the system can force the indicator to turn off to save CPU resources.
Using the Security App to Monitor Traffic
At the heart of Xiaomi’s ecosystem is the system app Security, which not only scans viruses, but also manages access rights and network connections, and inside it is a Traffic Monitor or Statistics section where you can customize in detail which apps have access to the network and how consumption information is displayed.
Once you go to traffic monitoring settings (usually the three dots in the top right corner or the gear), you can find the option to Display Network Speed, which is often more reliable because the Security app has deeper access rights to system resources than the standard interface settings, and you can set traffic limits and see detailed statistics for each application.
If the standard widget doesn’t work, try resetting the Security app settings. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps, find Security, and select Clear Data (not to be confused with clearing the cache, although you can start with it) This will return the network monitoring settings to factory values, which often solves the problem of disappearing the meter.
Why is the Security app important?
The app also includes the Speed Test feature, which allows you to check the actual channel bandwidth. Although it is not a permanent widget, using this tool helps calibrate expectations: if the test shows a low speed, then the widget in the status bar will show corresponding low values.
Problem Solving: Why Xiaomi doesn’t show speed
It's quite common for a switch to be turned on but the numbers don't show up. One of the main reasons is the design conflict. If you installed a third-party theme from Themes, it may overlap system widgets or not support network speed mapping where the developers intended it. Try temporarily returning a standard Classic or Default theme and checking the indicator.
Another common problem is the overcrowded system interface cache, and the process that renders elements on the screen is called System UI, and rebooting it often solves visual bugs, and you can do this through a developer menu or just by restarting the device if you don't know how to find hidden menus.
| Problem. | Probable cause | Decision-making |
|---|---|---|
| Speed is not displayed. | The conflict of the subject of design | Reset the topic to standard |
| Shows 0 KB/s | Failure of monitoring service | Clear the data of the Security application |
| No switch on the menu | Regional version of the firmware | Use third-party widgets or change region |
| The indicator flashes | Unstable connection | Switch network mode (LTE/3G) customized SIM-map |
It’s also worth checking if you have Do Not Disturb mode or specific energy saving profiles that limit background activity. In Full Energy Saving mode, the system turns off all visuals, including the speed meter, to maximize battery life.
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If you have changed region in settings (e.g. from Russia to India or China), the menu structure may change. In some regions (e.g. India), the settings are arranged logically differently than in the global versions.
Alternative methods: widgets and third-party applications
If the built-in tools fail, desktop widgets will come to the rescue. On Android, there are many free apps that display Internet speed directly to the home screen. Popular options include Internet Speed Meter Lite or Network Speed Indicator, which are lightweight and consume minimal resources.
To install the widget (press your finger) from an empty desktop, select the widgets and find the installed app in the list. Drag the widget onto the screen. The advantage of these solutions is that they often offer a more flexible look: you can change the color, font size and position of the numbers, which is not available in standard Xiaomi firmware.
Another method is to use automation applications like MacroDroid or Tasker, which can create a script that outputs network speed as a notification in a curtain, which requires more complex setup, but gives you maximum control over how and when information is displayed.
⚠️ Note: When installing third-party speed monitoring apps, carefully review the permissions requested. Some unscrupulous developers may use access to network statistics to collect data on your browsing habits. Use only proven high-ranking apps.
Some users prefer widgets from official apps, such as Google Fi or carriers, if they support widgets at speed, but MIUI system widgets are usually better integrated and do not drain the battery as quickly as heavy third-party counterparts.
Engineering menu and hidden network settings
For advanced users who want to access hidden network settings, there is an engineering menu that can be logged in via the Phone app by typing ##4636##. From the menu that opens, select Phone Information. Here you can see detailed statistics on the signal, network types and data packets, although there is no permanent speed widget.
This menu also allows you to force a network type switch, such as making the phone only work in LTE Only mode.This can help stabilize the connection if speed jumps are caused by a constant switch between 3G and 4G. However, beware: incoming calls may not work in LTE Only mode unless VoLTE technology is enabled.
Code for logging into the engineering menu: ##4636##
(Dailed in the Phone appendix)There is also the possibility of using ADB-commands to enable hidden interface flags if the standard settings are blocked by the operator or manufacturer. ADB Driver. command may look like changing the value in the settings put global database, but specific keys for network speed vary from Android version to version and change frequently.
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Using an engineering menu is a powerful diagnostic tool, but changing unknown parameters can cause communication to be lost.
If you upgrade to HyperOS, remember that security policies have become stricter. Many ADB commands and access to the engineering menu may be restricted or require an unlocked bootloader. In such cases, returning to verified widgets from the Play Market remains the safest and most stable solution.