Where to see traffic consumption on Xiaomi Redmi 9: full analysis

Mobile internet has become an integral part of our lives, but operators’ plans often limit the number of available gigabytes. Owners of Xiaomi smartphones, in particular the popular Redmi 9 model, need to carefully control data consumption to avoid unexpected costs or completely disconnect communication at the most inopportune moment. MIUI system, on which the device interface is based, offers a wide range of tools for monitoring, but not all options are obvious at the first acquaintance.

In this article, we’ll look at where to find hidden statistics, how to set limits, and what apps are most likely to eat up your traffic. Traffic control is not just a way to save money, but also a way to improve security, allowing you to notice suspicious malware activity in time. Let’s figure out how to turn your smartphone into an effective cost management tool.

Use of the built-in Security application

The fastest and most reliable way to know where the Internet is going is to use the system app Security, which is preinstalled on all Xiaomi devices and contains the Traffic module, which automatically collects consumption data, and to start, you just need to find a green icon with a shield on your desktop or in the Tools folder and select the appropriate section at the bottom of the screen.

Inside this section, you'll see a general megabyte usage chart for the current month, which allows you to flexibly adjust the display period, which is especially convenient for those who do not have a tariff cycle on the first day, and traffic statistics here are updated in real time, so you can watch the growth rates right when you download files.

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Set the date of resetting statistics in the Security app exactly on the date of connection of your tariff so that the data is always up to date.

Importantly, the Security app (as it may be called in some firmware versions) has access to system processes at the kernel level, making it more accurate than third-party meters. You can study in detail how much data was spent over the mobile network and how much through the Wi-Fi connection by simply switching to the appropriate tab at the top of the window.

Set up statistics through system settings

If the security app icon is lost, an alternative path lies through the standard Android settings menu.This method is useful if the MIUI interface has been significantly changed or you are using a third-party launcher.The path to data is as follows: Settings → Connection and Sharing → Data Transfer.

This opens a control panel that displays current consumption and a usage log is available by day. You can scroll down to see the details for each application installed, which allows you to quickly identify "gluttonous" programs that you haven't even run, but that are actively updating content in the background.

You need to pay special attention to the Traffic Limit feature, and by activating this switch, you can set a tight limit, after which Redmi 9 will automatically turn off mobile Internet, a critical setting for travelers in roaming, where the cost per megabyte can be extremely high.

Analysis of consumption by application

A detailed analysis shows that social networks, video services and autoload media messengers typically consume the lion’s share of traffic. In an app list sorted by data, you can click on any position to see the detail of how many megabytes went in the background and how many when you were using the screen.

Some apps, like YouTube or TikTok, are very expensive, even with a short usage time, and if you notice anomalies, it allows you to limit the background data transfer for a particular application, which won't stop the program from working completely, but it will stop you from downloading news or updates when you're not using your phone.

• 📱 Social media often updates the feed in the background, consuming up to 30% of traffic.
• 🎥 High-resolution video services can spend gigabytes per hour of viewing.
• 💬 Messengers spend little, but autoloading photos and videos significantly increases the bill.
• 🗺️ Navigators only consume traffic when downloading maps or searching for a route.

Remember that some system services, such as Google Play Services or cloud storage, can also use the network to sync. Regularly checking the list helps keep this process under control and avoid situations where the limit is exhausted in one day.

Setting limits and warnings

To avoid guessing how many gigabytes are left by the end of the month, you need to set up automatic warnings. In the Data Transfer menu, look for Settings (usually a gear or menu button) and select Traffic Limit, where you can set a monthly limit in gigabytes and the date of its reset.

The system will offer two levels of protection: a warning when a certain percentage (for example, 80%) and a complete shutdown at 100%, a reliable way to protect against accidental overspending, setting the limit is especially relevant for users with unlimited rates who, after exhausting the high-speed package, switch to low speeds.

⚠️ Note: When setting a limit, make sure that the date of the reset of the statistics coincides with the date of connection of your tariff plan with the operator. If the tariff is updated on the 15th and the statistics are reset on the 1st, you will receive incorrect data and may unexpectedly lose contact.

There's also a limit feature for a single app, which is useful if you want to allow your child to use only certain programs with limited data, and after the dedicated limit is exhausted, the network access for the selected app will be blocked until the next period.

Comparison of Wi-Fi and Mobile Traffic

It is important to distinguish between which channel the data is transmitted through. Xiaomi statistics separate these streams, which allows you to understand where the main flow occurs. Often users forget that with a weak Wi-Fi signal, the phone can automatically switch to the mobile Internet, continuing to download large files.

The table below compares the types of traffic and their impact on the budget:

Switching between these modes in Redmi 9 is quick, but sometimes the system can stick on the mobile internet even if Wi-Fi is available.It's recommended to check the icon in the notification curtain periodically to make sure you're actually connected to the free network.

Hidden Savings Features in MIUI

The MIUI shell hides some useful savings features that not everyone knows about, including Traffic Saving Mode, which compresses data when browsing the web in the Mi Browser browser, which reduces the amount of information transferred by up to 50% without losing text quality.

Another important option is to ban app updates over the mobile network: Go to Google Play or GetApps, find auto-update settings, and select Wi-Fi Only, which will prevent the system from deciding to upgrade a heavy 2GB app while you’re away from home.

⚠️ Attention: The browser traffic compression function may disrupt some sites that use complex encryption or custom scripts. If the page is not displayed correctly, try temporarily disabling traffic savings in your browser settings.

Also worth checking is the photo and video sync settings. Services like Google Photos can try to upload the video to the cloud immediately after shooting using mobile internet. Change the setting to Wi-Fi-only Sync to save gigabytes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Regular monitoring of statistics and setting the limits in the Security app correctly is the only way to ensure that you do not spend extra money on mobile Internet.