How to Watch Xiaomi App Activity: All Ways to Track

Xiaomi smartphones based on MIUI They offer users extensive tools to monitor the activity of installed applications, from usage time to traffic consumption and power consumption, but many device owners do not know where to look for this data or how to interpret it correctly. In this article, we will analyze all available methods: from built-in system functions to hidden features and third-party solutions.

It's important to understand that app activity isn't just about time spent on social media or games, it's also about background processes, autoruns, mobile internet consumption, and the impact on autonomy. For example, a messenger can eat up battery power even when you're not using it, and some games continue to send data to the network after you shut down, and we'll show you how to identify these invisible loads and optimize the device.

1. Built-in tools MIUI: Section “Usage statistics»

The most obvious way is to use standard settings. MIUI. You don't need to install additional programs or get root rights. You just need to open the Settings menu. → Annexes → Use statistics. You'll see here:

• 📊 Total use time per day/week (with schedules)
• ⏱️ Background time for each application
• 🔋 Battery consumption by application (percentage)
• 📶 Mobile traffic consumption (if the option is enabled)

Note the Background Activity column, which shows programs that continue to work after closing. For example, Facebook or TikTok often stay active in the background even if you haven't used them in a long time. To limit them, click on the app name and select Limit Background Activity.

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If the statistics do not show all apps, check if the option “Trace usage” is enabled in the Mi Account settings. Without it, some data may not be collected.

V MIUI 14 and later usage statistics have become more detailed: you can now see how much time you spent in each application in specific hours of the day (for example, from 20:00 to 22:00.

2. Battery consumption monitoring: hidden details

Section Settings → The battery provides data not only on the percentage of charge, but also on what processes consumed energy:

1. Total consumption is a diagram of the distribution of expenditure by application over the past 24 hours or 7 days.
2. Detailed statistics show how much power went to the screen, Wi-Fi, mobile network and background tasks.

Pay special attention to the other processes — there may be hidden system services or viruses masquerading as legitimate applications. 10-15% charge for no apparent reason, this is a reason to check the device for malware.

Mobile Traffic Control: Who is Eating the Internet?

If you have a limited tariff, it is important to keep track of which apps consume mobile data. MIUI There is a section for this setup → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Traffic usage is possible here:

• 📱 Set a traffic limit with a notification when exceeded.
• 📉 View monthly statistics for each application.
• 🚫 Block background traffic for individual programs.

Look at apps that consume data even when you're not using it, like Facebook or Instagram can update your feed in the background, and Google Play Store can download updates automatically, to turn it off:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the desired application → Use of data.
3. Turn off the Background data option.

Social media (Facebook, VK, TikTok)

Messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram)

Streaming services (YouTube, Twitch)

Games (PUBG, Genshin Impact)

Other-->

If you notice that traffic is being consumed even when your phone is in standby mode, check the Auto Update App settings on Google Play. disable automatic updates or allow it to only be done over Wi-Fi.

4. Hidden functions MIUI: log

For advanced users in MIUI There are hidden tools that allow you to get more detailed information about application activity, one of which is a log of system events, which records all actions, including program launches and system errors.

To open it up:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Include Operation Log (in English version).

In the log, you'll see time stamps of application launches, errors, and even system services, such as tracking which app wakes up a device at night or why the battery suddenly runs out. However, beware: the log may contain sensitive data (for example, when messengers open).

Activate Developer Mode (7 taps according to MIUI)

Enable the “Journal of Operations” in the settings for developers

Reset the device to apply changes

View logs through the Log Viewer app)-->

Another useful tool is the adb logcat, which allows you to monitor the system's activity in real time through a computer.

1. Connect your phone to a PC with installed ADB-driver.
2. Enter the command line: adb logcat | grep -i "package_name" (substitute package_name to the application ID, for example com.facebook.katana for Facebook).

⚠️ Note: Adb logcat requires command line knowledge. Wrong commands can cause system failures. Not recommended for beginners.

5. Third-party applications for in-depth analysis

If the built-in tools MIUI Not enough, you can use third-party utilities. They offer advanced features, such as:

• 📈 Detailed schedules of use by hour/day.
• 🔍 Analysis of background activity with specific processes.
• 🛡️ Locking Autostart to Save Battery.

The best apps for Xiaomi:

Greenify and NetGuard are especially useful if you want to completely block background activity for certain apps, such as preventing Facebook from using the internet in the background or sending TikTok to hibernate when it is not in use.

⚠️ Warning: Some monitoring applications (e.g. AccuBattery) require constant background operation, which in itself can affect autonomy.

6.Analysis of Auto Start and Background Processes

Many Xiaomi apps automatically start when you turn on your phone or after you restart, even if you're not using them. Not only is it a waste of resources, but it can also be a potential security threat.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the application → Auto-start.
3. Turn off the slider (if it is active).

Pay particular attention to the following categories of applications:

• 🤖 Social networks (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok) – often run automatically to update content.
• 📱 Chinese services (Mi Video, Mi Browser, GetApps) – can work in the background even if you do not use them.
• 🔄 Synchronizers (Google Sync, Mi Cloud) – constantly exchange data with servers.

To massively disable autostarts, you can use the Autostarts app (requires root rights) to show all the events that trigger the apps (e.g., connecting to Wi-Fi, charging your phone), and disable unnecessary triggers.

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Disabling auto-runs for instant messengers (such as WhatsApp or Telegram) can cause notifications to be delayed. Include an exception in battery settings for them (Battery Optimization) → No restrictions).

7.How to track activity in games and heavy applications

Games and resource-intensive applications (e.g. Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile, Lightroom can not only drain the battery, but also heat the device. MIUI There is a built-in Game Turbo that allows you to monitor their activity:

1. Open the game.
2. Swipe down to call the Game Turbo panel.
3. Click on the icon. ⚙️ Settings → Performance monitoring.

Here you'll see:

• 📈 CPU loading/GPU real-time.
• 🔥 Processor temperature (critical mark - 45)°C+).
• ⚡ Energy consumption (in mAh/hour).

If the game is too loading the device, try:

• 🎮 Lower graphical settings (resolution, texture quality).
• 🔄 Insert a restriction FPS (For example, up to 30 fps instead of 60).
• ❄️ Use a cooling stand or play in a cool room.

Advanced monitoring can be used CPU Monitor or DevCheck. These apps show the CPU core load, the frequency of operation. GPU and even the time of activity of each nucleus.

8.Security: How to Identify Suspicious Activity

If you notice that the battery is draining too quickly, traffic is being spent nowhere, or the phone spontaneously overheats, this can be a sign of malware. MIUI There is a built-in security scanner:

1. Open the Settings. → Memory. → Cleaning (or Security App).
2. Press Virus Check.
3. Wait for the scan to be completed.

If the scanner found nothing, but suspicions remain, check:

• 📱 List of installed applications for unknown programs (especially with Chinese names).
• 🔗 Administrator rights (Settings) → Passwords and security → Device administrators).
• 📡 Unusual connections in Settings → Wi-Fi → Additionally. → Network management.

For deep verification, use Malwarebytes or Kaspersky Mobile, which can detect hidden threats, including spyware that masquerades as system processes (e.g. com.android.system).

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi apps (such as Mi Push Service or Miui Daemon) may look suspicious but are part of the system.

FAQ: Frequent questions about app activity on Xiaomi