How to ban the application from Internet access on Xiaomi

Modern Xiaomi smartphones running MIUI shells or the new HyperOS have powerful built-in functionality to manage network traffic. Users often face the need to limit background activity of programs that consume too much traffic or drain the battery with constant requests to the server. Unlike many other Android devices, the technology of this brand allows you to flexibly configure access rights without installing third-party software.

System tools allow you to completely block the communication channel for selected utilities, while leaving the connection available for others, especially for games that do not require online mode, or for instant messengers, which you only want to receive notifications when you open. Proper permission management helps to extend the autonomy of the device on trips when every megabyte of charge is important.

In this guide, we will take a look at all the available locking methods, from standard security settings to advanced developer options, learn to distinguish between Wi-Fi and mobile network restrictions, and understand which system processes should not be touched so as not to disrupt the stability of the gadget.

Use of the Application Security

The main control tool in the Xiaomi ecosystem is the built-in Security app, which is the primary setting of most security and optimization options. To get started, find the green shield icon on your desktop and run it. In the main interface menu, you will need to select the Data Transfer section that is responsible for monitoring and limiting traffic.

After you go to this section, you will see traffic flow statistics, where tabs are usually located at the top of the screen to switch between the two. SIM-We need a speed button or a statistics button, but most of the time, the right item is hidden in the Traffic Restriction menu. Click on it to see the full list of all installed programs that have access to the network.

The list that opens shows all the apps, sorted by data consumption or alphabetically, and next to each program's name, you'll see two icons: one that represents the mobile network (usually the up-and-down arrows), and the other that represents Wi-Fi (a wave symbol), and clicking on these icons changes their status, allowing them to configure access rights flexibly.

• 🔴 Red Cross means a complete connection ban for this type of network.
• 🟢 A green checkmark or arrow confirms that access is allowed and is operating normally.
• 🟡 Yellow icon may indicate background data transfer restriction.

⚠️ Note: Do not disable network access for system components such as System Services, Mi Account or Software Update, as this may cause your smartphone to malfunction.

The changes take effect instantly, without having to reboot your device, and if you accidentally shut down an important messenger, it will simply stop receiving messages until you get back permission, a convenient way to temporarily freeze social media to focus on work.

Setup through the application menu

There is an alternative and faster way to manage rights that doesn't require you to log into the deep security settings menu, which is convenient when you want to quickly deny access to a particular program directly from the desktop or from a list of all installed utilities, and to do this, find the icon of the desired application and click on it, holding your finger for a couple of seconds.

In the context menu that appears, select About App (or Application Details). A card will open with details where we are interested in Other Permits or Permissions. New versions of HyperOS have a separate subsection of network management, often called Network Connections or Data Use.

Here you'll see switches for Wi-Fi and Mobile Data, which is the equivalent of putting a red cross in a security application, and the advantage of this method is that it works in isolation for each program and doesn't require knowledge of complex navigation through the system menu.

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If you can not find the desired item, use the search bar in the settings and enter the name of the application - the system itself will suggest going to its card.

It is worth noting that some system applications may not have active switches, as they are critical to the operation of the Android operating system. In such cases, the sliders will be gray and not pressable, which is a normal protection against user errors.

Differences between Wi-Fi and Mobile Traffic

It's important to understand that blocking Internet access on Xiaomi is a differentiated process: you can allow an app to only work over Wi-Fi, denying it access to mobile Internet, or vice versa, and it gives you tremendous flexibility in managing costs, especially if you have mobile traffic being charged and your home Wi-Fi is unlimited.

For example, for a navigator Yandex.Navigator or 2GIS, it is useful to leave only Wi-Fi access to update maps at home, and on the way to use offline mode to avoid wasting megabytes. Conversely, for cloud storage, you can allow synchronization only over Wi-Fi, so that large files do not download through the mobile network at the wrong time.

The table below gives recommendations for setting up access for different types of applications to optimize the smartphone.

This granular setting creates the perfect balance between functionality and resource savings, and the user decides which programs are prioritized in a weak signal or a limited tariff plan.

Limitation of background activity

The background limit feature deserves special attention. Even if you haven't banned internet access completely, the app can be restricted in the background, which means it can only access the network when you open it on the screen, but it won't work in a hidden state.

To set this option, go to Settings -> Applications -> All Applications. Select the program you want and find Saving Charge (or Battery). There are three modes available: No Limits, Saving Charge and Strong Limit.

Selecting a Strong Constraint mode effectively equates to completely shutting down background processes, including network processes. The app won't be able to receive notifications, update content, or sync data until you manually run it. It's a radical but effective measure for programs you rarely use.

• 🔋 No restrictions: the app works always, notifications arrive instantly.
• 🌿 Charge savings: The system can limit background activity if the battery charge is low.
• 🛑 Strong restriction: Background work is completely banned, notifications don't come.

⚠️ Note: When you set a strong restriction for instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp), you will stop receiving incoming messages until the application is opened.

Use this feature with caution. For email clients or work tools where speed is important, it is better to leave the "No Limits" or "Saving Charge" mode.

Use of flight mode and point access

Sometimes you have to fast the Internet for all applications at once, but leave the ability to call. In this case, the standard flight mode will not work, because it turns off cellular communication. On Xiaomi smartphones there is a convenient feature "Pinpoint access" or control networks through the notification curtain, but for selective shutdown it is better to use scenarios.

However, if your goal is to deny Internet access to a particular app, not the entire phone, then flight mode is not the solution. DNS-filters that can be prescribed in Wi-Fi settings to block access to ad servers at the network level, but this is already a more complex level of configuration, requiring knowledge of addresses DNS.

For most users, the best solution is a combination of manual lock through the Security app and background settings, which gives a predictable result and does not require deep technical knowledge.

If you need to completely isolate the device from the network, in addition to voice calls, you can use the function "Flight Mode" followed by the inclusion of only the mobile network (if the firmware allows) or simply disabling data transmission in the curtain.

Problems and solutions

Users may face a number of common problems when managing network rights, such as resetting after a system update, or the application may ignore the restrictions, in which case additional diagnostics are needed.

Often the problem is that an application has multiple components or services that also require access. If you have denied access to the main process but left it for the update service, traffic will still be consumed.

Another common problem is aggressive battery optimization, which can shut down the network even if you allow it, in which case you need to add an application to the exceptions or whitelist of energy saving systems.

⚠️ Note: If the app stopped working correctly after the Internet was banned, try first to clear its cache, and then check if the antivirus or firewall blocked access.

In rare cases, you may need to reset your network settings. Go to Settings -> Connections and Sharing -> Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth. This action will return all network settings to factory values, but will not delete your personal data.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Flexible Internet access management on Xiaomi allows you to significantly save traffic and battery power without removing applications and retaining full control over the device.