How to Remove Xiaomi Traffic Limits: Official and Unofficial Methods

Users are facing the restriction of mobile traffic on Xiaomi smartphones for two main reasons: either the operator imposed a software restriction (for example, when the tariff with a limited Internet), or the system itself. MIUI It blocks background traffic to save battery life, and the first one is hardware limitations that can only be circumvented through settings. SIM-The second one is about software locks that can be adjusted through the phone menu, ADB-team or even re-flashing.

It's important to understand that if the limit is set by an operator (e.g. MegaFon, Beeline or MTS), you can't completely remove it without changing the tariff plan. However, you can turn off traffic overdrive notifications or reset the meter manually. If the problem is with the MIUI settings, there are more possibilities here: from simply turning off Traffic Savings to profound changes in system files. Next, we will analyze all the current methods, starting with the most secure ones.

1. Check current traffic restrictions

Before you try to remove a limit, you need to pinpoint the source.

  1. Open the Settings. β†’ SIM-maps and mobile networks.
  2. Choose yours. SIM-card (if there are several).
  3. Go to Mobile Traffic Usage or Traffic Limit (the name may vary depending on the MIUI version).
  4. See if there is a manual limit or if information from the operator is displayed.

If you see the word "Limit is set by the operator" -- the problem is on the provider's side, and you have to coordinate with the provider, and if you have a manual limit (e.g. 5 GB per month), you can reset it right in this menu, and you can also look at Background Data Use -- if it's disabled, many applications can't update without Wi-Fi.

πŸ“Š What kind of mobile operator do you have?
MegaFon
Beeline
MTS
Tele2.
Yota
Other

2. disable restrictions in MIUI settings

The default MIUI system can limit traffic to individual applications or completely disable background data transfers to remove these restrictions:

  • πŸ“± Go to Settings. β†’ Annexes β†’ Application management.
  • πŸ” Select the app you want to remove the limit for (for example, YouTube or Telegram).
  • πŸ“Ά Click Data Use and turn on the switches: Mobile Data (if disabled), Background Data (allows background work), Unlimited Data Access (if available).
  • πŸ”„ For global disabling restrictions, go back to Settings β†’ SIM-maps and mobile networks β†’ Use mobile traffic and deactivate the option to limit background traffic.

Attention! Some MIUI firmware (especially regional versions for China) may not have unlimited access to data, requiring ADB or system files to be edited.

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If you still have limited traffic after you change your settings, restart your phone, and sometimes the changes only take effect after you reboot.

3. Resetting the traffic counter through the engineering menu

If the limit is set by the operator, but you want to just reset the meter (for example, after a tariff change), you can use the engineering menu. This method does not work on all models, but it is worth trying:

  1. Open the Phone app and enter the combination: ##4636##.
  2. In the menu that appears, select Phone Information (or Usage Statistics).
  3. Scroll down to the Mobile Data Usage block and click Reset Statistics.

This method does not remove the real limit of the operator, but only resets the internal MIUI counter. If you have a tariff with limited traffic, after exceeding the limit, the speed will still fall to 64-128 kbit / s.

What to do if the engineering menu is not opened?
On some firmware (especially global ones), the ##4636## combination may be blocked. Alternatively, use the MTK Engineering Mode app (for MediaTek processors) or the Shortcut Master app to find hidden menus. Please note that working with engineering settings can cause network failures!

4.Use ADB to Unblock Traffic

If standard settings don't work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a deep-tuning tool that requires connecting your phone to your computer and enabling developer mode.

Preparation:

  1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings β†’ About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
  2. Return to Settings β†’ Additional β†’ For developers and activate Debugging over USB.
  3. Connect your phone to your PC, install ADB drivers (e.g., via Mi PC Suite) and check the connection with the command: Adb devices

Teams to remove restrictions:

  • πŸ“² To allow background traffic for all applications: adb shell settings put global restrict_background_data 0
  • 🚫 To remove the restriction for a specific package (e.g. Telegram): adb shell cmd appops set org.telegram.messenger RESTRICT_BACKGROUND_DATA allow (replace org.telegram.messenger with ID fitting).
  • πŸ”„ To reset all traffic restrictions: adb shell settings delete global policy_control

Install Xiaomi drivers on PC

Enable debugging over USB on your phone

Download the ADB platform (for example, from Google)

Connect your phone to the original cable

Check the connection with the adb device command-->

Important: After completion ADB-When you have to restart your phone, or the changes may not take effect, you should also be aware that some carriers (e.g. Yota) block the circumvention of network-level restrictions. ADB It won't help.

5. Installation of custom firmware (for advanced)

If all previous methods have failed, the radical solution is to reflash the phone to custom firmware without the limitations of MIUI, which is only suitable for advanced users, as it requires unlocking the bootloader and can lead to a loss of warranty.

Step-by-step:

  1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock Tool (requires a binding Mi Account and wait 7-30 days).
  2. Install a custom TWRP recap for your model (see the XDA Developers or 4PDA forum for instructions).
  3. Download firmware without restrictions, for example: LineageOS (pure Android), Pixel Experience (Google Pixel-style firmware), MIUI EU (European version without Chinese restrictions).

Swipe your phone through TWRP, having previously made a backup.

FirmwareAdvantagesDeficienciesSupport for models
LineageOSPure Android, no MIUI restrictions, regular updatesSome functions may not be supported (for example, IR-blaster)Most of the Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO models
Pixel ExperienceGoogle Pixel interface, optimized performanceSometimes there are bugs with the camera or sensors.Popular models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3)
MIUI EUIt retains the corporate interface, but without Chinese restrictions.Requires weekly updates, possible bugsAll models, but you need the correct version (for example, for Redmi 9 - cannon)

⚠️ Attention! Installing custom firmware will void the warranty and may result in a phone blink (completely inoperable:

  • Make a backup through TWRP or Mi Cloud.
  • Check firmware compatibility with your model (for example, Redmi Note 8 Pro is codenamed begonia).
  • Charge your phone at least 60%.

6. bypass operator restrictions (VPN and proxy)

If the traffic limit is set by the operator and you can’t change the tariff, you can try to circumvent the restrictions with a VPN or proxy, which does not always work, but in some cases allows you to get full access to the Internet even after the limit is exhausted.

Ways of circumvention:

  • 🌍 Use it. VPN-support TCP/UDP (for example, 1.1.1.1: Warp from Cloudflare or ProtonVPN.Some carriers are blocking popular ones VPN, Therefore, it may be necessary to test different servers.
  • πŸ”— Set up a proxy manually through Settings β†’ Wi-Fi β†’ Additionally. β†’ Proxy server: Free proxies are often slow and unreliable, so it’s better to use paid services.
  • πŸ“‘ For advanced users: set up Tethering (internet distribution) via another phone with unlimited fare, connecting to it via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

⚠️ Attention! Many operators (e.g. MegaFon and Beeline) are actively fighting to circumvent restrictions. VPN Or a proxy can:

  • Block access to the network before changing the tariff.
  • Limit speeds to 32 kbps (virtually unusable).
  • Charge an additional fee for β€œnon-use of traffic”.

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VPNs and proxy are a temporary solution, and the best way to remove the traffic limit on Xiaomi is to change the plan or use Wi-Fi where possible.

7. Alternative methods (for specific cases)

If none of the above methods worked, consider the following options:

  • πŸ“± Factory reset: Sometimes system traffic restrictions arise due to failures in the system. MIUI. A complete reset (with loss of data) can return settings to the original state!
  • πŸ”„ Update MIUI: In new firmware versions, traffic-restricted bugs can be fixed. Check for updates in Settings β†’ The phone. β†’ Updating the system.
  • πŸ“‘ Using two SIM-If you have a phone with Dual support SIM, insert second SIM-card with unlimited tariff and use it for data transfer, and the first - only for calls.
  • πŸ› οΈ Contacting the service center: if traffic restriction appeared after repair or firmware, there may be a problem in the hardware (for example, a faulty modem.

It’s also worth checking if third-party apps are installed on the phone to save traffic (like Google’s Datally or Mi Security) and can block background data even after you turn off MIUI settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi’s traffic limits

Can I remove the traffic limit without root rights?
Yes, in most cases, root rights are not required. MIUI or ADB-However, deep changes (such as editing a build.prop file) may require root.
Why does the speed stop after the traffic counter is reset?
If the limit is set by the operator, the reset of the meter in the phone does not affect the real limit, in which case the speed will return to normal only after the change of the tariff or the start of a new billing period (usually the 1st day of the month).
Will a VPN work if the operator blocks traffic?
Depending on the operator, some providers (e.g. Yota or Tele2) actively block known service providers. VPN-In this case, you can try: Use less popular services. VPN (For example, Outline or Psiphon. VPN Manually use.ovpn files. use Tor (but the speed will be very low).
Can I return the factory settings MIUI after installing custom firmware?
Yes, but it will require: Download the official firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware website, install it through the Mi Flash Tool (you need to unlock the bootloader again), recover data from the backup (if it was made), note that returning to the official firmware can also return traffic restrictions if they were embedded in the system.
Which Xiaomi models are most likely to face traffic problems?
Traffic restrictions are more common on: Smartphones for the Chinese market (for example, Redmi K40, Xiaomi 11 with China ROM firmware); devices with MIUI version 12.5 and higher (they have enhanced data saving features); models with 5G support (for example, POCO F3, Redmi Note 11 Pro+), where operators can artificially limit speed. Global versions (Global ROM) and phones for the European market (EEA ROM) such problems are usually less.