How to display the speed of the Internet in real time on Xiaomi smartphone

Have you ever noticed that your Xiaomi’s mobile internet or Wi-Fi speeds suddenly drop, but don’t know how to check it without running tests? Current versions of MIUI (12 to 15) have hidden and explicit features to display the current download/return speed right on the screen – in the notification panel, through widgets or even in games. This article will reveal all the working methods, including those that do not require root rights and work on 90% of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models.

We'll look at not only standard tools, but also alternative methods using third-party applications (like NetSpeed Indicator or Internet Speed Meter), as well as little-known tricks for gamers where ping speed is critical. Importantly, some features may differ depending on the version of MIUI and regional firmware, which we'll mention too.

1. Standard method: notification panel in MIUI

The easiest way is to activate the speed mapping in the top curtain, which came in MIUI 12 and is saved in the newer versions, but it's disabled by default.

  1. Open Settings β†’ Notification panel and status bar.
  2. Show the speed of the network (or Internet speed in some firmware).
  3. Select the connection type: Mobile Data, Wi-Fi or Both.
  4. Restart your smartphone (sometimes changes are only applied after a reboot).

After activation next to the network indicator, a number will appear in the top bar (for example, ↓12 Mbps or ↑3.2 Mbps). Please note that on some models (for example, Redmi Note 11 with MIUI 13), this option may be hidden in additional settings.

πŸ“Š What version? MIUI you use?
MIUI 12
MIUI 13
MIUI 14
MIUI 15
I don't know.

⚠️ Attention: On smartphones with Android 13+ (For example, Xiaomi 13 Pro) displaying speed in the notification bar may conflict with some apps to save traffic.If the numbers don't appear, check the permissions for the system application com.android.systemui.

2.The Internet Speed widget on the home screen

If you need to see the speed constantly, not just when opening the curtain, use the standard MIUI widget:

  1. Click and hold the empty space on the home screen β†’ select Widgets.
  2. Scroll down to the Tools section and find the Internet Speed (or Net Speed) widget.
  3. Drag it on the screen and select a size (usually available 2Γ—1 or 4Γ—1) options.
  4. Set up data update: in the widget parameters, you can set the interval from 1 second to 5 minutes.

The widget shows the current download speed (↓) and recoil (↑) in real time. On POCO F4 and other MIUI devices for POCO, this widget may be called the Data Monitor.

Xiaomi modelSupport for speed widgetNotes
Xiaomi 12/12TYes.Widget available in MIUI 13/14
Redmi Note 10 ProYes.Upgrade to MIUI 12.5+ is required
POCO X3 ProPartially.Only in firmware based on Android 11
Xiaomi Pad 5No.The feature is not available in the tablet versions of MIUI

πŸ’‘

If the widget doesn’t update data, check if the power saving mode for system applications is on. Go to Settings β†’ Battery β†’ Application Energy Saving and add System Interface to exceptions.

3. Displaying speed in games (Game Turbo)

For gamers, Xiaomi has a separate tool, Game Turbo, which shows the speed of the Internet and ping while playing, which is especially useful for online shooters like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty: Mobile.

The function can be activated as follows:

  1. Start the game, then swipe from right to left to open the Game Turbo panel.
  2. Slap the icon. ⚑ (or Network) at the bottom of the panel.
  3. Turn on the switch to show the network speed.
  4. Set the indicator position on the screen (you can drag it to any corner).

The indicator will display:

  • πŸ“Ά Current download/return speed (e.g. 45 Mbps) ↓).
  • πŸ•ΉοΈ Ping to the game server (if the game supports) API Game Turbo).
  • πŸ“Š CPU load schedule/GPU (optionally).

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi) K50 Gaming speed indicator in Game Turbo can conflict with overlays from applications such as GFX Tools.If numbers don't show up, temporarily disable third-party utilities to optimize games.

4. Third-party applications for speed monitoring

If standard methods do not work (for example, on older versions of MIUI or custom firmware), use third-party utilities.

  • πŸ“Š NetSpeed Indicator is a lightweight application with a customizable indicator in the status bar. Supports themes and color change of text.
  • πŸ”„ Internet Speed Meter β€” shows speed in notifications and on the lock screen.
  • 🎯 Traffic Monitor – for advanced users with support for widgets and notifications about exceeding the limit.

Example of NetSpeed Indicator:

  1. Install the app from Google Play.
  2. Open it and grant permission to Overlay over other applications.
  3. Select the display style (e.g., Text in the status bar).
  4. Set up a data update (recommended 1 second for accuracy).

Install the application|Permit the imposition|Select the type of connection (Wi-Fi/mobile)|Set up the color and size of the font|Add a widget to the main screen (optional)-->

Third-party apps have the advantage of flexibility, for example, in Internet Speed Meter, you can set a speed threshold above which the smartphone will vibrate.

5. Hidden features for advanced users

If you’re ready to dive deeper into the settings, here are a few little-known tricks:

Method 1: ADB-command

On some firmware, the speed display option is hidden, but it can be activated via ADB:

adb shell settings put global show_network_speed 1

Once you've run the command, restart the device to turn it off:

adb shell settings put global show_network_speed 0

Method 2: Editing the build.prop file

This method requires root rights and can lead to unstable operation of the system. Use at your own risk. /system/build.prop line:

ro.miui.has_network_speed_indicator=true

Then restart the smartphone. On the Xiaomi Mi 11 with MIUI 13, this method works steadily, but on new models it can cause errors.

What if after editing build.prop smartphone does not boot?
If the device goes to bootloop, try: 1. Load to TWRP and roll back changes to build.prop. 2. Connect to ADB in recovery mode and delete the added string with the command: adb pull /system/build.prop # Edit the file on your PC, then: adb push build.prop /system/ 3. At the last resort, reflash the device via Fastboot.

Method 3: Using Tasker

With the Tasker app, you can create a task that will display Internet speed in a notification or lock screen.

  • πŸ“± Trigger: Connecting to Wi-Fi/mobile.
  • πŸ”„ Action: Run a script to measure speed (e.g., via ping or curl).
  • πŸ“’ Conclusion: Displaying notifications at current speed.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after setting the speed mapping correctly, let’s look at the typical errors and how to fix them:

Problem.Possible causeDecision
Numbers do not appear in the notification panelLimitations on energy conservationAdd System Interface to Battery Exceptions
Speed is only shown for Wi-Fi.Default settingInclude display for mobile data in Settings β†’ Notification Panel
The widget is not updatedConflict with MIUI OptimizerTurn off RAM autocleaning in Settings β†’ Battery
Monitoring applications are not workingBlocking of overlaysAllow overlays in Settings β†’ Applications β†’ Special Accesses

If none of the methods worked, check:

  • πŸ“± Version MIUI (on some beta firmwares the function is disabled).
  • πŸ”§ Availability of system updates (Settings) β†’ The phone. β†’ Updating the system).
  • πŸ› οΈ Firmware integrity (if the smartphone was reflashed, there may be no system files).

πŸ’‘

On Android 12+ and MIUI 13+ devices, the standard speed display in the notification panel works the most stable. Third-party apps are recommended only for advanced monitoring or older versions of firmware.

Can I show the speed of the Internet on the lock screen?
Yes, but only with third-party applications like Internet Speed Meter or NetSpeed Indicator. In standard MIUI settings, this feature is not. To do this: Install one of the applications. In the utility settings, enable the option to show on the lock screen. Provide all the necessary permissions (including Overlay and Notifications). Note: on some models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Lite), the display on the lock may conflict with the function-on Display.
Why is the speed in the notification panel different from the speedtest?
That's okay. MIUI It shows instantaneous data rates, whereas Speedtest measures average bandwidth in a few seconds: πŸ“Ά The notification bar displays the current connection speed (such as file download) rather than the maximum possible connection speed. πŸ”„ Speedtest tests speed to server, which depends on the load of the operator’s network. πŸ“Š For an accurate comparison, start up the file download and watch the indicator in real time.
How to turn off the speed display if it interferes?
The method depends on the activation method: πŸ”§ If you have enabled through Settings β†’ Notification panel – just turn off the switch Show network speed. πŸ“± If you use a widget, remove it from the main screen. πŸ› οΈ If they did. ADB-Adb shell settings put global settings show_network_speed 0. πŸ“Š For third-party applications – remove them or disable overlays in settings.
Does the POCO F5 speed mapping work with MIUI 14?
Yes, but with reservations: βœ… The standard method through the notification panel works. βœ… Internet speed widget is available, but may require firmware updates. ⚠️ In Game Turbo, the speed indicator sometimes disappears after the game update (resolved by restarting Game Turbo). POCO F5 Pro is additionally available as a ping display option in milliseconds (included in Game Turbo settings).
Can you configure speed mapping in megabytes (MB/s) instead of megabits (Mbps)?
In standard settings MIUI β€” No, but: πŸ“Š In the Internet Speed Meter application, you can select units of measurement in the settings (MB/s or Mbps). πŸ› οΈ If you use ADB-The commands, the units of measurement depend on the system parameters (you can't change them without root). 1 Byte = 8 bits, so 10 Mbps β‰ˆ 1.25 MB/s.