How to Set Up Traffic Savings on Xiaomi: 7 Ways to Work

Xiaomi MIUI-based smartphones are known for their functionality, but by default many apps are actively consuming mobile traffic in the background. If you have a limited fare or travel frequently roaming, data consumption can come as a nasty surprise. This article will help you understand how to limit background traffic consumption, adjust limit warnings and optimize network performance on Redmi, POCO and Mi devices.

We will look at both standard MIUI 14/15 tools and hidden settings that the manufacturer does not advertise, and we will focus on the problems that users face after system updates - for example, when resetting network settings does not help, and traffic continues to leak. All instructions are tested on current firmware in 2026 and adapted for different models - from the budget Redmi Note 12 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

1. Incorporate traffic saving mode into MIUI

The easiest way to reduce data consumption is to activate the built-in saving mode, which limits the background activity of applications and reduces the quality of media files when connecting to a mobile connection.

To include it:

1. Open Settings → Connections and Sharing → Data Use
2. Tap on Traffic Saving (or Data Limitation in Older MIUI Versions)
3. Switch the slider to "On" position.
4. Set the warning limit (we recommend 80% of your tariff) and automatically shut down when you reach 100%.

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If your MIUI version doesn't have Traffic Savings, check Special Opportunities → Power and Data Savings. Some firmware has it hidden there.

This mode works for all applications at once, but has limitations:

• 📱 It does not block system updates (they can eat up to 500MB at a time)
• 🎵 Does not reduce the quality of music in Mi Music or Spotify – you need to customize it separately
• 📶 Does not affect traffic consumption when using Mi Share or Quick Share

2.Restriction of background traffic for individual applications

Many programs continue to consume data even when you're not using it, especially social media, instant messengers and games with an online component.

To turn off background activity:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management
2. Select the app you want (such as Facebook or TikTok)
3. Tap Data Use
4. Turn off background data and Autostart
5. Activate Limit Data Use (if any)

An important nuance: some system applications (such as Mi Cloud or Security) do not have the option to disable background data, in which case only complete deletion or freezing through ADB will help.

3. Set up warnings about exceeding the limit

MIUI allows you to set two types of notifications: alerts and automatic mobile data shutdowns, which are especially useful for tariffs with a tight limit.

Instructions for setting:

• 📊 Go to Settings. → Connections → Use of data → Tariff cycle
• 📅 Set the start date of the reporting period (coinciding with your tariff)
• ⚠️ Enable Excess Warning and set a threshold (e.g. 15GB out of 20GB)
• 🚫 Activate Automatic Shutdown When You Reach the Limit

⚠️ Note: Some of the scoring for POCO These settings can be reset once you reboot them, check them once a week or use third-party apps like NetGuard.

For more flexible control, you can use the Data Use widget on the home screen, which shows real-time consumption and allows you to quickly turn off mobile Internet.

4. Optimization of the mobile network

Many users are unaware that the type of connection to the network directly affects traffic consumption, for example, 5G consumes 20-30% more data than 4G for the same tasks.

Recommended settings:

To change these parameters:

1. Open Settings → Connections → Mobile Network
2. Choose yours. SIM-map
3. Set up your preferred network type (optimally LTE)
4. Turn off mobile data in roaming if you are not traveling

5. Hidden MIUI features to save traffic

MIUI 14+ has a hidden option called Smart Data Savings, which analyzes user habits and automatically limits traffic for rarely used applications, to activate it:

adb shell settings put global data_saver_mode 2


adb shell settings put global auto_data_saver_enabled 1

These teams include:

• 🤖 Automatically limit background data for applications you haven’t used >3 days
• 📉 Decrease in the quality of pre-loading content in social networks
• 🔄 Optimizing application updates (wi-fi only)

⚠️ Note: After applying these commands, the auto-weather update in the Mi Weather widget may stop working. To fix, add this application to the exceptions in the data saving settings.

To return to the standard settings, use:

adb shell settings put global data_saver_mode 0

6.Using a VPN to compress traffic

Little-known fact: some VPN-services (e.g. Opera) VPN or 1.1.1.1) can compress traffic up to 30 percent without loss of quality:

• 🗜️ Image and video compression before transmission
• 🔄 Caching frequently requested data
• 🚫 Blocking Advertising Trackers (which also consume traffic)

How to set up:

1. Install Opera Max or Cloudflare WARP from Google Play
2. Enable the option “Data Saving” in VPN settings
3. Add to the exceptions banking applications and instant messengers

Make sure that the VPN is working correctly:

✔ Page loading speeds have not dropped by more than 15%

✔ YouTube video is downloaded in the same quality

✔ The messengers work without delay

✔ VPN settings have enabled traffic compression option

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Important: Do not use the unknown VPN-services — they can not only save traffic, but also steal your data.

7. Alternative methods: from root rights to third-party applications

If standard methods do not help, you can go further:

For advanced users:

• 🔧 Use Xposed Framework with Network Usage Monitor for detailed monitoring
• 📱 Install custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience) with more flexible network settings
• 🛠️ File editing /system/build.prop limiting the speed of mobile data

No root rights:

• 📊 GlassWire app – shows real-time traffic consumption with specific processes
• 🛡️ NetGuard – Internet blocker for individual applications without root
• 📈 My Data Manager – easy to monitor with weekly reports

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The traffic control application side is often more effective than the built-in MIUI tools, but requires more rights and can conflict with system services.

Remember, any manipulation of system files can lead to loss of warranty or unstable operation of the device. Always back up before experimenting.

FAQ: Frequent questions about saving traffic on Xiaomi