How to limit Internet traffic on Xiaomi: all ways of 2026

Why it’s important to control your traffic on Xiaomi

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO are using the mobile internet for background updates, data synchronization and app operation. Unchecked, this can lead to unexpected costs — especially if you have a limited tariff or roaming. Statistically, up to 30% of users experience traffic exceeding the limit due to automatic downloads to Google Play, cloud backups or streaming services.

In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to limit traffic on Xiaomi devices – from built-in functions. MIUI to third-party apps and router settings, and we'll focus on hidden options in firmware. MIUI 14/15, These are the ones that allow you to block background traffic for individual applications without root rights. 12 before the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

Method 1: Built-in traffic limit in MIUI

MIUI has a built-in tool to monitor and limit mobile traffic, it works at the system level and does not require the installation of additional applications.

1. Open the Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
2. Choose yours. SIM-card (if there are several).
3. Go to the section Use of data.
4. Activate the slider Set a data limit.
5. Specify the traffic limit (e.g. 10 GB) and the reset period (usually 1 month).

The system will track the flow and automatically shut down mobile internet when it reaches a limit, and importantly, this method doesn't block the background traffic of applications, it only limits the total volume.

Make sure that the mobile internet is turned on|Picking the right one SIM-map|Establish a realistic limit (for the 10-15% less-than-tariff)|Check the reset period (coincides with the date of tariff update)|Save the settings-->

If the limit is reset incorrectly after setting, check:

• 📅 Does the reset date match the date of update of your tariff with the operator.
• 🔄 Do not reset after rebooting (relevant for beta versions) MIUI).
• 📱 Aren't you using two? SIM-cards with the same settings (limit is valid separately for each card).

Method 2: Limit background traffic for applications

Many apps (like Facebook, TikTok, or Google Photos) consume traffic in the background even when you’re not using them, and MIUI allows you to block this traffic separately for each application:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as YouTube).
3. Click Data Use.
4. Activate the option to limit background data.

Exceptions: Some system applications (e.g. Google Play Services) do not have this option and will require a data saving mode (see next section).

Social networks (Facebook, Instagram)|Messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram)|Streaming (YouTube, Twitch)|Cloud services (Google Drive, Mi Cloud)|Games (PUBG, Genshin Impact)-->

⚠️ Attention: Restricting background traffic can cause notifications to be delayed in instant messengers (such as WhatsApp or Telegram).If you care about instant alerts, add these apps to the exceptions in the data saving settings.

Method 3: Data saving mode

The MIUI Data Saving Mode function reduces traffic consumption by:

• 🚫 Blocking Automatic Application Updates.
• 📥 Limitations on pre-loading data (e.g. Google News).
• 🔄 Reduce synchronization frequency (e.g. for Gmail or Mi Account).
• 🎵 Decrease in the quality of streaming audio (in Spotify, Yandex Music).

To activate the regime:

1. Open Settings → Connections and Sharing → Save Traffic
2. Activate the data saving slider.
3. In the Applications section, without limitation, add messengers and other critical programs.

Feature: In some versions of MIUI (e.g., on POCO F5), this mode is called Adaptive Savings and is located in Settings → Battery.

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If notifications from banking applications (e.g. SberBank Online or Tinkoff) stop coming after saving data are turned on, add them to the exceptions. Otherwise, you may miss important SMS or push alerts.

Method 4: Using Third-Party Applications

If the built-in MIUI features aren’t enough, you can install specialized apps to monitor traffic.

• 📊 NetGuard – a traffic blocker without root rights with the ability to create rules for individual applications and domains.
• 🛡️ GlassWire – visualizes traffic consumption in real time and alerts you to suspicious activity.
• 📉 My Data Manager – a user-friendly interface with monthly reports and forecast of consumption.
• 🔒 Datally (from Google) – a simple tool for blocking background traffic with the function “Vacuum” (cleaning the cache).

Example of NetGuard configuration:

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. When you first start, provide access to a VPN (this is necessary for traffic monitoring).
3. In the main menu, select an app (such as Instagram) and turn off mobile data for it.
4. Activate the Block option when roaming if you travel frequently.

⚠️ Attention: Traffic control applications (such as NetGuard or GlassWire) create local traffic control applications VPN-This could be a conflict with corporate VPN (For example, Cisco AnyConnect) or banking applications!

Method 5: Set up a router to limit traffic

If your Xiaomi is connected to Wi-Fi, you can limit traffic to the router level, which is true for users who have mobile Internet through an access point or use a Xiaomi Mi Router home router.

Instructions for Xiaomi routers:

1. Open the router’s web interface at 192.168.31.1 (the username and password are usually admin).
2. Go to Additional Settings → Traffic control.
3. Enable the option Speed Limitation.
4. Add a rule for the device by MAC-Address (can be found in Settings) → The phone. → General information on a smartphone).
5. Set a limit (e.g. 5 Mbps for download and 2 Mbps for recoil).

For routers from other manufacturers (for example, TP-Link or ASUS) The path may be different, but the principle remains the same: MAC-address IP. Some routers also have Parental Controls, which allows you to set a daily traffic limit.

Additional tips for saving traffic

In addition to the basic methods, there are several “hidden” techniques that will help reduce traffic consumption by 20-30%:

• 📱 Turn off autoplay videos on social media: Facebook: Settings → Video settings → Auto-reproduction → Never. on Instagram: Profile → Settings → Account. → Use of mobile data → Saving traffic.
• 🎵 Downgrade streaming quality: On YouTube: select video quality settings 480p Spotify: Settings → Sound quality → Low (24 kbps).
• 🔄 Update apps only with Wi-Fi: Open Google Play → Settings → Auto-update of applications → Only through Wi-Fi.
• ☁️ Turn off automatic cloud upload: Google Photos: Settings → Backup and synchronization → Backup through the mobile network → Off. Mi Cloud: Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Autoboot → Only Wi-Fi.

Profit: These measures do not require additional applications to be installed and work on all versions of MIUI, including MIUI Global and MIUI China.

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Even if you don’t set strict limits, turning off autoplay videos on social media and reducing streaming quality can save up to 3-5 GB of traffic per month. – the equivalent of 10-15 hours of high-resolution video viewing!

What to do if traffic continues to “leak”

If after all the settings, traffic is still being consumed unreasonably quickly, check the following points:

1. Viruses and malware: Some Trojans (like Joker or HiddenAds) consume traffic to show hidden ads. Check the device with Malwarebytes or Dr.Web Light.
2. System updates: MIUI It can download firmware updates in the background. Turn that off in Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system → Settings (⚙️) → Downloading through the mobile network.
3. VPN and proxy: Some VPN-services (e.g. Turbo) VPN or 1.1.1.1) may increase traffic consumption due to additional encryption. VPN Or turn it off.
4. Account Sync: Google, Mi and Microsoft accounts can sync data (contacts, calendars, notes) in the background. Turn off unnecessary sync in Settings → Accounts and sync.

If the problem persists, use the traffic log in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Use of data → Log. This shows all the apps that have been using traffic in the last 30 days, and the exact volume.

FAQ: Frequent questions about traffic restriction on Xiaomi