How to completely disable traffic control on Xiaomi devices: 5 proven ways

Traffic control on Xiaomi devices is a useful feature for saving mobile internet, but it often becomes a source of annoyance. Users face sudden speed limits, blocking background processes or the inability to download large files even at unlimited rates. MIUI HyperOS, where the system aggressively optimizes data consumption.

In this article, we will explore all the ways to disable traffic control, from standard settings to hidden developer settings, learn how to remove restrictions on Redmi, POCO and Mi series, as well as on Xiaomi Mi Routers.

Before you start setting up, check that your carrier may be setting the limits, and if you change your phone, you don't need to contact your mobile provider, and if you're dealing with the device, read on.

Why Xiaomi is limiting traffic and when it gets in the way

The MIUI/HyperOS traffic control system was originally conceived as a tool to save battery life and mobile data, and it works on three levels:

• 🔋 Background optimization: suspends applications in the background if they consume a lot of traffic.
• 📶 Mobile Internet Limits: Automatically reduces speed after exceeding the established threshold (even if the tariff is unlimited).
• 🔄 Automatic Wi-Fi Switch: Blocks mobile internet when Wi-Fi is available, even if it is unstable.

Most of the time, these functions are useful, but they often don't work properly.

• 🚫 Apps like Telegram or WhatsApp stop receiving notifications if they hang in the background for a long time.
• 🐢 The download speed of files drops to 50–100 Kb/s after 1-2 GB downloaded, although the tariff limit is not exhausted.
• 🔌 The phone refuses to use the mobile Internet even when Wi-Fi is malfunctioning (for example, in the subway).

An important nuance: on HyperOS devices (released after 2023), traffic control algorithms have become more aggressive, and the system now analyzes not only the amount of data, but also the types of connections, prioritizing “important” applications (calls, SMS) at the expense of others.

Method 1: Disable traffic control in standard MIUI/HyperOS settings

Let’s start with the simplest method that works on most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones (including the 2020-2026 models), the instructions are relevant for the MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS 1.0 firmware:

1. Open Settings → Connections and Sharing (or Network and Internet on newer versions).
2. Select Use of Data → Mobile traffic.
3. Slap the icon. ⚙️ (Settings) in upper right corner.
4. Turn off the following switches: 🔸 Limit background use of data 🔸 Warning of exceeding the limit 🔸 Automatic Wi-Fi connection (if it interferes with the connection)

Go back and select the Mobile Data Limit → set the value No Limits.

On HyperOS, the path is slightly different: Settings → Mobile network → Use of the SIM-map → Data settings → Turn off traffic optimization.

Important: After these changes, restart your phone. Some restrictions (such as background synchronization) are reset only after the reboot.

Method 2: Background activity resolution for individual applications

If you need to leave traffic control on, but allow specific programs (for example, messengers or navigators), use individual settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want (like Google Maps or Viber).
3. Tap Data Use → Mobile data.
4. Activate the switches: 🔹 Background data 🔹 Unlimited access to data (if available)

Return to the main settings of the application and enable Autostart and Background Activity.

For HyperOS, add the app to Special Permissions: Settings → Apps → Special Permissions → Unlimited Data Access.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g. Redmi Note 12 and later) after upgrading to HyperOS, individual application settings may reset.

Method 3: Disconnect via battery and performance modes

Xiaomi's system links traffic control to power saving modes, and even if you've turned off the restrictions on your network settings, they can be activated again because of the battery mode.

1. Go to Settings → Battery and performance.
2. Select Battery Mode and set Performance (or Balanced, but not Energy Saving).
3. Tap Mode Settings → turn off Background Activity Limit.
4. Go back and select Battery Optimization → find the right app and install it without restrictions.

On HyperOS, the path is different: Settings → Battery → Power Modes → Select Performance.

⚠️ Attention: Performance mode increases battery consumption by 15-20%.If you are critical of battery life, use Balanced, but manually adjust exceptions for key applications.

Method 4: Reset network settings (to eliminate deep-seated constraints)

If previous methods failed, the problem may lie in the network settings cache, which is especially true after firmware updates or changes. SIM-Carry out the reset:

1. Open Settings → Connections and Sharing → Mobile Network.
2. Scroll down and select Network Settings Reset (or Wi-Fi, Mobile Network, and Bluetooth Reset on HyperOS).
3. Confirm the action. The phone will reboot.
4. After the reboot, reset the mobile network connection (you may need to enter APN manually).

For Xiaomi routers: If traffic control is enabled at the router level (e.g. Mi Router 4A or AX3600), reset it via the web interface (192.168.31.1) in the System Tools → Reset.

Method 5: Advanced Methods (ADB and Engineering Menu)

If the standard methods don't work, you'll have to use hidden features, which are very careful and are suitable for advanced users.

Method A: Disconnection through ADB

You will need a computer with installed ADB-Drivers and enabled Debugging by USB phone-on.

1. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell settings put global captive_portal_detection_enabled 0
2. Then type: adb shell settings put global captive_portal_mode 0
3. To disable system-level traffic optimization: adb shell settings put global data_saver_enabled 0

After completing the commands, restart the device.

Method B: Engineering menu (for advanced users only!)

Warning: Incorrect actions in the engineering menu can disrupt the network.

1. Open the Phone app and type in ##4636##.
2. Select Phone Information → scroll down to Set your preferred network type.
3. Make sure you choose LTE/4G or NR/5G (if supported).
4. Go back and select Usage Statistics → reset the traffic counters.

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T or Redmi K60) The engineering menu can be blocked. In this case, use only the method of using the ADB.

💡

If after all the manipulations, the Internet speed remains low, check whether the operator’s Save Traffic mode is turned on. For example, MTS and Beeline have a Turbo-button option, which artificially limits the speed after the “priority” traffic is exhausted.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many users experience the same problems when trying to disable traffic control, and here are the most common errors and solutions:

• 🔄 Restrictions return after rebooting: this means the system resets due to energy-saving mode.Solution: Set for critical applications No limits on battery settings.
• 📵 No item "Mobile Data Limit": on some firmware (for example, POCO F5 HyperOS, this partition is hidden. ADB-Update or update the firmware to the latest version.
• 🔌 Wi-Fi works, but mobile internet doesn’t: check if the option to Always use Wi-Fi in Wi-Fi settings is activated → Additionally.
• 🔒 You can’t change your settings because of corporate policy: if the phone was issued by the employer, it may have been installed. MDM-In this case, please contact the IT-service.

A special case for Xiaomi routers: If you have restricted traffic through the Mi Wi-Fi app but can’t now turn off limits, do:

1. Go to the router's web interface (192.168.31.1).
2. Go to Device Management → Traffic control.
3. Remove all rules or disable the function completely.

💡

On HyperOS devices, it can take up to 10 minutes for the changes to take effect after the traffic control is turned off, during which time the system syncs the settings with the Xiaomi cloud.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions