Owners of modern Xiaomi Redmi smartphones often face the need to tightly control the Internet connection, whether it is a desire to save traffic on a tariff with a limited package or the need to restrict children’s access to content. Unlike simply turning on air mode, a complete shutdown or a significant limitation of data transfer speed requires a more subtle configuration of the MIUI or HyperOS. Standard interfaces do not always offer a single button “slow down the Internet”, so users have to resort to complex configuration methods.
There are several effective ways to achieve the desired result, from changing the parameters of the access point APN to the use of built-in traffic monitoring tools. Each method has its own characteristics and affects the operation of the device in different ways. In this article, we will discuss in detail the technical nuances that will allow you to manage the bandwidth of the communication channel on your gadget.
It's important to understand that a complete software shutdown of speed actually turns a smartphone into a device without access to the WAN, leaving only local functions available. Changing APN parameters to non-existent values is the most radical way to break the connection at the protocol level. Next, we'll look at step-by-step instructions for implementing these tasks.
Use of built-in MIUI traffic limits
The safest and most common way to control data consumption is to use an embedded security application, and the MIUI shell has a powerful mechanism that allows you not only to track, but also to forcefully stop data transmission when you reach a predetermined threshold, which does not reduce the speed directly, but effectively “stops” the connection when you decide that the limit is exhausted.
To set up, you need to go to the Safety app and select Traffic, where you can set a daily or monthly limit, and when you use up the set amount, the system automatically shuts down your mobile Internet, which is visually perceived as a drop in speed to zero, which is ideal for parents who control their children's spending.
But if your goal is to slow down, rather than shut it down completely, it might seem a little rough, but the combination of limits and manual controls allows you to adjust access flexibly, and you can install a very small package that will run out in minutes, and then the Internet will stop working until the statistics are reset.
☑️ Setting up traffic limits
It's worth noting that the settings may vary slightly depending on the firmware version. With newer versions of HyperOS, the interface has become more minimalistic, but the functionality has remained the same. If you haven't found the right options, try updating the security application through GetApps.
Modifying the APN access point to reduce speed
The most technically intelligent way to affect connection speed is to edit the APN (Access Point Name) settings, which determine how your device connects to the operator’s network, and by changing protocols or entering incorrect data, you can achieve unstable or no connection at all.
To get into the settings menu, go down the Settings path. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Access points (APN). Select your operator's active point and click on it to edit. Here we're interested in the fields that are responsible for the connection type and proxy.
There are two main methods for speed degradation:
- 📉 Change of type APN: Try changing the meaning of the "Type" field APN» It's a default, a supl, or a random text type, which often causes the phone to fail to set up a full data session.
- 🛑 Proxy setting: In the fields "Proxy" and "Port" you can enter arbitrary values (for example, IP This will cause the phone to try to send requests through a non-existent server, which will lead to timeouts and extremely low speeds.
⚠️ Warning: Before making changes, make sure to take a screenshot or write down the original settings. APN They can completely deprive you of access to the Internet, and you will need to reset your network settings to restore it.
After making the changes, remember to save the new access point and choose the one that is active. Rebooting the device in flight mode will help you apply the new parameters. If the Internet is completely lost, then the method worked effectively.
How do you get it back?
Limiting application background activity
Often users want to limit speeds not globally, but for specific “gluttonous” applications that download updates or synchronize data in the background.The Xiaomi ecosystem has tight restrictions on background activity that can be manually configured.
Go to Settings → Applications → All apps. Select the app you want (like YouTube or Instagram) and find Activity Control or Charge Saving. Set a background activity limit. This won't slow down when the app is open, but it will prevent traffic consumption when the screen is off.
You can also use Traffic Limiter. In the Security app, find this item. Here's a list of all programs with network access. You can completely deny access to Wi-Fi or Mobile Data for selected programs.
| Type of restriction | Where to find out. | The effect |
|---|---|---|
| Background activity | Application settings | The app doesn't work in the background |
| Data lockdown | Security → Limiter | Total ban on network access |
| Saving traffic | Settings → SIM-map | Decreased quality of content |
This approach allows you to keep messengers running, but block heavy media services, which is especially true if you want your phone to stay connected, but not eat traffic.
Traffic saving mode and data compression
Google Chrome and other modern browsers have built-in traffic compression features that actually reduce page loading speed by reducing page weight. While this doesn’t shut down the internet at the system level, the result is similar for the user: pages load slower, and images may not be displayed immediately.
In Chrome, this feature can be called Light Mode or Traffic Saving, and when enabled, requests go through Google servers, where they are compressed before being sent to your Redmi. IP-address.
Also, in the Android settings themselves (Network and Internet → Traffic Savings), you can turn on a global constraint, the system will alert you about data consumption and can limit background synchronization for all applications at once, a good way to gently strangle the Internet without shutting it down completely.
In such cases, only a full firewall lock or APN restriction, as mentioned above, helps.
💡
Use the "Only" mode. 2G/3G» customized SIM-If you want to force the speed to a minimum, switching to old communication standards ensures low download speeds.
Hidden possibilities of the engineering menu
For advanced users, there is an engineering menu where you can control the radio module in more detail, log in via code set ##4636## in the phone app, and if the code doesn't work, you can activate it through third-party utilities like Activity Launcher.
In the section Information about the phone or Information about SIM-You can find the settings of your preferred network type. LTE or 5G on GSM only (only) 2G) drastically reduces the speed to levels unsuitable for watching video, but sufficient for texting.
This works at the hardware level of the modem, and even if you run a speed test, it will show a few kilobits per second, and it's an effective way to turn a smartphone into a phone for calling and SMS, by turning off the smart functions of the Internet.
⚠️ Note: In the engineering menu, do not change unknown parameters, except for the type of network. Incorrect settings of the radio module can lead to loss of signal or the need to flash the device.
Use of third-party firewall applications
If the built-in tools aren't enough, traffic controller apps like NoRoot Firewall or NetGuard come to the rescue. VPN-A tunnel through which all traffic is passed, allowing flexible filtering of connections.
They can not only block applications, but also create rules, such as allowing access to messenger servers by blocking the download of media files. Some firewalls have an artificial speed limit (Traffic Shaping), which directly answers the question of how to turn off speed.
Installing these applications requires careful permissions, they take full control of your device's network traffic, and only use proven open source software from trusted sources.
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The most reliable way to completely stop the Internet is to change the APN, and the most flexible is to use a third-party firewall with a speed limit feature.