Xiaomi smartphone owners often face the need to monitor the quality of the connection in real time. Built-in indicators in the status bar only show the presence of 4G or Wi-Fi, but do not give accurate information about the bandwidth of the channel. This creates discomfort, especially when applications are slow or video is played with delays, although the network icon looks full.
To analyze traffic in detail and respond instantly, the user needs to display numerical load and rebound speeds directly on the screen. MIUI and the new HyperOS have both standard monitoring tools and hidden engineering menus, and understanding these tools will allow you to stay up-to-date on your connection status.
In this article, we will take a look at all the ways you can display network metrics, learn how to use embedded widgets, third-party utilities and system codes, and this knowledge will help you quickly diagnose ISP or router problems without having to run heavy benchmarks every time.
Use of built-in MIUI widgets
The easiest and safest way to get traffic information is to use standard MIUI shell widgets. Xiaomi developers have built a functional monitoring tool that does not require installing additional software and does not waste CPU resources. It is ideal for everyday use.
To activate this element, you need to go to the desktop and pinch with two fingers or pinch an empty area. In the menu that appears, select the option Widgets, then find the Tools category. Among the many icons, you are interested in the Network Speed or Traffic Monitor widget.
Once you add it to the screen, you'll see the current download speed in real time, and it's important to note that the widget shows the actual traffic: if nothing is downloaded, it's going to be close to zero, which is a key difference from the speed tests, which show the maximum channel throughput at the time of measurement.
- 📶 Instant Start: The widget works immediately after installation and does not require complex permission settings.
- 🎨 Adaptability: font size and widget style are often adjusted to the theme of your smartphone design.
- 🔋 Charge savings: system widget optimized better than third-party counterparts and consumes less battery in the background.
⚠️ Note: Some versions of firmware (especially Global and EEA) The widget can be called the Traffic Monitor, and it can show not only the speed, but also the volume of megabytes spent in the current month.
Setting up the speed indicator in the notification curtain
For those who prefer minimalism and don't want to clutter up their desktops with extra elements, there's an alternative: The current data rate indicator can be displayed directly to the status bar, next to the Wi-Fi icons and the cellular signal level, and it's the most elegant and subtle solution.
Activation of this function depends on the version of your operating system. In new HyperOS updates and new MIUI 14, the path may be different. Usually you need to open Settings, go to the Notifications and Status bar or Advanced Settings section.
If you don't have this option on the standard menu, it doesn't mean that the feature isn't available. In some regions and firmware versions, it's hidden or replaced with more detailed monitoring through the Security app. Using system settings guarantees stability, since this element is part of the interface kernel.
☑️ Checking the display settings
Keep in mind that displaying speed in a status bar can take up useful space, especially on screens with a cutout or hole under the camera. If the numbers are overlaid on the system clock or other important icons, it is better to use a larger widget on the desktop.
Third-party applications for traffic monitoring
Staffing is sometimes not enough, especially if you need connection history, app detail, or a more beautiful interface.The Google Play Store offers a variety of utilities that can replace Xiaomi's standard tools. They often provide more flexible look and feel settings.
One of the most popular solutions is the Internet Speed Meter Lite app, which creates a small floating bar or adds an icon to the status bar that shows the current speed, and the peculiarity of these applications is that they can work on top of other windows and even on a locked screen if you allow the corresponding rights in the system.
When installing third-party software, be careful about the permissions you request. To run a traffic counter, the app needs access to network usage statistics, but it shouldn't require access to your contacts or gallery. Always check developer ratings and reviews before installing.
- 🚀 Network Speed Test: a popular application that combines real-time monitoring and the function of speed testing by pressing.
- 📊 Traffic Monitor: an advanced tool for those who want to see traffic consumption charts with each application launched.
- 🎨 Customization: Many applications allow you to change the color, font and position of the indicator, which is impossible to do with standard means MIUI.
⚠️ Warning: Installing too many monitor apps can lead to conflicts. Android can restrict the background work of multiple programs measuring traffic at once, leading to incorrect data.
Why can third-party apps lie?
Engineering menu and hidden codes Xiaomi
For advanced users who want to see the signal’s technical parameters (RSRP, SINR) And there's a menu of engineering that's a hidden part of the system, designed for communications engineers, but also accessible to ordinary users through special devices. USSD-code.
To enter this mode, open the Phone app and dial the combination ##4636##. If the code is suitable for your model and region, the Testing menu will open. Select Phone Information. Here you will see not only the speed, but also the network type, signal strength and connection status.
In some cases, standard code may not work on global firmware versions, so you can try installing Activity Launcher from Play Market, find com.android.settings in the activity list, and run testing, and bypass the manufacturer's restrictions on direct menu calls.
| Parameter | Description | Normal value. |
|---|---|---|
| SINR | Signal-to-noise ratio | More than 10 dB |
| RSRP | Power of the received signal | -80 dBm and higher |
| Band | Frequency range | Depends on the operator. |
| PCI | Physical ID of a cell | Any number |
It's safe to use the engineering menu if you're just browsing. However, changing the settings in the Set Preferred Network Type sections without understanding the consequences can lead to communication loss. Be careful and fix the initial values before any changes.
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If ##4636### doesn’t work, try installing Hidden Settings for MIUI, which opens the hidden settings section through the GUI.
Testing of maximum throughput
Real-time indicators show the current load, but they don't tell you what the maximum speed your provider can give you. Periodic tests are needed to test the potential of the channel, which is especially true when buying a new tariff or complaining about the quality of communication.
The most reliable tool is the Ookla Speedtest, which has an official Android app that automatically selects the nearest server to minimize delays, and the test results will show ping (latency), download speed (Download) and recoil speed (Upload).
When conducting tests, it is important to observe certain conditions for obtaining objective data: downloading other devices on the network, background updates of applications or torrents can significantly underestimate the performance.
- 📡 Server Choice: Always choose your carrier’s server to check your real internet speed.
- 🔄 Repeatability: Test at different times of the day as the load on the operator’s network changes.
- 📶 5G against 4G: Compare results across different types of networks to estimate the speed gain from the new communication standard.
In addition to Ookla, there are alternatives from operators themselves (such as MTS Speedtest or MegaFon Speedtest), which may show more optimistic results within their network, but less objective when switching to other providers.
Diagnosing low speed problems
If the indicators are low and the tests confirm the problem, you need to do a diagnosis, and often the reason is not in the phone, but in the reception conditions or network settings, and understanding the nature of the problem will help to quickly fix it.
The first step should always be to restart the communication module, so that the 10-15 second Flight mode is turned on and off, and the smartphone is re-registered and maybe switched to a less-busy tower, which is a simple but effective method.
It is also worth checking the settings of the access point (APN). Sometimes resetting settings APN It helps to restore a stable connection to the factory values. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Access points (APN).
⚠️ Attention: Low speed on the indicator can be a consequence of exhausting the traffic limit at the tariff. Operators often do not turn off the Internet completely, but cut the speed to the minimum values (64 or 128 kbps), which looks like a network malfunction.
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Connection stability is more important than peak speed: If the indicator jumps from 0 to 10 Mbps, it is a sign of unstable signal, even if the average value is high.