How to see the consumption of Internet traffic on Xiaomi: a step-by-step guide

Have you noticed that mobile internet on your Xiaomi is running out too fast? Or want to understand which app eats the most gigabytes? In this article, we’ll look at all the ways to track traffic on devices with MIUI — from standard tools to hidden features and third-party utilities. You’ll learn how to set up limit alerts, block background traffic, and even analyze data consumption by the clock.

Important: the methods work on all current Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models (including the Xiaomi 13/14 series, Redmi Note 12/13, POCO X5/F5), but may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI (13, 14 or HyperOS). If you have old firmware, update it through Settings → About Phone → System Update.

Hidden bonus: At the end of the article, you will find a table with traffic rates for popular applications (from TikTok to Google Maps) and FAQ for solving data-adjusting problems.

1. Built-in traffic counter in MIUI: where to look and how to set up

The easiest way is to use the standard MIUI tool, which shows the consumption of mobile data and Wi-Fi separately, and allows you to set limits.

1. Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
2. Go to Connections and Sharing → Data Use.
3. At the top of the screen, you'll see the monthly flow chart, and tap it to expand the details.

Here's the display:

• 📊 Total traffic for the selected period (default from the 1st day of the month).
• 📱 Application expenditure is a sorted list of “gluttonous” programs.
• 🔔 Warnings are customizable alerts when a predetermined limit is reached.
• 🌐 Separation by network types: mobile data, Wi-Fi, roaming.

To set the limit:

1. Click on the Warning and Limit settings.
2. Please indicate the starting date (usually the 1st of the month, but you can choose any one).
3. Enter a traffic limit (e.g. 10GB) and save.

⚠️ Warning: If you use two SIM- cards, the counter will show the flow rate for each separately, switch between them via the drop-down menu at the top of the screen.

💡

To reset the statistics manually (for example, after purchasing a new tariff), click on the three dots in the upper right corner of the Data Use screen and select Reset Statistics.

2. Hidden MIUI function: detailing traffic by the clock

Few people know, but MIUI can show traffic consumption by time, which helps to identify peak hours when apps are actively consuming data, for example, if your smartphone suddenly consumes gigabytes at night, this can indicate background activity or viruses.

How to include detail:

1. Go to Settings → Connections and Sharing → Data Use.
2. Slip on the flow chart (at the top of the screen).
3. Scroll down to the Use for the Day section and click on it.

Now you'll see:

• 📅 Calendar marked with high-flow days.
• ⏰ Hourly chart — how much data went into each hour.
• 📉 Trends are a comparison with previous days.

Example: If you notice that traffic is skyrocketing from 3 to 5 a.m., check your app auto-update settings (see the next section) or run an antivirus scan.

3.How to turn off background traffic to save gigabytes

Many apps continue to eat the Internet even when you’re not using them, such as social media (Facebook, Instagram), instant messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram), or system services (Google Play Services), and turning off background activity can save up to 30% of traffic per month.

Methods of limitation:

Method 1: Through the MIUI settings

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (such as TikTok).
3. Slip on Data Use.
4. Turn off the Background switch.

Method 2: Global Limitation (for all applications)

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Application Power Management.
2. Choose to limit background activity.
3. Add to the list of apps that shouldn’t work in the background.

Warning: Disabling background traffic may result in:

• ❌ Delayed notifications (e.g., messages to Telegram will only arrive after the app is opened).
• ❌ Stop downloads (if you download files through a browser or download manager).
• ❌ Synchronized problems (e.g. Google Photos will stop automatically downloading media files).

4. Third-party applications for traffic monitoring

If built-in MIUI tools aren’t enough, try specialized utilities that offer advanced analytics, home screen widgets, and even lock individual applications when you exceed the limit.

Top.-3 apps:

How to install and configure (for example, My Data Manager):

The advantage of third-party apps is that they work even if you reset your phone or update your firmware.

⚠️ Warning: Some applications (like NetGuard) require the inclusion of Developer Mode and USB- debugging permission. This can reduce device security if you're not an experienced user.

5. Checking traffic through USSD-operator

If you need to know the exact traffic balance at the fare (not the statistics of the consumption on the phone), use the USSD- commands of your operator.

• 🔄 You suspect that the phone is showing incorrect data.
• 📡 Want to know the balance on bonus gigabytes (for example, for connected options).
• 💰 Check the roaming rate (where the charging is different).

USSD-teams for popular operators:

How to send USSD-team:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Go to the keyboard tab (if the last calls are open).
3. Enter the command (e.g. *100#) and press the call button.
4. Wait for the SMS to respond (coming within 10-30 seconds).

Important: Operator and phone data may differ slightly due to:

• 🕒 Delays in updating statistics (the operator sometimes updates the data with a delay of up to 24 hours).
• 📶 Traffic not accounted for by the phone (e.g., when using modem mode).

💡

If the difference between the operator and the phone is more than 10%, check the APN settings (access points) – it is possible that the phone is connecting to the network incorrectly.

6. Traffic analysis in roaming and abroad

In roaming, the tariff of traffic often differs from home, and its consumption can grow many times due to:

• 🌍 Auto-updates (they can eat a few gigabytes per night)
• 📍 Geolocation services (Google Maps, Yandex.Maps constantly synchronize data).
• ☁️ Cloud backups (Google Photos, iCloud download media files in the background).

How to avoid unexpected bills:

Step 1: Turn off mobile data in roaming

1. Go to Settings → Connections and Sharing → Mobile Network.
2. Put the data on Roaming.
3. Turn off the switch (it will turn grey).

Step 2: Set up roaming warnings

Some operators offer free roaming service, such as MTS command *111*789#, Beeline command *145#.

Step 3: Use offline maps and caching

• 🗺️ In Google Maps: download the region map in advance (Profile → Offline Maps).
• 🎵 In Spotify or Yandex.Music: save playlists to your phone's memory.
• 📰 In Google Translate: Download language packages for offline translation.

⚠️ Warning: Even with mobile data disabled, some apps (like WhatsApp) can use Wi-Fi to send messages. If you're connected to public Wi-Fi at a hotel or airport, traffic can be charged at local rates.

7 Problem Solving: Traffic 'leaks' to no one knows where

If you notice that the Internet is being consumed for no apparent reason, follow this checklist:

Common causes of “leakage” of traffic:

If the problem persists, try resetting your network settings:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Network Settings Reset (this won’t delete your files, only network settings).
3. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

FAQ: Frequent questions about traffic on Xiaomi