How to view the use of the Internet on the phone Xiaomi: detailed instructions with pictures and tips

Monitoring mobile traffic on Xiaomi smartphones is a key skill for those who want to avoid unexpected debits or a sharp decline in Internet speed after exhausting the data package. The manufacturer has integrated several monitoring tools into the MIUI shell, but not all users know about their existence or know how to use them. In this article, we will analyze not only standard ways to check traffic through settings, but also hidden functions, as well as third-party applications that will help to detail data consumption down to individual messengers.

Xiaomi’s feature is that the traffic monitoring interface has changed with the release of new versions. MIUI (We have taken these differences into account and prepared universal instructions that are relevant for most models, from the budget Redmi Note 10 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra (SIM-map) and Wi-Fi, and why sometimes the counters show inaccurate data.

1. Standard method: statistics in MIUI settings

The most obvious and reliable method is to use built-in shell tools, which don't require any additional software to be installed, and they work even without an Internet connection.

1. Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the desktop).
2. Go to Connections and Sharing (older versions of Network and Internet).
3. Select Data Use or Data Traffic (name depends on MIUI version).
4. Click on the Mobile Network to view statistics on SIM-Wi-Fi or card for home internet.

In the window that opens, you will see:

• 📊 Expenditure schedule for the current period (default - month).
• 📱 List of applications, sorted by the amount of data consumed (from more to less).
• ⚙️ Reset button (useful at the beginning of a new calculation period).
• ⚠️ Warning about exceeding the limit (if you set it).

Note that Xiaomi defaults to 30 days of total traffic, but you can change that period. To do this, tap the date at the top of the screen (for example, “June 1 – June 30”) and select a different interval. This is convenient if your tariff has a non-standard write-off cycle (for example, 25 numbers of each month).

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If the chart shows a sharp jump in traffic on a certain day, check if the software was updated that day or if large files were downloaded in the background (for example, backups of Google Photos).

2.Separation of traffic by application: who eats your Internet?

One of the most useful tools in MIUI is to detail program spending, which helps identify voracious services that consume traffic in the background, for example, many users are surprised to learn that TikTok or Instagram can eat several gigabytes a month even without active use.

To see the detailed statistics:

1. In the Data Use menu (see previous section) scroll down to the Application Traffic Use block.
2. Slip on any app from the list to see: 📉 Dynamics of consumption for the selected period (graph). 📡 Breakdown into Mobile Data and Wi-Fi. 🔄 Background traffic (how much an app consumes when you don’t use it).

If you notice that an application consumes too much data, you can limit its activity:

1. Click on the program name in the list.
2. Activate the switch to limit background traffic.
3. For a radical solution, install Prohibit the use of mobile data (the application will only work via Wi-Fi).

Important: Some apps (like WhatsApp or Telegram) can bypass MIUI restrictions if they use push notifications or background processes, in which case only completely disabling mobile data for them will help.

3. Set up warnings about exceeding the limit

To avoid unexpected charges, MIUI can set up automatic alerts when a certain traffic threshold is reached, for example, if your tariff includes 15 GB, you can set a 12 GB notification to connect an additional package or switch to Wi-Fi.

Instructions for setting:

1. Open Settings → Connections and Sharing → Data Use.
2. Slap the gear icon (⚙️) top-right.
3. Select Data Traffic Alert.
4. Activate the slider and specify the limit in megabytes or gigabytes.
5. Press Save.

After that, if you exceed the specified value, you will receive a notification in the curtain and a pop-up window. Unfortunately, MIUI does not automatically turn off the Internet when you reach the limit (unlike some custom firmware), but the warning will help you react in time.

⚠️ Note: If you use two of these SIM-The system does not automatically add traffic between two operators.

4. Traffic counter reset: when and how to do it

By default, MIUI resets traffic statistics automatically at the beginning of each month, but that's not always convenient, for example, if your carrier's billing period starts on the 15th or you want to keep records by weeks, in which case you can manually reset the meter.

How to reset data:

1. Go to Settings → Use of data.
2. Slap the gear icon (⚙️) top-right.
3. Select Data Reset.
4. Confirm the action (a password or fingerprint may be required).

Once reset, all the graphs and numbers will be reset, and the countdown will start again.

• 🔄 Changed the tariff plan with a different traffic limit.
• 📅 You want to keep records for a non-standard period (for example, by weeks).
• 📊 I noticed an error in the calculations (sometimes the system “forgets” to reset the data).

⚠️ Attention: Resetting the meter does not affect the actual traffic consumption of the operator. These are only internal statistics of the phone. If you exceeded the limit according to the mobile operator, zeroing on Xiaomi will not return you money or speed.

Make sure that current data is saved (take a screen picture or record)

Check if background downloads (updates, backups) are active

Synchronize important data over Wi-Fi (if reset is needed to save money)

Remember that the reset does not affect the operator's tariff-->

5. Checking traffic through USSD-operator

Built-in tools MIUI They're useful, but sometimes they show data with delay or error, and for accurate information, you better go directly to the carrier. USSD-We've got teams to check balance and traffic:

To take advantage of the team:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Go to the keyboard tab (if contacts are open).
3. Enter. USSD-command (e.g. *100#) and press the call button.
4. Wait. SMS Information (usually provided by the 10-30 seconds).

The advantage of this method is that you get data directly from the operator, without distortion from the phone, but note that some tariffs update traffic information with a delay of up to 24 hours.

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If the data in the settings of Xiaomi and the operator are very different, trust the information from the provider. Built-in MIUI meters can be mistaken when using a VPN or dual-SIM.

6. Third-party applications for traffic monitoring

If you want advanced analytics capabilities (such as hourly statistics, flow forecasts, or background traffic locking), third-party utilities are worth considering, offering more flexible settings and often more accurate built-in MIUI tools.

Top.-3 apps:

• 📊 My Data Manager - shows real-time flow, supports widgets and notifications. There is a function of Background Lock for greedy applications.
• 🔍 GlassWire – visualizes traffic as a graph, detects suspicious activity (for example, sending data to unknown servers).
• 🛡️ NetGuard not only monitors, but also blocks Internet access for individual applications without root rights.

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

1. Download the app from Google Play (or Mi App Store for Chinese firmware).
2. When you first start, give access to Network Settings and Traffic Statistics.
3. Please specify your tariff limit in the Plan Settings section.
4. Enable notifications in the application settings.

Third-party utilities are especially useful if you:

• 🌍 Travel frequently and roam frequently (they can divide traffic by country).
• 📵 Want to block traffic-level ads (some apps can do this).
• 📈 You need detailed reports (for example, for business purposes).

⚠️ Note: Some traffic monitoring applications (such as NetGuard) require constant operation in the background, which can increase battery consumption. 5-10%. Turn them off if you notice a fast battery drain.

7 Why Traffic Data May Be Different: Common Errors

Many Xiaomi users face a situation where the statistics on the phone and the operator do not match, the difference can be as much as 10-30%, and here is why:

• 🔄 VPN Proxy: Traffic passing through VPN (For example, NordVPN or 1.1.1.1, it may not count correctly, and the system only sees the encrypted stream, not its actual volume.
• 📡 Dual-SIM: If you use two SIM-map, MIUI Sometimes the traffic is confused between them.
• 🔄 Background Updates: Automatically update apps via Google Play or firmware through Settings → The phone can “eat” gigabytes unnoticed.
• 📵 Wi-Fi Calling: Wi-Fi calls count as internet traffic, though carriers may write them off differently.

How to minimize discrepancies:

1. Turn off automatic app updates in Google Play (Settings → Network Preferences).
2. Use the Traffic Saving Mode in MIUI (located in Settings → Connections → Traffic Savings).
3. Periodically check the data with the operator through USSD-commands.

If the difference is critical (for example, the phone shows 5 GB and the operator shows 8 GB), try:

1. Reset the traffic counter in the Xiaomi settings.
2. Reboot the phone.
3. Install a third-party monitoring app (such as GlassWire) and compare metrics.

8 Hidden MIUI features to save traffic

In addition to standard tools, MIUI has little-known features that help reduce data consumption:

• 📵 Traffic Saving Mode: Disables background activity for most applications. → Connections → Saving traffic.
• 🔄 Restriction of Updates: Google Play can prevent downloading updates on the mobile network.Path: Play Store settings → Auto-update of applications → Only through Wi-Fi.
• 📸 Browser Data Compression: In Mi Browser or Google Chrome, enable Traffic Saving Mode (in Chrome: Settings) → Saving traffic).
• 🎵 Streaming Restriction: On YouTube or Spotify, set video/audio quality to a minimum when using mobile data.

Another useful trick is to disable autoload media in messengers:

• On WhatsApp: Settings → Storage and Data → Media Autoupload → Mobile Data → Never.
• In Telegram: Settings → Data and Memory → Autoboot Media → Mobile Network → Never.

These settings can save up to 40% of your traffic, especially if you’re an active social media user.

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Even if you don’t watch high-resolution videos, background autoloads of previews and GIFs in social media feeds can eat up to 1-2 GB per month.

FAQ: Frequent questions about traffic on Xiaomi