Where is the Internet going on Xiaomi: how to track traffic consumption and stop leaks

Have you noticed that mobile internet on Xiaomi is running out too fast even though you barely use your phone? Or do you suspect that some apps are stealing traffic in the background? Internet consumption is one of the most common problems among owners of Redmi, POCO and Mi smartphones, especially after upgrading to MIUI 14/15 or the new HyperOS.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways Xiaomi can track traffic, from built-in tools to hidden settings that 90% of users don’t know about, how to identify voracious apps, block background consumption, and even detect viruses masquerading as system processes, and at the end, an exclusive 30-50% traffic saving life hack without losing functionality.

Whether you're using the Redmi Note 12 or the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra, the principles of traffic monitoring are the same, the key is to know where to look and what to look for, and start with the basic methods and gradually move on to advanced techniques.

1. built-in traffic monitoring in MIUI/HyperOS

The easiest way to check your Internet usage is to use the built-in statistics in Xiaomi's settings, which show you the current month, break down your traffic across apps, and even warn you that you're over the limit.

Open the Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Data transmission. Here you will see a graph of mobile Internet consumption (if you use it). SIM) Or Wi-Fi (if connected to the network) tap on the "Traffic Use" item, and a detailed report will open.

Pay attention to two key sections:

• 📊 Total consumption is the total traffic for the selected period (the default is the current month), and here you can set a limit of traffic, after which the Internet will automatically turn off.
• 📱 By application, a list of programs sorted by the amount of traffic you consume. Click on any application to see the flow in the background and in the foreground.

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Note: Integrated MIUI statistics are sometimes reset after a system reboot or update. To avoid this, export the data manually: click on the three dots in the top right corner of the stats screen and select Export data.

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If you have a two-sim Xiaomi, traffic statistics are shown separately for each of the two-sims. SIM-Switch between them at the top of the screen.

2. Hidden settings: how to see traffic flow through system processes

Standard MIUI statistics do not show system processes and some pre-installed Xiaomi services (e.g. mipush, msa or MiuiDaemon) meanwhile, they can eat up to 1-2 GB of traffic per month!

First, activate the developer mode:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version (or HyperOS build number).
3. Return to the main settings menu and a new section for developers will appear.

Now open Settings → Developer → Network traffic. Here you will see:

• 🔍 Complete list of all processes, including system.
• 📉 Real-time flow charts (updated every second).
• 🔄 Possibility of resetting meters for monitoring a specific period.

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Note: Some processes (e.g. mediaserver or android.system) may show high traffic consumption due to errors in the MIUI module. If you notice anomalies, check your phone for viruses (more on this below).

3. Third-party applications for deep traffic analysis

If Xiaomi’s built-in tools aren’t enough, use specialized monitoring software that offers advanced features such as time-of-day traffic analysis, blocking background activity, and even detecting suspicious connections.

Top.-3 Applications for Xiaomi (tested for compatibility with the MIUI 14/HyperOS):

🔹 NetGuard is the best choice if you want to completely block background traffic for individual apps (like Facebook or TikTok:

1. Open the app and give access to the VPN (this is necessary for monitoring).
2. In the list of applications, turn off switches from those that should not use the Internet in the background.
3. Activate the Traffic Log option in the settings to see detailed statistics.

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Note: Some applications (such as instant messengers or banking services) may stop working correctly after blocking traffic.

4. How to Detect and Remove Traffic Stealing Programs

If you notice an abnormally high traffic flow (e.g. 500MB per night in sleep mode), it may be:

• 🦠 Viruses or spyware (masked as system processes).
• 📦 Pre-installed Xiaomi apps (e.g. Mi Video, Mi Browser, GetApps).
• 🔄 Auto Update Apps via Mi App Store or Google Play.

Step-by-step cleaning instructions:

Check the list of applications in Settings → Applications → Application Management

Sort by cache size or traffic consumption

Remove or disable unnecessary programs (e.g. Mi Pay, Mi Credit)

Clear cache and data for remaining applications

Check your phone for viruses with Malwarebytes or Dr.Web Light-->

Pay special attention to applications with device administrator privileges, which can work around standard constraints, to find them:

1. Go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Application Permissions → Special Access → Device Administrators.
2. Disable the licenses for suspicious programs.

🔹 Signs of virus software:

• 📛 Unknown applications in the installed list (for example, with names in Chinese).
• 🔄 Constant network activity even when the phone is not in use.
• 📥 Advertising in notifications or browser.

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If after removing suspicious applications, traffic continues to “leak”, reset the network settings: → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Reset the network settings. This will delete all stored Wi-Fi and VPN, But it solves the problem with "stuck" connections.

5. Traffic consumption optimization: 7 working methods

Even after removing viruses and unnecessary applications, traffic can be reduced by more than one year. 30-50%. Here are proven methods for Xiaomi:

🔧 System settings:

• 📶 Turn off auto-update apps in Google Play and Mi App Store. Only go to stores via Wi-Fi.
• 🔄 Enable Traffic Saving Mode: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Saving traffic.
• 📡 Turn off autoload multimedia in instant messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber).

🔧 Application settings:

• 🎵 On YouTube, TikTok and Instagram, set low quality videos for mobile.
• 📰 In browsers (Chrome, Mi Browser) activate the traffic saving mode or use Opera Mini.
• 📧 Configure email clients (Gmail, Mi Mail) to sync only over Wi-Fi.

🔧 Hidden chips MIUI:

• 🔒 Turn off automatic download of updates MIUI: Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → Settings (⚙️) → Downloading by Wi-Fi (select Off.).

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If you travel frequently, turn off data roaming in your settings SIM-Even in sleep mode, some apps (Google Maps, Mail) can use roaming traffic, resulting in huge bills!

6. Traffic analysis via router: how to calculate "leakages"

If you suspect that traffic is leaving not only on your phone but also through your home Wi-Fi, check the statistics on your router. Most modern routers (including Xiaomi Mi Router) keep detailed logs of connected devices.

How to check:

🔍 What should be on guard:

• 🌍 Connections to unfamiliar foreign IP (Especially if you haven’t used the internet).
• 🔄 Persistent requests to api.ad.xiaomi.com or data.mistat.xiaomi.com servers are analytics collection, you can turn it off.
• 📤 Large outbound traffic (data download) without your involvement.

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Note: If you see connections to ports 8080, 4444 or 3389 in your router logs, this may be a sign of a botnet.

7. Frequent User Errors and How to Avoid Them

Many Xiaomi owners themselves provoke high traffic consumption without knowing it.-5 errors and ways of correcting them:

🔘 Error 1: Using the mobile Internet to back up photos in Google Photos or Mi Cloud.

🔹 Solution: Configure backup only over Wi-Fi: in Google Photos go to Settings → Backup and synchronization → Transfer data over the mobile network and disable the option.

🔘 Error 2: Automatically download updates for games (e.g. Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile).

🔹 Solution: In Google Play, turn off auto-update for specific apps: find the game → press three points → uncheck the auto update box.

🔘 Mistake 3: Constantly active VPN (for example, Turbo VPN or 1.1.1.1).

🔹 Decision: VPN-services encrypt traffic, which increases its volume 10-20%. Turn it off. VPN, When not needed, or use save modes (e.g., Quick Connection in Warp).

🔘 Error 4: Sync Mi Account or Google Account in the background.

🔹 Solution: Turn off unnecessary synchronization: Settings → Accounts. → Select an account → Synchronize and leave only critical data (contacts, calendar).

🔘 Error 5: Using a hotspot (Wi-Fi Hotspot) without limiting traffic.

🔹 Solution: Set a limit for giving out the Internet: Settings → Access Point and modem → Access point settings → Data limit.

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If you notice that traffic is consumed even when the phone is turned off, the problem is that you are not using it. SIM-Some operators (e.g. Tele2 or Iota) write off traffic for "background" services. USSD-command (*100# for MTS, *105# for Beeline).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions