Where does Internet traffic on Xiaomi phone go: how to check and reduce costs

Have you noticed that mobile Internet on Xiaomi is running out too fast, even though you don’t actively use it? Or do you suspect that some apps are eating traffic in the background? In today’s smartphones, dozens of processes can consume data unnoticed by the user: From automatic updates to in-game ad modules, especially for devices on the Internet. MIUI, where by default sync services with Xiaomi account, cloud backups and usage analytics are enabled.

In this article, we will analyze all the ways to track traffic consumption on Redmi phones, POCO And Xiaomi, from standard system tools to third-party applications with advanced statistics, you'll learn how to identify voracious programs, what settings you'll set up. MIUI They eat megabytes without you knowing, and how to limit the background consumption of data, and at the end, an exclusive life hack to block in-app ads that drags traffic even when the screen is off.

1. built-in traffic monitoring in MIUI: Where to look and how to read statistics

System system MIUI (Even in the latest Android-based versions 13/14) It has a built-in traffic metering tool, but it's hidden deep in the settings:

1. Open the Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
2. Choose yours. SIM-card (if there are several).
3. Slip on the item Use of mobile data.

Here you will see a graph of traffic consumption for the current period (the default month), as well as a list of applications, sorted by the amount of data consumed.

• 📊 Background traffic: apps on the list are gray if they use data in the background.
• ⚡ System processes: items like Android System or MIUI Daemon can be consumed up to 10-15% All traffic – you can’t turn them off, but you can limit them (more on this below).

⚠️ Attention: Built-in counter MIUI It is automatically reset at the beginning of each month.If you need to track traffic for another period (for example, according to the operator's tariff), install a third-party application.

To manually reset the statistics (for example, after a tariff change), click on the three dots in the upper right corner of the screen and select Reset the statistics. You can also turn on the Warning about exceeding the limit - the system will notify you when the traffic consumption reaches a predetermined threshold (for example, 90% of the limit).

2. Hidden settings MIUI, Who “eat” traffic in the background

Even if you don’t run apps, MIUI It continues to communicate with Xiaomi servers through multiple channels. Here are the main traffic eaters that work by default:

The Mi Account synchronization is particularly insidious, because it not only consumes traffic, but it can also slow down your phone if Xiaomi's servers are overloaded.

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Synchronization.
2. Turn off unnecessary items (for example, Notes, Calendar, Mi Fit).
3. To completely disable sync, log out of your Xiaomi account (but this will deprive you of access to the cloud and some features).

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If you use two-factor authentication in Mi Account, save backup codes before leaving your account – otherwise you may lose access to your phone after a reset!

3. Third-party applications for detailed traffic analysis

Built-in tools MIUI They only show general statistics, but they don't reveal the details of consumption: what actions in the application eat up traffic, what time of day peak consumption occurs, etc. This will require specialized utilities:

• 📈 Internet Speed Meter Lite: shows the speed of traffic consumption in real time directly in the notification bar.
• 🔍 GlassWire: Visualizes data consumption by application, time and even geolocation (if you turn on the appropriate option.
• 🛡️ NetGuard: not only monitors traffic, but also allows you to block Internet access for individual applications without root rights.
• 📊 My Data Manager: Ideal for daily/weekly rates – can break down statistics by calendar period.

Consider NetGuard as the most functional solution:

1. Download the app from Google Play (there is a free version).
2. At the first start, grant permission to access the VPN (This is necessary to intercept traffic).
3. In the main window, you'll see a list of all the apps that you've been using, and tap any app to block access to your mobile data or Wi-Fi.
4. In the settings (⚙️ → Enable logging so you can see which domains are connected from each application (useful for identifying ad trackers).

⚠️ Note: Applications like NetGuard run through local VPN, which may conflict with certain banking programs (e.g. SberBank Online or Tinkoff!

Disable background traffic for social networks|Block advertising domains (the list is in the settings)|Include notifications when the limit is exceeded|Check logs once in a while 2-3 day-day-->

4. How to Identify and Disable Background Data Consumption

Many apps continue to use the Internet even when you don't open them, like Facebook can consume up to 200MB per month on background feed updates alone, and Google Play Services can use up to 500MB for syncing, to stop this:

Method 1: Limit background traffic in Android settings

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Choose the appropriate app (such as Instagram).
3. Tap the mobile data → Background data and turn off the switch.

Method 2: Data saving mode (blocks background traffic for all applications except select ones)

1. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Data savings.
2. Enable the option and add only critical applications (e.g. instant messengers) to the exceptions.

Method 3: Freeze applications (for advanced users)

If you have root access, you can completely freeze unwanted apps using Titanium Backup or Greenify. Without root rights, the alternative is Brevent (requires a PC connection to activate), which blocks all application activity, including background processes.

5. Domain Traffic Analysis: How to Find Hidden Connections

Some applications disguise their traffic as system processes or connect to dozens of ad domains. To detect such leaks, you will need a tool with a function. DNS-Best solution: PCAPdroid (free on Google Play).

Instructions for use:

1. Install PCAPdroid and grant permission to capture packets (you will need to enable Developer Mode and allow Packet Capture in the settings).
2. Start capturing traffic and use your phone as usual 10-15 minute.
3. Stop the capture and go to the Domains tab – here you will see all the domains that your phone has connected to, indicating the amount of data transferred.
4. Note suspicious domains like doubleclick.net, scorecardresearch.com, or flurry.com are advertising trackers.

An example of what can be found:

• 🎮 Free Fire Player Connects to 15 Ad Domains Even When You Are Not Playing.
• 📱 Annex UC Browser sends data to servers in China every 5 minutes.
• 📱 Mi Video downloads previews of videos in the background (up to 100 MB / day).

To block such connections:

1. Copy suspicious domains from PCAPdroid.
2. Install the Blokada app (does not require root).
3. Add domains to the blacklist in the Hosts section.

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Blocking advertising domains not only saves traffic, but also speeds up the loading of pages in the browser on the Internet. 20-30%!

6. Features of traffic on Xiaomi with two SIM-map

If your Xiaomi supports two of your SIM-It's important to understand how the system distributes traffic between the cards:

• 📶 Basic SIM (The one used for default calls – all mobile traffic goes through it.
• 📶 Second second SIM — Traffic is not used even if it has an Internet packet.

To change that:

1. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Transfer of data.
2. Choose. SIM-card through which you want to transfer data.
3. If you want to distribute traffic between the two SIM, Install the Dual App Data Switcher (requires) MIUI 12+).

⚠️ Note: When switching data transmission between SIM-To avoid this, take the meter readings before switching.

Also on two-phone phones. SIM There is a hidden function Data Aggregation (simultaneous use of the Internet with two cards to increase speed), it is available only on some models (Xiaomi 12 Pro, Redmi). K50 and newer) and included through the engineering menu:

##4636## → Phone Information → Set your preferred network type → Enable aggregation

7. Emergency measures: what to do if traffic ends 1-2 day-day

If you notice an abnormally high traffic consumption (for example, 1 GB per night), follow this algorithm:

Check the list of applications in "Use of mobile data"|Turn off the mobile internet at night|Remove newly installed applications|Check your phone for viruses (for example, through Malwarebytes)|Reset network settings (Settings) → SIM-map → Resetting network settings)-->

Frequent causes of sudden expenditure:

• 🦠 Viruses/malware: Some Trojans use their phone as a proxy server or mine cryptocurrency.
• 🔄 Fixed Update: If an app (like Google Play) can’t complete the update, it can download the same data over and over again.
• 📥 Hidden File Download: Some applications (such as torrents or file sharing) may start downloading without your knowledge.

If the problem is not solved, reset the network settings:

1. Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings.
2. Confirm action. This will reset all stored Wi-Fi networks, passwords and settings. APN.
3. After resetting manually adjust APN your operator (options can be found on the operator's website).

8. How to reduce traffic consumption 30-50% functionally

You don't have to completely abandon the mobile Internet, you just need to optimize the key settings. Here are 7 ways to work:

• 📱 Turn off autoplay video in social networks: Facebook: Settings → Auto-reproduction → Never. Instagram: Profile → Settings → Account. → Use of mobile data → Saving traffic.
• 🎵 Limit the quality of music: Spotify: Settings → Sound quality → Low (24 kbps) on YouTube Music: Settings → Quality of streaming → Low.
• 🗺️ Use offline maps: Download your city map in Google Maps: Profile → Offline maps → Choose your card. In Yandex.Maps: Menu → Offline maps → Download the region.

Another effective method is to compress traffic through Google Chrome or Opera Mini:

1. In Chrome: Open Settings → Save traffic and enable the option.
2. In Opera Mini, compression works by default – traffic is consumed in the 2-3 less than in a standard browser.

The most effective way to reduce traffic consumption by 40% is to block ads at the same level. DNS. For that:

1. Install the DNS Changer application.
2. Choose. DNS-server DNS (manually enter: 176.103.130.130 and 176.103.130.131).
3. Reboot the phone.

This will block ads in all apps, including games and social networks, which will significantly reduce background traffic.

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Compressing traffic in the browser and blocking advertising through DNS — Two of the most effective ways to save money that do not require sacrifices in functionality.

FAQ: Frequent questions about traffic on Xiaomi