How to watch traffic consumption on Xiaomi smartphones: all ways

Controlling mobile internet consumption on Xiaomi is a key skill for those who don’t want to overpay for extra gigabytes or face a sudden speed limit. This is especially true for those who travel frequently abroad, where roaming costs a lot. In this article, we will discuss all official and alternative methods of checking megabytes, including hidden features. MIUI, Communications Operators’ Tools and Third Party Applications.

Many people mistakenly think that it is enough to look at the settings of the phone, but in fact it does not display all the data, for example, system updates, background activity of applications or traffic through the phone. VPN We'll show you how to get the most accurate statistics, and we'll also teach you how to distinguish between actual expenditure and technical errors. If you have ever encountered a situation where the operator sends a notification about exceeding the limit, and the phone shows a completely different number – this guide is for you.

1. Built-in statistics MIUI: Where to look and how to reset the counter

The most obvious way is to use built-in tools. MIUI. They are available on all Xiaomi smartphones, starting with the firmware version. MIUI 9 (including Redmi, POCO And Black Shark. The statistics here are collected automatically, but there are a number of nuances that are important to know.

To open the Traffic Accounting section:

1. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
2. Choose an active one SIM-card (if there are several).
3. Slip on the item "Use of mobile data".

At the top of the screen, you'll see the current-period (month default) flow chart, and below you'll see app-specification.

• 📊 Set a traffic limit – the phone will alert you when approaching a threshold.
• 🔄 Reset the meter manually (useful if the date of the beginning of the calculation period does not coincide with the operator's tariff).
• 📵 Disable mobile internet for individual applications (for example, TikTok or YouTube, which eat gigabytes in the background).

⚠️ Attention: Built-in statistics MIUI Only counts traffic through the mobile network (3G/4G/5G). The data transmitted over Wi-Fi is not displayed here, and there may be discrepancies with the data of the operator due to caching or failures in the operation of the communication module.

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If the chart shows suspiciously high consumption at night, check the settings for Auto Update apps in Google Play. Turn off the background update or limit it to Wi-Fi only.

Annex “Security» (MIUI Security: Hidden opportunities

Few people know, but the standard Security app hides advanced traffic statistics, including day-to-hour detailing, which is useful if you suspect that some app is “merging” data in the background.

Instructions:

1. Open the Security app (if it isn’t on the desktop, search through search).
2. Go to Data Management (or Data Usage in English).
3. Select the tab "Mobile data".

Here you'll see:

• 📅 Daily consumption – convenient for analyzing peak loads.
• ⏱️ Time intervals – you can find out what hours traffic is consumed more actively (for example, at night due to auto updates).
• 🔍 Details on system processes (including Android System and Media Storage) that often go unnoticed).

⚠️ Note: In some versions MIUI (particularly POCO) Data management may not be available, in which case use alternative methods from the following sections.

Verification through the operator's application: accurate data from the source

If you want 100% accurate numbers, you should go directly to the carrier, and each provider has an official app that shows real-time traffic detail, and the advantage of this method is that the data is updated every 5-10 minutes (unlike statistics). MIUI, which sometimes "lates»).

List of applications of popular operators:

• 📱 MTS - "My MTS" (section My tariff) → Details).
• 📱 Beeline - "My Beeline" (Installation of the Service) → Internet).
• 📱 MegaFon - "MegaFon-Service" (Section Personal Account) → Traffic).
• 📱 Tele2 – “My Tele2” (Balance tab) → Internet).
• 📱 Yota – “Yota Personal Cabinet” (Section Statistics).

🔹 How do you sync operator and phone data? Set it in your settings. MIUI the starting date of the billing period corresponding to your tariff. For example, if the operator has a counter reset on the 1st, in Settings → SIM-map → Use mobile data click Change cycle and select "1st day of each month».

Third-party applications: when standard tools are not enough

If you need maximum detail (for example, traffic consumption in roaming or on separate IP-addresses), standard facilities MIUI And in this case, we've got specialized tools from Google Play, and we've tested dozens of apps and we've selected the top ones.-3:

1. Internet Speed Meter Lite

• 📈 Shows real-time speed in the notification panel.
• 📊 Details by days, weeks, months.
• 🔄 Possibility of manually resetting the meter.

Cons: There is no breakdown by appendix.

2. My Data Manager

• 🎯 Tracks traffic over Wi-Fi and mobile networks separately.
• 📵 Background flow lock for selected applications.
• 🌍 Roaming support (shows spending abroad).

The free version has a limited history (only 7 days).

3. GlassWire

• 🛡️ Monitoring suspicious activity (for example, if an application sends data to unknown servers).
• 📡 Visualization of traffic in the form of a schedule.
• 🔍 Details of IP-addresses and ports.

Cons: a complex interface for beginners.

⚠️ Warning: When installing third-party traffic monitoring apps, turn off embedded statistics MIUI, To avoid double counting, go to Settings. → Annexes → All applications → Security → Rights. → Disable access to mobile data.

Disable embedded statistics MIUI|Check reviews about the application (ranking) ≥4.5)|Set up notifications of exceeding the limit|Synchronize the start date of the cycle with the operator's tariff-->

5. USSD-codes and SMS-Requests: Quick check without internet

If you do not have access to the Internet or the operator’s application is not installed, you can find out the traffic consumption using the help of the Internet. USSD-code SMS-This method works even on a locked phone (if you have a phone). SIM-card).

List of commands for popular operators:

• 📞 MTS: Dial *100*1# or send SMS numbered 111.
• 📞 Beeline: *102# or SMS BALANS at 067405.
• 📞 MegaFon: *100# or SMS Balance on 000100.
• 📞 Tele2: *105# or SMS Balance on 155.

🔹 How do you keep your search history? MIUI recording function USSD-To activate it:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Go to Settings. → Additionally. → Recording. USSD.
3. Enable the option "Save answers".

⚠️ Note: Some operators charge for USSD-requests (usually 1-3 rubles per team) Check the rates on the official website to avoid unexpected write-offs.

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USSD-codes are the most reliable way to check traffic in roaming, where operators’ applications may not work due to geoblocking.

6. Reset and calibration of the traffic counter: if the data do not converge

Sometimes users experience a situation where the data of the operator and the phone are separated by hundreds of megabytes.

• 🔄 Failure of the communication module (for example, after updating the firmware).
• 📵 Uses VPN Proxy (traffic is encrypted and not always correctly accounted for).
• 🔋 Background activity of system processes (e.g. Android System or Google Play Services).

To reset the meter and recalibrate the system:

1. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Use of mobile data.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Reset Statistics.
3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot of the communication module (can take up to 1 minute).

🔹 How do you check if the meter is working correctly:

1. Turn off Wi-Fi and mobile data.
2. Turn on mobile internet only and upload a 50-100MB file (e.g., YouTube video).
3. Compare the readings in MIUI and the operator, the difference should not exceed 5%.

If discrepancies persist, try clearing the Settings app cache:

Settings → Applications → All Apps → Settings → Memory → Clear the cache

7. Traffic consumption rates: how much should be spent

To see if your Xiaomi is consuming a lot of traffic, compare your data to average rates. The table below gives the approximate values for popular tasks (in megabytes per 1 hour of activity):

🔹 How to reduce traffic costs? a few practical tips:

• 📵 Turn off autoplay video in the settings of social networks and instant messengers.
• 🎵 Download music for offline listening (for example, in Spotify or Yandex Music).
• 📱 Use the savings modes: in MIUI There is an option to save traffic in the settings SIM-map.
• 🔄 Update apps only over Wi-Fi (set up in Google Play).

⚠️ Note: If your Xiaomi consumes more than 1 GB of traffic per day without active use, check your phone for malware. Some viruses disguise themselves as system processes (e.g. com.android.system) and “merge” data in the background.

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The average user consumes 3 to 5 GB of mobile traffic per month, and if your numbers are 30% or more higher, look for the reason in background processes or unoptimized applications.

FAQ: Frequent questions about traffic consumption on Xiaomi