How to see traffic consumption on Xiaomi Poco X3: all ways with explanations

Xiaomi Poco X3 is a popular smartphone with powerful hardware and flexible MIUI firmware, but even it is not immune to unexpected mobile traffic consumption. Especially relevant for users with limited tariffs: background updates, autoloading content on social networks or hidden processes can โ€œeatโ€ gigabytes in a matter of hours. In this article, we will examine all the ways to track traffic on Poco X3 โ€“ from standard tools to hidden features and third-party utilities.

It is important to understand that traffic control on Xiaomi has nuances: MIUI firmware can hide some data in order to โ€œoptimize the interfaceโ€, and some applications (for example, Mi Cloud system services or Xiaomi Push) consume traffic in the background.

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

The MIUI firmware on the Poco X3 has a built-in mobile traffic monitoring tool, but it's hidden in the depths of the menu.

  1. Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
  2. Go to Connections and Sharing โ†’ Data Use.
  3. Tap on the Mobile Traffic tab (if you have two). SIM-maps, select the right one).

Here you'll see a graph of traffic consumption for the current month, broken down by day and application, and note two key parameters:

  • ๐Ÿ“Š Total traffic: total expenditure for the selected period (default: calendar month).
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Traffic by application: detail by application (sorting by descending).
  • โš ๏ธ Background traffic: consumption in standby mode (often to blame messengers and social networks).

To set limits and warnings:

  1. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Setting Alerts.
  2. Set a Traffic Limit (e.g. 5GB) and a Warning (e.g., at 80% of the flow).
  3. Activate the switch to limit background traffic to save.

โš ๏ธ Attention: Built-in counter MIUI If your rate has a different billing period (for example, from the 15th), you will have to manually reset the statistics through the Reset button.

Set a traffic limit|Set up warnings|Limit background traffic|Check the statistics once every 3 days-->

Hidden MIUI Functions: How to See Traffic Through System Processes

The standard meter in MIUI shows traffic only for user applications, but does not display consumption by system services (e.g. Mi Cloud, Xiaomi Push or Google Play Services).

  1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings โ†’ About Phone and tap on MIUI Version 7 times.
  2. Return to the main settings, open the section Additional โ†’ For developers.
  3. Find the Network โ†’ Data Traffic option and turn it on.

Now in the Data Use menu, the System Processes tab will appear, where you can see:

  • ๐Ÿค– Android System Consumption: Traffic for OS Updates and System Verifications.
  • โ˜๏ธ Mi Cloud and Xiaomi Account: synchronize contacts, notes and backups.

If you notice an abnormal flow rate (for example, Mi Cloud โ€œeatsโ€ 1 GB per day), check your sync settings:

Settings โ†’ Accounts โ†’ Mi Account โ†’ Synchronization

Turn off unnecessary options (such as syncing gallery or notes).

What if your system processes consume too much traffic?
If Android System or Google Play Services is spending more than 1 GB per month for no apparent reason, try: 1. Clear the cache of these applications in Settings โ†’ Apps. 2. Turn off automatic download of updates for system applications. 3. Perform a network reset: Settings โ†’ Connections โ†’ Network Reset (this will not delete data, but reset network settings). If the problem persists, check the phone for viruses (for example, through Malwarebytes).

3. Third-party applications for traffic monitoring: TOP-3 solutions

The built-in MIUI tools aren't always accurate, especially if you switch between Wi-Fi and mobile frequently. Third-party apps offer more flexible settings and detail. We tested 10 utilities and picked the best ones for Poco X3:

AnnexAdvantagesDeficienciesReference
My Data ManagerPrecise counter by hour, limit notifications, two-way support SIM-map.The commercial is free.Google Play
GlassWireVisualize traffic as a graph; block background traffic for individual applications; monitor Wi-Fi and mobile data.A complex interface for beginners.Google Play
NetGuardBlocking the Internet to any application without root. Log all connections. Open source.It requires manually configuring the rules.Google Play

To install any of these applications:

  1. Click on the link from the table and click Install.
  2. After installation, open the application and provide access to the Data Use (required!).
  3. Set the limits according to your tariff.

โš ๏ธ Note: Some applications (e.g. NetGuard) require activation VPN-It doesn't mean that your traffic is going through third-party servers, it's just being analyzed locally. VPN-services (e.g. 1.1.1.1 or ProtonVPN).

Built-in MIUI|My Data Manager|GlassWire|NetGuard|Other |Not tracking traffic-->

4 How to check traffic through USSD-operator

If you don't trust your smartphone data or you want to check the numbers, you can ask the operator for the statistics. USSD-commands are short codes that are sent as a message. Here are the current commands for popular Russian operators (2026):

Operator.Team to check trafficDetailing team
MTS*100*1# โ†’ challenge*111*59# โ†’ challenge
Beeline*102# โ†’ challenge*106# โ†’ challenge
MegaFon*105*0# โ†’ challenge*105*3# โ†’ challenge
Tele2.*155*0# โ†’ challenge*155*1# โ†’ challenge

To send USSD-poco X3:

  1. Open the Phone app.
  2. Go to the keyboard tab.
  3. Enter the command (e.g. *100*1#) and press the call button.
  4. Wait for an SMS to respond (usually within 10 seconds).

Compare the operator's data to the meter on the phone. If the difference is greater than 10%, it means:

  • ๐Ÿ“ต The phone does not count roaming traffic (even in the home region).
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Perhaps the smartphone resets statistics on the day when the new billing period begins with the operator.
  • ๐Ÿ•ต๏ธโ€โ™‚๏ธ Some applications (such as TikTok or YouTube) can โ€œhideโ€ traffic for system processes.

1. whether the mobile Internet is connected (not only Wi-Fi).

2. whether the operator has blocked services (for example, due to a negative balance).

3. Is the code entered correctly (symbol # mandatory!).-->

5. Traffic analysis through router settings (for Wi-Fi)

If you suspect that Poco X3 is not only using mobile network traffic, but also Wi-Fi (for example, at night), you can check the statistics on the router. Most modern routers log connected devices.

Instructions for popular router models:

  • ๐Ÿ“ก TP-Link: Go to Advanced โ†’ Statistics โ†’ Traffic Statistics.
  • ๐ŸŒ ASUS: Open the Traffic Analyzer โ†’ Traffic Monitor.
  • ๐Ÿ”ด Xiaomi Mi Router: Devices โ†’ [Choose Poco X3] โ†’ Traffic.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Keenetic: System monitor โ†’ Traffic by device.

To find the Poco X3 in the list of devices:

  1. Open the routerโ€™s web interface (usually at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1).
  2. Log in (login/password is usually indicated on the router sticker).
  3. Find a section with a list of connected devices (e.g. DHCP Clients or Connected Devices).
  4. Orient yourself to MAC-Smartphone address (you can find it in Settings) โ†’ The phone. โ†’ General information โ†’ MAC-Wi-Fi address).

If the router shows a lot of traffic during non-working hours, check:

  • ๐Ÿ”„ Auto Updates: Turn them off in Settings โ†’ Annexes โ†’ Auto-update.
  • โ˜๏ธ Backup: in Settings โ†’ Additionally. โ†’ Backup Disable Autoboot.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฅ Downloads via torrents: Even closed torrent clients can continue to give away in the background.

๐Ÿ’ก

If the router shows traffic and the smartphone does not, the problem is most likely background processes or viruses. Check the phone with an antivirus (such as Dr.Web Light) and turn off autoboot for unnecessary applications.

6.How to reduce traffic consumption Poco X3: 7 working ways

Even if you've set up monitoring, it's better to prevent excess consumption. Here are the proven methods for the Poco X3:

    Poco X3 with MIUI 12.5+ firmware has a hidden feature called โ€œData Saving Modeโ€ that blocks background traffic for all applications except instant messengers. It is activated through Settings โ†’ Battery and Performance โ†’ Modes โ†’ Data Savings.

    7.Frequent Reasons for Unexpected Traffic Spending on Xiaomi

    If your Poco X3 suddenly starts eating traffic, it could be:

    • ๐ŸŽฎ Game Update: Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile can download updates by 1-2 GB.
    • ๐Ÿฆ  Viruses or Adware: Some applications (especially from third-party sources) may secretly download data.

    To identify the culprit:

    1. Sort applications into Using data on the decrease in flow.
    2. Check if there are any unknown applications on the list (e.g. com.android.system.update โ€“ it could be a virus).
    3. If you suspect a virus, install Malwarebytes and scan the system.

    โš ๏ธ Attention: On Poco X3 Unlocked bootloader: Some custom firmware may not properly account for traffic. MIUI or AOSP-Firmware, install a third-party counter (for example, NetGuard).

    FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

    Why does the Poco X3 traffic counter show different numbers than the operator?
    The difference can occur for several reasons: a smartphone does not take into account traffic when roaming (even in the home region); the operator rounds up the data to megabytes, and the phone shows accurate values in kilobytes. Some system processes (for example, Google Play Services) can โ€œhideโ€ traffic. To check the data, reset the statistics on the phone on the day the carrier starts the billing period.
    How to Reset Traffic Statistics in MIUI?
    To reset the meter: Go to Settings โ†’ Connections โ†’ Data Use. Tap three dots in the top right corner. Select Data Reset. Confirm action. Reset does not affect the operator's actual traffic consumption - it only resets local statistics.
    Can I turn off traffic for individual apps without root?
    Yes, there are two ways: through the settings MIUI: Go to Settings. โ†’ Annexes โ†’ App management, select an app and disable Background and Mobile data. via NetGuard: Install the app from Google Play, turn on VPN-Mode and block Internet access for unnecessary applications. Both methods work without root rights, but NetGuard gives more flexible settings.
    Why does the Poco X3 consume traffic at night when I sleep?
    Night traffic is usually associated with: ๐Ÿ”„ Auto-Update Apps (check Google Play settings). โ˜๏ธ Sync Mi Cloud or Google Drive (turn off autoload photo). ๐Ÿ“ฅ Torrent clients (even closed ones can share files). ๐Ÿค– System checks (e.g. Google Play Services looking for updates) To stop nighttime flow: Turn on plane mode overnight (or turn off mobile data). Use NetGuard to block the Internet at night. Turn off auto sync in Settings โ†’ Accounts.
    How to check traffic on Poco X3 if you do not have access to settings (phone is locked)?
    If your phone is locked, you need to know your traffic: ๐Ÿ“ต Use it. USSD-operator command (see section 4). ๐Ÿ’ป Check the statistics on the router (if the phone is connected to Wi-Fi). ๐Ÿ“ฑ If you have access to another phone with the same phone SIM-If nothing helps, contact the operator's office with your passport, they will provide details for the current period.