How to see traffic consumption on Xiaomi Redmi 5: detailed instructions with pictures and tips

Xiaomi Redmi 5, released in 2017, is still a popular budget smartphone due to its reliability and functionality. However, many users face the problem of uncontrolled mobile traffic consumption – especially if the tariff is limited to megabytes. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to check traffic on Redmi 5, from standard MIUI tools to third-party applications and hidden features.

You will learn how to track the flow of specific applications, set up warnings about exceeding the limit, and what to do if the data in the phone does not match the data of the operator, and pay special attention to common errors that cause traffic to “leak” unnoticed, such as background synchronization or auto-updating applications.

1. Standard traffic monitoring through MIUI settings

The easiest way is to use built-in tools. MIUI. On Xiaomi Redmi 5, they work stably, but have limitations: for example, they do not always correctly take into account traffic when roaming or changing. SIM-To open up statistics:

1. Go to Settings → Network and Internet → Data transfer.
2. Slip on the item Traffic usage.
3. Choose. SIM-The card (if there are two) and the reporting period (day / month).

This will show you a flow chart, and below you will see a list of applications that show how many megabytes each of them has eaten. Note: data is automatically reset at the beginning of a new billing period (usually the 1st), but this can be changed manually.

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If the chart shows a sharp spike in traffic at night, check the settings for Auto Update apps on Google Play. Often they are the ones to blame for unexpected costs.

In the same menu, you can set a warning about exceeding the limit:

• 🔔 Set a traffic limit – the phone will block the mobile Internet when you reach a set value.
• ⚡ Excess Warning – Notification will appear when the flow rate is close to the critical level (e.g. 80% of the limit).
• 📊 Resetting statistics – useful if you change the tariff or operator.

2. Checking traffic by app: who is "eating" your Internet?

Users often wonder why traffic ends so quickly, and the culprits are usually standard: YouTube, TikTok, Google Play, or autoload media messengers, to identify the voracious:

1. In the Traffic Use Menu (see previous section), tap on any application from the list.
2. Details will be opened on background and active traffic.
3. Pay attention to the Background Data Transfer item – if the number is large, turn off background activity for this application.

Redmi 5 is a very popular destination for traffic:

• 🎵 Music services (Spotify, Yandex Music) when streaming.
• 📷 Social Media (Instagram, Facebook) due to autoplaying videos.
• 📦 Cloud storage (Google Drive, Mi Cloud) with synchronization.
• 🎮 Online gaming (PUBG, Free Fire).

An important nuance: some system processes (such as Android System or MiuiDaemon) can also consume traffic. If their activity seems suspicious, check the phone for viruses or reset network settings (Settings → Network and Internet → Reset settings Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth).

3. Alternative methods: applications for traffic accounting

The built-in MIUI tools aren't always accurate. If you want more detailed statistics, install one of these apps:

Before installing, check the permissions of the application - some will request access to SMS or Call Log, which is not always justified. We recommend My Data Manager as the most balanced option.

Install the app from Google Play|Launch and provide access to Internet data|Choose. SIM-map|Set a traffic limit in your settings|Activate Excess Notifications-->

On Redmi 5 with MIUI 9 and below, some traffic tracking apps may conflict with system services, causing the “Did not get data” error, in which case the Settings → Apps → All Apps → [Program name] → Clear the cache will help.

Hidden MIUI functions: Advanced monitoring

Few people know, but MIUI has hidden traffic control tools that don't show up in the main menu.

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version to turn on the developer mode.
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
4. Find the Network Traffic item and turn it on.

The notification panel will now display the current download/return rate in real time, which will help to identify “background” activity when the phone appears inactive but traffic continues to be consumed.

Another useful feature is Background Traffic Limitation (Ibid., in the developer menu), which will block app updates and sync when the screen is off. Careful: this may disrupt messengers (e.g. WhatsApp will stop showing notifications).

5.Why are the data in the phone and the operator not the same?

A common situation: the phone shows a consumption of 1.5 GB, and the operator – 2 GB.

• 📡 Roaming traffic: some operators count it separately, but the phone is not.
• 🔄 Reconnection to the network: when changing base stations can be lost 10-15 MB.
• 📶 SMS and USSD-commands: operators sometimes count them as data (especially in old rates).
• ⏱️ Time difference: the phone can reset statistics at 00:00 and the operator at 3:00.

To minimize the discrepancies:

1. Set the same billing period in the phone as the operator (check it in your account or with support).
2. Turn off Automatic Network Definition in Settings → Network and Internet → Mobile Network.
3. Use it. USSD-commands to check the traffic balance (for example *100# for Beeline or *105# for MegaFon).

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If the difference between the phone and the operator exceeds 10%, it is an occasion to check the phone for viruses or to contact the operator with a request to recalculate traffic.

6.How to reduce traffic consumption on Xiaomi Redmi 5?

Even if you don't watch videos or download files, traffic can leak out unnoticed. Here are 5 working ways to save it:

• 📴 Turn off auto-update apps: Google Play → Settings → Auto-update of applications → Only through Wi-Fi.
• 🖼️ Limit Media Downloads in Messengers: On WhatsApp: Settings → Data and storage → Autoboot media → Only Wi-Fi.
• 🌐 Use lightweight versions of sites: In Chrome, enable Traffic Savings (Settings) → Saving traffic).
• 📱 Turn off background synchronization: Settings → Accounts. → Google → Disable synchronization (or configure over Wi-Fi).
• 📊 Set the speed limit: B MIUI There is no such feature, but it can be added via NetGuard (requires root rights).

Another effective method is map caching, and if you use Google Maps or Yandex Maps a lot, download offline maps of your region via Wi-Fi, which can save you up to 500MB per month.

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Redmi 5 allows you to turn on Traffic Savings in Settings → Battery and Performance → Savings Mode. It limits background activity and reduces streaming quality.

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Many Redmi 5 users experience the same problems when monitoring traffic, and the most common ones are:

⚠️ Note: If after the update MIUI Traffic statistics stopped working, reset the network settings (Settings) → Network and Internet → Resetting Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth settings, which will bring back factory metering.

• 🔄 Reset statistics: Many forget to reset data after changing the tariff or SIM-maps, which makes the indicators irrelevant.
• 📵 Ignoring background traffic: apps like Facebook or VK They can consume up to 300 MB per month even in a folded state.
• 📶 Incorrect network selection: If in Settings → Network and Internet → Mobile network selected only 4G, The coverage is weak, the phone will constantly reconnect, spending extra megabytes.
• 🔋 Battery vs. traffic savings: Charge saving mode limits background activity but may interfere with traffic accounting.

Another common mistake is the use of VPN. Many VPN-services (e.g. Turbo) VPN or 1.1.1.1) does not encrypt traffic statistics, which causes the phone to show understated numbers. VPN, Set up a separate counter (for example, VPN Traffic Monitor).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions