How to accurately measure the speed of the Internet on Xiaomi smartphones: from built-in tools to professional tests

Have you noticed that pages load slower in your browser and videos on YouTube are constantly “hanging”? Or want to check whether real Internet speed corresponds to your operator’s tariff? There are several ways to measure connection speed on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones — from built-in MIUI features to third-party applications with advanced analytics. But not all methods are equally accurate: some show inflated results, and others require manual adjustment.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven ways to test your Internet speed on Xiaomi, including hidden firmware features that not all users know, how to test not only your overall speed, but also ping, jitter, and how to identify bottlenecks in your network — whether it’s a weak Wi-Fi signal or a provider’s limitations — and at the end, you’ll find a comparative table of the best apps to test and answers to frequent questions.

1. Built-in speed test in MIUI: where to find and how to use

MIUI firmware (since version 12) has a hidden Internet speed test tool that doesn’t require third-party applications to be installed, and its main advantage is integration with the system, which eliminates the impact of application backgrounds on results. However, there is a caveat: this test only works for Wi-Fi networks and does not support mobile Internet (3G/4G/5G).

To run the built-in test:

1. Open the Settings. → Wi-Fi.
2. Tap on the name of your network (not on the switch!).
3. In the window that opens, select the Speed Test (may be called Network Check depending on the MIUI version).
4. Wait for the test to be completed (usually 10-20 seconds).

The results will be displayed as three parameters:

• 📥 Download speed – how much data your phone is getting from the network (measured in Mbps).
• 📤 Upload speed – how much data your device sends.
• 🕒 Ping – server response time in milliseconds (the lower the better).

⚠️ Note: Built-in test in MIUI It uses Xiaomi servers that may be in China, and if you're in Russia or Europe, the results may be underestimated because of the geographical distance of the servers.

2. Applications for speed testing: top-5 plus-and-minus

The app side offers more flexible settings and detailed statistics, and we tested 15 popular services and selected the best for Xiaomi based on accuracy, speed and no advertising, all of which are free, but some have premium features (such as test history or server selection).

For objective results, we recommend:

• 🔄 Conduct 3-5 tests in a row and average the values.
• 📍 Select a server in your city or nearby region (in the application settings).
• 📵 Shut down. VPN and background applications (for example, file downloaders).

Close all applications in the background (especially torrents and instant messengers) |

Disable VPN and proxy |

Connect to a Wi-Fi network at a distance of no more than 5 meters from the router |

Select a server in your area (if you have a choice)|

Repeat the test 3 times at different times of the day-->

3. Hidden MIUI functions: engineering menu and network diagnostics

If standard methods don't work, you can use Xiaomi's engineering menu, which provides advanced network data, which is suitable for advanced users, as it requires input. USSD-codes or use of hidden menus.

For Qualcomm Snapdragon devices (most Redmi and POCO models):

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the code: ##4636###.
3. Select Network Information (or Network Info)
4. Scroll down to the Signal Strength block – this shows the signal level in dBm (the closer to -50, the better).

For devices on MediaTek (e.g. Redmi 9A, POCO C31):

1. Enter the code: ##36446337##.
2. Go to the Connectivity tab. → Wi-Fi.
3. Here you will see the real speed of the connection (Link Speed) and the channel Wi-Fi (Channel).

⚠️ Warning: Don't change the parameters in the engineering menu unless you know what they mean! Incorrect settings can cause the network to lose or the module to overheat. 5G in the area of weak coverage will discharge the battery in 2-3 hours.

4.How to check mobile internet speed (3G/4G/5G) on Xiaomi

Mobile Internet testing has its nuances: First, the speed depends on the operator’s tower load (it can drop by 30 to 50 percent during rush hour); second, Xiaomi can default on a traffic saving mode that limits background speed to get accurate data:

Step 1. Turn off the restrictions:

1. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
2. Choose yours. SIM-map.
3. Turn off the options: 📉 Saving traffic (or data saving). 🔄 Automatic network selection (if you want to test a specific standard, for example, only 4G).

Step 2. Run the test:

• 📱 Use the apps in the second section (preferably Speedtest or nPerf).
• 📡 Select your operator’s server (for example, for MTS, a server in Moscow or your region).
• 🔋 Make sure the signal level is not lower. -90 dBm (checked in the engineering menu).

On Xiaomi 5G-enabled smartphones (e.g., Xiaomi 12 Pro, Redmi K50), the speed can be artificially limited to firmware up to 2 Gbps, even if the tower supports more, which is due to optimizing power consumption.

1. Go to Settings. → SIM-map → Type of network.

2. Instead of Auto, select LTE Only (for 4G) or NR/LTE (for 5G).

3. Reboot the phone.

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5. Analysis of results: what numbers are considered normal

Once you get your test results, it's important to understand what these numbers mean and whether they match your tariff, and below are the indicative values for different types of connections:

If your results are significantly below the “average” values:

• 📶 For mobile internet: Check the carrier coverage in your area (e.g., on the RootMetrics website). SIM-Cards selected correctly APN (point).
• 📡 For Wi-Fi: Change router channel to less loaded (use Wi-Fi Analyzer app). switch from 2.4 GHz to 5 GHz (if your Xiaomi supports).

💡

If the download speed is below 10 Mbps when connecting to 5 GHz Wi-Fi, the problem is most likely in the router or ISP, not the phone.

6. Frequent errors in speed testing and how to avoid them

Many users get inaccurate results because of errors, and here are the most common ones and how to fix them:

1. Testing near interference sources: Microwaves, wireless headphones, and even other Wi-Fi networks on the same channel can slow down, so you can move 2-3 meters away from home appliances or switch the router to another channel.
2. Using a VPN or proxy: Any intermediary between you and the test server adds a delay. disable the VPN before the test or select a server in the same country.
3. Background updates and downloads. Apps like Google Play, WhatsApp, or Torrent clients can consume traffic in the background. Close all programs through Settings → Apps → Launched before the test.
4. Testing on a charging phone.When connected to charging, Xiaomi may limit performance to save battery.Switch the phone off the socket before the test.
5. Ignoring the time of day: Mobile Internet speeds drop during peak hours (18:00-23:00) and test networks in the morning or afternoon for objectivity.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions