How to limit traffic to Xiaomi: 4 ways to MIUI 14/15

Monitoring mobile internet usage on Xiaomi smartphones is a challenge for both users with limited rates and those who want to avoid unexpected charges for exceeding the limit. MIUI firmware offers several built-in tools to monitor and restrict traffic, but their location and functionality vary depending on the version of the shell. In this article, we will examine all available methods, from basic settings to hidden capabilities for power users.

Features of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO They are often provided with dual SIM-And it's a little bit more complicated if you use both SIMs to transmit data. We will show you how to set the restrictions for each card separately, as well as how to block background traffic for specific applications that eat megabytes in quiet mode.

It is important to note that after upgrading to MIUI 15 (or HyperOS on new models), the location of some menu items has changed. If your smartphone is running on the old version of the firmware, use alternative methods from this instruction. To check the version, go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.

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

The easiest way to control Internet consumption is to use the built-in Traffic Monitoring tool, which is available on all Xiaomi devices regardless of the model (be it Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5 Pro) and the version of MIUI. However, the path to settings has changed in the new firmware.

For MIUI 14 and newer:

1. Open the settings (cog icon).
2. Go to section. SIM-maps and mobile networks.
3. Choose. SIM-The card you want to set a limit for (if there are two of them).
4. Slip on the Traffic Monitoring item.
5. Activate the switch Set a traffic limit.
6. Specify the reset period (usually the same as the tariff update date) and the maximum limit in megabytes or gigabytes.

For MIUI 12/13, the path is different:

• 📱 Settings → Connections and sharing → Use of data
• 🔄 Choose. SIM-map.
• ⚙️ Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Traffic Settings.
• 📊 Enable the Mobile Traffic Limit and set the values.

Once activated, the system will track traffic and automatically turn off mobile internet when the limit is exceeded. You will be notified when the traffic reaches 50%, 80% and 100% of the threshold.

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If you have unlimited internet, but you have a speed limit after the high-speed packet is exhausted, set a limit of 1 MB below that threshold, so the phone will shut down your mobile data before the speed drops.

2. Traffic restriction for individual applications

Some programs (like TikTok, YouTube, or instant messengers) can spend traffic in the background even when you’re not using them. MIUI has a tool to block background traffic individually for each application.

To limit traffic to a specific program:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the appropriate app (such as Facebook).
3. Slip on the item Data Use.
4. Activate the switch to Prohibit background data use.
5. If necessary, also turn off AutoRun in the same menu.

For mass disabling background traffic:

• 🛡️ Go to Settings. → Battery and productivity → Managing application launches.
• 🔍 Select apps that shouldn’t work in the background (like games or social media).
• 🚫 Click to disable each of them.

Important: After these manipulations, some apps may stop sending notifications or updating content without you directly requesting it, for example, WhatsApp won't show new messages until you manually open it.

Select applications with high traffic consumption|Disable background data use|Check the notifications after the changes|Set up auto-run for critical programs-->

3.Use of traffic saving mode

MIUI has a hidden function "Traffic Saving Mode", which automatically reduces Internet consumption due to:

• 📉 Limitations of background data synchronization.
• 🖼️ Reducing the quality of uploaded images in messengers.
• 🎵 Disconnecting autoplay video in social networks.
• 🔄 Prohibit automatic updates of applications through the mobile network.

To activate this mode:

1. Open the Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
2. Choose yours. SIM-map.
3. Slip on Traffic Saving Mode (in some versions of MIUI this item is called Data Saving).
4. Turn on the switch.

This method doesn’t completely block the internet, but it can reduce traffic consumption by 30 to 50 percent without significantly damaging the user experience, especially for those who use mobile internet frequently on trips.

Built-in MIUI Monitoring | Restriction for individual applications | Traffic Saving Mode | Third-party applications | I don't save-->

4. Hand-resetting of traffic meters

Sometimes, the built-in MIUI monitor drops the statistics incorrectly, for example, if the operator changes the tariff update date, in which case the traffic counter on the phone may show irrelevant data, to manually reset it:

For MIUI 14/15:

1. Go to Settings → SIM-cards and mobile networks.
2. Choose. SIM-Map and open Traffic Monitoring.
3. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner.
4. Choose Reset Statistics.
5. Confirm the action.

For MIUI 12/13:

• 📊 Go to Settings. → Connections and sharing → Use of data.
• 🔄 Choose. SIM-map.
• 🗑️ Click on the basket icon or Reset data.

Warning: After the reset, all accumulated traffic flow data will be lost. If you keep records for reporting (for example, for a service phone), take a screenshot of the statistics before the reset.

5. Third-party applications for traffic control

If built-in MIUI tools aren’t enough, you can use third-party utilities that offer more flexible settings, detailed statistics, and the ability to block traffic for individual applications on a schedule.

Top.-3 apps:

Check reviews before installing - some applications may conflict with MIUI's energy-saving features. For example, NetGuard requires constant work in the background, which can lead to increased battery consumption.

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Third-party apps are useful if you want to detail traffic by the hour or block specific sites, but they cannot completely replace the built-in MIUI tools for tightly restricting mobile Internet.

6. Hidden settings for power users (ADB)

If you are ready to dive into the technical details, you can set up traffic restriction through the ADB-This method is suitable for users who want to block traffic at the system level or set restrictions for applications that ignore standard settings. MIUI.

This will require:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB and Fastboot.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then return to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-plug-in.

Example of a command to block mobile traffic for the Facebook app:

adb shell cmd netpolicy set restrict-background com.facebook.katana true

To unlock:

adb shell cmd netpolicy set restrict-background com.facebook.katana false

Attention: improper use of ADB can cause system failures. Before experimenting, back up your data through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.

7. Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after setting up the traffic restriction correctly, Xiaomi users may experience problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to fix them:

Problem 1: The traffic limit is reset by itself.

⚠️ Note: If the date of resetting statistics in the settings MIUI If the rate update date is not the same as the operator's, the meter may reset at the wrong time. Make sure the Reset Period field has the correct date (usually the 1st day of the month or the activation day). SIM-map).

Problem 2: Apps ignore the limitations.

• 🔄 Restart your phone – sometimes changes only take effect after a reboot.
• 🛠️ Update the firmware: in older versions MIUI There were traffic control bugs.
• 🚫 For stubborn apps (such as Facebook) use ADB NetGuard.

Problem 3: After the MIUI update, the Traffic Monitor item disappeared.

V MIUI 15 (HyperOS) Traffic Settings Moved to Settings → Connections → Data usage. If there is no item at all, try resetting the network settings (Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions