How to increase the speed of mobile Internet on Xiaomi smartphones: from SIM-card to hidden settings MIUI

Slow mobile Internet on Xiaomi is a problem that even owners of flagship models like Xiaomi 14 Ultra or Redmi Note 13 Pro+ face. The reasons can lie in both the settings of the MIUI operating system and hardware limitations: from incorrectly selected network mode to an overloaded operator base station. In this article, we will analyze 12 proven ways to increase the speed of 4G/5G – from basic (reboot phone) to advanced (manual change of APN parameters and disabling background processes).

It's important to understand that Internet speed depends on three key factors: signal quality (reception level and network frequency), device settings (protocol, APN, MIUI restrictions), and external conditions (base station load, operator tariff). We'll focus on the first two, because these are the ones that can be optimized on their own. If after all the manipulations, the speed remains low, the problem is most likely on the provider's side.

This article is relevant for all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones based on MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS, including models with support for 5G. For owners of devices older than 2019 (for example, Redmi Note 8 Pro or Mi 9T), pay special attention to the sections about the limitations of the chipset and alternative firmware.

1. Checking the baseline parameters: SIM-map, network mode and operator

Start with the obvious: often the problem lies not in the smartphone, but in the smartphone. SIM-For example, if you use a virtual operator (like Tinkoff Mobile or SberMobile), the speed can be artificially limited to 10 to 50 Mbps even in the coverage area. 4G+. The same goes for outdated tariffs with a limit on “high-speed” traffic.

How to check:

• 📱 Make sure that SIM-The card supports VoLTE and 4G/5G. Old cards (issued before) 2018 year) may only be operated 3G.
• 🌐 Go to the operator's website and check the coverage area at your address. For example, MegaFon's coverage map shows more than just the coverage area. 4G, but also ranges (800 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2600 MHz).
• 💳 Clarify the tariff conditions: some operators (for example, Tele2) limit speeds to 60 Mbit / s at basic tariffs.

If the tariff and card everything is in order, go to the settings of the smartphone:

1. Open the Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
2. Choose yours. SIM-map and go to Network Type.
3. Set 4G (preferably) / 5G (if available). Don't choose "4G only" - this can disable frequency aggregation (CA), which increases speed.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO X3 Pro) there may be no option in the menu 5G, Even if the chipset supports it, it's a firmware restriction, and the solution is to install a custom Recovery (TWRP) and modified firmware.

APN Optimization: Why Standard Settings Can Slow Down the Internet

APN (Access Point Name is the gateway through which your smartphone connects to the operator's network. APN They can limit speed, cause connection breaks, or even block access to certain services (e.g., to a service that is not available). MMS or IPv6). In 90% of cases, Xiaomi automatically loads the correct settings, but sometimes they get lost after the update. MIUI shift SIM-map.

How to set up your APN manually:

1. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → [Yours. SIM] → Access points (APN).
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select New APN.
3. Fill in the fields according to your operator's data. Below is an example for MegaFon:

After saving a new APN, select it from the list and restart your smartphone. If the speed hasn't changed, try removing all other APNs - sometimes a setting conflict leads to a "hang" connection.

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If after changing the APN, the Internet disappeared completely, return the standard settings: go to Settings → System → Resetting → Network settings reset.

3. Disabling background processes and optimizing MIUI

MIUI aggressively optimizes background processes to save battery life. Unfortunately, this often leads to artificially limiting mobile internet speeds — especially if you use instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) or streaming services (YouTube, Twitch) in the background.

How to disable restrictions:

• 🔄 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 📱 Select the app you want to remove the restrictions for (e.g. Chrome or Speedtest).
• 🔒 Press Permissions. → Autostart and turn on the option.
• 🔋 In the same menu, select the Battery. → No restrictions.

For global optimization:

1. Open Settings → Battery and Performance.
2. Select Performance Mode (if available) or turn off Adaptive Battery.
3. In the MIUI Optimization section, disable the Background Speed Limit (if you have an option).

⚠️ Warning: Disabling battery optimization can reduce battery life by 10-15%. If the changes start to drain too quickly, return the settings back and use selective optimization only for critical applications.

Disable the adaptive battery|Allow auto-runs for key applications|Remove battery restrictions for browser and Speedtest|Switch to “Productivity” mode"-->

4. Reset network settings and update firmware

If previous methods have failed, the problem may be system conflicts, such as after updating MIUI or installing custom firmware, in which case the network reset helps, which removes all stored connections (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, VPN) and returns mobile Internet settings to factory ones.

How to perform the reset:

1. Go to Settings → System → Resetting settings.
2. Select Network Reset (not to be confused with a full reset!).
3. Confirm the action and restart the smartphone.

After discharge:

• 🔄 Reset your mind. APN (see section 2).
• 📶 Enable Roaming in the settings SIM-Cards (sometimes helps with weak signal).
• 🔄 Switch the network mode from 4G on 3G And back again, it's "reset" modem.

If the reset didn't work, check the firmware's relevance. Older versions of MIUI (below 12.5) have bugs with the RIL (Radio Interface Layer) module for mobile communications.

1. Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. If there are no updates, check for regional firmware through the Mi Flash Tool (for advanced users).

5. Advanced settings: changing modem parameters (for experienced ones only)

On Xiaomi smartphones with Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets (like the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the Xiaomi 13T Pro), you can manually change modem settings through an engineering menu.This is a risky method, but it can significantly increase speed if the operator supports carrier aggregation (CA) or 4×4 MIMO.

Instructions:

1. Open the phone app and enter the combination: ##4636##
2. In the menu that opens, select Phone Information.
3. Scroll down to the Set preferred network type block.
4. Select LTE only or NR/LTE/TD-SCDMA/GSM auto (for 5G).

For a deeper setup:

• 📡 Find the same menu. LTE Band Selection and select the ranges your carrier supports (e.g, B3 (1800 MHz) + B7 (2600 MHz) for aggregation).
• 🔧 Enable the Enable option 4×4 MIMO (if available).

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect settings in the engineering menu can lead to loss of network or overheating of the modem. If you are not sure, do not change the settings that you do not understand## → "Restore default values"

On MediaTek chipsets (such as the Redmi Note 12 Pro), there may be no engineering menu, in which case root access and an application like the MTK Engineering Mode will be required to change the modem settings.

6.Alternative methods: disabling IPv6, VPN and virus testing

Sometimes the speed drops due to protocol or background conflicts. VPN-For example, some operators (like Yota) use a dual stack. IPv4/IPv6, But not all services work properly with IPv6, And it's also viruses or advertising. SDK In applications, they can “steal” traffic, reducing bandwidth.

What to check:

• 🌍 Turn it off. IPv6: Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → [Yours. SIM] → Access points (APN). Choose yours. APN And in the field, APN remove ipv6 (There should be only default, supl).

1. Settings → Connections → VPN.
2. Delete all unnecessary profiles (especially if you use Unlimited Internet via VPN).
3. 🛡️ Scan your smartphone for viruses with Malwarebytes or a built-in Security scanner MIUI.

8. Speed check and diagnosis of problems

Before you change anything, measure your current speed using services like Speedtest.net or nPerf.

• 📊 Ping (latency): if above 100 ms, the problem is network congestion or distance to the base station.
• 📈 Jitter (ping variability): High values (more than 30 ms) indicate an unstable connection.
• 📉 Packet Loss: If above 1%, the signal is too weak or there is interference.

To diagnose the signal, use the Network Cell Info Lite (Android) app, which shows:

• 📡 Signal level in dBm (optimum: from -70 before -90 dB).
• 🔄 Type of network (LTE, LTE-A, NR (5G)).
• 📶 Frequency range (e.g, B3 (1800 MHz)).