Controlling mobile internet consumption on Xiaomi smartphones is a task that is becoming more and more relevant with the growth of tariffs and limited data packages. Even if you use unlimited rates, hidden traffic consumption by background apps can lead to network brakes, increased battery consumption and unexpected speed limits. In this article, we will discuss all the available ways to monitor Internet traffic on shell devices. MIUI, including hidden features that the manufacturer does not advertise.
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The feature of Xiaomi smartphones is the presence of two independent traffic accounting systems: one works at the Android level, the other is integrated into the shell. MIUI. This means that the data may vary slightly, and itβs important to understand which tool is more accurate for you.+, POCO F6 Xiaomi 14 Ultra and ready to share results.
If you notice that the Internet on your phone is running out too quickly, or just want to optimize its use, this guide is for you. We will not limit ourselves to basic tips like "look in the settings", but show you how to set up notifications about exceeding the limit, identify traffic-eating applications and even track roaming costs.
1. Built-in traffic monitoring in MIUI: where to look and how to set up
The most obvious way to check Internet consumption is to use a built-in tool in the Internet. MIUI. It is available on all modern Xiaomi smartphones, including the Redmi budget models and Xiaomiβs flagship 14.To open it, go to the top of the phone:
β SIM-maps and mobile networks β Utilization of mobile dataHere you'll see a graph of traffic flow for the current month, broken down by day, and the feature of this tool is that you can set a limit on mobile data and get a notification when you exceed it.
- Slip the slider Set a data limit.
- Enter the value in megabytes or gigabytes (e.g. 15 GB).
- Click Save and confirm the action.
Important: the limit is reset automatically at the beginning of each month, but the reset date can be changed manually.This is useful if your plan is not updated on the 1st. To set the reset date, click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Cycle Settings.
In the same section, you can see a list of apps that sort by traffic, and tap on any app to see detailed statistics about how much data it's spent in the background and in the foreground, and you can also stop the background use of mobile Internet for a particular application, which is one of the most effective ways to save money.
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If you travel frequently, turn on the "Show roaming use" option in your traffic monitoring settings to help avoid unexpected expenses abroad.
2. Hidden functions MIUI: Extended traffic control
In addition to the basic monitoring tool, the MIUI There are hidden features that allow you to manage your Internet consumption more flexibly, and one of them is data saving mode, which limits the background activity of applications:
β SIM-maps and mobile networks β Data savingsIn this mode, the system automatically restricts mobile internet usage for background tasks, such as syncing emails or updating weather, while foreground applications (such as a browser or messenger) continue to work as normal.
Another useful option is to separate traffic accounting for two SIM-If your Xiaomi supports Dual SIM, You can track the data consumption of each card separately:
- Go to Settings. β SIM-maps and mobile networks.
- Choose the right one. SIM-map.
- Use mobile data to use mobile data.
You can set a priority right away. SIM-Mobile data card if you have both slots activated, which is convenient if one card has unlimited rates and the other has a limited package.
3. Third-party traffic monitoring apps: Which is better than My Data Manager or Internet Speed Meter?
If the built-in tools MIUI You can't do enough, you can use third-party apps, they offer more flexible settings, detailed analytics, and even traffic forecasting. We tested two of the most popular solutions: My Data Manager and Internet Speed Meter Lite.
My Data Manager is a full-fledged traffic manager with the ability to:
- π Tracking data consumption in real time with notifications.
- π Analyze traffic across applications, including hidden background processes.
- π Set individual limits for each application.
- π Control the flow in roaming with separate settings.
The app is free, but it has a premium version with advanced reports, and its main advantage is accurate traffic accounting, which sometimes turns out to be more reliable than the built-in tool. MIUI.
Internet Speed Meter Lite is a lighter solution that displays the current speed of the Internet in the status bar and keeps flow statistics.
- π Shows the speed of loading / return in real time.
- π± Minimalist interface without unnecessary functions.
- π Automatic resetting of statistics on a schedule.
- π‘οΈ There is no advertising in the free version.
Both apps are available on Google Play and are compatible with all Xiaomi models. If you want the most detail, choose My Data Manager. If you have enough basic control with speed display, Internet Speed Meter Lite will be the best option.
How to check the reliability of data from third-party applications?
4.How to check the Internet consumption over Wi-Fi on Xiaomi
Many users mistakenly believe that traffic monitoring is only for mobile Internet, but controlling data consumption over Wi-Fi is equally important, especially if you are connected to a limited home Internet tariff or use public networks.
V MIUI There's a built-in tool for tracking Wi-Fi traffic, but it's hidden deeper than mobile data monitoring:
Settings β Wi-Fi β Current Network β Data UseAnd here you'll see the total traffic flow of the current connection, MIUI does not keep detailed statistics on applications for Wi-Fi, so for in-depth analysis you will need to use third-party utilities such as GlassWire or NetGuard.
If you want to limit background Wi-Fi use to individual applications, you can do this through:
Settings β Applications β Application Management β [Select App] β Permissions β Data UseHere you can deny the application access to Wi-Fi in the background, which is especially useful for social networks and instant messengers that constantly synchronize data.
Set a data limit in the router|Disable Auto-Update Applications over Wi-Fi|Ban background traffic for unnecessary applications|Use third-party applications for detailed analytics-->
5.Time Traffic Consumption Analysis: When Apps Spending the Most
One of the most effective ways to save the Internet is to analyze traffic consumption by time of day. Many applications are active at night when you sleep, or during peak hours when network speeds are slowing. MIUI There is a tool for this analysis, but it is hidden in the depth of the settings.
To see the hourly traffic flow:
- Go to Settings. β SIM-maps and mobile networks β Use of mobile data.
- Put it on the data flow chart.
- Select the Time tab.
Here you can see what hours of the day are the most traffic, for example, if the peak is at night, it could mean that some applications are updated or synced in the background.
- π Turn off auto-update apps on Google Play.
- β° Set up a background data restriction for the night in Settings β Battery and productivity β Sleep regimen.
- π Check your sync settings in your Google and Mi Account account.
An important nuance: some Xiaomi system applications (such as Mi Push Service or Mi Cloud) can consume traffic even in sleep mode. They can not be completely turned off, but you can limit background activity through battery settings.
6. How to reset the traffic counter and start tracking again
Sometimes it is necessary to reset the statistics of Internet consumption, for example, after changing the tariff plan or when switching to the new month. MIUI This can be done in two ways: manually or automatically on schedule.
Manual reset of the meter:
- Open the Settings. β SIM-maps and mobile networks β Use of mobile data.
- Slip three points in the top right corner.
- Select Data Reset.
- Confirm the action.
Automatic scheduled discharge:
- In the same section, click on three dots and select Cycle Settings.
- Specify the start date of the new cycle (usually the activation date of the tariff).
- Save the changes.
Once reset, all the data will be reset, and the meter will start tracking the flow again, which is useful if you want to start monitoring from scratch or test a new traffic control app.
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Resetting the meter does not affect the real Internet consumption of the operator, it is only necessary for the internal statistics of the phone, if you exceed the limit of the operator, the reset on the phone will not cancel the restrictions.
7. Frequent problems and errors when monitoring traffic on Xiaomi
Despite the convenience of the built-in tools, Xiaomi users often face problems tracking Internet consumption, and here are the most common ones and how to solve them:
Issue 1: Data in MIUI And the operator doesn't match.
This is normal, as the operator takes into account all traffic, including system requests, and MIUI It may not take into account some background processes. 5-15% If the discrepancy is greater, try it:
- π Reboot the phone.
- π± Update the firmware to the latest version.
- π οΈ Use a third-party application to verify (e.g. My Data Manager).
Problem 2: The traffic meter is reset by itself
This can be due to a system failure or a conflict with the battery optimizer to fix:
- Turn off battery optimization for the Settings app.
- Clear the Settings app cache in Settings β Apps β Application Management.
- Check if there are any third-party βcleanersβ or βoptimizersβ that can interfere with the operation of system services.
Problem 3: Traffic consumption is not displayed for the second SIM-map
If you have a two-sim Xiaomi and the statistics are shown for only one. SIM, check:
- πΆ Mobile data transmission for the second SIM.
- π Switch priority. SIM for data in Settings β SIM-maps and mobile networks β Mobile Internet.
- π± Update the firmware - in older versions MIUI There was a traffic error for the second. SIM.
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After the update MIUI The traffic meter is not working properly, try resetting the network settings. β System system β Resetting settings β Resetting network settings.
8.Table of comparison of traffic control methods on Xiaomi
To facilitate the selection of a suitable monitoring method, we have compiled a comparative table of all the methods considered:
| Method | precision | Details | Notifications | Difficulty setting up | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in MIUI counter | Medium | Basic (by annex) | Yes (if the limit is exceeded) | Low. | Users with limited tariffs |
| Data savings regime | Low. | Absent. | No. | Low. | Savings in traffic in the background |
| My Data Manager | Tall. | Extended (in time, applications, data types) | Yes (flexible settings) | Medium | Advanced users and travelers |
| Internet Speed Meter Lite | Medium | Basic (speed) + cost) | Yes (if the limit is exceeded) | Low. | Speed control and minimalist accounting |
| Control over router | Maximum | By device and application | Depends on the router. | Tall. | Home Use with Multiple Devices |
As can be seen from the table, for most Xiaomi users, the best solution will be a combination of a built-in counter. MIUI My Data Manager applications for detailed analysis.
FAQ: Frequent questions about the cost of Internet on Xiaomi
Can I track my internet usage in real time for a particular application?
Why do some apps spend the internet even when they are closed?
How to check the Internet consumption in roaming on Xiaomi?
Is the traffic counter reset after the update? MIUI?
Can you limit the speed of the Internet for individual applications on Xiaomi?
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Regular monitoring of Internet consumption on Xiaomi helps not only save traffic, but also to identify suspicious activity of applications that may indicate viruses or data leakage.