How to accurately measure your internet speed on Xiaomi: from built-in tools to professional tests

Why Xiaomiโ€™s Internet Speed Could Be Different From What It Claims

Have you ever noticed that your Xiaomi's internet speed is significantly lower than the mobile carrier or home provider promises? This is a common problem, and it's not always due to vendor deception. The fact is that real speed depends on a variety of factors: from network congestion and signal quality to device limitations.

Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi Note 12 models, POCO X5, Mi 11 and others are equipped with built-in network diagnostic tools, but they are often hidden in the depths of the network. MIUI. Moreover, the manufacturer may artificially limit the speed in some modes of operation (for example, when the active mode of energy saving or when using two modes of operation). SIM-To get objective data, you need to know what kind of tests operators perform when checking speed, and how to repeat them on your device.

In this article, we will examine not only standard methods of checking (through applications like Speedtest), but also little-known functions. MIUI, And you'll learn how to measure not only download/return speeds, but also critical parameters like ping, jitter, and connection stability, which affect comfort in online games, video calls, and streaming.

Method 1: Built-in speed test in MIUI (covert)

Few people know, but in the firmware MIUI (Since version 12, there is a hidden tool for checking Internet speed that does not require installing third-party applications, it is built into the Mobile Network menu** and allows you to quickly assess the quality of the connection without unnecessary clicks.

To find him:

  1. Open the settings on your Xiaomi.
  2. Go to section. SIM-Maps and mobile networks (or mobile networks on some models).
  3. Choose an active one SIM-card (if there are several).
  4. Tap on Network Type or Network Speed (name may vary depending on version) MIUI).
  5. At the top of the screen will appear a small chart with the current download speed (Download) and return (Upload).

This method is convenient for its simplicity, but has limitations:

  • ๐Ÿ“ถ Shows speed only for mobile Internet (does not work with Wi-Fi).
  • ๐Ÿ“Š The data is updated with a delay of 2-3 seconds, so it is not suitable for accurate measurements.
  • ๐Ÿ”ง Does not display ping and other network metrics.

โš ๏ธ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F4 or Redmi K50) If you can't see the speed chart, try updating the firmware to the latest version. MIUI Or use alternative methods from this article.

๐Ÿ’ก

If the speed chart is not displayed, try switching between network modes (4G/5G) customized SIM-Maps โ€“ sometimes it โ€œwakes upโ€ hidden functions.

Method 2: Speed Testing Applications (Speedtest, Ookla, nPerf)

The app side remains the most popular way to check internet speed, and for good reason: they offer detailed analytics, meter history, and the ability to compare results with other users in your area.-3 Apps optimized for Xiaomi:

AnnexAdvantagesDeficienciesReference
Speedtest by OoklaLargest server base, accurate measurements, support 5GAdvertising in the free version, sometimes understates the resultsGoogle Play
nPerfTests not only speed, but also network stability, supports jitter and packet lossesThe interface is overloaded with data, can be difficult for beginnersGoogle Play
FAST (by Netflix)Minimalist design, fast testing, optimized for streamingDoes not show ping and other metrics, only speedGoogle Play

How to perform the test correctly:

  1. Close all background apps (especially instant messengers and streaming services).
  2. Connect to a Wi-Fi network or activate mobile internet (depending on what youโ€™re testing).
  3. Launch the application and select the nearest server (for example, if you are in Moscow, choose MTS or Beeline server in Moscow).
  4. Do 2-3 tests in a row and average the results.

โš ๏ธ Warning: If you're testing mobile internet speeds, turn off Wi-Fi and vice versa. Using two types of connections at the same time can skew the results.

๐Ÿ“Š What speed checker app do you use most often?
Speedtest by Ookla
nPerf
FAST (Netflix)
Other
I'm not checking speed.

Method 3: Verification through the Engineering Menu (for advanced users)

If you want the most accurate network status data, including cell information, signal strength, and even modulation type, you can use Xiaomiโ€™s engineering menu, which is suitable for advanced users, as it requires special commands.

Instructions:

  1. Open the phone app and enter the combination: ##4636##
  2. In the menu that opens, select Phone Information (or Phone Information).
  3. Scroll down to the Set preferred network type block โ€“ you can manually select the network type (e.g., the network type) here, LTE only for forced use 4G).
  4. For more information about the connection, go to the Network or SIM Status (depending on version) MIUI).

On this menu you will see:

  • ๐Ÿ“ก Signal level in dBm (the closer to the -50, better).
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Type of network (e.g, LTE CA This means aggregation of carriers, which increases speed).
  • ๐Ÿ“ถ Band (band band, such as Band 3 or Band 7).
  • โšก Real-time speed (in kilobits or megabits).
What to do if the engineering menu is not opened?
On some Xiaomi models (especially custom firmware) the engineering menu may be disabled: 1. Install the application MTK Engineering Mode (for devices running MediaTek processors). 2. Use it. ADB-Team: Adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.TestingSettings 3. Update the firmware to the official version MIUI.

This method gives you the most complete picture, but it requires you to understand technical terms. 20 signal-level -110 dBm, which means your device is running at the most โ€œlong-rangeโ€ but slow range, and the speed will be lower than on the Band. 7.

Method 4: Testing through ADB (technical)

If you want to conduct professional testing of the network with log output and detailed statistics, you can use the ADB (Android Debug Bridge is suitable for engineers or enthusiasts who want to analyze the network at a low level.

What you'll need:

  • ๐Ÿ–ฅ๏ธ Computer with installed ADB-driver.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Xiaomi with enabled debugging on USB (Settings โ†’ The phone. โ†’ Version. MIUI โ€” Tap 7 times, then return to the Additional Settings โ†’ For developers โ†’ Debugging by USB).
  • ๐Ÿ”Œ USB-cable (preferably original).

Test teams:

Check the download speed (10 seconds)


adb shell ping -c 10 8.8.8.8




Monitoring traffic in real time



adb shell netstat -t




Verification of DNS- Permits



adb shell getprop | grep dns

These teams will allow:

  • ๐Ÿ“Š Measure ping to Google servers (8.8.8.8).
  • ๐Ÿ” See active network connections.
  • ๐ŸŒ Check which ones DNS-The servers are using your device.

โš ๏ธ Attention: Some commands require root access. If your device is not rooted, some of the features will not be available. ADB It can cause network failures.

๐Ÿ’ก

ADB-The checks are the most accurate, but they require technical skills. For most users, there are enough apps like Speedtest or built-in tools. MIUI.

Method 5: Checking speed through the browser (without installing applications)

If you don't want to install additional programs, you can check your Internet speed directly in your browser, which is convenient for quick diagnosis, but less accurate than specialized applications.

The best online testing services:

  • ๐ŸŒ Speedtest.net โ€“ a classic service with a choice of server.
  • ๐ŸŒ Fast.com is a minimalist test from Netflix (only shows download speeds).
  • ๐ŸŒ Cloudflare Speed Test โ€“ Tests the speed to Cloudflare servers (useful for checking) CDN).

How to run the test:

  1. Open a browser (such as Google Chrome or Mi Browser).
  2. Go to one of the above sites.
  3. Press Begin Test or Go.
  4. Wait until it is completed (usually takes 20-30 seconds).

Advantages of this method:

  • โœ… No need to install applications.
  • โœ… It works on any device, including Xiaomi with outdated firmware.
  • โœ… You can compare the results with different services.

Disadvantages:

  • โŒ Less accurate than native apps (depending on browser load).
  • โŒ Does not show jitter and packet losses.

Close all tabs except the test tab|Shut down. VPN (if used)|Connect to the right network (Wi-Fi or mobile Internet)|Select the nearest server-->

How to interpret the results of the speed test

Getting the numbers is only half the battle, and the key is to read them right and understand what they mean for your use of the Internet.

ParameterGood indicator.Poor performanceWhat does it mean?
Download speed (Download)> 50 Mbps< 10 MbpsSpeed of downloading files, loading pages, streaming
Speed of return (Upload)> 10 Mbps< 2 MbpsSpeed of sending files, videos to Zoom, streams to Twitch
Ping (delay)< 30 ms> 100 msServer response time (critical for games and video chats)
jitter< 10 ms> 30ms.Connection stability (important for VoIP and online gaming)

Examples of interpretation:

  • ๐ŸŽฎ For online gaming: The important ping < 50ms and jitter < 15ms Even at high download speeds, a bad ping will make the game unplayable.
  • ๐ŸŽฅ For streaming (Netflix, YouTube): You need to download > 25 Mbps for 4K and > 5 Mbps for Full HD.
  • ๐Ÿ“ž For video calls (Zoom, WhatsApp): Critical upload > 3 Mbps and ping < 80 ms.

If your results are significantly lower than expected, try:

  • ๐Ÿ”„ Reboot the router or smartphone.
  • ๐Ÿ“ถ Switch to a different Wi-Fi range (from 2.4 GHz to 5 GHz or vice versa).
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Disable the power saving mode in the settings Xiaomi (Settings) โ†’ Battery โ†’ Energy saving regime).

Frequent Internet Speed Problems on Xiaomi and Their Solutions

Even on new Xiaomi models (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T Or the Redmi Note 12 Pro.+) And these are the most common causes and ways to fix them:

Problem.Possible causeDecision
Low speed on 5GThere is no support for ranges 5G your operatorCheck the list of supported ranges on the Xiaomi website or operator
Speed drops when connected to Wi-FiRouter channel overload or interference from other devicesChange your Wi-Fi channel in your router settings (use 5GHz for less interference)
The Internet is slow in some applications.MIUI Limitations for Background ProcessesTurn off battery optimization for problem applications (Settings) โ†’ Annexes โ†’ Permits โ†’ Auto-start)
Mobile Internet speeds are lower than other devicesActive mode of energy saving or restriction of background trafficTurn off Background Traffic Limitation in Settings โ†’ The Internet and the Internet โ†’ Transfer of data

If none of these methods worked, try resetting your network settings:

  1. Go to Settings โ†’ System โ†’ Resetting settings.
  2. Select Network Resetting.
  3. Confirm the action and restart the device.

โš ๏ธ Warning: Network reset will delete all stored Wi-Fi passwords and Bluetooth settings. save them in a safe place in advance.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions About Xiaomiโ€™s Internet Speed

Why does Speedtest show one speed, but when downloading files it is lower?
Speedtest measures speed over a short period of time and from optimized servers, whereas the actual download speed depends on the speed of the speed: ๐Ÿ“ฅ The server load from which you download the file. ๐Ÿ”— Number of simultaneous applications. ๐Ÿ“ถ Type of connection (Wi-Fi is usually more stable than mobile Internet). For an objective assessment, run tests on different services (for example, compare Speedtest and Fast.com).
How to check the speed of the Internet on Xiaomi without installing applications?
There are three ways: Use the built-in speed chart in Settings โ†’ SIM-Maps and mobile networks (not all models) run the test through a browser on sites like Fast.com, log into the engineering menu with code ##4636## and see the current speed in the Network section.
Why is my Xiaomi 4G speed lower than my iPhone?
This may be due to several factors: ๐Ÿ“ก Supported ranges: iPhone often supports more LTE-Xiaomi, especially in models for the international market. ๐Ÿ”‹ Optimization of energy consumption: MIUI aggressively restricts background traffic, which can reduce speed. ๐Ÿ“ถ Module quality: Redmi budget models can have less-performing modems than Xiaomi or iPhone flagships.To improve things, try manually selecting a range 4G In the engineering menu or turn off energy saving.
Can you increase the speed of the Internet on Xiaomi with the help of settings?
Yes, here are a few working ways: ๐Ÿ”„ Change the type of network: In Settings โ†’ SIM-map โ†’ Type of network Select Only LTE (if available). ๐Ÿ“ถ Turn off automatic network selection: Manually select operator in Settings โ†’ Mobile network โ†’ Network operators. โšก Activate Performance Mode: In Settings โ†’ Special facilities โ†’ Performance mode (not available on all models). ๐Ÿ”‹ Turn off energy saving: In Settings โ†’ Battery โ†’ Select Power Saving Mode No Limits, and make sure your device has the latest version installed. MIUI โ€” In new firmware often improve the modem.
How to check if the operator is limiting the speed on my Xiaomi?
To see if the operator is limiting speed, do the following: Check the speed on another device (for example, on a laptop via a computer). USB-Compare the results of the Speedtest on Xiaomi and another smartphone in one place. Call the operatorโ€™s support and check if your tariff restrictions apply (for example, after exhausting high-speed traffic). If other devices are faster, the problem may be Xiaomiโ€™s settings or the modelโ€™s hardware limitations.