How to check traffic on Xiaomi phone: all ways + chip-trick

Controlling mobile traffic on Xiaomi smartphones is a challenge that every user faces, especially when it comes to a limited tariff or roaming, where every megabyte counts. Unlike iOS, where traffic monitoring is minimal, the shell is a very sensitive issue. MIUI It offers advanced accounting tools, but they're hidden in non-obvious menu sections. 10-15% due to the nature of the calculation of background processes.

In this article, we will discuss all the available ways to check traffic on Xiaomi – from standard settings to hidden chips. MIUI You'll learn how to track the flow of specific applications, manually reset the statistics, and even set up automatic Internet shutdowns when you exceed the limit. SIM-We have prepared a separate section with the nuances of traffic accounting for each SIM card.

We warn you right away that the traffic data on the phone and the carrier may differ. MIUI It only takes into account the data transmission via the smartphone, while the operator captures all traffic, including service packets of the network (for example, to maintain a connection). 4G/5G). The difference is usually up to 10%, But in some cases, it can be 20% — This is important to remember when analyzing costs.

1. Standard traffic counter in MIUI: where to find and how to set up

The easiest way to check traffic consumption is to use a built-in counter in the MIUI. It is available on all Xiaomi smartphones, starting with the shell version. MIUI 9, and allows you to track both mobile traffic and Wi-Fi spending. To open statistics, go to:

→ SIM-maps and mobile networks → Traffic usage

Here you will see the flow chart for the current month (the default reset period is linked to the calendar month).

• 📊 App Details: tap on any app on the list to see how much traffic it consumed in the background and in the foreground.
• 🔄 Manual reset: Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Reset statistics if you want to start counting from scratch (for example, after changing the tariff).
• ⚠️ Restriction on SIM-If you have two SIMs, switch between them at the top of the screen – the statistics are kept separately for each of them.

An important caveat: the built-in meter does not take into account traffic from system updates (they pass through a separate channel), and it may not display data correctly if you often switch between the two. 2G/3G/4G use VPN. In such cases, we recommend that you check the operator's data through USSD-request.

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If the traffic schedule is in MIUI Shows sharp jumps for no apparent reason, check the settings for Auto Update apps in Google Play. Disable it or limit updates to Wi-Fi only.

2 Traffic Checking through USSD- Operator Commands

The carrier's data is often more accurate than the smartphone's statistics, because it takes into account all data packets, including service packets. USSD-They vary depending on the operator:

After entering the command, you will receive SMS Please note that some operators (e.g. MegaFon) may charge a fee for USSD-requests (usually) 1-3 (a) the data in the form of a SMS may be updated with delay until 24 hours, that's normal.

If USSD It doesn’t work, try alternative methods:

• 🌐 Go to the operator’s personal account through the browser (addresses: lk.mts.ru, my.beeline.ru, etc.).
• 📱 Install the official application of the operator (for example, My MTS or Beeline Pro).
• 📞 Call the hotline (numbers: 0890 for MTS, 0611 for Beeline) and request information from the operator.

3. Hidden MIUI settings: Advanced traffic monitoring

V MIUI There are hidden tools for more detailed traffic analysis that you can't see on the standard menu:

1. Open Settings. → About the phone and tap 7 times on the item Version MIUI, to enable the developer mode.

2. Go back to the main settings menu and go to the new Developer section.

3. Find Network Traffic (or Traffic Monitoring in New Versions) and activate it.

Now, the notification bar will display real-time traffic consumption (updated every second) and this tool is useful for:

• 🔍 Identify applications that “eat” traffic in the background.
• 📉 Control of consumption when watching videos or downloading files.
• 🛠️ Diagnostics of connection problems (for example, if traffic is coming but pages are not loading).

Please note that turning on this mode can increase battery consumption 5-10%, Because the system is constantly monitoring network activity, and turn it off when it's not needed.

Activate the Developer Mode|Enable "Network traffic" in the settings for developers|Add a monitoring widget to the main screen (optional)|Disconnect after use to save battery-->

4. Third-party applications for traffic accounting: TOP-3 decision

If the built-in tools MIUI It's not enough, you can use third-party apps, they offer more flexible settings, limit notifications, and detail by type of traffic (for example, separately for YouTube or Telegram:

1. Internet Speed Meter Lite

• ✅ Shows real-time download/return speed in the notification panel.
• ✅ Keeps statistics by days, weeks and months.
• ❌ There is no separation of traffic SIM-Cards (relevant to dual-SIM devices).

2. My Data Manager

• ✅ Block background traffic for selected applications.
• ✅ Supports widgets on the main screen.
• ❌ The free version has limited notification functionality.

3. GlassWire

• ✅ Visualizes traffic as a graph indicating "suspicious" activity.
• ✅ Can track traffic over Wi-Fi and mobile networks separately.
• ❌ High battery consumption with continuous monitoring.

When selecting an application, pay attention to the permissions it requests. SMS, We recommend that you install these apps only from Google Play and check other users' reviews.

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Third-party apps are useful if you need time detail (e.g. traffic at night vs. traffic during the day) or block background activity. MIUI.

5 Features of traffic accounting on dual-SIM devices Xiaomi

If your Xiaomi supports two of your SIM-Cards (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro)+ or POCO X5 Pro, traffic accounting has nuances:

• 📱 Separate statistics: in the menu, the use of traffic can be switched between SIM-maps, but the overall schedule is not automatically added.
• 🔄 Network priority: If both SIMs are active, traffic can go through the card that has the stronger signal (even if you don't want it). → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Priority SIM-data-card.
• ⚠️ Counting errors: if you switch between SIMs frequently, statistics can be reset or duplicated, in which case manual data resetting helps.

For dual-SIM device owners, we recommend:

1. Assign primary SIM-map for data in settings and disable mobile Internet on the second.
2. Use separate USSD-commands for each SIM (for example, for Beeline: *102*1# — first-sim, *102*2# — second-second).
3. Install the traffic widget on the home screen (available in My Data Manager) to quickly see the flow on both cards.

If you notice that traffic is “leaking” through the wrong SIM-map, check the settings APN (access points, sometimes after updating MIUI They are reset, and the smartphone connects to the network through a random profile.

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On some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 10C) activate two SIM-If calls get worse, check this setting in the mobile menu.

6.How to reduce traffic consumption Xiaomi: 7 working ways

If you regularly exceed your traffic limit, try these methods to reduce your traffic.

1. Restriction of background traffic

Go to Settings. → Annexes → App management, select the desired application (such as Facebook or TikTok) and disable the Background data option. This will prevent the program from using the Internet when it is folded.

2. Data compression in Chrome

Open the Google Chrome browser, go to Settings → Save traffic and enable the option to compress pages. This will reduce the cost of 30-50% surf.

3. Disable autoplay video

On YouTube: Settings → Auto-reproduction → Only on Wi-Fi.

On Instagram and TikTok: Turn off the Autoplay video option in the app settings.

4. Use of lightweight versions of applications

Install Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite or Twitter Lite – they consume in the Internet 2-3 Less traffic than the main versions.

5. setting traffic restriction in MIUI

In the Traffic Usage menu, you can set a pre-set limit (e.g., 90% of the tariff) and a hard limit (100%), and when you reach the threshold, the smartphone will automatically turn off mobile Internet.

6. Disabling updates on the mobile network

Go to Settings. → Annexes → Auto Update Apps and Select Only over Wi-Fi.

7.Use of VPN compressed

Apps like Opera Max (no longer supported, but there are analogues) or 1.1.1.1: Faster Internet from Cloudflare can compress traffic at a level that is not supported. VPN, saving up to 20% of data.

7. Frequent traffic-related problems and their solutions

Sometimes the traffic counter on Xiaomi is not working properly.

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

→ SIM-maps and mobile networks → Network reset

This operation will remove all stored Wi-Fi networks and settings APN, But it'll put the traffic meter back in working order.

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If the traffic problem has occurred after the update MIUI, Check the forums (for example, 4PDA Mi Community – This is probably a known bug of a particular firmware version.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions