How to improve the Internet on a Xiaomi smartphone: from network settings to hardware chips

Slow internet on Xiaomi is a problem that one in three users encounter, and it is not always the operator’s fault: often the speed drops due to incorrect smartphone settings, outdated software or even hardware limitations of budget models. In this article, we will analyze the unique methods of network optimization for Xiaomi, which you will not find in standard instructions – from hidden engineering menus to fine-tuning. MIUI.

It's important to understand that there is no universal solution. 5G-modem X3 Pro with an outdated 4G-We have collected methods that work on all devices of the line, from the flagship Xiaomi 14 to the budget Redmi. A2. Prepare for Experiments: Some Methods Will Require Root Rights, But Most Tips Are Available Without Them.

1. Diagnostics of the problem: why is the Internet slowing down?

Before you set up something, identify the source of the problem. the Internet on Xiaomi can be laid for 5 key reasons:

• 📶 Weak signal operator: even when 3-4 "The real speed may be lower than the 1 Mbps due to tower overload.
• 📱 Programmatic limitations MIUI: The system artificially restricts background traffic to save battery life.
• 🔧 Wrong settings APN: Operators regularly update the settings, but the smartphone does not automatically pull them up.
• 🛠️ Hardware Limits: Budget models (e.g. Redmi) 9A) Use cheap modems with speed limits.
• 🦠 Malware: Some apps (especially from third-party sources) steal traffic to mine or display ads.

How to check? Run the speed test in the Security app (Network section) or use Speedtest.net. Compare the results:

If the speed is below normal, move to the next section. If it's normal, but subjectively slows down, the problem may be in the middle of the velocity. DNS-servers or limitations of specific applications (more on this below).

2. Optimizing the mobile Internet (4G/5G)

Let's start with the most common scenario, slow mobile internet, even if you have a Xiaomi 13 Ultra with a top-end Snapdragon modem. X70, Speed may fall due to incorrect settings.

Manual indication of network type

By default. MIUI You choose Auto mode, but sometimes it works worse than a forced choice of standard:

1. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → [yours SIM] → Type of network.
2. Instead 4G/3G/2G (vehicle) select Only 4G (or 5G, if maintained).
3. Reboot your smartphone.

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On models with MediaTek (for example, Redmi Note 11) after changing the network type, additionally turn on the option Volte (VoLTE) - this will improve the stability of communication.

Update APN-settings

APN (Access Point Name is the address that connects the smartphone to the operator's network. Outdated settings can limit speed:

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 Reset to default values.
3. If it doesn’t help, create a new one. APN manually (request options from the operator or find on its website).

For MTS, Beeline, Megaphone and Tele2 current settings APN 2026:

Name: MTS INTERNET (or your operator’s name)


APN: Internet.mts.ru (for MTS)




Proxy: Not specified




Port: Not specified




User name: mts




Password: mts




Type of authentication: PAP or CHAP




Type APN: default,supl

Activation of the maximum performance mode

MIUI It has a hidden setting that prioritizes network speed over battery saving:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times).
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find the option Mobile data is always active and turn it on.
4. Activate Turn off background restriction for mobile data.

⚠️ Note: These settings increase battery consumption 15-20%. Use them only when absolutely necessary (for example, for streaming or online gaming).

3. Wi-Fi acceleration: from channel selection to router firmware

If the Internet problems only occur when you connect to Wi-Fi, it's either the router or the settings of the smartphone.

• 📡 Check the speed on other devices (laptop, tablet) if it is also slow, the problem is in the router or provider.
• 📱 If Xiaomi is slowing down, read on.

3.1 Optimal Wi-Fi settings on Xiaomi

By default. MIUI It uses a balance between speed and stability, for maximum performance:

1. Go to Settings → Wi-Fi → More
2. Enable Wi-Fi High Performance Mode (not available on all models).
3. Turn off Automatic Open Network Connection – This will prevent you from connecting to slow public points.
4. Activate Notify of weak Wi-Fi signal to switch to mobile Internet in time.

Manual indication DNS

DNS-The servers of the operator or provider are often slow:

1. Go to Settings. → Wi-Fi → [your network] → Change the network → Additionally. → Settings IP.
2. Select Static and write:

DNS 1: 8.8.8.8 (Google) or 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare)


DNS 2: 8.8.4.4 (Google) or 1.0.0.1 (Cloudflare)

To check the speed DNS use the app DNS Changer – it tests the delays of different servers and selects the optimal ones.

Change of the Wi-Fi standard

Xiaomi smartphones support Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), But if the router is old, it can slow down the new technology:

1. Find out the router model (usually shown on the sticker below).
2. Check in Settings → Wi-Fi → [your network, which standard is used (e.g, 802.11n — It's Wi-Fi 4).
3. If the router supports Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) Wi-Fi 6, but the smartphone connects to the old standard – update the firmware router.

Make sure the router supports 5 GHz|Update router firmware|Turn off energy savings in Wi-Fi settings|Change channel to 40-80 MHz (in router settings)|-->

4. Engineering menu: hidden network settings

For advanced users, Xiaomi has a hidden engineering menu where you can fine-tune the modem settings. Careful: the wrong changes can lead to network loss!

How to open the engineering menu:

1. Enter the code in the phone number: ##4636##
2. Select Phone Information (or Phone Information in English firmware).
3. Scroll to the Set preferred network type block – you can manually specify network standards (e.g., the network standard, LTE only).

This menu is also available:

• 📊 Signal statistics: level RSRP (should be higher -100 dBm for stable 4G).
• 🔄 Forced change of base station: if the smartphone “slips” on an overloaded tower.
• 📡 Frequency band settings: You can turn off rarely used bands to speed up network search.

⚠️ Note: Changes to the engineering menu do not persist after the reboot on most models.

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The engineering menu is a powerful tool, but it's dangerous for beginners. If you're not sure about what to do, limit yourself to the standard settings from the previous sections.

5. Programmatic limitations: as MIUI "strangle

MIUI aggressively optimizing background traffic, which sometimes leads to artificial speed limits, especially in games, torrents or when downloading large files.

5.1. Disabling traffic savings

By default, the system limits the speed for background applications.

1. Go to Settings. → Connections and sharing → Use of data → Saving traffic.
2. Turn off the Traffic Saving option.
3. In the same menu, click Background Limitation and turn it off for critical applications (such as messengers or navigator).

5.2. Set-up of priority of applications

Some apps (like YouTube or TikTok) can take traffic from others to prioritize:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the desired application (e.g. Chrome) and click Data Use.
3. Enable the option to Allow Data Use in the Background.
4. Activate High Download Speed (not available on all models).

5.3 Cache cleanup DNS nets

Sometimes the system forgets the optimal connection routes.

1. Enable Developer Mode (as in Section 2.3).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Find the option Clear the cache DNS and press it.
4. Reboot your smartphone.

To completely reset your network settings (if nothing helps):

Settings → System → Resetting → Resetting Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth

6. Hardware restrictions: what to do if iron brakes

If you've tried all the software methods, but the speed is slow, it could be hardware. 9/10/11 series, Poco M3/M4), weak-modem.

6.1. Frequency support check 4G/5G

Not all Xiaomi smartphones support all ranges of your carrier. For example, the Redmi Note 9 Pro does not work with frequency. n78 (3500 MHz for 5G, which is actively used by MegaFon.

How to check compatibility:

1. Find out your smartphone modem model (e.g. Snapdragon) X51 For the Redmi Note 10 Pro).
2. Find the modem specifications on Qualcomm or MediaTek.
3. Compare the frequency of your operator (information on its website).

If the smartphone does not support key frequencies, only a change of device or operator will help.

Problems with the antenna

A weak signal can be caused by physical damage to the antenna (for example, after a fall) or poor contact.

• 📱 Check the signal level in the engineering menu (section) 4). If RSRP below -110 dBm - problem with the antenna.
• 🔧 Check if the signal improves when pressing the body in the area of the camera (there is usually an antenna).

If the antenna is damaged, options are:

• 🛠️ Antenna soldering (in the service center, cost) ~1500-3000 ₽).
• 📶 Use of external antenna (for some models there are adapters) MHF4).

Overheating and trottling

When you heat up, your smartphone artificially reduces your productivity, which can affect your Internet speed.

1. Install the app AIDA64 Check the temperature of the processor.
2. If the temperature is above 60°C - smartphone trottlit.
3. Clean the case of dust, remove the case, avoid direct sunlight.

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Xiaomi budget models (e.g. Redmi) A1) They are often equipped with weak modems that are physically unable to get the most out of the system. 4G. In this case, only the replacement of the device will help.

Alternative methods: from VPN custom-made

If standard methods don't work, try non-obvious solutions. They take more effort, but sometimes they give you impressive results.

7.1 Use. VPN circumvention

Some operators artificially limit the speed for certain services (for example, torrents or streaming). VPN This can help you bypass these limitations:

• 🔒 Install ProtonVPN or Warp (from Cloudflare).
• 🌍 Select a server in a country with high speed (e.g. Germany or Singapore).
• 📈 Check the speed before and after the connection.

Minus of the method: VPN Adds ping and can reduce speed when a bad server is running.

Castom firmware for maximum speed

Stock-stock MIUI Alternative firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) can improve things, but require unlocking the bootloader and root.

Advantages of custom firmware:

• 🚀 No restrictions MIUI background traffic.
• 🔧 More flexible network settings (e.g. manual lane management) 4G).
• 📱 Security and kernel updates that can improve modem performance.

⚠️ Warning: Installing custom firmware resets warranty and can lead to a device blink!

Applications for speeding up the Internet

There are some tools on Google Play that promise to speed up the Internet, and most of them are empty, but some of them actually work.

• 🔧 Network Signal Guru – allows you to manually select base station and ranges 4G/5G.
• 📡 WiFi Analyzer – Helps you find the least loaded Wi-Fi channel.
• 🛡️ NetGuard – Blocks background traffic from unnecessary apps.

8 When nothing helps: radical measures

If you've tried everything, but the Internet is still slowing down, there are extreme measures, either expensive or risky, you should use them last.

Replacement SIM-new-card

Old ones. SIM-Cards (especially those issued before 2018) may not support current network standards. USIM-The card is free and takes 5 minutes.

8.2 Reset to factory settings

If the problem occurs after updating or installing applications, a full reset will help.

Settings → System → Resetting settings → Delete all data

8.3 Contact the service centre

If you suspect a hardware malfunction (such as damage to an antenna or modem), it is better to show the smartphone to specialists. Xiaomi official service centers are in most major cities — 500-1000 ₽.

Before the service visit:

• 📋 Write down the models of the smartphone and modem (you can find in the AIDA64).
• 📊 Take screenshots of speed and signal levels tests.
• 🔧 Check if the shift helps. SIM-map or router (to exclude external factors).

FAQ: Frequent questions about improving the Internet on Xiaomi