How to improve mobile Internet MTS on a Xiaomi smartphone: from APN settings to alternative solutions

Have you noticed that MTS mobile internet on your Xiaomi is slower than on other devices? Pages load forever, video slows down, and messengers are updated with a delay? The problem may lie not only in the coverage of the operator, but also in the settings of the smartphone itself. In this article, we will analyze all possible causes of poor communication, from incorrect APN parameters to hardware limitations of Redmi and POCO models, and give step-by-step instructions for speed optimization.

It is important to understand: the speed of mobile Internet depends on three key factors: phone settings (firmware, APN, network mode), parameters SIM-Cards (type, age, support) 4G/5G) We will analyze each of them, and also consider the unique features of Xiaomi that can affect the stability of the connection, for example, energy-saving algorithms. MIUI or limitations for background applications.

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

Before you dig deep into the settings, make sure that the problem isn't on the surface. SIM-Maps and network modes that often become a source of slow Internet.

First, Xiaomi (especially the Redmi Note and POCO models until 2022) sometimes forget to automatically switch to the optimal network, for example, a phone can cling to 3G even if there is 4G+ nearby.

• 📱 Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → [Yours. SIM MTS] → Type of network.
• 🔄 Select the manual mode and install 4G (preferably)/3G/2G or 4G (If you do not have your area 5G).
• 🔄 If only option 4G No, update the firmware (more on this below).

Second, check your physical condition. SIM-Older cards (issued before 2018) may not support modern VoLTE standards and 4G+. If you SIM older than 3-4 years, contact the MTS salon for a free replacement for the USIM (It's labeled as "4G LTE").

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A or POCO M3) When choosing a regimen Only 4G Calls may be lost. In this case, use 4G/3G/2G (motor-car).

2.APN setup for MTS: why standard settings can slow down

Wrong parameters APN (APs are one of the most common reasons for slow internet, and Xiaomi usually tightens settings automatically, but sometimes they get lost after updating or changing. SIM-Even if the Internet works, it's not optimal. APN may limit the speed to 3G-level.

To set up the APN manually:

1. Open the Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → [Yours. SIM MTS] → Access points (APN).
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select the New Access Point.
3. Fill in the fields according to the table below (leave the rest empty or by default):

Once you save a new access point, select it from the list and restart your phone. If the internet doesn't work, check if MIUI blocks it through Settings → Applications → Data Management → Traffic Savings.

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If you manually set up your APN, go back to your auto profile and reboot your phone. Sometimes Xiaomi conflicts with custom APNs over security policies.

3. Firmware Optimization: Why MIUI Can "Strike" Speed

MIUI, Xiaomi’s proprietary shell, is known for aggressive management of background processes and network connections. In the pursuit of battery savings, the system can limit mobile internet speeds for individual applications or completely shut down data transfer in the background.

To avoid this:

• 🔧 Turn off traffic savings in Settings → Connections and sharing → Saving traffic.
• 🔧 B Settings → Battery and productivity → Power management applications select Without restrictions for messengers and browsers.
• 🔧 Check the Settings. → Special facilities → Internet speed (on some models) You can turn on Network Acceleration here.

If you use Xiaomi on stable global firmware, try switching to EEA (European) or Russian (if available).Some users have noted that on these versions MIUI works better with Russian carriers. You can update the firmware through Settings → About Phone → System Update.

⚠️ Note: On models with MediaTek (e.g. Redmi) 9C or POCO M2) After the update, the firmware may be lost IMEI. Before upgrading, make a backup copy through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

Make sure the version MIUI relevant|Turn off traffic savings|Check battery limitations for applications|Reboot your phone after the changes-->

Hardware restrictions: why some Xiaomi “don’t pull” 4G MTS

Not all Xiaomi smartphones work equally well with MTS networks. The fact is that the operator uses different frequency bands for 4G/5G depending on the region. If your phone does not support these ranges, the speed will be limited.

For example, MTS in most regions of Russia uses:

• 📡 Band 3 (1800 MHz) – the main 4G;
• 📡 Band 7 (2600 MHz) – for dense development;
• 📡 Band 20 (800 MHz) – for remote areas.

The problem is that Xiaomi’s budget models (like the Redmi 8A or POCO C3) often don’t support the Band 20, which can cause coverage problems in villages and small towns.

If your Xiaomi doesn’t support the desired frequencies, there are two outputs:

1. Use an external antenna (you need a phone with an antenna connector, for example, Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G).
2. Switch to a model that supports the Band 20 (for example, the POCO X5 Pro or Redmi Note 12).

5. Alternative ways to speed up: from VPN to DNS change

If standard methods don’t work, try non-obvious techniques that sometimes give Unexpected results.

One of them is the shift. DNS. By default, MTS uses its own DNS-servers that might be slowing down because of overload. Try replacing them with public ones:

• 🌐 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare) - optimized for speed;
• 🌐 8.8.8.8 (Google) – Reliable, but sometimes blocked;
• 🌐 77.88.8.8 (Yandex) – works well in Russia.

To change the DNS to Xiaomi:

1. Go to Settings → Connections and Sharing → Private DNS.
2. Select the host name of the private DNS provider.
3. Enter dns.google (for Google) or 1dot1dot1dot1.cloudflare-dns.com (for Cloudflare).

Another way is to use a VPN. Paradoxically, sometimes VPN speeds up the Internet if MTS throttles traffic (for example, for torrents or videos). Try free services like ProtonVPN or Warp from Cloudflare. Importantly, choose servers in Russia or nearby countries (Finland, Kazakhstan) to minimize ping.

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Changing DNS and VPN is a crutches, not a solution. If you haven't increased your speed, look deeper into your phone settings or network coverage.

6.Coating inspection and alternative operators

If you've tried everything, but the Internet is still slowing down, the problem may be the coverage of the MTS in your area.

• 📡 Go to the MTS coverage card website and enter your address.
• 📡 Install NetMonster or CellMapper – they show real signal quality, not theoretical quality.
• 📡 Compare speed with other operators (ask friends or use a second one) SIM).

If the coverage is weak, consider the following options:

• 🔄 Tele2 or Yota are better than MTS in some regions.
• 🔄 Buy a signal repeater (e.g. Huawei) B525) — reinforce 4G-house-signal.
• 🔄 Use home Wi-Fi with unlimited rates (for example, MTS Smart Wi-Fi).

If the problem is only in a particular place (for example, at work or at university), the cause may be an overload of the base station, in which case only waiting (the operator sooner or later upgrades the equipment) or changing the location will help.

Extreme measures: resetting and appeal for support

If none of these methods work, radical measures remain:

1. Reset Network Settings → System → Settings Reset → Resetting Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth This will remove all saved networks and APNs, after which they will have to be configured again.
2. Full phone reset (if the problem has appeared after the update): Settings → The phone. → Resetting settings → Delete all data ⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi models with MediaTek (e.g. Redmi) 9A) post-discharge IMEI. Before the procedure, save a backup copy through Settings → Google → Backup.
3. Call for support for MTS: - Dial *111# and follow the instructions. - Write to the chat on the MTS website or in the Telegram bot @MTSHelpBot. - Check whether the operator blocks your IMEI (sometimes this happens due to an error).

If this doesn’t work, the problem may be a hardware malfunction (for example, a damaged communication module), in which case, contact the Xiaomi service center or a proven wizard.

FAQ: Frequent questions about mobile Internet MTS on Xiaomi