How to improve mobile Internet on Xiaomi phone: from settings to hardware solutions

Have you noticed that mobile internet on your Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO is slower than before? Pages load forever, video slows down, and instant messengers hang over when sending messages? The problem is not always with the operator β€” often the settings of the smartphone, outdated software or even physical interference are to blame. In this article, we will analyze all the possible causes of bad Internet on Xiaomi devices and give step-by-step instructions for eliminating them.

It's important to understand that mobile internet speed depends on a variety of factors, from the operator's tower to the phone's firmware. We tested all methods on the Redmi Note 12 Pro+, POCO X5 Pro and Xiaomi 13T models with MIUI 14 and HyperOS firmware, so the instructions are relevant for most modern devices of the brand. If after all the manipulations the problem remains, at the end of the article you will find a checklist for diagnosing hardware malfunctions.

1. Checking the basic parameters of the network

Before you dig deep into the settings, make sure the problem isn't on the surface.

  • πŸ“Ά Signal level: look at the network indicator in the status bar. 1-2 division+ instead 4G/5G β€” You're in a low-coating area. Try moving closer to the window or going outside.
  • πŸ”„ Flight mode: sometimes it's switched on randomly, you can swipe down from the top of the screen or check it in Settings. β†’ SIM-maps and mobile networks.
  • πŸ“± Phone reboot: trivial, but it works. Press the power button and select Reboot. This will reset the temporary failures in the communication module.
  • πŸ’³ Activity SIM-Cards: insert it into another phone and check if the Internet is working, if not, the operator has a problem or the account is out of money.

If the basics are fine but the internet is still slowing down, move on to the next section: On Xiaomi models with Qualcomm processors (such as the POCO F5), after a reboot, the communication module can temporarily run faster due to a reset of the modem cache.

⚠️ Note: If after the restart the phone stopped catching the network at all, check if the mode only activated. 2G customized SIM-This is a common error after updates. MIUI.

2. Optimizing APN settings

APN (Access Point Name is the "address" that connects the phone to the operator's Internet. APN They can limit speed or even block network access. On Xiaomi, these settings are sometimes confused after updates or changes. SIM-map.

To check and update the APN:

  1. Open the Settings. β†’ SIM-maps and mobile networks.
  2. Choose yours. SIM-card (if there are several).
  3. Press Access Points (APN).
  4. If there are several profiles, choose the one that matches your operator (for example, Internet.beeline.ru for Beeline).
  5. Click on the profile and check the APN fields, Username and Password, which must match the official operator data.

Below are the current APN settings for popular Russian operators (2026):

Operator.APNUser namePassword.Type of authentication
MTSinternet.mts.rumtsmtsPAP
Beelineinternet.beeline.rubeelinebeelinePAP
MegaFoninternetβ€”β€”Not established.
Tele2.internet.tele2.ruβ€”β€”Not established.

If your carrier is not on the list or settings are not suitable, go to its official website and find the section "Internet settings for smartphones." Usually there are instructions for automatic settings via SMS.

πŸ“Š Which mobile operator do you use?
MTS
Beeline
MegaFon
Tele2.
Yota
Other

3. Choosing the optimal network mode (4G/5G/LTE)

Xiaomi smartphones often default to Auto mode, which doesn't always choose the fastest communication standard. For example, in 5G coverage, a phone can cling to 3G if the 5G signal is weak.

  1. Go to Settings. β†’ SIM-maps and mobile networks β†’ [yours SIM] β†’ Type of network.
  2. Choose manually: πŸ“Ά 5G (preferably, if your phone and fare support 5G. πŸ“Ά LTE/4G β€” if 5G No, or he's unstable. πŸ“Ά 3G β€” If the first two options don’t work.

Save the settings and restart the phone.

Some models (such as the Redmi 10C or POCO M4 Pro) may not have a 5G option even if the phone supports it. This is a MIUI bug, solved by resetting network settings (more on this below).

πŸ’‘

If the Internet is completely lost after the change of the network mode, go back to the car and check if the operator blocks the standard you choose (for example, 5G may not be available on your tariff).

It is also worth considering that in roaming, some operators automatically lower the communication standard to the level of the standard. 2G To avoid this, disable the option to limit background roaming data in the settings SIM-map.

4. Reset network settings and update firmware

If previous methods have not worked, the problem may lie in system failures or outdated software. MIUI/HyperOS, Sometimes they "break" the work of modems.

Resetting the network settings will bring all communication parameters back to factory, including APNs, Wi-Fi passwords and Bluetooth coupled devices.

  1. Open Settings β†’ Memory β†’ Reset settings.
  2. Select Network Reset (not to be confused with a full reset!).
  3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

After reset, you will have to re-enter Wi-Fi passwords and configure APN (see Section 2).

Updating the firmware can fix the problem if it is caused by a bug in the current version of MIUI. To check for updates:

  1. Go to Settings β†’ About the phone β†’ System update.
  2. Click Check for updates.
  3. If a new version is available, download it and install it.

If SIM-The map is fine, but the Internet is still down, there may be problems with the antenna module:

  1. Enable Call Mode (#4636### in dialer) and select Phone Information.
  2. Look at the network signal. If it's constantly changing from -110 dBm to -50 dBm (large spread), it's a sign of a malfunctioning antenna.
  3. Try calling from your phone, and if you're not communicating or you're interrupting, the antenna is damaged.

On metal-body models (such as the Xiaomi Mi 11), antenna lines can be rubbed over time, and if you notice that the problem gets worse when you press certain areas of the body, it’s almost a complete sign of hardware failure.

βœ… Check it out. SIM-map on another phone

βœ… Wipe your contacts. SIM and tray

βœ… Check the signal level in the engineering menu (#4636##)

βœ… Make sure that the phone is not deformed in the antenna area

βœ… Check the Internet in safe mode (excludes the impact of applications)

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6. Optimization of background processes and traffic savings

Slow internet can be a consequence of the network overloading with background processes, and on Xiaomi with MIUI this is especially true because of the aggressive battery optimization that sometimes blocks network activity of applications.

To free up the channel for the main traffic:

  • 🚫 Limit background activity: Open Settings β†’ Annexes β†’ App management. Select an app (like Facebook or TikTok). Press Battery β†’ Background activity and select Limit.
  • πŸ“‰ Turn off auto-update apps: Go to Google Play β†’ Settings β†’ Network settings. Select Auto-Update applications β†’ Only through Wi-Fi.

Reset traffic statistics

  1. Go to Settings. β†’ SIM-maps and mobile networks β†’ Using traffic.
  2. Click Reset statistics (this does not affect speed, but helps track "gluttonous" applications).

It is also worth checking whether your tariff is blocking certain types of traffic, for example, some operators limit the speed of the service. P2P-Networks (torrents) or VoIP (calls via WhatsApp, Telegram.

8.When to contact the service center

If none of these methods worked, the problem is probably hardware, and here are the signs that you should be carrying your phone for repair:

  • πŸ“΅ The Internet does not work on any of them. SIM-map, but on other phones they work.
  • πŸ”Œ The phone does not catch the network even in the area of reliable coverage (for example, in the city center).
  • πŸ”§ After falling or getting moisture, the network signal disappeared.
  • πŸ“‘ The engineering menu (#4636##) displays an Invalid error IMEI.

Also on some models, 5G is turned off when the Battery Saving Mode is activated.

How do I know which modem is installed in my Xiaomi?
The modem type depends on the processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon: the modem is built into the processor (for example, Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 has an X70 modem that supports 5G). MediaTek Dimensity: the modem is also integrated (for example, Dimensity 1200 supports 5G). MediaTek Helio (for example, Helio G96): usually only 4G. You can find the processor model in Settings β†’ About phone β†’ Device specifications.
Can I improve the signal of the network with the help of the engineering menu?
Yeah, but be careful, on the engineering menu (##4636##) You can: Manually select a network (for example, prohibit the use of a network) 2G, leave only 4G/5G). View the signal level in dBm (norm: from -50 before -80 Reset the modem settings (Reset option) RIL). ⚠️ Don't change the settings if you don't know what they mean.
Why does the internet only work in some applications?
This may be due to: Operator restrictions (e.g. torrent blocking); Traffic Savings in MIUI (disables background activity for some applications); VPN or firewall that blocks access; APN settings error (check section 2). Try disabling VPN and temporarily allowing background activity for a problematic application.
How do I check if my operator is limiting my speed?
Do a speed test on Speedtest or nPerf, then compare the results with the declared rate. If the speed is lower than 30%, contact the operator. Also check: Is the Turbo button or Bezlimit option activated for the day (sometimes limits speed after the limit is exhausted), is Parental control on the number connected, is there a Fair Policy (restriction after exceeding the traffic limit).