Slow Internet on Xiaomi smartphone is a problem that even owners of flagship models like Xiaomi 14 Ultra or POCO F6 Pro face. The reasons can be dozens: from incorrect mobile network settings to hardware limitations of budget chipsets MediaTek Helio or Qualcomm Snapdragon 4xx. In this article, we will analyze all possible ways to increase Internet speed – from basic to advanced, including hidden MIUI settings, DNS optimization and even hardware modifications for enthusiasts.
It's important to understand that speed is not just a smartphone. The carrier, the load of the base station, the type of connection (4G/5G/Wi-Fi) and even the weather conditions can affect the result. But 80 percent of the time, the problem lies in the device settings. We tested all the methods on the Redmi Note 12 Pro+, Xiaomi 13T and POCO X5 Pro models, the results are shown in the comparison table below.
1. Checking the current speed: tools and norms
Before you optimize, you need to understand what speed you are currently at and whether it matches the parameters declared by the operator.
- 📊 Speedtest by Ookla is the most accurate app, but consumes a lot of traffic (up to 50MB per test).
- 🌐 Fast.com (from Netflix) – a minimalist service for checking download speeds.
- 📱 Built-in test in MIUI: Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Network speed (not available on all models).
Speed standards for Xiaomi in 2026:
| Type of network | Minimum speed (Mbps) | Average speed (Mbit/s) | Maximum (Mbps) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4G (LTE) | 5 | 30-50 | 150+ |
| 5G | 20 | 100-200 | 1000+ |
| Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | 10 | 100-300 | 867 |
| Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | 30 | 300-600 | 2400 |
If your performance is below the minimum, the problem is on your side: if the speed is within the normal range, but subjectively "slows down" - the fault is background processes or optimization of MIUI (about this in section 5).
⚠️ Attention: Speed tests are performed in aircraft mode with only one type of network (or Wi-Fi or mobile Internet) on.
2. Optimizing the mobile Internet (4G/5G)
To start with, the most common type of connection, even if you have an "infinite tariff," the operator can artificially limit the speed because of:
- 📵 The wrong type of network (for example, a smartphone clings to a network) 3G instead 4G).
- 🔄 Frequent change of base stations (relevant for travel by transport).
- 📡 Network congestion during rush hour (18:00–22:00).
How to fix it:
- Select a priority network type. Go to Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Network type and install: 📶 For 4G: LTE (recommended 4G/3G/2G (motor-car). 🚀 For 5G: 5G/4G/3G/2G (If you support Xiaomi 5G).
On some firmware (e.g., MIUI 14 for the global version), this item may be referred to as the preferred network type.
Manual operator choice. Automatic search does not always choose the optimal station. Go to Settings → Mobile network → Network operators and manually select your provider (for example, MTS, Beeline). After choosing, wait for registration (up to 2 minutes).
Shutdown VoLTE/VoNR (if not used, voice technology 4G/5G They may conflict with data. Try disabling it in Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Challenges by 4G.
On models with a MediaTek chipset (for example, Redmi Note) 11, POCO M5) After manual selection of the network, the speed may fall 10-15%. It's a feature of modems. MTK — They work better without automatic optimization.
3. set up Wi-Fi for maximum speed
Wi-Fi is often slowed down not because of the router, but because of the wrong settings on the smartphone. For example, Xiaomi defaults to include power saving for Wi-Fi, which reduces speed by 20-30%.
- 🔌 Outdated standards (e.g. Wi-Fi connection) 4 instead of Wi-Fi 5/6).
- 🔒 Encryption WPA3, Which some routers are not supporting correctly.
- 📶 Automatic channel selection leading to interference from neighboring networks.
Step-by-step optimization:
- Turn off Wi-Fi Smart Switch. This feature automatically switches the device to mobile internet when the Wi-Fi signal is weak, but often works too aggressively. Disables in Settings → Wi-Fi → Additional settings → Intelligent Switch.
- Enable Wi-Fi High Performance Mode. In the same additional settings, find Wi-Fi Mode and select High Performance (instead of Balanced or Energy Saving).
- Lock it down. IP-Dynamic address. IP The router may change from router, which leads to short-term breaks. Go to the router settings (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) and attach MAC-The address of your Xiaomi to static IP.
For models with Wi-Fi 6 (Xiaomi 13 Pro, POCO F5 Pro) check out:
- 🔄 Is 80 MHz support enabled in router settings (channel width).
- 🔗 Whether used WPA3-Personal (If the speed is low, switch to WPA2-Personal).
Deactivate "Intelligent Switching"
Set the “High Performance” mode
Lock down IP-router
Check the channel width (80 MHz for Wi-Fi 6)
Update router firmware-->
4.DNS change: why it works and how to set up
DNS-The servers of the operator or provider are often overloaded, which increases the response time (ping) and reduces the download speed. DNS (Google or Cloudflare can speed up the internet 10-40%.
How to change DNS to Xiaomi:
- For mobile internet: Go to Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Name of the access point (APN). Choose yours. APN (In the field, usually the name of the operator. DNS 1 enter 8.8.8.8 (Google) or 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare). DNS 2 - 8.8.4.4 or 1.0.0.1 respectively. Save and restart the smartphone.
- For Wi-Fi: Connect to a Wi-Fi network. Click on the network name in Settings → Wi-Fi. Choose to Change the network → Additional settings → Settings IP. Set Static and enter DNS-servers (the same 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4).
To check the effectiveness, use the command in Terminal Emulator (install from Google Play):
ping -c 4 google.comCompare response time (in ms) before and after the DNS change.
⚠️ Note: Some operators (e.g. Tele2) block third-party operators DNS If you've changed the speed completely, return the standard settings.
Which DNS is better to choose?
5. MIUI Optimization: Hidden Settings and Energy Saving
MIUI aggressively optimizes background processes, which can slow down the loading of content in applications, especially on models with 6-8 GB of RAM (Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X4 Pro).
What to turn off:
- 🔋 Energy saving for applications. Go to Settings → Battery and productivity → Select battery mode and set Performance (instead of Balanced or Charge Savings).
- 🚫 Restriction of background activity. C Settings → Annexes → App management select a browser or messenger (such as Telegram), then Battery → No restrictions.
- 🗑️ Real-time cache cleanup. In Settings → Warehouse → Cleaning Disable Auto Cleaning – It Can Interrupt Downloads.
For advanced users:
- 🛠️ Turn on Developer Mode (7 times tap on Version) MIUI In Settings → About the phone, then in Settings → Additionally. → For developers:
On devices with MIUI 14 and later, turning off power saving for individual applications can cause them to spontaneously start in the background. To avoid this, after changing the settings, restart the smartphone.
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If after turning off the power saving phone began to discharge quickly, return the settings back and try an alternative method: add the desired applications to the "Exceptions" in the Battery → Battery Optimization section.
Hardware methods: from antenna to firmware
If the software methods didn't work, the problem could be the hardware.
1. Testing the antenna.
- 📡 On Xiaomi, the mobile network antennas and Wi-Fi are located at the top of the case. If you have a case with metal inserts or a magnet, remove it and check the speed again.
- 🔧 On models with a collapsible body (Redmi) 9A, POCO M3) You can try reconnecting the antenna plume (requires disassembly!).
Update of the radio module.
- 📲 The modem (radio module) is updated separately from the main firmware. Check the relevance in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → Three dots (menu) → Updating the modem package.
- 🔄 If there are no updates, but the speed is low, try to roll back to the previous version of the modems (instruction below).
3. Alternative firmware.
- 🌍 Global ROM Often speed limits on some models (especially India/China). EEA ROM (Europe) or Russia ROM via Fastboot.
- 🛠️ Custom firmware like Pixel Experience or LineageOS can improve speed with an optimized kernel, but require unlocking the bootloader.
⚠️ Warning: Recoil radio module or firmware alternatives ROM may result in loss IMEI or lock the network. IMEI *#06# and backup with the Mi Flash Tool.
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On devices with a Snapdragon chipset (for example, Xiaomi 12T, POCO F4), hardware problems with the antenna are less common than on MediaTek. If the speed has dropped after a drop or moisture hits, bring it to the service for the diagnosis of soldered contacts.
7. Alternative solutions: from VPN to external antennas
If all of the above did not help, try non-standard methods:
1. VPN to circumvent operator restrictions.
- 🔒 Some operators throttle (artificially slow down) traffic for certain services (e.g. YouTube or Torrent). VPN can get around it.
- 🌐 Recommended services: ProtonVPN (free), Warp from Cloudflare (minimum delays).
2. an external antenna for a mobile network.
- 📡 Suitable for stationary use (e.g. in the country), the antenna is connected via an adapter to a smartphone or using a repeater (signal amplifier).
- 💰 Cost: from 1,500 ₽ for a simple antenna up to 10,000 ₽ for a professional set with an amplifier.
Modem modem (USB-tetering).
- 🖥️ Connect Xiaomi to PC/laptop by USB and distribute the Internet through Settings → Access Point and modem → USB-modem.
- ⚡ Speed by USB often higher than Wi-Fi or mobile network due to stable connection.
4. Reset network settings.
- 🔄 Extreme measure: Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Reset network settings. Remove all stored Wi-Fi and mobile network settings.
8 Common mistakes that slow down the Internet
Many users are slowing down their Internet without even knowing it.-5 mistake:
- Using Google Play's "Internet Accelerators," applications like the Internet Speed Booster or Network Master don't work -- they just clear cache, which can be done manually.
- Connecting to congested public Wi-Fi. In a cafe or mall, the speed is divided into dozens of devices. Use mobile Internet or VPN.
- Disable data in the background. In Settings → Data Transfer → Traffic savings many turn off background transmission, but this slows down the update of applications and download content.
- Ignoring MIUI updates. Newer firmware versions often fix modem bugs. Check for updates in Settings → About Phone → System Update.
- Magnetic field disrupts antennas, especially on wirelessly charged models (Xiaomi 13 Pro, POCO F4 GT).
If you avoid these errors, the Internet speed will increase by 15-30% without additional settings.
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The most efficient way to speed up the internet on Xiaomi is by combining a DNS change, MIUI power saving switch off, and manual network type setup (4G/5G) that is enough to achieve top speeds in 70% of cases.