Accelerate mobile Internet on Xiaomi: settings and life hacks

Slow internet on a smartphone can unbalance any user, especially when it comes to modern Xiaomi devices, which are positioned as fast and productive gadgets. The situation when pages load for eternity, and video is constantly buffered, often arises not because of weak coverage of the operator, but because of software restrictions or incorrect settings in the shell of MIUI. Owners often do not even suspect that hidden parameters of the system block the real data transfer rate.

In this article, we will discuss effective methods to get the most out of your connection. We will cover both basic checks that are available to everyone and advanced settings for power users. Network stack optimization is a process that requires attention to detail, but the result is worth it. You will learn how to make your Redmi or Poco work with the network more efficiently.

Before we get to complex manipulations, we need to rule out the trivial issues. Often the cause is a crowded app cache or background activity that eats up all traffic. Channel diagnosis is the first step to solving the problem. Sometimes it's enough to simply reboot the communication module so that the system re-registers at the base station and selects a less busy frequency.

Diagnosis and basic connection checks

The first thing you need to do is make sure that the problem is in the settings of the phone, not in the coverage area. Try to switch the network mode: force only 4G or preferably 4G. Often the phone "clings" to a stable, but slow 3G, Ignoring a faster, but slightly weaker signal LTE. To do this, go to the Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Type of network.

The second important thing is to check traffic with background apps. Some programs can update or sync data in the background, creating the illusion of slow Internet. Go to the data usage settings and see the list of consumption leaders. If you see an application that should not be using the network all the time, limit its background activity.

⚠️ Warning: Resetting your network settings will bring all Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings back to factory values. You will have to re-enter your wireless passwords and re-connect your smartwatch or headphones.

It’s also worth checking if traffic saving mode or Ultra-Savings is on, which are features designed to extend battery life, often aggressively restrict background connections and compress traffic, which negatively affects content download speed.

☑️ Network diagnostics

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Setting up an APN access point for maximum speed

One of the most effective ways to speed up the Internet is to manually configure the APN (Access Point Name) hotspot. Telecom operators often provide standard settings that are not always optimal for a particular region or smartphone model. Proper protocol configuration can significantly reduce ping and increase throughput.

To enter the settings menu, go on the Settings path → SIM-maps and mobile networks → (Yours. SIM) → Access points (APN). Here you'll see a list of available profiles. Don't delete existing ones, you'd better create a new one by clicking a button «+» or "New Access Point." In the Name field, type in any name, such as FastInternet, and in the field «APN» enter the address corresponding to your operator (usually Internet, mts, beeline or life).

The key is choosing the protocol. At the bottom of the screen, look for "APN Protocol" and set IPv4/IPv6. If only IPv4 is the default, switching to combined mode can improve packet routing. Also, the "APN Type" field should spell out default,supl. This ensures that not only the regular Internet works, but also geolocation services work correctly.

Operator.APN (Access Point)ProtocolType of authentication
MTSinternet.mts.ruIPv4/IPv6No.
MegaFoninternetIPv4/IPv6No.
Beelineinternet.beeline.ruIPv4/IPv6PAP
Tele2internet.tele2.ruIPv4/IPv6No.
Yotainternet.yotaIPv4/IPv6No.

After making changes, be sure to save your profile and select an active access point. Rebooting the communication module (enable air mode for 10 seconds) is mandatory for the new settings. If the speed has not changed, try changing the network type in the additional APN settings on LTE, if this option is available in your version of MIUI.

Secret codes for network verification
Type ##4636## into the call to get to the engineering menu, where you can see detailed connection statistics and force the network type to be switched, and be careful: changing unknown parameters can lead to loss of communication.

Use of engineering menu and hidden parameters

The MIUI shell and the Android operating system hide a lot of fine-tuning tools from the average user, one of which is an engineering menu that can be accessed through special code, where you can manage network priorities and a radio module in more detail than in a standard interface.

Type ##4636## in the Phone app. If the code doesn't work, your firmware version may be blocking access to this menu (a common situation in global versions). In the menu that opens, select Phone Information. Scroll down to Set Preferred Network Type.

Here you will see the drop-down list. For maximum speed, select the option containing the LTE Only or NR/LTE (for 5G). Be careful: The regime is only LTE» This can cause incoming calls to stop if your carrier does not have VoLTE technology configured, in which case choose combined modes, for example, LTE/TD-SCDMA/GSM.

⚠️ Warning: Forced switching to “Only” mode LTE» (LTE Only) without VoLTE support, you will be unable to make and receive regular voice calls. Use this mode only for Internet distribution or if you are sure of VoLTE availability.

You can also reset the radio module by pressing the "Turn off radio" button and then "Turn on radio" button, which helps if the phone is stuck on a tower with a bad signal and doesn't want to switch to the nearest one, and re-registration in this way often solves the problem of "sticks" of communication that do not give real Internet.

📊 What is your current mobile internet speed?
Less than 5 Mbps
5-20 Mbps
20-50 Mbps
More than 50 Mbps

System optimization and cache cleaning

The speed of the Internet depends not only on the signal, but also on how fast the processor and network stack manage to process data. In Xiaomi smartphones, many system services are responsible for this. Over time, they accumulate debris that slows down work, regular cleaning of the DNS cache and system temporary files is a mandatory procedure.

For cleaning. DNS-You can use built-in tools or third-party utilities to cache, but the easiest way is to use the developer mode. → The phone. → 7 times press "Version" MIUI». Then, in the “For Developers” menu, find the “Reset Settings” item. DNS» You can also just reboot your phone, which will automatically clear most temporary network spreadsheets.

And the background is also important. MIUI has a memory cleanup feature, but it works superficially. You better manually review running applications. Close heavy programs, navigators, streaming services if they're not in use right now. Freeing RAM gives the system more resources to buffer web pages.

  • 🧹 Delete your browser cache: Go to your Chrome or Mi Browser settings and clear your history and cookies that may conflict with new versions of your sites.
  • 🚫 Turn off auto-update apps in the Play Market via mobile network, leaving this feature only for Wi-Fi.
  • ⚙️ Check the boot list: Turn off the start of unnecessary apps when you turn on your phone so they don’t load the network immediately after turning on.

Another nuance is interface animations, which, while they don't directly affect bit rate, they create a sense of "slowness" in the system. In the developer menu, reduce the animation of windows, transitions and animation duration to 0.5x. The interface becomes more responsive, and the loading of pages will seem faster.

Resetting network settings as a radical method

If none of these methods worked, there may have been a build-up of critical errors in the configuration of network protocols, in this case a complete reset of network settings, which would bring all mobile, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth parameters back to factory status by removing all the accumulated errors.

You can reset through the Settings menu → Connection and sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth. Confirm the action. The phone will reboot or just apply the settings. After that, you will need to re-enter the password from Wi-Fi and possibly re-accept the terms of the carrier (will come). SMS customized).

This method is especially useful after a firmware update, when new system files conflict with the user's old configuration files.A clean start to network settings often works wonders, restoring connection stability where other methods were powerless.

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After resetting your network settings, be sure to restart your phone once completely (turn off and on) so that all system services start with the new settings correctly.

Influence of covers and physical condition SIM-map

Cheap cases with metal inserts or magnetic rings for attachment in the car can shield the antenna of a smartphone. Xiaomi often places antenna modules around the perimeter of the body, and any overlapping of this space with metal reduces the signal quality.

Also pay attention to the state of the SIM-If it's more than used. 3-4 In years, the contact pad may have oxidized or worn out, and this causes unstable connections and a slowdown in speed. SIM-If the card is very old or cut by hand, it is better to replace it in the operator's cabin with a new one with support. 4G/LTE.

In some cases, it helps to replace the slot. If you have a dual-sim phone, try moving the card to another slot. Sometimes one of the slots (usually the first one) has priority in speed or is better configured by antennas to work with high-speed protocols. Physical contact is the basis of stable communication, and it should not be neglected.

Why does the speed drop in the evening?
In the evening, during peak hours (from 19:00 to 23:00), the load on the operators' base stations reaches a maximum. The channel is shared among all users, so the physical speed drops for everyone, regardless of the phone settings. In this case, it is impossible to speed up the Internet programmatically, only switching to a less busy frequency (if the phone can aggregate frequencies) or waiting.
Will accelerator apps help?
Most of the apps in the Play Market with names like Internet Booster are DNS resets or cache cleaners, which you can do yourself, and they often run ads and consume resources themselves, and they don't really increase speed because they can't change the physical bandwidth of the operator's channel.
Does a phone’s overflowing memory affect the internet?
Yes, indirectly. If the memory is less than 1 GB, the system starts to use the paging file actively, which slows down the processor, the browser lacks the resources to quickly render pages, and creates the impression of a slow Internet. Make room for the correct operation of the application cache.
Do I need to update the firmware to improve communication?
MIUI updates often include patches for the modem and improve the network experience of specific carriers. If you have an older version of the software, the update can have a positive effect on the stability and speed of the connection.
What if 4G catches, but the Internet doesn’t work?
Check if the traffic is over or blocked. SIM-If the balance is normal, try manually selecting the carrier in the settings (turning off auto-select) and then returning it back. Also check the date and time - the wrong time can block secure connections. HTTPS.