How to set a traffic limit for Xiaomi Redmi 9: 5 working ways

Xiaomi Redmi 9 is a popular smartphone with a balance of price and functionality, but its owners often face the problem of uncontrolled consumption of mobile Internet, especially for users with limited tariffs, where every megabyte counts. In this article, we will discuss all the available ways to limit traffic on Redmi 9, including hidden settings. MIUI, Third-party utilities and nuances of working with two SIM-map.

It’s important to understand that traffic restriction is not just about saving money, but also about protecting against background data consumption by apps (for example, auto-update Google Play or synchronize Mi Cloud).We will look at both standard MIUI 12/13 tools and alternative solutions for those who need advanced analytics or strict restrictions.

Why Redmi 9 is eating traffic: the main reasons

Before you set your limits, let’s figure out where your gigabytes are going. On Redmi 9 (models M2003J15SC, M2004C3LGG), the typical traffic eaters are:

• 📱 Background activity of applications: even closed programs can exchange data (for example, Facebook, VKontakte, messengers).
• 🔄 Auto Updates: system, Play Market, Xiaomi branded services (Mi Video, Mi Browser).
• ☁️ Cloud services: synchronization of Mi Cloud, Google Photos, backup.
• 📡 Poor network coverage: with a weak signal, the smartphone is constantly reconnected, spending traffic on “handshakes».
• 🎮 Advertising in games/apps: Many free programs download banners even in the background.

Redmi 9 with MIUI firmware has built-in traffic monitoring, but it often shows understated numbers. For example, if you downloaded a 500 MB file, the system can only display 450 MB due to the nature of data packet accounting.

Method 1: Built-in traffic limit in MIUI

The easiest method is to use the standard MIUI settings. It is suitable for most users and does not require additional software installation. Instructions are relevant for MIUI 12.5 and later (including MIUI 13/14 on Redmi 9).

To set a limit:

1. Open the Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
2. Choose. SIM-The card you want to limit traffic to (if you have two SIMs).
3. Tap on Data Use (or Mobile Network Traffic in New Versions).
4. Activate the switch Set the data limit.
5. Set a limit (e.g. 5 GB) and a reset period (usually 1st day of the month).
6. Save settings and enable Warning when overshooted (notify 10% in advance before the limit).

Note that MIUI resets the limit automatically at the beginning of a new billing period, but if you manually change the date on your smartphone, the counter can get lost, and the system does not block traffic rigidly - after exceeding the limit, the Internet will continue to work, but with a notification.

Method 2: Separate limit for applications

If you need to limit traffic for specific programs (like TikTok or YouTube), MIUI has a Background Limitation feature that doesn’t block traffic completely, but reduces traffic consumption when the app is folded.

How to set up:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Choose the appropriate app (such as Instagram).
3. Tap on Mobile Data (or Data Use).
4. Activate the option to limit background data.
5. To completely block traffic, turn off the Mobile Data switch (the application will only work over Wi-Fi).

This method is useful for social networks and instant messengers that are constantly synchronized in the background, for example, WhatsApp can spend up to 300 MB per month on background activity alone.

Method 3: Third-party applications for tight control

The built-in MIUI tools aren't always accurate and don't block traffic completely. If you want a hard limit with automatic Internet blocking when you exceed the limit, you'll have to use third-party utilities.

For a complete traffic block if you exceed the limit, we recommend NetGuard.

1. Open the app and give access to the VPN (this is necessary to intercept traffic).
2. Go to the Rules tab and tick the applications for which you want to restrict access.
3. In the settings (⚙️ → Limits: Specify your monthly limit (e.g. 8 GB).
4. Activate the option to block when exceeded.

⚠️ Note: Using NetGuard or similar applications on Redmi 9 can reduce Internet speeds by 5-10% due to traffic processing through the Internet. VPN. Some banking applications can also block work when active. VPN-linkage.

Method 4: Set up an APN to save traffic

Few people know, but you can save traffic at the APN level. Some operators (for example, MTS, Beeline) provide special APNs for data compression. On Redmi 9, it is configured as follows:

1. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Access points (APN).
2. Choose yours. SIM-map and tap on the current one APN (It is usually called as an operator, for example, Internet.beeline.ru).
3. In the field APN-protocol IPv4 (if IPv4/IPv6 — This can increase traffic consumption).
4. In the APN type field, add a dun (e.g. default, dun) via comma to the dun. This will turn off background data transfer for some system processes.
5. Save the settings and restart the smartphone.

For MegaFon and Tele2 operators, you can try using APN with traffic compression:

• 📶 For MegaFon: Create a new one APN with the name Internet.mts.ru (yes, this is not a typo - such a typo). APN works for compression) and default,supl, dun type.
• 📶 For Tele2: in the field APN-protocol IPv4, APN-roaming protocol — IPv4.

These settings won’t have the same effect as specialized applications, but they can reduce traffic consumption by 10-15% by optimizing data transfer.

💡

If the APN changes, return the standard settings or contact the operator. Some settings (such as MMSC or MCC/MNC) are better left unattended so as not to break the MMS and calls.

Method 5: Limiting traffic through energy saving modes

MIUI has a hidden feature that limits background traffic in energy saving modes. This is not a full limit, but it will help reduce data consumption when the battery is below 20%.

How to turn on:

1. Open Settings → Battery and Performance.
2. Select Power Saving Mode (or Ultra Mode in the newer versions).
3. Activate the option to limit background data.
4. In the Mode Settings section, mark Limit Mobile Data.

In this mode:

• ✅ Auto-update of applications is suspended.
• ✅ Background synchronization is blocked (except for critical services like WhatsApp).
• ✅ Frequency of email and social media surveys is limited.
• ❌ There may be no push notifications from some applications.

⚠️ Attention: Redmi 9 with firmware MIUI 12.5 and below, in ultra-power saving mode, mobile internet may be shut down completely.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When setting the traffic limits on Redmi 9, users encounter common errors.

If after all the manipulations the traffic continues to “leak”, check:

• 🔍 Viruses/Adware: Scan your smartphone with Malwarebytes or Xiaomi’s built-in Security.
• 📲 Hidden Updates: Turn off Auto Update for MIUI In Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → ⚙️ → Downloading by car over Wi-Fi.
• 🌐 VPN/proxy: some VPN-services (e.g. Turbo) VPN) They consume traffic even in the background.

💡

On the Redmi 9 with two SIM-The traffic limits are set separately for each SIM card, and if you use both cards for the Internet, set limits on each card.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions