How to properly install and configure mobile traffic on your Xiaomi phone: from basic settings to problem solving

Mobile Internet on Xiaomi smartphones can work unstable if the network settings are not configured correctly or the SIM- card is activated incorrectly. Many users face a situation where the phone shows the network signal but the traffic is not transmitted - the pages do not load, the messengers do not update, and the download speed leaves much to be desired. The reasons can lie both in hardware settings (for example, the wrong type of 4G/5G network), and in software restrictions (the background data transfer is disabled to save charge).

In this article, we will discuss all the stages of setting up mobile traffic on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO phones – from basic activation of the SIM- card to fine optimization of network parameters. You will learn how to enable data transfer, configure an access point (modem), limit traffic consumption for individual applications and eliminate common errors such as “No Internet connection” or “Only emergency calls”. Particular attention will be paid to the differences between models on MIUI 12/13/14 and phones with pure Android (for example, Xiaomi 12T or POCO F5).

1 Preparation: Checking the SIM- card and network compatibility

Before you set up traffic, make sure your SIM- card is properly installed and supports current communication standards.Modern Xiaomi smartphones work with nano-SIM (or eSIM in some models), and full Internet access requires support for 4G LTE or 5G (depending on the operator tariff).

Here's what you need to check:

• 📱 Type SIM- Cards: Make sure you use a nano-SIM (or eSIM if your model supports, for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra). Micro-SIM or standard SIM will not work without an adapter.
• 🌐 Network Compatibility: Check if your phone supports your carrier's frequency bands. For example, 5G in Russia requires the n78 (3.5 GHz) and n1 (2.1 GHz) bands.
• 🔄 Service activation: For some operators (e.g. Tele2 or Iota), mobile internet requires separate activation – check this in your personal account.

If you use two SIM- cards, remember: on most models, the Xiaomi 4G/5G only works on one slot (usually the SIM 1). The second slot can be limited to the 3G or 2G. The exception is flagship models like the Xiaomi 14 Pro, where both slots support the 5G.

2. Basic setting of mobile traffic in MIUI

To enable mobile data transfer, follow the following steps (instructions are relevant for MIUI 12-14):

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to section. SIM-Maps and mobile networks (or mobile networks on some models).
3. Select the SIM- card you want to set up traffic for (if there are two).
4. Activate the mobile data switch (should turn blue).
5. Make sure that the Data Transfer option is enabled (sometimes hidden under the option).

If the internet is not working after this, check:

• 📶 Network Mode: Go to Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → [Your SIM] → Network Type and select 4G (preferably) or 5G (if supported).
• 🔄 Access Points (APN): Press Access Points (APN) and make sure your operator profile is selected. If not, add manually (options can be found on the operator's website).

Make sure that SIM-card activated by the operator|

Check the balance and availability of connected tariff with the Internet |

Select the correct slot for SIM (SIM 1 usually supports 4G/5G)|

Update your phone to the latest version of MIUI|

Reboot the phone after installing the SIM- card-->

Important: Some models (e.g. Redmi Note 12) require a reboot after changing the SIM- card to correctly determine the network settings. If the Internet does not appear immediately, turn off and turn on the phone again.

3.Access Points (APN) setup for stable traffic

Incorrect APN (Access Point Name) settings are one of the most common reasons for mobile internet not being available. If the automatic setting doesn't work, add APN manually:

1. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → [Yours. SIM] → Access points (APN).
2. Click on the + icon or Add APN.
3. Fill in the fields according to your operator. Example for MTS: Name: MTS Internet APN: Internet.mts.ru Proxy: not specified Port: not specified Username: mts Password: mts Authentication type: PAP or CHAP Type APN: default,supl
4. Save the settings and select the profile you created.

APN options for popular operators:

If the internet doesn’t work after saving the APN, delete all other APN profiles – sometimes the phone conflicts between several settings.

4. Traffic consumption optimization and limitation for applications

By default, many applications consume traffic in the background, which leads to rapid consumption of gigabytes. MIUI has built-in tools to control:

How to limit traffic to individual applications:

1. Open the Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Transfer of data.
2. Select Traffic Usage (or Traffic Statistics).
3. Click on the app from the list and set a limit or ban background data transfer.

Additional traffic saving settings:

• 📉 Traffic Limit: Set a monthly limit in Settings → SIM- Maps and Mobile Networks → Data Transfer → Warning and Limit. If exceeded, the phone will automatically turn off mobile internet.
• 🔄 Data Savings: Enable the Traffic Saving option in the same menu – this will limit the background activity of applications.
• 🚫 Roaming ban: If you are travelling, turn off data transfers in roaming to avoid unexpected costs.

On models with MIUI 14, we have a feature called Smart Traffic Saving, which automatically blocks background activity of underutilized applications, to activate it:

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Savings.
2. Select Smart Traffic Saving and turn on the switch.

💡

If you use mobile internet frequently to watch videos, turn on the Traffic Savings setting in YouTube or TikTok – this will reduce the quality of the stream, but save up to 50% of data.

5. Modem mode setting (Internet distribution)

If you need to share the Internet from Xiaomi to another device (laptop, tablet), use modem mode. MIUI has three distribution options:

• 📶 Wi-Fi hotspot is the most convenient way, but it quickly puts the battery down.
• 🔌 USB- modem is a stable connection, but requires a cable.
• 📱 Bluetooth modem saves charge, but slower than Wi-Fi.

How to turn on the Wi-Fi access point:

1. Open the Settings. → Access Point and modem.
2. Select the Wi-Fi Access Point and activate the switch.
3. Set up a network name (SSID) and password (WPA2-PSK is recommended).
4. In the Access Point Settings section, you can change the frequency range (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz) and limit the number of connected devices.

Challenges and solutions:

• ❌ Access Point not turned on: Check if the operator is blocking it (e.g. Tele2 requires the Modem option to be connected), and make sure that the phone is on mobile Internet.
• 🐢 Slow speed: Switch the Wi-Fi range from 2.4 GHz to 5 GHz (if supported by a connected device). Also turn off the traffic savings in the modem settings.

💡

If the access point is permanently off, check the battery settings: in Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Consumption Management applications add “Access Point” to the exception list.

6. Solving Typical Traffic Problems on Xiaomi

Even when you set up the mobile Internet correctly, it can be unstable, and let's look at some of the most common mistakes and how to fix them.

Problem 1: 4G/5G is there, but the Internet is not working

• 🔄 Restart your phone – sometimes a simple reboot helps.
• 📱 Check if Flight Mode is on (even if the icon doesn't burn, it's sometimes software-activated).
• 🔧 Reset network settings: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings.

Problem 2: Traffic is being consumed too quickly

• 📊 Check the statistics in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Data Transfer → Traffic usage. It is possible that some application (like TikTok or Google Play Store) is consuming data in the background.
• 🚫 Limit background data transfers for unnecessary applications (see Section 4).
• 🔍 Install a traffic monitoring app like My Data Manager or GlassWire.

Problem 3: 5G is not running on a supported model

• 📡 Make sure your tariff supports 5G (some operators require a separate option).
• 🔧 Enable 5G in settings: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → [Your SIM] → Network type → 5G.
• 📲 Update the phone software — in older versions MIUI could have been disabled 5G by default.

⚠️ Warning: If the mobile internet is gone after the MIUI update, try resetting the network settings (Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Network Resetting).This will delete all stored Wi-Fi networks and settings APN, but often resolves the problem.

7 Additional Features: Dual 4G, VoLTE and Wi-Fi Calling

Modern Xiaomi smartphones support advanced communication features that can improve the quality of Internet and calls:

Dual 4G (two SIM- cards with 4G)

On some models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi K60) you can activate Dual 4G, so that both SIM- cards work on 4G networks simultaneously.

1. Go to Settings → SIM- Cards and Mobile Networks → 4G Dual Communication.
2. Turn on the option and select which SIM will be the primary for the data.

VoLTE and Wi-Fi Calling

These technologies improve the quality of calls, but they can affect the stability of the Internet.

• 📞 VoLTE (voice on LTE) — calls go through 4G, which speeds up the connection. Enables in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → [Your SIM] → VoLTE calls.
• 📶 Wi-Fi Calling -- Wi-Fi calling, useful for weak network signal, activated in the same place as VoLTE.

If the Internet is lost after turning on VoLTE or Wi-Fi Calling, turn off these functions - sometimes they conflict with the APN settings.

8. Alternative ways to connect to the Internet

If mobile traffic is not working or is too slow, consider alternative connectivity options:

Wi-Fi with automatic switching

Set your phone up so that it automatically connects to known Wi-Fi networks:

1. Open the Settings. → Wi-Fi.
2. Turn on Automatic Open Network Connection (caution – it’s not secure!).
3. Activate Smart Switching – the phone will automatically switch to mobile data if Wi-Fi is weak.

USB- Internet from a computer (reverse theter)

If you have a PC with Internet connection, you can distribute it to your phone:

1. Connect your phone to your computer via USB.
2. On a PC, turn on Shared Internet access for network connection.
3. On the phone in Settings → Access Point and modem, turn on the USB- modem (sometimes you need to install Mi PC Suite drivers).

Portable 4G/5G- Slowers

If mobile internet on your phone is constantly interrupted, consider buying a portable router (such as Xiaomi Mi Wi-Fi Router 4G).It provides a more stable connection and allows you to connect multiple devices at once.

⚠️ Warning: When using public Wi-Fi networks (cafes, airports), always turn on VPN to protect your data. MIUI has a built-in VPN- client: Settings → Connections and Sharing → VPN.

FAQ: Frequent questions about traffic on Xiaomi