How to find out what is spent on the Internet traffic on the phone Xiaomi: 7 proven ways

Have you noticed that mobile Internet on Xiaomi is running out too quickly, even though you haven’t actively used the network? Or do you suspect that some applications are stealing traffic in the background? In this article, we will examine all the ways to track data consumption on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones – from standard MIUI tools to hidden functions and third-party applications.

The problem of uncontrolled traffic consumption is a problem for most users, and according to Jigsaw, up to 30% of mobile Internet is consumed by background processes that the owner does not even know about, especially for devices on MIUI, where auto-updates of system applications, synchronization of Mi Account and other invisible services are enabled by default, and we will show how to identify such “traffic eaters” and limit their activity.

1. Standard traffic monitoring in MIUI

The easiest way is to use the built-in MIUI statistics, which show the data consumption of applications over a selected period, but has limitations: not all system processes are displayed, and the counter reset occurs when you reboot, but this is enough for basic analysis.

To open up the statistics:

1. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
2. Choose yours. SIM-card (if there are several).
3. Slip on the item Traffic usage.
4. Set a tracking period (day, week or month).

Here you'll see:

• 📊 Total traffic consumption per period (in megabytes or gigabytes).
• 📱 List of applications with the traffic consumed (from more to less).
• 🔄 Background traffic – how much data has gone into updates and syncs.

Note the apps at the top of the list, if there are underutilized programs (such as Mi Video, Mi Browser or Facebook), they should be restricted. To do this, tap the app and select Limit background traffic.

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If you don't have the app on the list, try resetting the statistics (the Reset button in the upper right corner) and waiting a day. Some programs don't start showing until you've used it.

2. Hidden MIUI settings: Advanced traffic analysis

MIUI hides some of the data on Internet consumption in the engineering menu, which is suitable for advanced users, because it requires activation of the developer mode and work with technical parameters.

How to include extended statistics:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version. Enter the device password if needed.

Settings → Additional → For Developers

Network statistics

Using traffic

Detailed.

On this menu you will see:

• 🔍 Traffic by protocol (TCP/UDP/ICMP).
• 📡 Activity by IP-Addresses (useful for identifying suspicious connections).
• ⚡ Real-time traffic consumption (updated every 5 seconds).

3. Applications for monitoring traffic: top-5 utility

Standard MIUI tools aren't always accurate. Third-party apps are better for deep analysis, which capture real-time traffic, block background activity, and even show which servers are using your data.

The best tools for Xiaomi:

For maximum accuracy, we recommend using two utilities: one for monitoring (for example, GlassWire), and another for blocking (for example, NetGuard), which will help not only track the flow, but also prevent data leakage.

4. How to identify hidden traffic: virus and spyware checks

If traffic goes “to nowhere” and there are no clear leaders in the statistics, data leakage through malware is possible. Xiaomi is not immune to viruses, especially if you installed applications from unverified sources (APK-files) or connected to public Wi-Fi networks.

Signs of infection:

• 🔋 Quick battery discharge even in standby mode.
• 📶 Active network activity when the screen is off (checked through Settings) → Battery → Battery utilization).
• 📥 Unknown applications in the list of installed programs.
• 🔒 Advertising in unexpected places (such as settings or screen locks).

How to check the device:

1. Install an antivirus with a signature base for Android: Dr.Web Light (free, no ads), Malwarebytes (well finds spyware), Bitdefender Mobile Security (paid, but with a trial period).

deep-scan

Settings → Applications → Permissions

Internet

SMS

Contact

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If antivirus is nothing našel, but traffic keeps going, check out MIUI system applications. for example, Mi Push Service or Mi Cloud can consume up to 500MB per month for background sync.

5. Traffic Limitation for Individual Applications

Have you found a voracious app? Don't rush to remove it, just restrict its access to the Internet. In MIUI, this is done in two clicks, and for a more flexible setup, you can use NetGuard (see the previous section).

How to limit traffic through MIUI settings:

1. Open the Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Using traffic.
2. Slip on the application you want to restrict.
3. Activate the switch to limit background traffic.
4. To block the Internet completely, select Prohibit Data Use.

For applications that use traffic even when the screen is off (such as messengers or cloud services), it is better to set up separate rules:

• 🚫 Stop Auto Updating on Google Play (Settings) → Auto-update of applications → Only through Wi-Fi).
• 🔄 Turn off background sync for unnecessary accounts (Settings) → Accounts. → Synchronization).
• 📴 Set up a “traffic saving mode” in MIUI (Settings → Battery and productivity → Traffic saving regime).

Set a limit on mobile data in your settings SIM-map|

Limit background traffic for social networks and instant messengers |

Disable auto-update apps in Google Play|

Check traffic statistics every 3 days |

Use Wi-Fi instead of mobile internet where possible-->

6. Traffic analysis via router: who connects to your phone

If you suspect that traffic is not only coming from your phone, but also through connected devices (such as smartwatches, speakers or other gadgets), check the list of customers on the router.

How to check the connections:

1. Open the router control panel (usually at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1).
2. Enter the login and password (often admin/admin by default).
3. Find the DHCP, Connected Devices, or Wireless Clients section.
4. Check the list of devices if you see a stranger. MAC-Disable it and change the Wi-Fi password.

For Xiaomi Mi Router there are additional features:

• 📊 Traffic statistics by device (section Traffic).
• ⏱️ Speed Limitation for Individual Gadgets.
• 🔒 Blocking Unknown Devices (Blacklist).

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If you don't have access to your router, use the Fing app (available on Google Play), which scans your local network and shows all connected devices, with manufacturer's indication.

7. Network reset: a last resort

If no methods have worked and traffic continues to disappear, try resetting your network settings, which will delete all stored Wi-Fi networks, passwords and mobile Internet settings, but often solves problems with invisible data consumption.

How to perform the reset:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Network Resetting.
3. Confirm the action (you will need to enter a password or pattern lock).
4. After the reboot, set up a connection to the mobile network and Wi-Fi again.

⚠️ Note: This method will also reset Bluetooth settings, VPN Mobile Hotspot, if you're using static IP or a proxy server, you will have to reconfigure them.

After discharge:

• 🔄 Do not connect to public Wi-Fi without VPN.
• 🔐 Set a complex password for your home network.
• 📵 Disable autoconnection to open networks in Wi-Fi settings.

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Network resets do not delete applications or personal data, but can solve traffic leakage problems caused by a communication module failure.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions