How to find out how to use Xiaomi: all the ways to track traffic

Monitoring mobile internet usage on Xiaomi smartphones is a challenge that every user faces, especially for those who use limited rates or travel outside the range of home Wi-Fi. Unlike iOS, where traffic statistics are hidden in the bowels of the system, the MIUI shell offers several built-in monitoring tools – but not everyone knows where to look for them and how to interpret the data correctly.

Compounding the problem, some apps (especially instant messengers and social media) consume traffic in the background even when you’re not using them, and if you have children or elderly relatives on your device, the cost can increase significantly due to random clicks on ads or autoplay videos. In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can check your Internet consumption, from standard MIUI features to third-party utilities with advanced analytics.

1. built-in traffic monitoring in MIUI

The easiest way is to use the built-in MIUI shell tools, which are available on all modern Xiaomi smartphones (starting with MIUI 10) and do not require additional applications to be installed. However, there is a caveat: the system only takes into account mobile traffic, and Wi-Fi consumption is displayed separately and in less detail.

To open up the statistics:

1. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
2. Choose an active one SIM-card (if there are several).
3. Slip on the item Data Use.

Here you'll see:

• 📊 Current month expenditure schedule (by day).
• 📱 List of applications sorted by the amount of traffic consumed.
• ⚠️ Warning when approaching the established limit (if it is set).

💡

If the graph shows abnormally high consumption at night, check the settings for Auto Update apps in Google Play. Turn it off or limit only Wi-Fi.

⚠️ Attention: Built-in counter MIUI It is automatically reset on the first day of each month, and if your tariff period starts on a different date (e.g. the 15th), the data will be inaccurate.

2. Separate accounting of traffic over Wi-Fi and mobile network

By default, MIUI shows mobile internet and Wi-Fi consumption in different sections to see the full picture:

For mobile traffic:

• Follow the Settings path → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Use of data.
• Activate the Background Data Limit Switch to reduce hidden flow.

For Wi-Fi:

• Go to Settings. → Wi-Fi.
• Slip on the connected network and select Usage Statistics.

Note that Wi-Fi statistics are reset when you disconnect from the network. If you need constant monitoring, use applications like NetGuard or GlassWire.

Setting up warnings and limits

MIUI allows you to set a traffic threshold when the system reaches you or completely shuts down mobile Internet, which is useful for tariffs with strict limits (for example, 5 GB per month).

How to set up:

1. Open the Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Use of data.
2. Activate the slider Set a data limit.
3. Enter the value in megabytes (e.g., 5120 MB for 5 GB).
4. Select the action when exceeded: Warn or Disable data.

Important: The limit is reset automatically at the beginning of each month. If your tariff period is different, use applications with manual cycle adjustment (for example, My Data Manager).

Indicate the exact amount of the tariff in MB|Select an action (notification or blocking)|Check the date of the statistics reset|Disable background traffic for unnecessary applications-->

4. Review of expenditure by individual annexes

To identify voracious programs, MIUI provides detailed statistics, showing how much traffic each application consumes in the foreground (when used actively) and background (in the background).

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want (like YouTube or TikTok).
3. Slip on the item Data Use.

You'll see:

• 📥 Data received (content downloaded).
• 📤 Sent data (for example, uploading stories or messages).
• 🔄 Background traffic (the most insidious item - it can be turned off to save money).

⚠️ Note: Some apps (such as Facebook or Facebook) VK) They may show a low flow rate because of the way they work with the cache. For accurate accounting, use NetGuard with the cache on. VPN-regime.

5. Third-party applications for avanzed monitoring

If the built-in MIUI tools aren't enough, install one of the specialized applications.

• 📅 Flexible accounting periods (week, month, arbitrary dates).
• 🔍 Breakdown by traffic types (video, audio, downloads).
• 🛡️ Blocking background activity for individual programs.

Top.-3 apps:

1. My Data Manager is a simple interface, support for several SIM-maps, notifications of exceeding the limit: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mobidia.android.mdm
2. NetGuard is a root-free traffic blocker that shows real-time traffic flow. Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=eu.faircode.netguard
3. GlassWire is a graphical traffic visualization, detecting suspicious activity. Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.glasswire.android

6. Hidden causes of high traffic consumption

Sometimes the smartphone eats up the Internet for no apparent reason, and let's look at the typical scenarios and how to fix them:

1. Auto-update of applications

• 📱 Open Google Play → Settings → Auto-update of applications.
• Choose Only via Wi-Fi or Do Not Update Automatically.

Background synchronization

• Go to Settings → Accounts and Synchronization.
• Disable unnecessary accounts (e.g. Mi Account if you are not using the Xiaomi cloud).

3. Advertising in annexes

Banners and videos in free games/apps can consume up to 500MB per day.Use AdGuard or enable browser-based data saving mode (Chrome → Settings → Traffic Saving).

MIUI System Services

• Open Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times to turn on the developer mode).
• Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
• Turn off Auto Update and Send Error Reports.

💡

Even in standby mode, a smartphone can consume up to 100-200 MB per day due to background activity. Regularly check the list of applications in Settings → Battery → Charge consumption – there are often hidden “eaters” of traffic.

7. How to reset the traffic counter

If you change the rate or you want to start again, you can reset the MIUI counter manually.

1. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Use of data.
2. Stick to three points (⋮) top-right.
3. Select Reset Statistics.

In third-party applications (such as My Data Manager), the reset is performed through:

• 📅 Section Accounting cycles → Set the date of the reset.
• 🔄 Reset button in the application menu.

⚠️ Attention: Resetting the meter to MIUI It doesn't affect the actual traffic flow of the operator, and if you've exceeded the tariff limit, the data will still be charged. USSD-operator requests to check the exact balance (e.g. *100# for MegaFon).

FAQ: Frequent questions about the cost of Internet on Xiaomi