Save traffic on Xiaomi: how to turn on and configure on MIUI

Why Xiaomi smartphones are eating up internet traffic and how to fix it

Have you noticed that mobile internet on your Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO is running out too fast? Even if you haven't run YouTube or downloaded large files, gigabytes are leaking somewhere, due to background processes, automatic app updates and MIUI smart services, which actively consume data in hidden mode.

By default, the system is not optimized for savings: messengers sync media, cloud services download backups, and advertising SDKs in games and social networks pull data for targeted advertising. Fortunately, MIUI has built-in tools for traffic control — they just need to be set up correctly. In this article, we will analyze all the ways, from basic to hidden, that will help reduce Internet consumption by 30-70% without losing functionality.

This is especially true for users with limited traffic rates or those who travel frequently and roam frequently, and even if you have unlimited data, saving traffic will prolong battery life, because the less data is transmitted over the network, the less likely the 4G/5G module is activated at full capacity.

Where is the traffic saving setting in MIUI

Depending on the shell version (MIUI 12, 13 or 14), the path to settings may vary slightly, but the logic remains the same.

• 📱 Quick access: swipe down from the top edge of the screen → tap the icon ⚙️ Settings → Select SIM cards and mobile networks.
• 🔍 Search by settings: open Settings → In the search bar, enter “traffic savings” or “data transfer».
• 🔗 Straight Path: Settings → SIM cards and mobile networks → Transfer of data → Saving traffic.

On some models (such as the POCO F5 or Redmi Note 12), the option may be called Background Limitation or Traffic Saving Mode. If you don't find an item on the menu, check the MIUI version in the About Phone section - your firmware may be outdated.

Step-by-step: how to enable traffic savings

Activation of the saving mode takes less than a minute, but requires attention to detail.

1. Open Settings → SIM cards and mobile networks.
2. Choose. SIM-The card you want to limit traffic to (if there are two).
3. Go to the Data Transfer section.
4. Activate the Traffic Savings switch (or Background Data Limitation).
5. Click on Savings Settings (if available) and select the apps you want to apply the restrictions for.

After activation, the system automatically:

• 🚫 Block background synchronization for selected applications.
• ⏳ Delays app updates via mobile network (they will only download via Wi-Fi).
• 📉 Limit the consumption of data by advertising SDK and analytical services.

Important, in some firmware (MIUI 12.5 and below) the saving option may not work properly with VPN-If Telegram or WhatsApp stopped working after activation, add them to the exceptions (for this in the next section).

Exclusions and fine-tuning: what can be left without restrictions

Saving mode blocks background activity of all applications, but some of them are critical for everyday use. For example, if you restrict Google Play Services, push notifications may stop coming, and blocking Mi Cloud will turn off contact sync.

To add an annex to the exceptions:

1. In the Traffic Saving section, click on the Applications without restrictions (or exceptions).
2. Select from the list the desired programs (we recommend leaving without restrictions messengers, navigators and banking applications).
3. Save the changes.

It is also useful to set up traffic overload warnings:

• 🔔 Set a limit in the settings → Transfer of data → Warning and limit.
• 📊 Enable the display of traffic flow in the status bar (option Show data usage).

Hidden MIUI features for deep traffic optimization

In addition to the standard savings, MIUI has hidden tools that are rarely mentioned in official guides, requiring manual adjustment but maximizing the effect.

1. Traffic restriction for individual applications

Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management, select the desired application and activate Limit Background Data. This is useful for games and social networks that aggressively consume the Internet even in a curled state.

2. disabling MIUI auto-renewal

The default system checks for updates over the mobile network to prevent it:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Press on. ⋮ → Settings.
3. Turn off the Auto Download on the mobile network.

3. Blocking Advertising Domains through Hosts

This method requires root rights or apps like AdGuard, but it can reduce traffic by 10 to 15 percent by blocking ad requests. MIUI has a built-in ad blocker, but it only works for system applications.

1. Go to Settings → Special Options → Ad Blocker.
2. Enable the option and add domains manually (a list can be found on the 4PDA forums).

💡

If some sites have stopped opening after blocking the ad, temporarily disable the blocker or add problematic domains to the whitelist.

How to Check if Traffic Savings Work

Turn on the option, half the way, and you have to make sure that it actually limits your data consumption.

1. Open Settings → Data Transfer → Use of Mobile Data.
2. Check your consumption schedule for the past day. If the savings work, you will see a sharp drop in background traffic (especially at night when the phone is idle).
3. Run the test: Turn off Wi-Fi and use your phone for 10-15 minutes with mobile internet alone. Compare the consumption before and after saving.

You can also use third-party monitoring apps, such as My Data Manager or GlassWire, to show which processes are consuming data and help identify voracious programs.

Attention! ⚠️ If you notice that push notifications come with a delay after saving, for example, in Telegram or Gmail, add these applications to the exceptions. Also check whether your operator blocks the connection due to too aggressive savings (this is true for MTS and Beeline with tariffs "For a smartphone»).

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after setting up the traffic savings correctly, users face typical problems, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

• 🔄 Traffic still leaks: check if the savings are turned off after the reboot (bug of some versions) MIUI Solution: Update your firmware or use Tasker to automatically enable the option.
• 📵 No notifications: add messengers to exceptions or enable unlimited data access in the application settings.
• 🔌 Savings don't work with VPN: some VPN-Customers (e.g. NordVPN) bypass system constraints. Solution: Set up savings directly in the app VPN.
• 📡 Internet speeds are down: it's normal -- saving traffic limits bandwidth for background tasks. To get back up, temporarily turn off mode.

If none of the methods worked, try resetting your network settings:

1. Go to Settings → SIM cards and mobile networks → Reset network settings.
2. Confirm the action and restart the phone.
3. Re-enable traffic savings.

💡

If the problem persists, check to see if your phone has Internet speed apps (like Internet Speed Master) that often conflict with system savings settings.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions