Save traffic on Xiaomi: how to enable and configure in MIUI

Mobile traffic is still a valuable resource, despite the proliferation of unlimited tariffs. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face a situation where background apps eat up gigabytes of data without the user’s knowledge. Fortunately, MIUI firmware offers built-in tools to control traffic consumption – you just need to know where to look for them and how to set them up correctly.

In this article, we will discuss all the available ways to save mobile Internet on Xiaomi devices: from basic restrictions to hidden features. MIUI. You will learn how to block “gluttonous” applications, set up automatic data shutdowns when the limit is exceeded, and which system services can be safely disabled without compromising functionality. MIUI — some of the settings in MIUI 14 and later moved to other menu sections.

Why is Xiaomi spending traffic in the background?

Even if you don’t actively launch apps, Xiaomi’s smartphone continues to share data with servers.

• 🔄 Auto Update Apps – Google Play and Mi App Store Download Updates Without Notifying.
• 📊 System telemetry — MIUI Sends data about the use of the device (you can disable it).
• ☁️ Cloud sync – backup photos, contacts and notes in Mi Cloud.
• 📱 Background activity of messengers – WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber synchronize messages.
• 🌍 Geolocation and weather – Widgets and services update data every 15 to 30 minutes.

By default, MIUI allows most apps to use mobile data in the background, for example, YouTube can preload videos for offline viewing, and TikTok can update feeds even when you do not open the application, resulting in up to 500-800 MB of traffic per day without your participation.

⚠️ Note: Disabling background data transmission for system applications (e.g. com.miui.system) may cause a malfunction MIUI. We recommend blocking only third-party programs.

Method 1: Enabling traffic saving mode in MIUI settings

The easiest way is to activate the built-in saving mode, which limits background activity and reduces the quality of media downloads. MIUI 12–14:

1. Open the Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
2. Choose yours. SIM-card (if there are several).
3. Slip on the item Save traffic (in some firmware – Data Limitation).
4. Switch the slider to the position on.
5. Set the traffic limit (optional) – specify the threshold value in megabytes.

After activation, MIUI will:

• 🚫 Block background synchronization for most applications.
• 📉 Reduce the quality of streaming video (for example, YouTube will download) 480p instead 1080p).
• ⏳ Delay downloading updates before connecting to Wi-Fi.

☑️ What to check after saving is included

0

On devices with MIUI 14+, the path to settings may vary: Settings → Connections and Sharing → Mobile Network → Traffic Savings.

Method 2: Manually limiting traffic for individual applications

If you only need to block specific programs (such as social networks or games), use the Data Use section:

1. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Use of data.
2. Select a period (day/week/month) to monitor.
3. Slip on the application from the list (sorting by traffic consumption).
4. Activate the option to Prohibit background use of data.
5. To block completely, please note Prohibit the use of mobile data.

Example: If Instagram is running 1.2GB per month, you can stop it from accessing mobile internet, leaving only Wi-Fi. This won’t prevent it from manually running the app, but it will prevent background activity.

⚠️ Note: Some applications (e.g., banking or two-factor authentication messengers) may require constant network access, blocking their traffic will result in no payment notifications or SMS-code.

Method 3: Set up auto-updates and synchronization

By default, Xiaomi updates system and user apps automatically, which eats up to 1-2 GB of traffic per month.

For Google Play Market:

1. Open the Play Store and tap on the profile avatar.
2. Select Settings → Network parameters.
3. Install Auto-Update Applications → Only through Wi-Fi.

For the Mi App Store:

1. Start the Mi App Store (Blue Package Icon).
2. Go to Profile → Settings → Auto Update.
3. Choose to Disable or Wi-Fi Only.

We also recommend you to disable automatic download of MIUI updates on the mobile network:

1. Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Shoot three points (⋮) top-right.
3. Select Settings → Auto download over Wi-Fi.

💡

If you travel frequently, add offline map apps (like Google Maps or Yandex.Navigator) to the exceptions, allowing them to update maps even with limited traffic.

Method 4: Optimize Mi Cloud and System Services

The Mi Cloud cloud service syncs contacts, notes, photos and backups over the mobile network by default to reduce traffic consumption:

1. Open your Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Select Sync and disable unnecessary items (such as Gallery or Notes).
3. Shoot three points (⋮) and select Synchronization settings.
4. Activate the option to sync only over Wi-Fi.

Additionally, you can disable system telemetry (collection of data about the use of the device):

1. Settings → About Phone → Open settings (swipe the MIUI version several times until the message “You became a developer” appears).
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find the option to Send an error report and turn it off.

When you completely shut down Mi Cloud, you will lose:

• Automatic contact backup and SMS.
• Synchronization of notes and records in the calendar.
• The ability to find the device through Find Device when lost.

However, local data (photos, videos, files) will remain on the phone. We recommend backing up manually before turning off via Settings → About Phone → Backup.

Method 5: Using third-party monitoring applications

If built-in MIUI tools aren’t enough, install specialized utilities to control traffic:

• 📊 My Data Manager – tracks the consumption of each application with notifications of exceeding the limit.
• 🛡️ NetGuard – blocks network access for selected applications without root rights.
• 📈 GlassWire – visualizes traffic consumption in the form of graphs and alerts you about suspicious activity.

Example of NetGuard configuration:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Provide access to a VPN (necessary for traffic monitoring).
3. In the main window, turn off the switches next to applications that should only work over Wi-Fi.
4. Activate the Block option when roaming if you travel frequently.

The advantage of third-party utilities is that they work even on devices with custom firmware or stripped-down versions of MIUI (for example, on POCO for the global market).

Method 6: Hidden MIUI settings for advanced users

For users with an unlocked bootloader or root rights, additional optimization methods are available:

1. editing of the build.prop file

Addition of a line ro.config.low_ram=True forces the system to more aggressively close the background processes.

2. disable system applications via ADB

Some Xiaomi services (e.g., com.miui.analytics) can be disabled without root using commands:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.analytics


adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.xiaomi.joyose

3.Using the Magisk module for deep optimization

Modules like Universal GMS Doze or DisableFlagSecure allow you to:

• Forced to euthanize applications when blocking the screen.
• Disable screenshot protection in banking applications (saves traffic on re-drawing the interface).
• Block advertising domains at the system level.

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect editing of system files or disabling critical services can lead to bootloop (a looped reboot). TWRP Or Mi Flash Tool.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When setting up traffic savings, users often face the following problems:

1. Resetting the traffic counter: MIUI It resets the statistics at the beginning of each month, but if your rate starts from a different date, the data will be inaccurate. → SIM-map → Data cycle.
2. Notifications: After blocking background traffic, messengers stop showing new messages. Solution - allow background activity for critical applications (WhatsApp, Telegram) in the saving settings.
3. Slow page loading: With activated savings, browsers can limit speed.Solution - add Chrome or Firefox to exceptions in settings SIM-map.

Another common mistake is ignoring roaming, and when traveling abroad, mobile Internet charges can exceed 10.€ 1 MB. Always turn off data transmission manually or set up automatic shutdown when roaming:

1. Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Data roaming.
2. Set the switch to the off position.

💡

Before traveling abroad, save offline maps to Google Maps or Yandex.Navigator and turn off automatic synchronization of cloud services.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions