Save traffic on Xiaomi MIUI 12: how to turn on and configure

Xiaomi’s MIUI 12-based smartphones offer flexible tools to control mobile traffic, but many users don’t know how to set them up properly. In an age of unlimited tariffs, this may seem irrelevant, but SIM card owners with limited data packages or those who travel frequently need such features.

In this article, we will not only discuss the basic traffic saving settings in MIUI 12, but also the hidden features of the system that are not mentioned in the official instructions, you will learn how to limit traffic for individual applications, set up automatic disabling of mobile data when you exceed the limit, and which applications most often become “traffic vampires”, and pay special attention to the differences between the settings for MIUI 12 and newer versions, this will help to avoid confusion.

Why it’s important to save traffic on Xiaomi even with unlimited

Many users mistakenly believe that traffic savings are only for those with a limited rate, and there are at least 5 reasons to control data consumption even with unlimited data:

• 🔋 Battery savings: Constant data transfer in the background drains the battery on 15-20% faster.
• 📶 Connection stability: when the network is congested, the operator can artificially limit the speed for “gluttonous” devices.
• 🛡️ Security: Some applications transmit data without encryption, which increases the risk of interception of personal information.
• 🌍 Roaming: Traveling abroad, even with unlimited travel, often has traffic restrictions (e.g. 5GB per day).
• 📱 Performance: Background synchronization slows down the smartphone, especially on budget models Redmi.

MIUI 12 has a unique dual network connection (Wi-Fi + mobile data at the same time) feature that can imperceptibly increase traffic consumption. For example, if you're connected to a weak Wi-Fi, the system automatically loads data over the mobile network — and this is not always noticeable in statistics. We'll show you how to turn this option off if you don't need one.

Where to find traffic savings settings in MIUI 12

Unlike the newer versions of MIUI, where traffic saving options are put into a separate menu, MIUI 12 has them spread across multiple sections, which often causes confusion among users.

1. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Data transmission
2. Settings → Applications → Data Management
3. Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Mode (indirectly affects traffic)
4. Settings → Special features → Simplified mode (to limit background data)

The most important section is data management, and you can see detailed statistics on how much traffic you've spent on apps over the past 30 days, and you can set strict limits. Note that MIUI 12 doesn't have a separate traffic saving switch like Android 10+. Instead, you have to manually adjust each setting.

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If you have a two-sim Xiaomi, the traffic statistics in Data Management are shown separately for each of the two-sims. SIM-To see the overall flow rate, add the values manually or use third-party applications like My Data Manager.

Step-by-step: how to enable traffic savings

To activate all available savings options, do the following: order matters, some settings block others.

Open Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks

Pick the right one. SIM-card (if there are several)

Activate the option to limit background traffic

Set a traffic limit in Data Management

Disable dual network connection (if not necessary)

Set exceptions for critical applications (messengers, navigators)

Reboot your smartphone to apply changes-->

Let’s now take a closer look at each item:

1. Background Traffic Limitation: This option blocks background data transfer for all applications except system applications. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → [choose SIM] → Transfer of data → Once activated, apps will only be able to use mobile internet when they are open on the screen, except for messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) – they will continue to receive notifications.
2. Setting a traffic limit: B MIUI 12 you can set a hard limit, after which the mobile Internet will turn off automatically. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → [choose SIM] → Here, specify your monthly limit (e.g. 10 GB) and the day of the meter reset (usually the same as the tariff activation date). The system will show notifications when approaching the limit: 80%, 90% and 100%.
3. Dual Disconnect: This feature is useful for poor Wi-Fi, but it can imperceptibly consume mobile traffic. To deactivate it: Settings → Wi-Fi → Additional → Dual Network Connection After disconnecting, the smartphone will only use Wi-Fi or only mobile data, but not both at the same time.

Important: MIUI 12 doesn’t have a separate Traffic Saving option like pure Android, all of which are implemented through the manual settings described above, which distinguishes this version of the shell from the newer version, where savings are enabled by a single switch.

How to Set Up Traffic Savings for Individual Applications

Not all apps are equally important. For example, you might want to limit traffic to TikTok or Instagram, but leave Google Maps or WhatsApp without restrictions. In MIUI 12, this is implemented through a prioritization system:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Data Management.
2. Slip on the desired application in the list.
3. Choose one of the options: 🚫 Ban background traffic – the app will only use data when it is open. ⚠️ Limit background traffic – Allows minimal activity (e.g. receiving notifications). ✅ Without restrictions, full access to mobile data.

Pay special attention to the following applications – they most often consume traffic in the background:

For instant messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber), it is better to choose the option to limit background traffic, rather than a complete ban. This will allow you to receive notifications about new messages, but will block automatic downloads of media files (photos, videos, stickers) in the background.

Hidden MIUI 12 features to save traffic

In addition to the standard settings, MIUI 12 has a few hidden features that help to further reduce data consumption:

• 🔄 Automatic Wi-Fi Switching: If you are frequently in open-net places (cafes, shopping malls), turn on Settings → Wi-Fi → Additionally. → Auto-connect to open networks: The smartphone will automatically connect to known networks, saving mobile traffic.
• 📥 Restriction of Update Downloads: By Default MIUI downloads system updates over the mobile network. To prevent this, go to Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → Settings (⚙) → Only through Wi-Fi.
• 🌐 Browser data compression: The standard Mi Browser browser has built-in traffic compression. Activated in Browser Settings → Save traffic: This feature can reduce data consumption 30-40% web-browsing.
• 📊 Detailed hourly statistics: In Data Management, tap on the flow chart, hourly statistics will open, which will help to identify peak consumption periods (for example, at night due to background synchronization).

One of the most useful hidden features is the UltraSavings mode, which is activated through Settings → Special Options → Simplified Mode.

• All background data for third-party applications is turned off.
• The frequency of synchronization of system services is limited.
• Automatic download of multimedia in messengers is blocked.
• Simplifies the interface to reduce the load on the processor (indirectly saves traffic).

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The MIUI 12 Ultra-Savings mode does not have a separate switch, it only activates via Simplified Mode, which distinguishes it from the newer versions of MIUI, where traffic savings are included in the main settings.

Frequent errors in setting up traffic savings

Many users experience problems after activating traffic savings, and here are the most common errors and how to avoid them:

⚠️ Note: If notifications from messengers stop coming after the restrictions are turned on, check the AutoRun and Background Activity settings for these applications. MIUI 12 Traffic savings may conflict with energy saving features.

• ❌ Completely disabling background traffic for instant messengers: This leads to delays in receiving messages. instead use the option to Limit background traffic.
• ❌ Incorrectly set limit: If you specify a limit less than what you have already spent, the mobile Internet will shut down immediately. Always check the current flow in Data Management before setting up.
• ❌ Ignoring system updates: Disabling background traffic for Google Play Services could cause a Google account to crash.
• ❌ Forgetting about roaming: On trips, traffic saving settings are reset. Always check them after crossing the border or changing operators.

Another common problem is that the traffic meter is not working properly, and if the data management statistics don't match the operator's data, the reasons may be as follows:

• The smartphone only takes into account traffic through the mobile network, but not through Wi-Fi.
• Some system processes (e.g., checking for updates) are not displayed in the statistics.
• On shifts. SIM-card counter may reset.

To manually reset statistics, go to Data Management → Menus (⋮) → Reset the statistics. Do it on the first day of your new billing period.

Alternative ways to save traffic on Xiaomi

If the built-in MIUI 12 features aren't enough, you can use third-party solutions.

• 📊 Monitoring apps: My Data Manager - shows traffic consumption in real time with notifications about exceeding the limit. GlassWire - visualizes data consumption by applications and can block suspicious activity. NetGuard – Firewall for Android, allowing you to completely block Internet access for selected applications.
• 🌐 Browsers with traffic compression: Opera Mini - compresses data up to 90% due to server processing. Google Chrome with light mode enabled (in browser settings).
• 🔄 VPN Compressed: Opera VPN — 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare) – reduces data consumption by optimizing routing.

For maximum savings, combine these tools with built-in MIUI 12 settings.

1. Install NetGuard to block background traffic from unnecessary apps.
2. Use Opera Mini to browse the web.
3. Activate built-in traffic savings in MIUI 12 for system processes.

⚠️ Note: Some traffic-saving apps (like NetGuard) require root rights to work properly. Without them, they can only monitor the flow, but not block it. On Xiaomi, you can get root through unlocking the bootloader, but this voids the warranty.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions