Modern Xiaomi smartphones, which are based on the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS, have powerful built-in functionality for managing network connections. Users often face the need to limit mobile Internet consumption to avoid going into a deep negative on the tariff plan or to save battery power. The built-in tool allows you to track in detail which applications consume the most data, and if necessary, block them from accessing the network.
Activating this feature is not just a way to save money, but also an important element of digital hygiene. Many background processes can transmit data invisibly, which affects the speed of the device as a whole. Understanding how traffic monitoring works gives you complete control over your gadget.
In this article, we will take a look at all aspects of setting up, where to find hidden settings, how to set tight limits, and what to do if standard settings don’t work correctly, and this guide will help you optimize your network on any device of the brand.
The main features of the monitoring system in MIUI
The system module that handles statistics is integrated directly into the shell core, operates independently of third-party loaders and provides a high level of accuracy, and when the function is activated, the system starts to log all connections, separating them by Wi-Fi and mobile network protocols.
One of the key features is that you can customize it for each software you install separately, so you can only allow instant messengers to access the global network by blocking it for games or heavy video services, especially when you use roaming or packets with limited data.
⚠️ Note: When you completely block access to the network, some system services may stop synchronizing time or notifications correctly, which will lead to delays in receiving messages.
In addition, statistics reveal “gluttonous” applications that you rarely use, but which are constantly active in the background, analyzing this data helps to prolong battery life, as the constant exchange of data packets significantly loads the modem and processor.
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Use the Traffic Saving feature in your browser settings to compress pages before they load – this can reduce data consumption by up to 60%.
Step-by-step instructions for activating control
To get started with settings, you need to go to the appropriate menu. The interface may vary slightly depending on the Android version and regional firmware, but the logic remains the same. First, open the standard Security app, which has a green icon with a shield.
Inside the utility, find the data section, some versions of which are called Traffic, others called Data Use, and clicking on this section will take you to the control center, which displays the current expenditure for the selected period.
☑️ Checking before setting up
To start tracking, you need to activate the switch at the top of the screen, and when you turn it on, the system will ask you to specify your data plan, which is an important step, because the data you enter will be used to plot the graphs and form warnings.
Next, you need to set the date of reset cycle, which usually coincides with the date of connection of your tariff with the operator. If you specify the wrong date, the statistics will be incorrect, and you will not be able to objectively estimate the cost in the current month.
Setting limits and warnings
Once basic monitoring is activated, the limit settings should be fine-tuned, a critical step for those who use fixed-gabyte tariffs, and the system allows you to set a maximum threshold, after which the Internet will be automatically turned off.
The limit settings menu will ask you to enter two values: the total package size and the warning threshold. The first is your full rate, and the second is the level at which the system will insist on nearing the flow.
| Parameter | Description | Recommended value |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic limit | Maximum data volume per month | Your tariff plan. |
| Warning | Level for notification | 80-90% of the limit |
| Date of discharge | The day of the beginning of a new cycle | Date of connection tariff |
| Limit action | What to do when you reach the limit | Shut down the internet |
There's also a real-time limit feature available, so you can set the maximum speed or the amount of data per day, and if you exceed the daily limit, you'll be blocked until midnight.
Hidden Limit Settings
Don't ignore the audible notifications, which help you react and close a heavy app if you forget to switch to Wi-Fi, which is especially useful when traveling or using guest roaming.
Access management for individual applications
Granular access control is a powerful tool in the hands of an advanced user, and it allows you to create a customized security and savings policy for each set user. APK-You can deny access to the mobile network by only leaving Wi-Fi available, or vice versa.
To set up, go to the list of applications inside the traffic menu, and here you will see the full list of installed software with access indicators. The green icon stands for permission, the red icon stands for prohibition.
- 📱 Social media: it is recommended to leave access on to receive notifications in the background.
- 🎮 Games: often only require access during an active session, background access can be blocked.
- 🗺️ Navigation: requires constant access to the network to build routes and traffic jams, should not be limited.
- 📸 Camera and Gallery: Network access is usually not needed unless cloud sync is used.
Blocking background activity for heavy applications such as video editors or marketplaces can significantly reduce charge consumption, and the system will stop allowing them to update tapes or download previews until you open them.
⚠️ Blocking system services of Google or Xiaomi can lead to unstable operation of the Play Market store, synchronization of contacts and_push_ notice.
When installing new programs, the system can automatically request permission to access the network, read these requests carefully and only allow access to applications that actually need it to perform their basic functions.
Analysis of statistics and identification of problems
Regularly analyzing the data you collect helps you understand your smartphone behavior, and the built-in graphs show you how you consume it by day and by hour, and if you see a spike when you're not using your phone, that's a cause for concern.
Often, the cause of abnormal consumption is synchronization processes or faulty cycles of rebooting network services. In the "Statistics" section, you can sort applications by the amount of data consumed and identify the leader of the ranking.
If you find an application that consumes disproportionately much resources, try clearing its cache or reinstalling it. Sometimes the problem lies in the bug of the program itself, which causes a cyclical storm of requests to the server.
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Regularly checking statistics (once a week) allows you to detect malware or errors in the operation of applications in time, saving money and battery.
Also, pay attention to the difference between the data sent and the received. If the volume of outgoing traffic is large without your active participation (for example, uploading video to the cloud), check the autosave settings in the messengers and gallery.
Solving problems and resetting settings
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the meter does not reset or the lock does not work, this may be due to errors in the cache of the Network Statistics system service, in which case the data cleaning of the Security application itself helps.
To do this, go to your phone's settings, search for Apps, select All Apps, and find Security. From the storage menu, click Clear. Don't worry, your personal files and contacts won't be affected.
If the problem persists, check to see if Traffic Savings mode is activated in Android’s global settings, which may conflict with MIUI settings. It’s also worth making sure that the date and time are set automatically, as time desynchronization breaks the logic of how the limits work.
- 🔄 Restart your device after changing your network settings to apply the changes.
- 📶 Switch network mode (for example, with 4G on 3G and back) for re-registration on the network.
- ⚙️ Check for system updates, as new patches often fix network stack bugs.
In extreme cases, if the statistics are not correct, you can reset the network settings, which will return the parameters of APN and mobile networks to factory values, which often solves problems with traffic.