Xiaomi smartphone owners often face a situation where the device refuses to download updates, apps from Google Play or files via the mobile Internet, giving the message “Download only over Wi-Fi.” This restriction is built into the MIUI firmware to save traffic, but sometimes it interferes in critical situations – for example, when you need to urgently update maps or install an important application on the road.
Complicating the problem, the settings can be hidden in different menus depending on the version of MIUI (12, 13 or 14) and the smartphone model (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T, etc.). In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to disable the restriction, from standard settings to hidden developer settings, and you will learn why sometimes the settings are not saved and how to fix it.
Why Xiaomi is blocking mobile downloads
The Wi-Fi-only restriction is part of MIUI’s traffic optimization policy, which automatically blocks large files (usually from 50MB) from downloading via the mobile network so that the user does not spend gigabytes accidentally, but this creates problems in several scenarios:
- 🚗 On trips: it is impossible to update Google Maps or Yandex.Navigator without Wi-Fi, although traffic is not limited.
- 📱 When installing apps: Google Play and Mi App Store refuse to download games or programs weighing in >100MB.
- 🔄 System updates: MIUI can block the download of firmware even with a connected unlimited tariff.
- ⚡ Background processes: Some applications (e.g. Telegram or VKontakte) do not update media files on the mobile network.
Important: on devices with two SIM-The restriction can be applied selectively to only one of the SIMs, and this is due to the settings of the Mobile network for each slot separately.
In MIUI 14, the algorithm became smarter: the system analyzes your tariff (if it is determined automatically) and can unlock the download for unlimited packets. But in practice this works unstable, especially on budget models (Redmi 10A, POCO M5).
Method 1: Disable the restriction in Google Play settings
If the problem only occurs when you download apps from Google Play, just change the store settings, which works on all Xiaomi smartphones with Google services (including models for China with Global ROM firmware).
- Open the Google Play Store.
- Slip on the profile avatar in the upper right corner.
- Select Settings → Network → Auto-Update applications.
- Set the value “Across any network”.
- Go back and select Download Preferences → Through any network.
Note: If you don't have a download preference, your version of Google Play is outdated. Update it manually via APKMirror.
Open Google Play Market
Selected profile (avatar at the top)
Switching to Settings → Network
Installed "Across Any Network" for Auto Updates
Checked “Locking preferences"-->
This method does not affect the download of files in the browser or updates MIUI. For these, other methods are needed (see the following sections).
Method 2: Set up mobile traffic in MIUI
MIUI has a separate traffic management menu where you can turn off restrictions globally, and the path to settings varies depending on the version:
| MIUI version | The path to settings | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| MIUI 12/13 | Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Transfer of data → Background restriction | Turn off the “Limit background traffic” slider |
| MIUI 14 | Settings → Mobile Network → Data Transfer → Data Limitations | Select “No Limits” for Active SIM |
| POCO Launcher | Settings → Connections and Sharing → Mobile Network → Traffic Limitation | It may need to be rebooted. |
After changing the settings, restart your smartphone – sometimes the changes are only applied after the reboot. If the option is not Background Limitation, then it is hidden in the developer menu on your model (see Method 4).
⚠️ Note: At some tariffs, operators (for example, MTS or Beeline) can artificially limit the download speed of large files even when the limit in the data is disabled. MIUI. Check the terms of your package.
Method 3: Download permission for individual applications
If you need to allow downloads only for specific programs (for example, YouTube for video caching or Telegram for media files), use custom traffic settings:
- Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Select the app you want (like Google Chrome).
- Smash the mobile data.
- Activate the slider "Allow background data transfer".
- Below, turn on “Allow large files to be downloaded” (if you have an option).
For the Google Play Store, the path will be different: Settings → Google → Google Play Services → Mobile Data → Allow downloads in the background.
Restriction: Some system applications (e.g. System Update) do not have separate traffic settings.
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If after the changes, the application still does not download files, clear its cache in the Warehouse menu (in the application settings).
Method 4: Hidden Developer Settings
On Xiaomi smartphones, some of the features are hidden in the developer menu to activate:
- Open the Settings. → The phone.
- Tap 7 times on the MIUI version (you will be notified “You became a developer”).
- Return to the main settings menu and select Additional → For developers.
In the developer menu, find the following options and enable them:
- 📶 Limit background processes → Shut down.
- 🔄 Allow background data transfer → Turn it on.
- 📥 Always allow downloading (if any)
Critical detail: on some models (Redmi Note 11, Xiaomi 12 Lite) after turning on these options, you need to reset your network settings (Settings) → SIM-map → Resetting network settings).
⚠️ Note: Do not include the option Debugging in the developer menu USB unnecessarily, this creates a vulnerability for malicious applications.
Method 5: Bypassing restrictions via VPN
If all previous methods failed, you can trick the system with a VPN. Some users note that MIUI resets traffic restrictions when connecting to a virtual network.
- Install any one. VPN-Application (e.g. ProtonVPN or Windscribe).
- Connect to a server in your country (for example, Moscow for Russian). SIM-map).
- Try downloading the desired file or updating the application.
This method is unstable and depends on the version of MIUI, and it is best used on the POCO F4 and Xiaomi 11T with MIUI 13.5+ firmware.
Why does VPN sometimes help?
What to do if the settings are not saved
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where after a smartphone reboot, the Wi-Fi Only restriction returns.
| Problem. | Decision |
|---|---|
| Resetting settings after MIUI update | Repeat settings (Method 2 or 4) and turn off auto-update system in Settings → About Phone → System Update. |
| Conflict with a traffic saving application (e.g. Datally) | Remove third-party optimizers or add the desired applications to the exceptions. |
| Operator restriction (e.g. Tele2 blocks downloads >1 GB) | Call in support of the operator and request the removal of restrictions or change the tariff. |
If the problem persists, reset the network settings: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Warning: This will delete all stored Wi-Fi networks and passwords!
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On devices with MIUI 14 and two. SIM-The restrictions can be reset separately for each SIM card!