Slow loading pages, freezing videos and endless rotation of the loading wheel are a familiar picture for many smartphone owners Xiaomi. Despite the powerful hardware, the software shell MIUI or HyperOS sometimes incorrectly manages network connections, which leads to a drop in speed. The problem may lie both in the operator’s settings and in system restrictions that can be bypassed.

In this article we will analyze proven methods that can significantly improve the quality of the connection. You'll learn how to change access point settings, configure private DNS servers, and disable system features that are hogging traffic. These methods apply to most modern models, from budget Redmi to flagship Mi.

Diagnostics of the current network state

Before making changes to the system, you need to understand the real reason for low performance. Users often confuse a weak signal from a tower with software limitations of the device itself. First, check the signal level in the settings or through the engineering menu.

Use specialized utilities for measuring speed, such as Speedtest by Ookla or built-in tests in the browser. Record your ping, download and upload speeds. This will help compare the results “before” and “after” optimization.

⚠️ Attention: If the Internet speed is critically low only in certain places (basement, office with thick walls), the phone's software settings will not help. In this case, the problem lies in the physical network coverage of the operator.

It is also worth checking whether the traffic saving mode is enabled, which artificially limits the background activity of applications. Go to the SIM card settings section and make sure that the limits are not set to minimum values.

📊 What is your main problem with the Internet?
Low loading speed
High ping in games
Frequent connection dropouts
Slow Wi-Fi at home

Setting up an access point (APN)

One of the most effective ways to improve connection stability is to manually adjust the access point parameters. Operators often assign standard settings that are not always optimal for specific signal reception conditions in your region.

To enter the settings menu, follow the path Settings → SIM cards and mobile networks → SIM card selection → Access points (APN). Here you will see a list of existing profiles. Do not delete them, but create a new one by clicking on the plus sign or the “New access point” button.

  • 📡 In the field Name enter any convenient name, for example, "Fast Internet".
  • 🌐 In the APN field, enter the address of your operator (for example, internet.mts.ru for MTS or internet.beeline.ru for Beeline).
  • ⚙️ In the field APN type write the value default,supl,dun.
  • 🔒 Field Authentication type it is better to set the value PAP or CHAP.

After filling out all the fields, be sure to save the new access point and activate it by checking the box next to the created profile. Reboot your phone for the changes to take effect. This method often helps reduce ping in online games.

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If after changing the APN the Internet disappears completely, return to the same menu and select the “Reset to default settings” button in the bottom menu.

Using private DNS (DNS over TLS)

Modern versions of Android, including Xiaomi shells, support the encrypted function DNS. This not only increases the security of transmitted data, but also often speeds up domain name resolution, which makes opening sites more instantaneous.

Standard DNS servers of mobile operators may be overloaded or not work correctly. Switching to public servers from Google or Cloudflare allows you to bypass these restrictions. You can find this setting in the section Settings → Connection and sharing → Private DNS.

DNS Provider Host address (to be entered) Main advantage
Google Public DNS dns.google High stability and speed
Cloudflare 1dot1dot1dot1.cloudflare-dns.com Minimum ping, privacy protection
AdGuard DNS dns.adguard.com Ad blocking at the system level
Quad9 dns.quad9.net Blocking phishing sites

Select the “Private DNS provider host name” mode and enter the address of one from services from the table. After saving, try opening several heavy sites. If the speed drops or pages stop loading, return the setting to “Auto” mode.

⚠️ Attention: Using third-party DNS may conflict with some corporate Wi-Fi networks or banking applications that require specific traffic routing.

What to do if private DNS does not is saved?

If the system gives an error when saving DNS settings, make sure that you enter the domain name of the host, and not the IP address. Also check if you have an active internet connection when you change the settings.

Resetting network and Wi-Fi settings

The accumulation of errors in network protocols over time can lead to unstable operation of communication modules. Resetting network settings returns all settings to the factory state, deleting saved Wi-Fi passwords and Bluetooth settings, but often this solves the problem of “slow” Internet.

You can perform this procedure through the menu Settings → Connection and sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth. The system will warn you that all saved networks will be deleted. Confirm the action and wait until the communication modules reboot.

☑️ Checklist before resetting the network

Done: 0 / 4

After the reset, the phone will re-register in the operator's network. This may take from 1 to 5 minutes. During this time, the network icon may be missing or appear with an exclamation mark. Don't panic, this is a normal process of reconnecting to the base station.

For Wi-Fi users, it is also recommended to forget the network in the router settings and connect again. Sometimes a conflict of IP addresses within the local network leads to the smartphone receiving the wrong gateway, which slows down data transfer.

Disabling MIUI Optimization functions

The Xiaomi shell contains many background services that can consume traffic and processor resources, affecting the speed of processing network packets. In particular, the “Miui Acceleration” (MIUI Optimization) function sometimes does not work correctly on older devices or specific firmware.

To access advanced settings, you must activate developer mode. Go to Settings → About phone and quickly click 7 times on the “MIUI Version” item. After the message “You have become a developer” appears, return to the main settings menu.

Go to section Additional → For developers. Scroll to the bottom of the list to “Enable MIUI optimization”. Try disabling this switch. The system will require a reboot.

⚠️ Attention: Disabling MIUI optimization may change the interface of some system applications and affect the operation of control gestures. If you notice critical failures in the interface, return the setting to its original position.

Also in the developers menu you should find the “Channel Aggregation” item (if it is available on your model). This feature allows you to combine Wi-Fi and mobile data to improve speed, but on some devices it has the opposite effect and increases battery drain.

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Disabling system optimizers requires caution: do this only if other methods have failed, and be prepared to return the settings back.

Clearing application cache and background activity

A clogged cache of browsers and instant messengers can significantly slow down the processing of incoming traffic. Applications accumulate temporary files, which sometimes conflict with new versions of sites or data transfer protocols.

It is recommended to regularly clear the cache of heavy applications such as Chrome, YouTube, Telegram and VK. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications, select the desired app and click “Clear” → “Clear cache”. Do not confuse this with data clearing, which will delete your correspondence.

Also, check the list of applications that have access to the background mode. Some apps may constantly download updates or synchronize data in the background, clogging the communication channel. Limit background activity for unnecessary apps in the section Battery saving.

  • 🗑️ Clear your browser cache at least once a week during active use.
  • 🚫 Prevent background network access for games and services that you rarely use.
  • 📉 Disable automatic updating of applications in the Play Market when using the mobile data.

Using the built-in Security application from Xiaomi also helps to identify parasite apps that secretly consume traffic. Run a full system scan and remove any threats or adware found.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Why did the Internet become slower after updating the firmware?

New versions of the software may contain errors in network drivers or reset the optimal APN settings. Try to recreate the access point manually or reset the network settings as described above.

Does the case affect Xiaomi's Internet speed?

Yes, metal or too thick protective cases can shield the smartphone's antennas, especially if they are located at the ends of the case. Try removing the case and checking the speed.

How to enable modem mode for maximum speed?

In some regions and firmware, the “USB modem” function is available, which often works more stable than Wi-Fi distribution. Connect the phone to the PC with a cable and activate this function in the access point settings.

Is it possible to speed up 3G Internet on an old phone?

The process can only be slightly optimized by software, but the physical speed of the 3G network is limited by technology. The only real way is to force the phone to switch to the “4G Only” mode through the engineering menu, if the tower supports this frequency.

Are the operator settings reset after flashing?

When installing custom firmware, the APN settings often disappear. You will have to re-enter them manually using data from the official website of your mobile operator.