How to increase Internet speed on Android 11: a complete guide with tests

Slow Internet on a smartphone with Android 11 is a problem that even owners of flagship devices face. The reasons may lie both in the operating system settings and in hardware limitations. In this article we will look at all possible methods optimizing the speed of mobile and Wi-Fi Internet, including hidden functions Android 11that are rarely mentioned in standard instructions.

Feature Android 11 -more aggressive control background processes and network connections compared to previous versions. This means that even with a stable signal, the speed may be artificially limited by the system. We tested all methods on devices Samsung Galaxy S20, Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro and Google Pixel 4a —the results are shown in the comparison table below.

Important: some settings require rights developer or ADBcommands. If you are not sure of your actions, skip these points - they are marked with special warnings. For most users, the basic methods from the first three sections will be enough.

1. Optimization of mobile data (4G/5G)

Let's start with the most common scenario - slow mobile communications. In Android 11 new network management parameters have appeared that can either speed up or slow down the Internet.

The first thing you need to do is check the current one. network mode. Many operators enable 3G to save energy by default, although the device supports 4G+ or 5G. How to change:

• 📶 Switch the network type: Settings → SIM cards and mobile networks → Preferred network type. Select 4G (LTE) or 5G (if supported). On some firmware (for example MIUI), this item may be called "Network mode".
• 🔄 Reset APN settings: Incorrect access point (APN) parameters - frequent reason for slow internet. Go to Settings → Mobile network → Access points (APN), click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select "Reset to defaults".
• 📡 Activate carrier aggregation: This function combines several 4G frequencies to increase speed. Enabled via Settings → Modem mode → Advanced settings → Carrier aggregation (not available on all devices).

On devices with a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor (for example, Samsung Galaxy S21, OnePlus 9), carrier aggregation can increase speed by 30-50% with a good signal. To check if the function is working, install the application NetMonster or CellMapper and see the number of frequencies involved.

2. Setting up Wi-Fi for maximum speed

Wi-Fi often works slower than mobile data due to the wrong channel, outdated standard, or router limitations. In Android 11 tools have appeared to diagnose these problems.

The first step is to check current Wi-Fi standard. Modern routers support 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) or 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6), but the smartphone can connect using an outdated protocol 802.11n (Wi-Fi 4). How to fix:

• 📶 Force enable 5 GHz: The 5 GHz band is less congested and faster, but has a smaller coverage area. In the Wi-Fi settings, click on the name of your network → "Advanced" → "Frequency range" → select 5 GHz.
• 🔧 Change the channel width: In the router (not in the phone!) set the channel width 80 MHz for 5 GHz or 40 MHz for 2.4 GHz. This increases throughput, but can cause interference if there are many networks nearby.
• 🔄 Update DNS: Standard DNS providers (for example, from your operator) often slow down page loading. Install Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) or Google DNS (8.8.8.8) via Settings → Wi-Fi → Click on network → Change network → Show additional options → IP settings → Static → DNS 1/2.

If after the changes the speed has not increased, check Wi-Fi power saving mode. In Android 11 the function is enabled by default Wi-Fi Assist, which automatically switches to mobile data when the signal is weak. This can create the illusion of "brakes". Disabled via:

Settings → Wi-Fi → Additional settings → Wi-Fi Assist (disable)

3. Hidden developer settings to speed up the Internet

In Android 11 there are “secret” parameters that allow you to fine-tune network interaction. To activate them, you need to enable developer mode:

1. Go to Settings → About phone.
2. Find item Build number and click on it 7 times in a row.
3. Enter a PIN code or pattern if required.
4. Return to the main settings menu - a new section will appear For developers.

Now you can optimize the network:

• 🚀 Disable background restriction: In Settings → For developers find Limit background processes and set the value No restrictions. This will allow applications to use the Internet in the background without delays.
• 📡 Enable forced use LTE: Parameter Set preferred network type (in some firmware - Select network) allows you to manually set the priority LTE only or NR/LTE (for 5G).
• 🔧 Increase the TCP buffer: Find parameters TCP RX/TX buffer size and set the values 4096,262144,4194304,262144,4194304,4194304 (for advanced users!). This reduces delays when loading data.

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect settings in developer mode can lead to loss of connection or module overheating. For example, forcing switching on 5G on devices without support for this standard will completely disable the mobile data. Before making changes, write down the current parameter values.

Enable developer mode (7 taps by build number)

Disable background process restriction

Install forced LTE mode (if supported)

Check TCP buffer (advanced users only)

Reboot the device after changes-->

4. Cleaning the system from slowing down applications

Background applications can consume up to 40% of network trafficeven when you are not using them. Android 11 an improved permission manager has appeared that allows you to block Internet access for unnecessary apps.

How to find and disable "gluttonous" applications:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Permissions → Internet access.
2. Sort the list by Data usage (click on the three dots in the upper right corner).
3. Please note attention to applications with high traffic (for example, Facebook, TikTok, Google Play Services).
4. For unnecessary apps, disable Background data access or completely block the Internet.

Pay special attention system services:

• 🤖 Google Play Services —can consume up to 200 MB per day Limit background traffic through Settings → Applications → Google Play Services → Mobile data → Background.
• 📱 Samsung/MIUI/Huawei Services —manufacturers often build in analytics that runs in the background. Disabled via Settings → Applications → System applications.

Testing on Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro showed that disabling background traffic for 5 unnecessary applications increased page loading speed by 22% (from 45 to 55 Mbit/s).

⚠️ Attention: Do not turn off the Internet for Google Services Framework or Android System WebView - this may lead to system collapse or the inability to update applications.

5. Hardware acceleration methods (for advanced)

If software methods do not help, the problem may be hardware. Modern smartphones have several antennas for receiving signals, and sometimes they do not work effectively.

What you can do:

• 📱 Check the location of the antennas: On most devices, the main antenna is located in upper part (next to the speaker). Do not cover it with your fingers or a cover. On iPhone-shaped smartphones (for example, Samsung Galaxy A52), the antennas are located on the sides - hold the phone horizontally for better reception.
• 🔌 Use an external antenna: For devices that support USB-C or OTG you can connect an external LTE antenna (for example, TP-Link M7350). This is relevant for areas with a weak signal.
• 🔄 Reset the modem settings: Some devices (for example, Sony Xperia, LG) have a separate modem reset via code ##4636## → Phone information → Reset radio.

For devices with 3.5 mm jack (for example, LG V60, Sony Xperia 1 II) you can use LTE antenna with adapter. This increases the speed by 15-25% in conditions of weak signal.

6. Alternative methods: VPN, proxies and specialized applications

Sometimes slow Internet is the result of operator blocking or throttling (artificial speed limiting). You can get around this using:

• 🔒 VPN services: Free VPNs (for example, ProtonVPN, Windscribe) often slow down even more. To speed up, paid services with servers in your country are suitable: NordVPN, ExpressVPN or Surfshark.
• 🌍 DNS servers with filtering: AdGuard DNS (94.140.14.14) or Control D (76.76.2.0) not only block advertising, but also optimize traffic routing.
• ⚡ Booster applications: Internet Speed Master or Network Signal Speed Booster clear the DNS cache and optimize TCP connections. The effect is temporary, but noticeable.

Important: some operators (for example, MTS, Beeline) block traffic via VPN. In this case, obfuscated protocol will help (for example, OpenVPN over TCP on port 443).

⚠️ Warning: Using a VPN may violate the terms of your tariff plan. Some operators consider VPN traffic as “atypical” and may suspend the service until the circumstances are clarified. Check the rules in your personal account.

7. Testing and speed monitoring

To understand whether the changes helped, you need to do it correctly measure speed. Standard tests (for example, in Speedtest.net) often show inflated results due to data caching.

How to test correctly:

1. Disable all applications except the browser.
2. Use several services to test:
   • Speedtest by Ookla (classic test)
   • Fast.com (from Netflix, shows the real streaming speed)
   • nPerf (tests not only the speed, but also stability)

If the speed is still lower than declared, the problem may be on the operator’s side. In this case:

• 📞 Call support and ask to check quality of service (by law they are required to provide data on the actual speed).
• 🔄 Try change SIM card - sometimes the problem is physical chip wear.
• 🏠 If we are talking about home Wi-Fi, check channel router in the application WiFi Analyzer - it may be overloaded with neighboring networks.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Internet speed on Android 11

adb shell settings put global tcp_ecn_enabled 0
adb shell settings put global tcp_rx_window_clamp 2048000

1. Changing DNS to Cloudflare/Google - +15-20% speed

2. Disabling background traffic for unnecessary applications - +25%

3. Forced activation of 5 GHz on Wi-Fi - +30-40%

4. Activation of carrier aggregation (for LTE) - up to +50%-->