Modern smartphones strive to extend battery life and reduce user costs for mobile data. One of the key system functions responsible for this is traffic saving mode. It limits background data traffic for most apps, allowing traffic only to the apps you're using right now. However, for many users, this optimization becomes a headache, as it leads to delays in receiving notifications from instant messengers, the inability to synchronize photos to the cloud and navigation failures.
Disabling this function is often necessary when you are within the coverage area of unlimited Wi-Fi or when the tariff plan provides for a large package of gigabytes, and there is no point in artificially limiting the speed of work devices. The deactivation process may differ slightly depending on the version of the operating system Android and the manufacturer's proprietary shell, be it Samsung One UI, Xiaomi MIUI or pure Pixel Experience. In this guide, we will look in detail at all the ways to manage network limits.
You will learn not only how to completely disable the global restriction, but also how to configure exceptions for specific applications. This will allow you to maintain control over traffic consumption while roaming, but at the same time guarantee the uninterrupted operation of important services, such as mail or corporate instant messengers.
What is traffic saving and how does it affect the operation of the smartphone
The traffic saving function is a system mechanism that blocks background data transfer for applications. When this mode is active, apps cannot update your news feed, download new emails, or sync files until you open them on the screen. This significantly saves battery power and megabytes, but creates a feeling of “sluggishness” of the smartphone.
Many users are faced with a situation where a message in Telegram or WhatsApp arrives only after unlocking the screen and launching the application. This is a direct consequence of the work Data Saver. The system forcibly stops the network activity of processes that are not in the focus of the user's attention. For some, this is a plus, for others it is a critical problem.
⚠️ Attention: Completely disabling traffic savings on tariffs with limited Internet can lead to rapid consumption of the gigabyte package and additional financial costs on the part of the telecom operator.
In addition, some system services, such as automatic backup in Google Photos or updating the antivirus databases may freeze indefinitely. If you use your smartphone for work where instant delivery of notifications is important, having an active economy mode will be a serious obstacle to productivity.
Universal method of disabling through system settings
In most cases, the path to managing network restrictions is standardized by Google. Regardless of the device brand, the menu logic remains similar. You need to go to the section responsible for connecting to the network and data transfer. All the key switches that control the behavior of the modem and apps are concentrated here.
The action algorithm usually looks like this: first open the main settings menu, then look for the “Network and Internet” or “Connections” section. Inside this section is the item “Data Usage” or “Mobile Network”. This is where the main toggle switch is hidden, which needs to be switched to an inactive state.
If you cannot find the item you need based on the description, use the built-in search in the settings. Enter the phrase “savings” or “traffic” into the search bar, and the system itself will highlight the required section. This is the fastest way to navigate the complex menus of new versions Android 13 i Android 14.
- 📱 Open the “Settings” application on the main screen.
- 🌐 Go to the “Network and Internet” or “Connections” section.
- 📊 Find the “Traffic Saving” item (Data Saver).
- 🚫 Switch the slider to the “Off” position.
After completing these steps, the system will immediately allow all applications to run in the background without restrictions. You will notice that the hourglass or crossed out circle icon in the status bar will disappear, indicating full access to the network.
If the switch is inactive (gray), check whether the "Flight" mode is enabled or whether the traffic limit set by the operator in the SIM card settings has expired.
Disablement features on Samsung and Xiaomi smartphones
Large manufacturers often modify the standard interface Androidby adding their own names to menu items. Device owners Samsung Galaxy should look for settings in the “Connections” section. Here the logic is slightly changed: first you need to select “Data Usage”, and only then activate or deactivate savings. The interface One UI features large controls, which simplifies the task.
Smartphone users Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco face the shell MIUI or HyperOS. Here the function may be called “Traffic Limit” or hidden in the advanced settings of SIM cards. Sometimes the system offers to set a daily limit, upon reaching which the savings are automatically activated. It is important to disable not only the mode itself, but also check for active restriction plans.
| Smartphone brand | Menu path | Function name |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung | Connections → Data usage | Saving traffic |
| Xiaomi / Redmi | Settings → SIM cards and mobile networks | Traffic limit / Saving |
| Google Pixel | Network and Internet → Saving traffic | Data Saver |
| Huawei / Honor | Wireless networks → Data usage | Saving traffic |
It is worth considering that software updates may change the location of items. If you do not find the desired section in the specified path, try using the search inside the settings by entering the name of the function in the interface language of your device. This guarantees that you will find the right switch even in the most confusing menus.
Why can settings be reset on Xiaomi?
The MIUI shell has an aggressive power saving system that can forcibly limit the background activity of applications even after disabling general data saving. Check the battery settings for each application separately.
Setting exceptions for important applications
Sometimes completely disabling data saving is not practical, for example, when traveling abroad, where roaming is expensive. In such situations, it is wiser to leave global mode enabled, but add critical applications to the exception list. This will allow instant messengers and mail to work normally, while heavy games or video services will be limited.
To configure exceptions, go to the “Traffic Saving” menu and find the “Unlimited Access” or “Applications without Restrictions” item. A list of all installed apps will be displayed here. You need to manually mark those that should have priority network access regardless of the overall savings status.
Pay attention to system services. Sometimes it is useful to allow unlimited access for Google Play Services or the system update downloader so that the phone can receive security patches in a timely manner even when saving is enabled. This is a fine-tuning that requires understanding which processes are important to you.
- ✅ Messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber) for instant notifications.
- 📧 Email clients for work correspondence.
- 🗺️ Navigation applications (Yandex.Maps, Google Maps) to update traffic jams.
- ☁️ Cloud storage, if you need urgent document synchronization.
This hybrid approach is the “golden mean” for many users. You protect yourself from accidental bandwidth consumption by background processes, but ensure communication on important channels. This is especially true for those who use a smartphone as their main work tool.
⚠️ Attention: Adding video streaming services (YouTube, Netflix) to exceptions when data saving mode is active can lead to unintentional consumption of a large amount of data in a short time.
Using developer mode and ADB commands
For advanced users who find the standard settings insufficiently flexible, there are debugging tools. Through the Developer Options menu, you can access more in-depth network settings, although directly disabling data saving from there is usually not available. However, here you can disable aggressive application sleep, which often works in tandem with saving traffic.
A more radical method is to use USB debugging and a console utility ADB (Android Debug Bridge). This method allows you to manage system settings through your computer by sending special commands to your smartphone. This may be necessary if the interface is blocked by malware or in case of software glitches when the graphic switch does not respond to clicks.
adb shell settings put global data_saver_mode 0This command forces the global traffic saving flag to "0" (off). Likewise, a value of “1” will enable the mode. Using the console requires USB debugging to be enabled and drivers installed on the computer. Be careful: incorrect commands can disrupt the operation of network modules.
Using ADB commands allows you to bypass graphical interface errors, but requires a computer and basic command line skills.
In addition to this command, it is possible to view the current status through the console, which is useful for diagnostics. If, after executing the command, the switch in the settings still shows “Enabled,” try rebooting the device so that the changes are applied at the system kernel level.
Solving problems if the function does not turn off
There are situations when the traffic saving slider automatically turns on again immediately after turning off or cannot be pressed at all. Most often this is due to the work of third-party optimizer applications, antiviruses, or built-in energy saving functions from the manufacturer. They can intercept control of the network and impose their own rules.
Check installed applications like Clean Master, DU Battery Saver or proprietary utilities from the phone manufacturer. Go to their settings and look for sections related to network or economy. Disable all traffic monitoring related features. Often they are the hidden reason for the blocking.
Another reason may be the activated “Energy Saving” profile in the battery settings. In some versions of Android, these two modes are connected: when you enable strict energy saving, the system automatically activates traffic limitation. Try switching the power mode to “Balanced” or “Performance”.
- 🔍 Check for traffic limit profiles from your telecom operator.
- 🔋 Disable the "Ultra Energy Saving" mode in the battery settings.
- 📲 Uninstall or configure third-party cleaner applications.
- 🔄 Reset the network settings (do not reset the entire phone!).
If all else fails, the last resort is to reset the network settings. This won't delete your personal files or apps, but it will return all Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular settings to factory defaults. After this, the problem with the “sticky” switch usually disappears.
⚠️ Attention: Resetting the network settings will delete all saved passwords from Wi-Fi networks and paired Bluetooth devices. You will need to connect them again.
☑️ Diagnostics of traffic saving blocking
Impact of shutdown on autonomy and Internet speed
Users often wonder: how much will disabling traffic saving affect battery life? In fact, there is an influence, but it is not always critical. Background activity of applications does consume energy, since the radio module more often wakes up from sleep mode to transmit data packets.
However, on modern smartphones with capacious batteries, the difference can be 5-10% per day of active use. But you get stable operation of all services. If the speed of loading content and instant notifications are more important to you, then sacrificing a few percent of the charge is completely justified.
As for Internet speed, the saving function itself does not reduce the channel speed (bandwidth), it only limits the number of requests. Therefore, after disabling, you will not see a jump in speed in the Speedtest tests, but you will notice that pages and applications begin to load “in the background” much more actively, creating a feeling of greater responsiveness of the system.
Does disabling data saving affect 4G/5G speed?
No, the function does not limit the maximum connection speed provided by the operator. It only prevents applications from using the channel in the background. After disabling, your maximum speed will remain the same, but the total data consumption per unit of time will increase due to background processes.
Is it possible to disable traffic saving only for Wi-Fi?
Standard Android tools usually do not provide separate savings management for the mobile network and Wi-Fi - the function operates globally. However, some shells (for example, Samsung) allow you to configure restrictions more flexibly. In most cases, saving traffic is critical specifically for mobile data.
Why did the battery begin to discharge faster after turning off traffic saving?
This is normal. Applications have been given permission to perform background synchronization, geolocation, and content updates. The radio module is activated more often to transmit data. To minimize the effect, add only the most important applications to exceptions, leaving the rest under system control.
Is the traffic saving setting reset after rebooting the phone?
No, the state you select (on or off) is saved in a non-volatile settings memory. After rebooting, the smartphone will return to the mode that you last set. The exception is cases of system failure or the actions of third-party optimizers.
How to check which applications are spending traffic in the background after disconnecting?
Go to the settings, section “Data Usage” or “Connections”. There are detailed statistics for each application, broken down into “Background Mode” and “Active Mode”. This will help identify parasite apps that excessively consume traffic after the restrictions are lifted.