Xiaomi Mobile Data Stops After Screen Locks in Cambridge

Xiaomi Mobile Data Stops After Screen Locks? – UK Fix (2026)

If your Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO phone loses 4G or 5G data connection as soon as the screen locks, you're not alone. This is a common behaviour reported by many UK users. In most cases, this is caused by Xiaomi's battery optimisation features, although carrier settings, APN configuration or software bugs can also contribute. This UK guide shows you exactly how to disable this behaviour on EE, O2, Vodafone, Three and other UK networks.

Works For

  • ✔ Xiaomi 12 / 13 / 14 / 15 series
  • ✔ Redmi Note 12 / 13 / 14 series
  • ✔ POCO F / X series
  • ✔ HyperOS
  • ✔ MIUI 12.5+

Note: Menu names may vary slightly depending on your HyperOS version and region.

About this guide: This behaviour has been widely reported by Xiaomi users and matches Xiaomi's documented battery management features.

Mobile Data Stops When Screen Locks? Quick Fix

  • ✔ Disable "Turn off mobile data when device is locked" – Settings → Battery → Additional features → Select Never.
  • ✔ Disable battery optimisation for specific apps – Settings → Battery → Select the app → Enable No restrictions.
  • ✔ Check Background Data permission – Settings → Apps → Select app → Mobile data & Wi-Fi → Enable background data.
  • ✔ Disable Data Saver – Settings → Mobile network → Data Saver → Turn it OFF.
  • ✔ Check for HyperOS updates – Xiaomi regularly releases patches for connectivity issues.

Quick Reference – Find Your Fix

ProblemMost Likely CauseFix
Mobile data disconnects when screen locksPower-saving feature turns off data on lockSet "Turn off mobile data when device is locked" to Never
Certain apps lose internet after lockApp-specific battery optimisationSet app to No restrictions in Battery settings
Data disconnects after 5-30 minutesDefault power-saving timeoutChange timeout to "Never"
Background apps don't sync on lockBackground activity restrictionsCheck Auto-start permissions and Battery restrictions
Only some apps lose data on lockData Saver or Background Data disabledDisable Data Saver; enable Background Data for specific apps

Quick Answer

If your Xiaomi mobile data stops when the screen locks, the most common cause is a built-in power-saving feature that turns off mobile data after the screen locks to save battery. To fix it, go to Settings → Battery → Additional features → Turn off mobile data when device is locked and select Never. If that doesn't help, check app-specific battery restrictions, Background Data permissions, and Data Saver settings. These steps apply to Xiaomi users across the UK.

Why Mobile Data Stops When Screen Locks

In most cases, this is caused by a built-in power-saving feature in HyperOS and MIUI designed to conserve battery by disabling mobile data when the device is idle. This can affect:

  • Downloading files or updates in the background
  • Receiving real-time notifications
  • Apps that require continuous internet access (e.g., messaging, music streaming)
  • System updates and cloud sync

The default timeout is often set to 5 minutes, 10 minutes, or 30 minutes after the screen locks. This is why you may notice that data works for a short time after locking the phone, but then stops completely. Selecting "Never" keeps mobile data active while the screen is locked but may increase battery consumption slightly.

This behaviour affects all network types—4G, LTE, 5G—and both single and dual SIM configurations. If you use two SIM cards, the setting applies to whichever SIM is currently active for mobile data.

Step-by-Step Fixes

Step 1: Disable "Turn off mobile data when device is locked"

This is the most effective fix. It tells your Xiaomi phone to keep mobile data active even when the screen is locked.

Method 1 – Via Settings (HyperOS / MIUI)

  1. Open Settings
  2. Tap Battery
  3. Tap Additional features (or the gear icon in the top-right corner of the Battery page, depending on your HyperOS version)
  4. Tap Turn off mobile data when device is locked
  5. Select Never

Method 2 – Via Security App (MIUI only)

  1. Open the Security app
  2. Tap Battery
  3. Tap Additional features
  4. Tap Turn off mobile data when device is locked
  5. Select Never

Visual Path: Settings → Battery → Additional features → Turn off mobile data when device is locked → Never.

Step 2: Disable Battery Optimisation for Specific Apps

If you only want certain apps (like music streaming or messaging apps) to keep working on lock screen, you can adjust their battery settings individually.

  1. Open Settings
  2. Tap Battery
  3. Select the specific app you want to keep active
  4. Tap Battery usage or Battery optimisation
  5. Select No restrictions (this ensures the app can run in the background without network limitations)

Visual Path: Settings → Battery → [App name] → No restrictions.

Step 3: Check Background Data Permission

Some apps lose internet on lock screen because Background Data is disabled. This is a common cause of delayed notifications on apps like WhatsApp.

  1. Open Settings
  2. Tap Apps → Manage apps
  3. Select the app (e.g., WhatsApp)
  4. Tap Mobile data & Wi-Fi
  5. Enable Background data

Step 4: Disable Data Saver

Data Saver can restrict internet access for some apps when the screen is locked.

  • Settings → Mobile network
  • Tap Data Saver
  • Turn it OFF

Step 5: Check Always-on VPN Settings

If you use an Always-on VPN (e.g., AdGuard, NextDNS, RethinkDNS, Cloudflare Warp), it may disconnect after the screen locks due to battery optimisation. This can cause mobile data to appear active but unable to route traffic.

  • If you're using a VPN, try disabling Always-on VPN temporarily
  • If the issue stops, the VPN was preventing data from routing properly
  • You can re-enable it and check if the problem returns

Step 6: Check Auto-Start Permissions

Some apps may lose internet on lock screen because they are not allowed to auto-start or run in the background.

  1. Open Settings
  2. Tap Apps → Manage apps
  3. Select the app
  4. Tap Auto-start and enable it
  5. Also check Battery saver settings for that app and set to No restrictions

Step 7: Check for HyperOS / MIUI Updates

Xiaomi regularly releases updates that fix connectivity and power management issues.

  1. Settings → About phone → Check for updates
  2. Install any available updates
  3. Restart your phone and test

What to Do If Mobile Data Still Stops on Lock

If mobile data still stops after completing all steps:

  • Check your data balance – You may have reached your allowance.
  • Test with another SIM card – Helps identify if the issue is your phone or your carrier.
  • Check APN settings – Settings → SIM cards & mobile networks → Access Point Names → Reset to default.
  • Check if the issue happens on all UK networks or just one – If it's carrier-specific, contact your provider.
  • Contact your UK carrier – Check if there's an outage or if your data allowance has been exhausted.

Contact Xiaomi UK Support

If mobile data still stops after completing all steps, contact Xiaomi UK Support:

  • Xiaomi UK Support website – Official support portal for UK customers
  • Feedback app – Settings → Services & feedback
  • Xiaomi Community – Post in official Xiaomi community forums, including UK-specific threads

Final Verdict

If your Xiaomi mobile data stops when the screen locks, the most common cause is a built-in power-saving feature that turns off mobile data after the screen locks to save battery. The fix is simple: go to Settings → Battery → Additional features → Turn off mobile data when device is locked and select Never. If you only want certain apps to keep working, set them to No restrictions in Battery settings. Check Background Data permissions and disable Data Saver if needed. These steps apply to Xiaomi users across the UK.

Quick summary:

  • Data stops immediately on lock → Disable "Turn off mobile data when device is locked" → Never
  • Data stops after a few minutes → Change timeout from 5/10/30 minutes to Never
  • Only certain apps lose connection → Set those apps to No restrictions in Battery settings
  • WhatsApp messages delayed → Check Background Data permission for WhatsApp
  • Still having issues → Disable Data Saver; check APN settings; disable Always-on VPN

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Xiaomi mobile data stop when the screen locks?

This is caused by a built-in power-saving feature in HyperOS and MIUI designed to conserve battery by disabling mobile data when the device is idle. Other factors like Data Saver, Background Data settings, or Always-on VPN can also contribute.

How do I keep mobile data on when my Xiaomi screen is locked?

Go to Settings → Battery → Additional features → Turn off mobile data when device is locked → Select Never.

Does disabling this feature affect battery life?

Yes, keeping mobile data active on lock screen will use slightly more battery. However, the difference is usually minimal for most users, and the benefit of having uninterrupted internet access outweighs the small battery cost.

Why do some apps lose internet on lock screen but others don't?

This is because Xiaomi allows per-app battery optimisation. Some apps are set to "No restrictions," while others are restricted to save battery. You can change this in Settings → Battery → Select the app → No restrictions. Also check Background Data permissions for specific apps.

Does this happen on both WiFi and mobile data?

The "Turn off mobile data when device is locked" setting specifically affects mobile data. WiFi has a separate setting: Keep Wi-Fi on during sleep → Always.

Why do WhatsApp messages stop arriving when my Xiaomi screen is off?

WhatsApp and other messaging apps rely on background data to deliver notifications. If mobile data is disabled on lock screen, or if Background Data is disabled for WhatsApp, notifications won't arrive until you unlock the phone. Setting "Turn off mobile data when device is locked" to Never and enabling Background Data for WhatsApp resolves this.

Do these fixes work on UK Xiaomi devices?

Yes. This guide applies to Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO devices sold in the UK. The steps are identical across UK models.

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