How Xiaomi is forced to use 4G: the full guide

Modern Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones have advanced communication modules, but in conditions of unstable carrier coverage, automatic network selection often works incorrectly. The device can cling to an overloaded 3G, ignition of a free 4G channel, which leads to a drop in download speeds and video calls. Users often face a situation where the indicator shows “H+” or “3G”, although it confidently catches LTE nearby.

Forced modem fixing solves this problem by forcing the phone to ignore outdated communication standards, especially in “border” reception areas where the gadget starts to rush between towers, consuming battery power and causing interference. In this guide, we will discuss safe methods for switching network priorities without obtaining root rights and installing third-party software.

Many owners do not even realize that the Android system has a powerful toolkit for diagnosing and controlling the radio module, access to these functions through hidden system menus or special systems. USSD-It is important to understand that interference with the radio module requires care, because the wrong settings can temporarily deprive the device of communication.

Diagnostics of current network status and coverage

Before you make changes to system settings, you need to make sure that the problem lies in the settings of the smartphone, and not in the absence of coverage of the operator. Often users try to squeeze 4G where only the 3G base station is physically standing.

The easiest way to know the current type of connection is to look at the status bar, but more detailed information is provided by engineering data. Click Settings → About Phone → All specs → Processor (click 5-7 times on the kernel or processor version) to get into the test menu. Here you can see the current communication standard (RAT) and the signal level in dBm.

⚠️ Note: If the signal level is lower -110 dBm, forced inclusion 4G This can cause a complete loss of communication, as it is necessary to work LTE It requires a better signal than voice standards.

Alternative verification is using code ##4636##. In the menu that opens, select Phone Information. In the “Configure preferred network type” section, you will see the current mode. If it is “GSM only” or “WCDMA only”, LTE will not work by definition. The key here is the presence of an LTE prefix in the selected profile.

Using an engineering menu to select a network type

The most reliable and regular way to fix a smartphone on the LTE standard is using the hidden test menu of Android. This method does not require the installation of additional applications and works on most shells MIUI and HyperOS. The interface may look spartan, but the functionality here is critical for setting up the modem.

To enter the menu, dial the ##4636## in the Phone app. If the menu doesn't open automatically, your firmware may be blocking the code (often found in Chinese versions or some carriers), so you can try installing the "Force LTE Only (4G/5G)" app from the Play Market, which simply opens the same system interface.

In the list that opens, select “Phone Information” 1» (basic SIM-Find the drop-down list, "Tune your preferred network type." It's often the default value, like «NR/LTE/TD-SCDMA/GSM/WCDMA». You need to choose an option that contains LTE, exclusive 2G and 3G, for example, «LTE only" or «LTE/TD-SCDMA».

After the regime's selection «LTE Only" network indicator should blink and tan the icon 4G or LTE. If the icon is missing completely ("No network"), then there is no signal at this point of coverage. 4G. Go back to the menu and select a more flexible mode, for example, «LTE/WCDMA/GSM (auto connect)" so that the phone can switch, but high-speed Internet would be given priority.

Setting up APN access points to speed up the internet

Often the problem with slow internet is not the choice of a standard, but the incorrect settings of access points (APNs). telecom operators can automatically send parameters that are not optimal for working on 4G networks. Manually editing these parameters helps to push the priority on high-speed data protocols.

Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Choose. SIM-map → Access points (APN). Click on your existing access point or create a new one. We're interested in the "Access point type" and "Protocol" fields. APN». Make sure the default,supl type is specified and the protocol is selected. IPv4/IPv6.

Once you save the settings, be sure to turn on and off the Reim Flight or restart the device, which will reset the connection to the base station and force the phone to register again, taking into account the new parameters, and the effectiveness of this method is high in cases where the Internet hangs at full signal.

Resetting network settings as a radical method

If the manipulation of the engineering menu and APN failed, there may have been a build-up of software errors that prevented the radio from working properly, resetting the network settings back to factory values, not deleting your personal photos or contacts, but erasing saved Wi-Fi passwords and Bluetooth pairs.

Resets can be done via Settings → Connection and Sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth. The system will warn you of the consequences. Confirm action. Once the reboot is done, the phone will start to re-search available networks, which often helps to “grab” on the more powerful 4G tower, which previously ignored.

⚠️ Warning: Before resetting, make sure you remember passwords from important Wi-Fi networks, as you will have to manually restore them. SIM-card to prevent blocking of services by the operator.

This method is especially useful after updating the firmware HyperOS or switching from one version of Android to another, when old configuration files may conflict with new modem drivers. Statistics show that in 30% of cases, the reset solves the problem of constantly switching to 3G.

Working with two SIM-maps and priorities

Owners of two-sim Xiaomi often find that when you talk on one SIM, the second one goes into 2G/3G mode or completely shuts down, a limitation of the architecture of most smartphones, where only one modem channel supports 4G at the same time, but the situation can be optimized.

Settings menu → SIM-Check the "Use mobile data" option for your cards and mobile networks. Make sure that the SIM card that has unlimited tariff connection is selected. 4G. The second card will be used primarily for calls and SMS, standardize 2G/3G, What is normal behavior for many medium-segm devices

If your smartphone supports the technology DSDS (Dual SIM Dual Standby) with VoLTE, both SIM cards can be on the network 4G To activate VoLTE, dial ##86583##. The message should appear "VoLTE Carrier check was disabled" (meaning that the check is disabled and the function is enabled forcibly). SIM-The card will be switched to "Use VoLTE».

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For maximum Internet speed on two-sim models, turn off the second one SIM-This will free up the antenna resources and improve the reception of the main map.

Influence of covers and physical state of antennas

Physical factors should not be discounted: Metallized cases, magnetic car cases or simply too thick plastic can shield the signal. The antennas in Xiaomi smartphones are often located around the perimeter of the case, and overlapping these areas leads to artificially deteriorating reception, causing the phone to fall into 3G.

Take off the case and check the signal level, and if the number of sticks has increased and the speed has increased, the problem is found. SIM-Oxidized contacts or a loosely attached SIM can cause packet loss. Wipe the SIM contacts with a lastiche and paste it before you click.

In rare cases, the problem is that the smartphone crashed, which could have left the antenna plume inside the case. If the phone stopped catching 4G after the impact, even in the city center, and the resetting does not help, you will probably need hardware repairs at the service center.

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Physical obstacles (cases, hand, metal surface of the table) can reduce the signal level by 30-50%, which is a common reason for the automatic transition of the smartphone to 3G mode.

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